IOTSFV Build (edited from request for handbook)

[tundrawalker1]

Hey gang. I have been looking around for one of these. Anyone have a link for a handbook for the Initiate of the Seven Fold Viels? Thanks in advance if you do.

[theos911]

Many people consider this class overly broken....
Many people consider wizards and clerics broken, however there are handbooks for them. The fact that it is a PrC might be why, it doesn't have one. Finding a guide for a PrC is much more sparse.

[imperialspectre]

IotSV isn't a class that really requires much in the way of "optimization" - it's not like Incantatrix, where you have to have basic skill check optimization skills to actually make the most of the class. Your class features are inherent, not dependent or based on other decisions, so I'm not sure what you would require for optimizing IotSV as a class other than some basic tactical skills for picking the right veil at the right time.

So, I assume that you're not looking to optimize the PrC itself, but rather to pick options for the rest of your build that have strong synergy and otherwise make your character awesome. I'll take for granted that you have full or close to full arcane caster progression.

Since IotSV doesn't have any class features that benefit from feats, you should be picking feats that synergize with your role as a spellcaster. You can check those in any of the major arcane caster guides - Batman, Treantmonk's "god" guide, or Solo's sorcerer guide. If you're a sorcerer, you're also going to want to select spells that synergize well with your abilities - since (RAW) you have a non-dispellable protective ability in your veils, you should probably focus primarily on good offensive and utility options, with a couple basic secondary defenses to go with your veil.

Since you've got a 7-level PrC on your hands, there's not a lot of room for a lot of "standard" PrCs - a 10-level PrC other than Master Specialist is out of the question barring serious shenanigans. There are a few cookie-cutter builds you might consider:

Abjurer 3/Master Specialist 10/IotSV 7. Usually for this one, you're going to stop taking Master Specialist levels at 6, take all your IotSV levels, then finish off Master Specialist. You can also finish off your progression with Archmage, or you can finish it off with Abjurant Champion (but you can't get 5 levels of Abjurant Champion, so meh).

Wizard 3/War Weaver 5/Incantatrix 4/IotSV 7/Anything 1. This one also does nicely with Spellguard of Silverymoon in place of Incantatrix - you lose Persistent buffs, but can put more cool things in your spellweave. The idea of this build is that you can buff your teammates very efficiently, and throw out offensive stuff from behind good shields. It's not the Borg Cube, but it's pretty solid.

Paladin 2/Sorcerer 4/Spellsword 1/Abjurant Champion 2/IotSV 7/Abjurant Champion 3-5/Sacred Exorcist 1. This one is a deceptively strong gish build - the trick is that you put up a 5-foot shield, then use a reach weapon to strike at people through the shield. You have good saves, Charisma-based synergy, and lots of Turn Undead attempts from Sacred Exorcist (which, coupled with Southern Magician, gives you an avenue to DMM). Your BAB is pretty bad for a gish, but your defense is phenomenal.

I need to go get food, so I'm stopping here. Good luck.

[tundrawalker1]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your contributions. I guess I was really looking forward to build advice. Here is what I am looking hard at:

Lvl 1: Abjurer 1
Lvl 2: Abjurer 2
Lvl 3: Abjurer 3
Lvl 4: Master Specialist 1
Lvl 5: Master Specialist 2
Lvl 6: Master Specialist 3
Lvl 7: Master Specialist 4
Lvl 8:
Lvl 9:
Lvl 10: Sacred Exorcist 1 (Thanks imperialspectre for this suggestion)
Lvl 11: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 1
Lvl 12: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 2
Lvl 13: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 3
Lvl 14: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 4
Lvl 15: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 5
Lvl 16: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 6
Lvl 17: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 7
Lvl 18: Archmage 1
Lvl 19: Archmage 2
Lvl 20: Archmage 3

So I still have 2 levels open at levels 8 & 9. I guess it could be Master Specialist for a free spell and Caster Level increase. Or they can be something else. I would prefer to stay away from Incantatar as it would mean giving up another school despite its sheer power...and seeing it would be only for two levels, it is not that great a choice IMO.

Any suggestions?

[strider24seven]

What are your stats? If you can't afford an 18 in INT and 16 in CHA, I would actually advise against Sacred Exorcist if you go the Wizard route as it causes too much MAD, IMO.

Either go with a Sorcerer build (not as strong, IMO), or use a different class. Personally, I would use Abjurant Champion, but that could turn the build on its head, because you really want all 5 levels. Argent Savant is another useful PrC.

If you actually have the stats to pull this off, then go for it, by all means. It will likely outshine anything but an Incantatrix build. Just make sure to have a reach weapon.

[tundrawalker1]

What are your stats? If you can't afford an 18 in INT and 16 in CHA, I would actually advise against Sacred Exorcist if you go the Wizard route as it causes too much MAD, IMO.

Either go with a Sorcerer build (not as strong, IMO), or use a different class. Personally, I would use Abjurant Champion, but that could turn the build on its head, because you really want all 5 levels. Argent Savant is another useful PrC.

If you actually have the stats to pull this off, then go for it, by all means. It will likely outshine anything but an Incantatrix build. Just make sure to have a reach weapon.

We are going with a 40 point build. CHA doesn't need to be that important as I will NEVER be turning undead but the turn attempts will be used to power the Naenhoon ability of the Illumian race concerning metamagic (DMMish).

