[3.5] three spells for my Wizard to learn

[Tyrrell]

After two or so years of play, my character just hit level 20. At level 20 (as at every previous level) he gets 3 new spells for his book (elven generalist wizard). Oddly, because he's been adding a lot of spells to his book over the course of play, there aren't any spells that jump out to me as desperately needed.

So what Wizard spells from any source and any level are really fun?

Background on the character, I switched from my previous character at level four with the idea that I'd never really optimized the heck out of a wizard and, despite my sense of good taste, a little part of my heart really really wanted to say "screw good taste I want power". So to some extent I did (to the extent that I, with no regard to decorum, actually took contingency, greater contingency, shivering touch, and shapechange).

The character is level 7 wizard, level 10 incanatatrix, level 3 archmage (master of shaping , master of elements, and arcane reach)

He gave up illusion as a school when he took incantatrix (I'd never dropped illusion before and I wanted to give it a try without illusion spells).

Here are the spells I've already got

Spoiler

Show

Alarm Abjuration 1 PHB 197
Ancient Knowledge Divination 1 Magic of Ebberon 94
Charm Person Enchantment 1 PHB 209
Comprehend Languages Divination 1 PHB 212
Ebon Eyes Transmutation 1 SC 77
Familiar Pocket Universal 1 SC 88
Feather fall Transmutation 1 PHB 229
Grease Conjuration 1 PHB 237
Hail of Stone Conjuration 1 SC 108
Kelgore's Fire Bolt Conjuration/Evocation 1 PHB 2 116
Mage Armor Conjuration 1 PHB 249
Mage Hand, Greater Transmutation 1 SC 136
magic missile Evocation 1 PHB 251
Mount Conjuration 1 PHB 257
Tensor's Floating Disk Evocation 1 PHB 294
True Casting Divination 1 Complete Mage 121
True Strike Divination 1 PHB 297
Alter self Transformation 2 PHB 197
Black Karma's curse Enchantment 2 PHB 2 103
Bull's Strength Transmutation 2 PHB 207
Detect Thoughts Divination 2 PHB 220
False Life Necromancy 2 PHB 229
Glitterdust Conjuration 2 PHB 236
Knock Transmutation 2 PHB 246
Levitate Transmutation 2 PHB 248
Resist energy Abjuration 2 PHB 272
Rope Trick Transmutation 2 PHB 273
Scorching Ray Evocation 2 PHB 274
See Invisiblity Divination 2 PHB 275
Tasha's Hideous Laughter Enchantment 2 PHB 292
Arcane Sight Divination 3 PHB 201
Disobedience Abjuration 3 Comp Scoundrel 97
Dispell Magic Abjuration 3 PHB 223
Fireball Evocation 3 PHB 231
Fly Transmutation 3 PHB 232
Greater Magic Weapon Transmutation 3 PHB 251
Haste Transmutation 3 PHB 239
Heroism Enchantment 3 PHB 240
Lightning Bolt Evocation 3 PHB 248
Mage Armor, Greater Conjuration 3 SC 136
Many Jaws Evocation 3 SC 138
Rage Enchantment 3 PHB 268
Shivering touch Necromancy (cold) 3 Frostburn 104
Spell vulnerability Transmutation 3 SC ???
Suggestion Enchantment 3 PHB 285
Tounges Divination 3 PHB 294
Water Breathing Transmutation 3 PHB 300
Assay spell resitance Divination 4 SC 174
Blast of Flame Conjuration 4 SC 31
Celerity Transmutation 4 PHB 2 105
Charm Monster Enchantment 4 PHB 209
Dimensional Anchor Abjuation 4 PHB 221
Dimension Door Transmutation 4 PHB 221
Enervation Necromancy 4 PHB 226
Evard's Black Tenticles Conjuration 4 PHB 228
Explosive Cascade Evocation 4 SC 85
Firestride Exhalation Conjuration/Evocation 4 Dragon Magic 67
Greater Resistance Abjuration 4 SC 174
Locate Creature Divination 4 PHB 249
Orb of Force Conjuration 4 SC 151
Otiluke's Resiliant Sphere Evocation 4 PHB 258
Rary's Mnemonic Enhancer Transmutation 4 PHB 268
Baleful Polymorph Transmutation 5 PHB 202
Break Enchantment Abjuration 5 PHB 207
Contact Other Plane Divination 5 PHB 212
Cyclonic Blast Evocation 5 SC 57
Magic Jar Necromancy 5 PHB 250
Overland Flight Transmutation 5 PHB 259
Passwall Transmutation 5 PHB 259
Permanency Universal 5 PHB 259
Scry Trap Abjuration 5 Magic of Ebberon 101
Summon Monster V Conjuration 5 PHB 286
Teleport Conjuration 5 PHB 292
Wall of Force Evocation 5 PHB 298
Wall of Stone Conjuration 5 PHB 299
Analyze Dweomer Divination 6 PHB 197
Anti magic Shell Abjuration 6 PHB 200
Contingency Evocation 6 PHB 213
Disintegrate Transmutation 6 PHB 222
Dispell Magic, Greater Abjuration 6 PHB 223
Glimpse of the Prophesy Divination 6 Magic of Ebberon 96
Heroism, Greater Enchantment 6 PHB 241
Legend Lore Divination 6 PHB 246
Mass Sugestion Enchantment 6 PHB 285
Mordenkainen's Lucubration Transmutation 6 PHB 256
Planar Binding Conjuration 6 PHB 261
Probe thoughts Divination 6 SC 162
Rary's Arcane Conversion Universal 6 Complete Mage 114
Stione to flesh Transmutation 6 PHB 284
Summon Monster VI Conjuration 6 PHB 287
True seeing Divination 6 PHB 296
Arcane spell Surge Universal 7 Dragon Magic 64
Banishment Abjuration 7 PHB 203
Brilliant aura Tranmutation 7 SC 39
Energy Immunity Abjuration 7 SC 80
Etherial Jaunt Transmutation 7 PHB 227
Limited Wish Universal 7 PHB 248
Plane shift Conjuration 7 PHB 262
Power Word Blind Enchantment 7 PHB 263
Prismatic Spray Evocation 7 PHB 264
Scrying, Greater Divination 7 PHB 275
Stoneshape, Greater Transmutation 7 SC 208
Summon Monster VII Conjuration 7 PHB 287
Teleport, Greater Conjuration 7 PHB 293
Celerity, greater Transmutation 8 PHB 2 105
Chain Dispel Abjuration 8 PHB 2 105
Discern Location Divination 8 PHB 222
Horrid Wilting Necromancy 8 PHB 242
Maze Evocation 8 PHB 252
Mind Blank Abjuration 8 PHB 253
Otto's irresistable dance Enchantment 8 PHB 259
Polymorph any object Transmutation 8 PHB 263
Spell Engine Abjuration (force) 8 SC 198
Wrathful castigation Enchantment 8 SC 243
Foresight Divination 9 PHB 233
Gate Conjuration 9 PHB 234
Iceberg Evocation 9 Frostburn
Maw of Chaos Abjuration 9 SC 140
Mordenkainen's Disjunction Abjuration 9 PHB 255
Shapechange Transmutation 9 PHB 277
Sphere of Ultimate Destruction Conjuration 9 SC 200
Time Stop Transmutation 9 PHB 294
Wish Universal 9 PHB 302

