[3.5] Balanced dwarf wizard.

[Pigkappa]

I'm starting to think of a new character in case my bard dies (which is not so unlikely). Since the party is missing a decent arcane caster (currently, we have Cleric-Scout-Warmage-Monk-Bard) and I never played a wizard before, I thought I could try out a wizard and I need some help. This character doesn't need to be powerful, but it would be nice to be finally useful to the party instead of having +30 Bluff when our enemies can't usually speak.

- I'm going to be a Dwarf, because I've never played that race and I think I can like dwarven attitude. Alignment LG. There's some background - I've been adopted by Gnomes early on for some reasons not fully determined yet, and worship Garl Glittergold.
- Charisma is going to be very low, and he will probably be unable to speak common, due to a childhood shock. This is because I think I use to speak too much in the game, and need to put an end to it.
- I've never crafted an item, so I'm going to take at least one crafting feat, Create Wondrous Items.

- No metamagic reducers allowed, except for the rods in the DMG.
- 28 point buy, I think I'm going to take Str 10, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 8 (10-14-16-16-12-6 after racial adjustments). I don't think dwarves should be really weak (so, Str is 10 and not 8), and I don't want to play a dumb/idiotic character again (so, Wis is 12 and not 10). Starting level would be 6+ (depending on the Bard's lifespan...), so Int is actually 17 or more.
- All books are allowed, but any combo needs to be really simple.
- I don't want to do anything that could totally break the game, so I'm not going to take those mad classes that allow you to cast half of the game's spells just with silented image, and I'm not going to Polymorph into something with 150 Int as soon as I can. Alter Self for flying is still ok I think.
- When I first thought of this character, I tried to build a Necromancer Specialist (focused in metamagic and maybe becoming an incantatrix) which didn't kill enemies, but could seriously cripple them (Necromancy isn't evil in this campaign). Since metamagic reducers aren't allowed, that wouldn't work really well =(.
- Since we already have a blaster, and a character with 6 Charisma shouldn't really focus on mind-affecting spells for flavour reasons, I think it won't hurt really much to ban Enchantment and Evocation. I want to keep Necromancy, and I'm not going to be a Focused Specialist (I don't really like it...).
- I don't like save-or-dies really much; I would definitely prefer to be focused on buffing/summoning/debuffing and the like. I'm not good at that, since I never played an arcane caster before, except for this Bard.
- The campaign is unlikely to reach high levels, so nothing like "your level 3 feat slot is useless, just take Persist Spell, it will be useful later on!".

So, suggestions for something that makes sense for the fluff and is still useful to the party?

[Pharaoh's Fist]

How about a Runesmith?

[Optimystik]

Since metamagic is out, why not be an Abjurer instead, going into Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil and Runesmith?

Take a fighter level (bonus feat: Improved Initiative) to get Heavy Armor Proficiency. Once you enter Runesmith, you can cast all your spells in heavy armor without failure. You'll be a very solid defensive caster, both against physical attacks and magic.

[ericgrau]

Do a google search including site:www.giantitp.com or site:www.wizards.com or wherever to find suggestions on spell selection. That's 95% of what you need.

You seem fine so far, dwarves make fine wizards, etc. Though necromancy is one of the situational schools. Get some backup spells from various other schools for situations where you can't use it. For buffs status effect buffs like haste or invisibility are usually far better than +X buffs. And try to do your buffing before combat; in the morning when possible. A +X buff in combat just isn't worth the round and it's only worth the spell slot if you have extra. Other types of spells to consider are battlefield control and direct damage. Like necromancy, illusions and enchantments provide some other situational options. Least of all comes utility, which is good on scrolls and wands when you can so that you can save it for weeks until you finally need it instead of burning an unused spell slot every day.

[Pigkappa]

Runesmith sounds nice, but I'm currently low on XP (I just started level 7, most of the party is at the end of level 7); if I lose one level by changing character, and I want to create a few items with Create Wondrous Items, I'm gonna be always one level below the party. A fighter (or paladin) dip would mean that I'm 2 levels below the party, quite annoying for a full spellcaster... Also, Initiate of the Sevenfold may be too strong for the campaign; I was thinking more of something like Mage of the Arcane Order, Fatespinner, or some other nice-but-not-too-good PrC.

[BRC]

How about a Runesmith?

Agleed.
If your DM takes the sane interpretation/Houserule (trying not to get into that argumetn again) concerning their capstone it's actually a decently balanced class. It gives you a significant benefit which comes at the cost of either 3 feats or one level. It gives you a couple other useful abilities that are not broken.

