Wizard build fine tuning

MogTM · Post by **MogTM** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 5:14 pm

here's a build I've been playing with (for both OC and MotB):

Final levels are 5wiz/7ASoC/8PM/10RW

Starting stats are

str:10
dex12
con14
int 18
wis 10
cha 10

lvl1 wiz 1 Spell Prodigy & SF: concentration
lvl2 wiz 2
lvl3 wiz 3 SF: spellcraft
lvl4 wiz 4 +1 int (19)
lvl5 wiz 5 empower spell
lvl6 ASoC 1 craft wand
lvl7 ASoC 2
lvl8 ASoC 3 +1 int (20)
lvl9 PM 1 spell pen
lvl10 ASoC 4
lvl11 ASoC 5
lvl12 ASoC 6 GSP +1 int (21)
lvl13 ASoC 7
lvl14 RW 1
lvl15 RW 2 Spell focus: nec
lvl16 RW 3 +1 int (22)
lvl17 RW 4
lvl18 RW 5 GSF:nec & practiced caster
lvl19 PM 2
lvl20 PM 3 +1 int (23)
lvl21 PM 4 ESF: nec
lvl22 PM 5
lvl23 PM 6 great int (24)
lvl24 PM 7 +1 int (25)
lvl25 PM 8 great int (26)
lvl26 RW 6
lvl27 RW 7 great int (27)
lvl28 RW 8 +1 int (28)
lvl29 RW 9 *feat*
lvl30 RW 10 *RW bonus feat*

My main question is what those two last feats should be. I could use them for crafting, or pick up epic spell penetration or armor skin or even toughness. The RW feet seems like it can only be used for drafting or extend spell (kinda useless with a cater lvl of 35)

Also, I would welcome any advise about the earlier build. I realize it might not be optimal to take craft wand, but the idea of a wizard siting in the back of the party using a crossbow when I don't want to use up my spells has seemed a bit absurd.

Snipercon · Post by **Snipercon** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 5:55 pm

Curious, why don't you want epic spells? Especially Vampiric Feast with a necromancy focus.

MogTM · Post by **MogTM** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:13 pm

Well, I have to level up post-20 as a wizard to get epic spells. If I go for it, which class should I take less of? One less RW reduces caster level by one (and, because you get one extra DC for every 3 caster levels above 20, final DC by 1). PM losses 2 fully stacking AC. ASoC loses imp. maximize spell. This seems to be my best bet if I want to give something up; do you think its worth it? If so, what epic spells should I take?

Snipercon · Post by **Snipercon** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 2:36 pm

It was my impression that the requirements for epic spells are:
1. Ability to cast 9th level spells (arcane or divine) or dark invocations (warlock)
2. Character level 21+

So there shouldn't be any problem picking them as feats at any point past level 20. I havn't tried yet, so I could be wrong.

Also, it was my impression that the bonus DC for spells at epic levels was a bonus for those who stay pure wizard/sorceror/etc. In other words its based on every third class level for base class casters (say that 3 times fast), not cumulative caster level. Now on this point I am not sure at all, so don't quote me on this either.

If anyone has some some insight on these subtleties, please fill us in.

MogTM · Post by **MogTM** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:34 pm

Currently (and I'm not really sure if either of these are bugs or features

) you continue to gain DC based on your caster level independent of your class and epic spells are only selectable on level-up as a wiz/sor.

My guess is that the increasing DC was intended and the epic spell restriction is a bug, but I could be mistaken on either count. The main reason I believe that caster level was intended to increase DC is that that seems to be the main benefit of the +5 to caster level that RWs receive.