Here are the feats the character has

Spoiler

Show

Iron will
Scribe scroll
Skill focus: spellcraft
Spell focus enchantment
Spell focus evocation
Spell penetration
Spellcasting prodigy
Craft contingent spell
Chain spell
Empower spell
Extend spell
Maximize spell
Quicken spell
Twin spell

[Keld Denar]

Um, Freezing Fog (SpC), Stun Ray (SpC), and....Greater Planar Binding? Maybe Illusory Pit (SpC)?

[Fax Celestis]

Some of my favorites come from PHB-II and Complete Scoundrel.

• Wand modulation: CScn, Wiz 4. Make a wand cast a different spell by spending more charges. You don't actually have to know the spell you're tuning it to.
• Cloud of knives: PHB-II Wiz 2. Get surrounded by floating knives for 1rd/lev, ping one off as a free action each turn for 1d4+CL at AB = CL+Int. Use Smiting Spell to make them into long-range touch deliverers, or Chain Spell with GMW to make them all magical. Not very potent, but interesting.
• Winged Watcher: CScn, Wiz 1. Turn into an owl or raven for 1/rd level as a swift action. Great for mobility, stealth, reconnaissance. My druid uses this to turn into an owl as a swift action, fly 80', then dismiss it to get into a good vantage.

Low-level stuff, I know, but they're interesting and versatile.

[Keld Denar]

Sorry Fax, but I gotta pick your nit. Cloud of Knives is 1d4 + 1 per 3 CLs, not 1 per CL. And it caps at 5 bonus damage.