And it lets you show those pansy elves what a REAL wizard looks like (Note, it looks like a dwarf in full plate).

Personally I would take your first level in Duskblade. Duskblades come with Heavy Armor Proficiency and Martial Weapon proficiency. They also provide you with an Arcane Caster level, it won't help your spells per day/when you get spells, but it's still useful. Also You get the Duskblades better hit die maxed out, and their superior skill points multiplied by 4.

then take 4 levels in Wizard, then Runesmith at 6th, at which point you are now awesome. You'll be pretty hard to kill, You'll have Martial Weapon Proficiency so you can buff yourself up and slug it out if need be.

[ericgrau]

Runesmith sounds nice, but I'm currently low on XP (I just started level 7, most of the party is at the end of level 7); if I lose one level by changing character, and I want to create a few items with Create Wondrous Items, I'm gonna be always one level below the party. A fighter (or paladin) dip would mean that I'm 2 levels below the party, quite annoying for a full spellcaster...

Per the xp tables, you'll get extra xp as long as you're a level behind. If you stay a level behind that's an endless stream of free xp for crafting. Crafting is well worth it, especially if you want to be a buffer. I can't speak one way or the other for other things that might lower your wizard level though.

[Myou]

War weaver is good for sharing buffs, worth a look.

[Pigkappa]

War weaver sounds nice, but that doesn't really sound too simple, and I don't like to lose another caster level. Being one level below the party is ok, 2 levels is kinda a problem IMHO.

[Thrawn183]

I'm going to say be really radical and go with a straight generalist wizard. No one will see it coming.

Have spells that apply to any situation!

[BRC]

War weaver sounds nice, but that doesn't really sound too simple, and I don't like to lose another caster level. Being one level below the party is ok, 2 levels is kinda a problem IMHO.

If the DM is playing with the standard rules, you should catch up before long.

[faceroll]

If the DM is playing with the standard rules, you should catch up before long.

Well, he'll be down one caster level forever, and between crafting and the xp system, he'll be at the party level maybe half the time. If the DM awards xp at the end of the session, he'll oscillate from 1 CL below the party to 2 CL below the party, usually being 2 CL below, due to crafting.

[Optimystik]

I'm going to say be really radical and go with a straight generalist wizard. No one will see it coming.

Have spells that apply to any situation!

You can do that with a specialist, and even with a focused specialist with enough sources.

Generalists are for elves anyway.

[BRC]

Well, he'll be down one caster level forever, and between crafting and the xp system, he'll be at the party level maybe half the time. If the DM awards xp at the end of the session, he'll oscillate from 1 CL below the party to 2 CL below the party, usually being 2 CL below, due to crafting.

So I guess his choice is between Crafting or a Nifty PRC, or being a few levels lower.

Mind you, it's possible to get Runesmith without giving up any wizard levels, you use your First level feat on Light Armor Prof, 3rd level on Medium armor proficiency, and 6th level on Heavy Armor Proficiency, and you'd still get Scribe Scroll and one wizard bonus feat that could be spent on a Crafting Feat.
Which means he could only craft one type of magic item (Besides Scrolls) until 9th level, but it seems like a somewhat decent compromise.

[Sir Giacomo]

Building on your idea to play a rather taciturn/introverted, gnome-raised, CHR 6 dwarf who has the wondrous item creation feat....What about the following:

Make your dwarf wizard a transmuter specialist who is a toymaker (possibly from level 8 with the effigy master prestige class).

Specialise on making all kind of useful toys and items that can also help the party.
Your skill craft/toymaking should then also receive the dwarven racial bonus, plus your familiar may provide you with an apprentice-like aid another bonus. At level 6, this means you'll be able to create masterwork items pretty often.

Choose all spells focused on that theme like illusion spells to make the toys more "realistic" etc.
Other individual spells that fit the theme at level 6 from core
I: Magic Aura, animate rope
II: arcane lock, magic mouth, phantom trap
III: illusory script, shrink item

To do stuff like figurines of wondrous power already at level 6 (things like silver ravens can be done then already), buy some animate object scrolls or have an npc cast it for you.

Other possible items by level 6 (again core):
- Boat, Folding
- Unguent of Timelessness ("I can give a you a hundred year guarantee on that toy, elf child!")
- slippers of spider climbing
etc.

Lateron, with regular use of the animate objects spell, you could make use of the "nanobot" tactics to provide you with all kinds of "aid another" bonuses from your little "friends".

