PDA

View Full Version : Ray Master



Heliomance
2008-10-28, 04:46 AM
Because a Ray of Enfeeblement with a 17-20/x3 crit range amuses me greatly. This build is probably horrendously unoptimised - help improve it? It uses the 3.0 class Weapons Master from Sword and Fist.

Human Ftr4/Wiz2/WepMas7/Wiz+3/Rog1/Spellwarp Sniper3

Feats, in no particular order: Combat Expertise, Whirlwind Attack, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Improved Critical, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Focus (Ray), Weapon Specialisation (Ray), Scribe Scroll, Empower Spell.

Yes, I know that some of those like Whirlwind Attack and Spring Attack are useless for a caster. They're prereqs.

The important abilities for this build are the Weapon Master's Ki Critical (gain Improved Critical, if you already have it, gain an additional +2 on the threat range) and Increased Multiplier (Increase the critical multiplier on an attack a number of times per day equal to half your class level) abilities. Thoughts?

Kurald Galain
2008-10-28, 05:10 AM
Thoughts? Well, you don't actually need Spellwarp Sniper for anything, because there's plenty of actual rays in the PHB and splatbooks. That should free up a bunch of feats and such. Craven is a nice feat that can boost your SA damage by up to +20.

Biffoniacus_Furiou
2008-10-28, 05:12 AM
A 1d6+5 Ray of Enfeeblement at 17-20/x3 is still only a 1d6+5 penalty to Str on a critical hit. If it doesn't deal damage, it doesn't benefit from scoring a critical hit. Status effects (Ray of Exhaustion) and spells that impose a penalty (Ray of Enfeeblement) don't do anything more than normal on a critical hit. There are plenty of "Ray of" spells in the Spell Compendium that deal damage, though. According to Complete Arcane, you only have to specify Range Touch Spell or Melee Touch Spell for Weapon Focus/Specialization, you don't need to be as specific as naming Rays, considering non-ray spells that require a ranged touch attack such as Splinterbolt will still benefit. Also don't forget Ranged Spell Specialization (CA), which you don't even need any Fighter levels to qualify for.

Sstoopidtallkid
2008-10-28, 05:14 AM
A 1d6+5 Ray of Enfeeblement at 17-20/x3 is still only a 1d6+5 penalty to Str on a critical hit. If it doesn't deal damage, it doesn't benefit from scoring a critical hit. Status effects (Ray of Exhaustion) and spells that impose a penalty (Ray of Enfeeblement) don't do anything more than normal on a critical hit. There are plenty of "Ray of" spells in the Spell Compendium that deal damage, though.Ability Damage is multiplied as well, IIRC. Neg levels should work, too, but I don't know for sure.

Heliomance
2008-10-28, 05:17 AM
Splinterbolt isn't touch - it's a normal ranged attack.

jcsw
2008-10-28, 05:22 AM
Ability Damage is multiplied as well, IIRC. Neg levels should work, too, but I don't know for sure.

By RAW, no it isn't. It's a strength penalty. While a crit would indeed multiply ability damage it does not multiply penalties in the same way a crit with a spell which gives penalties to skill checks does not multiply the skill penalties.

An ability penalty, by the way, also means multiple castings on the same target do not stack because penalties from the same spell don't stack.

Sstoopidtallkid
2008-10-28, 05:29 AM
By RAW, no it isn't. It's a strength penalty. While a crit would indeed multiply ability damage it does not multiply penalties in the same way a crit with a spell which gives penalties to skill checks does not multiply the skill penalties.

An ability penalty, by the way, also means multiple castings on the same target do not stack because penalties from the same spell don't stack.Note the 'as well'. I agree that per RAW Ray of Enfeeblement won't crit, but an attack that deals ability damage will, which I thought was unclear in your post. Also, OP, you're missing Split Ray from your build. Snag it. And drop the focus line if at all possible. It's not worth it. Have you considered going Battle Sorcerer? I normally hate it, but your offensive spell list will by nature be pretty small, so the penalties won't be as horrid, and it gives you BAB.