Don't hurt me! *ducks*

Its still a good spell!

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Superior Invisibility, 8th, Spell Compendium
Iceberg, 9th, Frostburn
Invoke Magic, 9th, Lords of Madness

[Fax Celestis]

Sorry Fax, but I gotta pick your nit. Cloud of Knives is 1d4 + 1 per 3 CLs, not 1 per CL. And it caps at 5 bonus damage.

Don't hurt me! *ducks*

Its still a good spell!

You know I even thought that in my head. Dunno why I didn't type it.

Still, wand modulation is quite possibly the most overlooked spell I know of, because people assume it requires you to know the spell you're transmuting the wand to.

[HunterOfJello]

why are you missing prestidigitation?

you need to go buy that as a scroll

[CockroachTeaParty]

There's a spell from Storwrack that lets you submerge an entire ship, ala Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean. It might just be one of the most visually impressive spells out there.

[herrhauptmann]

Collegiate Wizard (CArc) doubles the number of spells you learn for free each level. Why don't you have it?
Which version of Spellcasting Prodigy do you have?

[jiriku]

Undermaster, from SpC, lets you reshape the world around you at will for 5 rounds. Extend it for free with your incantatrix class features for twice the fun. Cast time stop + undermaster to reshape the entire battlefield in the blink of an eye.

[Tyrrell]

Freezing Fog (SpC),
Stun Ray (SpC),
Greater Planar Binding
# Wand modulation:
# Cloud of knives:
# Winged Watcher:
Superior Invisibility, can't do illusions
Iceberg already got it
Invoke Magic
a spell from Storwrack that lets you submerge an entire ship,
Undermaster

woo hoo!! thanks for your help I'll look them over before my next game.

Collegiate Wizard (CArc) doubles the number of spells you learn for free each level. Why don't you have it?
Which version of Spellcasting Prodigy do you have?

I don't have collegiate wizard because it ony costs 50 gp per spell level to copy a spell from another caster's book (per PHB) and the setting has enough collegial wizards that it would be a wasted feat (esp considering that I have a bonus spell from elven generalist anyway).

I've got the 3.5 version of prodigy rather than the 3.0. I only get more slots.

why are you missing prestidigitation

because I didn't copy any cantrips on to the list you get them all by default at first level so I didn't want to clutter up my post, my character sheet on the other hand has cantrips taking up half a spell book with back up copies in my Boccob's blessed book.

I'm still willing to hear more suggestions or arguments as to why some of the spells that have been suggested are more fun than others.

[Andion Isurand]

I think you should have gone with Domain Wizard instead of elven generalist wizard... and tried to make your own custom wizard domain.

Keen Intellect is my first level only feat of choice for a wizard... makes wisdom your dump stat.

I would go for Astral Projection, Stasis Clone, Effulgent Eppuration... all level 9.. assuming you've already done your wishing at level 17

[Keld Denar]

The spell that submerges your ship? Its called "Submerge Ship". Go figure. It was reprinted in SpC, so no need to dig out Stormwrack just for that.

The bliss of Freezing Fog is that it pretty much auto-wins against constructs. The bigger and badder they are, the harder Freezing Fog wins. The balance check is nearly impossible for it to make, and even if it makes that AND the Ref save, it still can attempt to stand up, but can't move because it is considered balancing AND in a Solid Fog. Next round, odds are it'll fall back down again. As size goes up, dex goes down, making Huge constructs more vulnerable than Large, and Gargantuan constructs even more vulnerable. Since there is no SR, it works despite Magic Immunity, and will generally chew through a 16 HD Stone Golem in a few minutes, 1d6 at a time. Unless the golem has Cold Resistance 5 or more, or Cold Immunity, it'll pretty much just hang out in there until it falls apart.

[Jack_Simth]

There's nothing quite like casting a Maximized Time Stop, walking up next to someone, and laying down a Prismatic Sphere, a Dimension Lock, and any area-effect duration-based damage spell, and then walking back out of the sphere. Do they stay inside and attempt to dispel? Soak the damage? Risk running through the Sphere?

And you're missing Prismatic Sphere....

[Andion Isurand]

Time Stop, Reverse Gravity and a Prismatic Sphere placed just above the enemy.... tasty.

[Mushroom Ninja]

Time Stop, Reverse Gravity and a Prismatic Sphere placed just above the enemy.... tasty.

mmmm... Reverse gravity... I love that spell. No save, no SR, no touch attack, just suck.