- Giacomo

[Myou]

So I guess his choice is between Crafting or a Nifty PRC, or being a few levels lower.

Mind you, it's possible to get Runesmith without giving up any wizard levels, you use your First level feat on Light Armor Prof, 3rd level on Medium armor proficiency, and 6th level on Heavy Armor Proficiency, and you'd still get Scribe Scroll and one wizard bonus feat that could be spent on a Crafting Feat.
Which means he could only craft one type of magic item (Besides Scrolls) until 9th level, but it seems like a somewhat decent compromise.

I'd just ask the DM to let me enter with one proficiency feat instead of three - it's not like the class is any more powerful than a normal wizard.

[deuxhero]

You could enter Dragonslayer with 2 junk feats (dodge and iron will), 1 can be obtained with gold from a location in Complete Scoundral for the armor (dragonslayer gives you martial weapons, all armor and immunity to fear while progressing casting at level 1, a great dip) to avoid blowing 3 feats for armor.

[DragoonWraith]

Aye, I'd say the Runesmith is the best call. Personally, I'd avoid the Fighter like the plague, and spend the feats, but that's just me. You're probably going to want the proficiency since you get to use that armor once you are a Runesmith.

Though it is really dumb that they make you take the proficiency feats before you get the ability to use the armor with spells.

[deuxhero]

Oh yeah, for runesmith the sample NPC only blows 2 feats to enter (He skips medium armor and goes straight to heavy I think). See if your DM will allow using the same ruling (Does anyone use non-mithiral fullplate heavy armor anyways?)

[BRC]

Aye, I'd say the Runesmith is the best call. Personally, I'd avoid the Fighter like the plague, and spend the feats, but that's just me. You're probably going to want the proficiency since you get to use that armor once you are a Runesmith.

Though it is really dumb that they make you take the proficiency feats before you get the ability to use the armor with spells.

The Armor proficiency is required for Runesmith, it's one of the things that balances the class.
And no, it's not dumb, unless you gain extra feats somehow or take a level in something that gives proficiency, you gain Heavy Armor Proficiency at 6th level, the same time you enter Runesmith and gain the ability to cast spells in armor.
So yeah, Light and Medium armor proficiencies are sitting around for a few levels, but that's no dumber than any of the other worthless feats PRC's make you take to get in.

Edit: If the DM lets you enter without spending all 3 feats, more power to you. But don't count on it.

[Pigkappa]

I'd just ask the DM to let me enter with one proficiency feat instead of three - it's not like the class is any more powerful than a normal wizard.

Since he thinks wizards are overpowered, he's going to nerf me as much as he can, and he won't let me save 2 feats I think.

I'm going to say be really radical and go with a straight generalist wizard. No one will see it coming.

Banning Evocation and Enchantment is affordable IMHO...

Mind you, it's possible to get Runesmith without giving up any wizard levels, you use your First level feat on Light Armor Prof, 3rd level on Medium armor proficiency, and 6th level on Heavy Armor Proficiency, and you'd still get Scribe Scroll and one wizard bonus feat that could be spent on a Crafting Feat.

Isn't there a better way to use 3 feats? I'm not going to have to tank mobs very often anyway, I don't think 3 feats are worth this.

...

Is the toymaker a class/feat/something, or just a name for this kind of flavour?
Effigy master seems nice, but again - losing another caster level wouldn't work too good IMO.


I'm thinking about Mage of the Arcane Order too - that's a lot of versatility, but I don't know if metamagic feats (I need two to enter the class, one of which is totally useless) can be useful without metamagic reducers.

[Sir Giacomo]

Is the toymaker a class/feat/something, or just a name for this kind of flavour?
Effigy master seems nice, but again - losing another caster level wouldn't work too good IMO.

Toymaker was just for flavour
Losing a caster level may not be that much of a sacrifice when you have a DM who thinks wizards are overpowered.

- Giaocmo

[BRC]

I've been suggesting Runesmith because I think it's an awesome class. It's also a class uniquely built and flavored for Dwarf wizards. If the idea of playing a Wizard in full plate isn't worth 3 feats in your opinion, that's okay too.

[Gnorman]

I don't like save-or-dies really much; I would definitely prefer to be focused on buffing/summoning/debuffing and the like. I'm not good at that, since I never played an arcane caster before, except for this Bard.

So, suggestions for something that makes sense for the fluff and is still useful to the party?

Malconvoker. Being raised by gnomes, after all, would have taught your character the value of trickery. And you don't need to speak Common to command your summons, only Abyssal/Infernal.