I should also say that we are twinking out a bit too as there is a free LA+4 given to us and I am considering applying the Lich template unless someone can suggest something better for this build.

[tundrawalker1]

What do you think is better:

Lvl 1: Abjurer 1
Lvl 2: Abjurer 2
Lvl 3: Abjurer 3
Lvl 4: Master Specialist 1
Lvl 5: Master Specialist 2
Lvl 6: Master Specialist 3
Lvl 7: Master Specialist 4
Lvl 8: Paragnostic Apostle 1
Lvl 9: Paragnostic Apostle 2
Lvl 10: Sacred Exorcist 1
Lvl 11: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 1
Lvl 12: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 2
Lvl 13: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 3
Lvl 14: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 4
Lvl 15: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 5
Lvl 16: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 6
Lvl 17: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 7
Lvl 18: Archmage 1
Lvl 19: Archmage 2
Lvl 20: Archmage 3


OR

Level 1: Wizard
Level 2: Wizard
Level 3: Wizard
Level 4: Wizard
Level 5: Wizard
Level 6: Incantator
Level 7: Incantator
Level 8: Incantator
Level 9: Incantator
Level 10: Incantator
Level 11: Incantator
Level 12: Incantotor
Level 13: Incantator (or a level of Sacred Exorcist)
Level 15: Inititate
Level 16: Inititate
Level 17: Inititate
Level 18: Inititate
Level 19: Inititate
Level 20: Inititate

Suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[Os1ris09]

I dont know about races but honestly I would go with this build if I were you:

Abjurer 3/M.S. 2/a good PrC you qualify for 4/Iot7V 7/whatever XX

Get into Iot7V as early as possible and cap with Archmage maybe. I strongly suggest it since you get arcane reach and SLA time stop for a 9 lvl and a 5 lvl spell slot

[Hat-Trick]

With 4 free LA, a pixie would be interesting...

[Mystic Muse]

I dont know about races but honestly I would go with this build if I were you:

Abjurer 3/M.S. 2/a good PrC you qualify for 4/Iot7V 7/whatever XX

Get into Iot7V as early as possible and cap with Archmage maybe. I strongly suggest it since you get arcane reach and SLA time stop for a 9 lvl and a 5 lvl spell slot

It's possible to get in earlier than that if your DM allows item familiars. I can get in at 8th level and somebody probably knows how to get in earlier than that. (I thought it was seventh but then I saw my error. *Grumble grumble*)

[gallagher]

just remember that you want to get your IOTSFV levels in as soon as possible, as they are going to be much more valuable earlier, and at those levels you get a better look at how to work the veils.

secondly, have as high a CL as you possibly can. you need to be able to dispell alot of spells because your veils can be countered (with such common spells like magic missile for the blue veil as i recall)

[tundrawalker1]

This game is a level 20 one/two-shot so getting into levels early really doesn't make a difference. I am building it for the full level 20 and so I am looking for advice on which PrC's to use. I still think I am going to use the LA4 for the Lich template. Always been a fan of Liches for some reason.

[tundrawalker1]

This is the forerunner thus far.

Lvl 1: Wizard 1
Lvl 2: Wizard 2
Lvl 3: Wizard 3
Lvl 4: Wizard 4
Lvl 5: Wizard 5
Lvl 6: Incantator 1
Lvl 7: Incantator 2
Lvl 8: Incantator 3
Lvl 9: Incantator 4
Lvl 10: Sacred Exorcist 1
Lvl 11: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 1
Lvl 12: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 2
Lvl 13: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 3
Lvl 14: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 4
Lvl 15: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 5
Lvl 16: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 6
Lvl 17: Initiate of the Sevenfold Viels 7
Lvl 18: Archmage 1
Lvl 19: Archmage 2
Lvl 20: Archmage 3


Any suggestions? Or am I way off base here?

EDIT: The rationale for the Sacred Exorcist class is because the leading candidate for race is Illumian to get the DMMish abilities of naenhoon. If it were not for that race, the Sacred Exorcist class would not be necessary. I am a fan of the Illumian race and the way they spend turn attempts to power metamagic feats. If you can suggest something better, I am all ears.

[Os1ris09]

You lose Illumian racial stuff when you become a lich if I recall correctly. So if you're going to be a lich might as well get rid of Illumian and go for the extra feat with Human and dip 1 lvl into C-Cleric to get devotion feats AND turn/rebuke undead then go lich.

Personally thats what I would do. You lose 1 CL to C-Cleric but that can be easily made up with some type of item.

[tundrawalker1]

You lose Illumian racial stuff when you become a lich if I recall correctly. So if you're going to be a lich might as well get rid of Illumian and go for the extra feat with Human and dip 1 lvl into C-Cleric to get devotion feats AND turn/rebuke undead then go lich.

Personally thats what I would do. You lose 1 CL to C-Cleric but that can be easily made up with some type of item.

I don't recall seeing anywhere that you lose the Illumian abilities if you become a lich. Where is that written? I am not saying you are wrong, just that I am not aware that is the case.

[Keld Denar]

Lich is decent, but its a little unfocused. Look for things that give you bonuses to your casting stat, Int. I know Phrenic gives you a bonus to int and some minor Psi-like abilities for only a +2. You could spend the other +2 on something similar to further boost your int more than the +2 int you get from lich.

[Mystic Muse]

Don't go with Lich. If you're only going to be playing for a few sessions, their strongest thing, the phylactery isn't going to be very useful.