[Tyrrell]

There's nothing quite like casting a Maximized Time Stop, walking up next to someone, and laying down a Prismatic Sphere, a Dimension Lock, and any area-effect duration-based damage spell, and then walking back out of the sphere. Do they stay inside and attempt to dispel? Soak the damage? Risk running through the Sphere?

And you're missing Prismatic Sphere....

but I do have maw of chaos, the ultimate duration based damage spell.

[herrhauptmann]

Jack, how do you walk back out of the prismatic sphere with suffering the effects?
Andion: How're you casting the spell directly above the enemy if you yourself are not directly above the enemy?

Tyrrell, if the local wizards are that easygoing about allowing you access to their books, then yeah, Collegiate is a wasted feat.

[Jack_Simth]

Jack, how do you walk back out of the prismatic sphere with suffering the effects?

There's a nifty clause in the spell description: "You can pass into and out of the prismatic sphere and remain near it without harm."

Andion: How're you casting the spell directly above the enemy if you yourself are not directly above the enemy?

I'm guessing that's part of what Time Stop is for. Halt time, Fly above your enemy (move), Prismatic Sphere (Standard), move away (move), cast Reverse Gravity (standard). Doable in a minimum-duration Time Stop.

[herrhauptmann]

There's a nifty clause in the spell description: "You can pass into and out of the prismatic sphere and remain near it without harm."

I'm guessing that's part of what Time Stop is for. Halt time, Fly above your enemy (move), Prismatic Sphere (Standard), move away (move), cast Reverse Gravity (standard). Doable in a minimum-duration Time Stop.

Geh, thorough reading is my bane today. Missed the part of walking through your own sphere, thought it would hit even the caster. That was part of my question about casting above someone.

[Andion Isurand]

Nerveskitter or Combat Readiness might also be of good help to you for winning initiative.

Arcane Spellsurge and Phantom Steed (assuming you can ride) are fun spells to help maximize your action economy by quickeneing spells and having something else move you around the battle field.

[Tyrrell]

Freezing Fog (SpC),
Stun Ray (SpC),
Greater Planar Binding
Wand modulation:
Cloud of knives:
Winged Watcher:
Superior Invisibility, can't do illusions
Iceberg already got it
Invoke Magic
a spell from Storwrack that lets you submerge an entire ship,
Undermaster
Astral Projection
Stasis Clone
Effulgent Eppuration
Submerge Ship
Prismatic Sphere
Dimensional lock
Reverse Gravity
Time Stop got it
nerve skitter
Arcane Spellsurge already got it
Phantom Steed

That's still a workable list to go through we aren't playing again for two weeks.

[WinWin]

Telekenisis

Heroics (for acquiring an obscene number of martial maneuvers and stances)

Shrink item

[Kaeso]

Some of my favorites come from PHB-II and Complete Scoundrel.

• Wand modulation: CScn, Wiz 4. Make a wand cast a different spell by spending more charges. You don't actually have to know the spell you're tuning it to.
• Cloud of knives: PHB-II Wiz 2. Get surrounded by floating knives for 1rd/lev, ping one off as a free action each turn for 1d4+CL at AB = CL+Int. Use Smiting Spell to make them into long-range touch deliverers, or Chain Spell with GMW to make them all magical. Not very potent, but interesting.
• Winged Watcher: CScn, Wiz 1. Turn into an owl or raven for 1/rd level as a swift action. Great for mobility, stealth, reconnaissance. My druid uses this to turn into an owl as a swift action, fly 80', then dismiss it to get into a good vantage.

Low-level stuff, I know, but they're interesting and versatile.

I just checked out complete scoundrel and wizards can't cast winged watcher, only druids.

[Malbordeus]

power word stun/blind (or Energy Drain)
Symbol of weakness
Prismatic Deluge


Power word stun and blind is good for preventing recurring enemies as no save. blind is particularly useful in htis regard as an enemy hp limit of 200.

Symbol of weakness if awsome. especially in conjunction with save nerfing effects like symbol of agony. heighten them, inscribe them on your fighters shield and key them to activate on a command word, then have the fighter go for a run around a city - sure way to agravate your DM however.

Prismatic Deluge i just find awsome as an area of effect, most prismatic spells are difficult to force your enemy to walk into

[Emmerask]

+ 1 to freezing fog (it is pretty awesome )

- blackfire (SpC) (if you ever face a ton of low level enemies best used against armies)

- howling chain (SpC) tripple threat awesomeness