Ultimate Magus

[The_Blue_Sorceress]

Hey all,

I'm running a game for three players, a Barbarian, a Cleric and Rogue, and since I like a nice round 4-person party to work with, I added a wizard NPC. Originially, I was going to keep her straight wizard, but then I spotted the Ultimate Magus PrC in Complete Mage and I was struck by an overwhelming desire to aim this NPC at that class and let her rip. I'm not terribly concerned with high-level spell casting because first, I don't want to overshadow the PCs, and second, because I don't think it will end up being a high-level game, so it doesn't bother me that I'm not going to be casting all those ninth-level spells.

What I like is the ability to cast a plethora of low-level arcane spells. I can use the sorcerer spell slots for the sort of stuff that I will need to cast multiple times a day, or in a fight, and save the wizard spells for the special circumstances spells that the wizard's larger spell selection allows. The ability to port a handful of wizard spells over to her sorcerer list, and drop prepared spells and spells slots to add metamagic effects to a spell being cast are also appealing. The low BaB is mitigated in part by the fact that I'm using the fractional BaB rule from UA, which will mean that her ranged and melee touch attacks won't be as bad as the would be otherwise.

Is this a horribly underpowered idea, or will I be able to use this NPC as a helpful (but not spotlight-stealing) member of the party? Any other ideas on the Ultimate Magus would also be welcome.



-Blue

[Thinker]

Because of the way its worded:

At 1st, 4th, and 7th level, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in your arcane spellcasting class with the lowest caster level.

If you take 1 level of Sorceror, then 4 levels of Wizard and use Practiced Spellcaster at level 3 on Sorceror you will progress your Wizard casting with only losing 1 level of Wizard progression on the way. This is pretty hand to keep the relative power near that of the party.

[deadseashoals]

It seems fine. Since you will be delaying the NPC's casting, it ensures that they will not be stealing as much focus from the party. A character like that would be a great toolkit for your party, being able to continually keep the party buffed with their Sorcerer spells while compensating for your party's deficiencies with their versatile Wizard spellcasting. Just don't try to get too tricky with the free metamagic that Ultimate Magus gets, or it might end up being too flashy.

[Frosty]

If using Wizard as one class, then use Beguiler as the other. Seriously. Int based casting for the win.

[Draz74]

If using Wizard as one class, then use Beguiler as the other. Seriously. Int based casting for the win.

Yeah, Wizard/Beguiler/Ultimate Magus is a pretty killer build, especially if your Wizard is a specialist with Enchantment and Illusion banned.

I guess Enchantment and Evocation could work too, because there are a few nice Illusion spells that aren't on the Beguiler list. But then again, there are a few nice Evocation spells too, and you can learn extra Illusion spells with Advanced Learning.

[The_Blue_Sorceress]

Yeah, Wizard/Beguiler/Ultimate Magus is a pretty killer build, especially if your Wizard is a specialist with Enchantment and Illusion banned.

I guess Enchantment and Evocation could work too, because there are a few nice Illusion spells that aren't on the Beguiler list. But then again, there are a few nice Evocation spells too, and you can learn extra Illusion spells with Advanced Learning.

No, she's not a specialist, and I was sort of hoping to avoid non-core core classes as much as possible. There's some serious power creep and my party is whomping the module's villians as it is. Her play-style thus far has been defensive/offensive buffs and ranged attacks, since the only other ranged attacker is the rogue (sometimes) and she uses a thrown weapon, limiting her to close-range ranged combat. Ranged touch spells and no to-hit roll spells, like Magic Missile, are probably going to constitute her damage dealing capabilities.

-Blue

[Dhavaer]

No, she's not a specialist, and I was sort of hoping to avoid non-core core classes as much as possible.

For future reference, this should be non-core base classes.

[KillianHawkeye]

Or non-core standard classes, if you want the official term.

[Frosty]

Her play-style thus far has been defensive/offensive buffs and ranged attacks, Ranged touch spells and no to-hit roll spells, like Magic Missile, are probably going to constitute her damage dealing capabilities.

This fits the Beguiler description almost perfectly.

[nerulean]

Beguiler isn't too powerful; less so than the wizard, that's for sure. What he is, though, is extraordinarily useful, which might fill the function you're after nicely.

[The_Blue_Sorceress]

Or non-core standard classes, if you want the official term.

Thanks, four in the morning isn't my best time of the day for appropriate word-choice.

Okay, you guys have me interested enough that I'll run a few sessions with this NPC as Beguiler. Her charisma's not that hot anyway, so it may be the best thing to do. I do hate to cart that extra book around though...

-Blue