Heliomance
2008-10-28, 05:48 AM
Where can I find Split Ray and Battle Sorcerer? Weapon Focus is a prereq, but Weapon Spec isn't, so I could drop that. Also, do you have any recommendations for good spells to use it with?

Sstoopidtallkid
2008-10-28, 05:52 AM
Weapon Spec only applies to actual damage(not ability damage) and how often is 2 points going to make a difference on a Scorching Ray? Battle Sorcerer is C ArcSRD, it loses a spell known each spell level for .75 BAB and Light Armor casting. Normally not worth it, but in this case...maybe. Split Ray is also in there.

kamikasei
2008-10-28, 05:54 AM
Battle Sorcerer is C Arc

It's in the SRD under the variant rules from Unearthed Arcana - I don't think it's in Complete Arcane, but even if it is the OP will probably find the SRD version easier to check out.

Triaxx
2008-10-28, 06:06 AM
Well, yes and no. A wizard built like this, along with a scythe, could hammer at the foes from range, then finish them off with x4 crits from his scythe.

Biffoniacus_Furiou
2008-10-28, 06:09 AM
Battle Sorcerer (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#sorcererVariantBattleS orcerer) is in UA, and very useful for builds that include prestige classes with BAB prerequisites. Split Ray is in CA, it's a metamagic feat that costs +2 spell levels, but with Sorcerer you could get Practical Metamagic (RotD) to make it only cost +1, and maybe either Accelerate Metamagic (RotD) or Rapid Metamagic (CM) so you won't have to spend a full-round action to cast.

Splinterbolt (SC) is a Druid version of Scorching Ray, but it's not a touch attack, it deals piercing damage, and threatens on 18-20. A Druid 12 with Improved Critical: Ranged Spell threatens on a 15-20, and he can Wild Shape into something that flies with a Dex score in the 30s to always hit while staying out of melee. As a single-classed Druid that's way better off than a non-Gish that's only good at using the worst category of spells in the game.

You'd be better off to get Split Ray with Practical Metamagic, Twin Spell (CA) with Practical Metamagic and Easy Metamagic (http://crystalkeep.com/d20/rules/DnD3.5Index-Feats.pdf) (Dragon mag), and Sanctum Spell (CA) to intentionally reverse-Heighten your spells by one level, with Arcane Thesis (PH2) for Enervation and a Lesser Rod of Maximize. That will let you spend a 3rd level spell slot to make an Enervation that deals 16 negative levels, definitely better than dealing HP damage.

Heliomance
2008-10-28, 06:44 AM
Well, yes and no. A wizard built like this, along with a scythe, could hammer at the foes from range, then finish them off with x4 crits from his scythe.

Weapons Master wouldn't apply to both spells and scythe though, just the one.

TBH, it would only work with a DM with a sense of humour, as by RAW, Weapons Master shouldn't apply to rays, not being weapons. That said, assuming it's allowed, is there any way to make Weapons Master viable for a caster? For reference, the prereqs are:
BAB+5
Intimidate 4 ranks
Proficiency with your weapon of choice (handwaved due to being a ray)
Possession of a masterwork weapon of the type you use, unless unarmed (handwaved due to being a ray)
Dodge, Mobility, Combat Reflexes, Combat Expertise, Weapon Focus, Whirlwind Attack
Dex 13+

Full BAB, poor fort, good ref, poor will

jcsw
2008-10-28, 06:57 AM
If your build still has 4 levels of fighter, you might want to consider the armored mage variant from Complete Mage (as an alternative to battle sorc, since you seem to prefer wizard).
You lose Medium and Heavy armor proficiency, but you gain the ability to ignore ACF for light armor and shields for any spell level equal to your fighter level+1 (which, if you're still using the build in the first post, means all the levels you could possibly cast in your non-epic career.)

Heliomance
2008-10-28, 08:29 AM
The only reason I went with wizard is that I have so few levels of it, I thought the faster spell progression would be much better.

Triaxx
2008-10-28, 02:28 PM
I was referring to Whirlwind Attack and Spring Attack actually. I hadn't considered Weapon Master.