Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Cherubaddon 10-09-06, 01:26 AM	I AM FOND OF THESE GUYS! Evil (or at least sinister neutral) arcane spellcasters out to conquer the worl/gain ultimate knowledge/find every artifact in the multiverse etc. I am just wondering: Which arcane caster do you prefer? Even if not a full caster (such as a hexblade), could you give me some reasons - from power-gamer's and roleplayer's perspective - to play your favoured arcane caster? Thanks for answering! Here is the ranking so far: Bard: 1 Beguiler: 3 Dread Necromancer: 2 Duskblade: 1 Hexblade: 1 Shadowcaster: 1 Sorcerer (including the Battle Sorcerer from UA): 5 Spellthief: 1 Warlock: 9 Warmage: 2 Wizard: 11 Wu Jen: 1 Or do you have another one? Let me know!
Carey Z W 10-09-06, 01:36 AM	I prefer Dread Necro. True, their spells are limited more than most, but I just love the whole undead themed class, and the lichdom at level 20
JulesCARV 10-09-06, 01:54 PM	For sinister arcanist antagonists? I like the idea of a junta of warmages with a name like "the Civic Order and State Restoration Commission." Not necessarily very powerful compared to wizards, but generally charismatic, at least sorta smart, always in command of the situation, and never hesitant to use massively disproportionate ultra-violence to solve any problem. Besides, everyone knows that evil overlords look best in khaki uniforms with a bunch of medals and ribbons pinned all over them. True, a dread necromancer, beguiler, or whatever can also wear a khaki, medal-plastered uniform, but they don't wear them as well.
Tiefling_Warlock 10-09-06, 04:48 PM	Wizard. No reason in particular.
MagnaSecuris 10-09-06, 07:34 PM	Warlock. The whole class is designed to play as somebody with a sinister bent and the tools he needs to try to take over the world- one Baleful Polymorph/ The Dead Walk at a time. And if you don't kill him the first time, you'll never get another chance with all his fancy ways of escaping.
Milo HoBo 10-11-06, 11:59 PM	Spell-Thief, it's the closest that WotC has come to a Bluemage-ish class. Now think about the roleplaying potential for a Spell-Thief Ur-Priest. So good at stealing spell that he starts stealing from the gods themselves. Oh, yeah, but mechanically they are far under par. Mechanically I love the Warlock. This or the Psion is what the Sorcerer should have been. So, I guess my vote is for the magical archer, or Warlock, if you will.
Gopher 10-12-06, 06:36 PM	Throw my vote to the Bard. So obnoxious, yet so completely necessary to the full D&D experience.
JasonOrlandoHawk 10-12-06, 08:17 PM	Wizards, plain and simple. Which other class is known for spending so much time collecting books full of information that people probably shouldn't be allowed to know? Sure, Sorcerors have Charisma, Warlocks never run out of power, Bards can sing Livin' La Vida Loca until your head explodes, and Dread Necromancers turn into Liches, but in the end... "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn" wins every time.
NT 10-12-06, 08:57 PM	I'll vote for Warmage. Nothing says evil like a Blaster of sorts, Throwing almost endless supply or Orbs and such.
TheAnthroDM 10-12-06, 10:55 PM	The Bard... Evil Diplomatic Go into an evil evanglist class for more happy fun
Fithero 10-13-06, 09:33 AM	Spellthief... ...forget working for your arcane power, just steal it of others :D Peace
Ariath Ska'Vhor 10-14-06, 05:07 AM	I'm so torn...I love all the arcane caster classes, well, except Wu Jen. But if I had to pick my most favorite arcanist I'd go with Sorcerer. Beguiler or warlock as a close second...
johnboy069 10-14-06, 10:05 AM	My favorite theme wise is the Hexblade. (I wish you could get more uses of curse per day without Dragon Magazine). I also like the Dread Necro, because it is one cool class. Although I do not use either one for villains, I use them as Pcs with a warped sense of honor (using their class features to eradicate evil, undead plagues, etc.)
Cherubaddon 10-18-06, 10:49 AM	Only one in twenty people viewing this thread post something? Are arcane casters really so unpopular?
Mr. VanderMeer 10-18-06, 10:59 AM	I like to play melee characters. Arcane Caster wise I really like the Duskblade. It has a very cool combo of melee ability and arcane casting. I always like the old bladesingers and this is very much like it, but then for all races. Very nice. If choosing full casters I am a fan of the old fashioned wizard with his spellbook and full of arcane knowledge.
Cam S. 10-18-06, 02:36 PM	My vote goes to the Warlock, as I like both the mechanics and the roleplaying opportunities involved. There's just so much you can do with it.
Pimpadillio 10-18-06, 08:59 PM	I like the wizard, endless possibilities, from the easygoing gnome illusionist, the grim necromancer, the artloving elf, to the absentminded evoker..."I know this most wonderful spell: FIREBALL!!!!!"
Sikyanakotik 10-18-06, 11:43 PM	The truth is, every arcane spellcasting class has its place, and they all allow one to create diverse and interesting character. That said, I have to go with the warlock. Nice built-in flavour, beautiful flexibility in building, plenty of unique capabilities, and no bothersome spells-I-memorised-today list make this an excellent class to try out. I only wish it was easier to use it to qualify for prestige classes.
Kargush 10-19-06, 05:54 AM	Wizard. Hands down. I just like the image of a wizard pouring over tomes to learn spells, and aquire knowledge.
Nessaj 10-19-06, 11:11 AM	For Sinister Casters, it really doesn't get much better than Necromancy, and who's a better necromancer than a Dread Necro?... Well...A Cleric, but then a Cleric's not an arcanist, so... But as far as favorite, uncomplicated (no turning dice, damage, hit die limits, summoning tables, etc, etc), and outright evil mages go...I have a soft spot for Evoker Wizards, I really do. Specifically Archmages. I don't care if utility spells are infinitely better than direct damage...Hit points exist for a reason and there's few greater joys than counting out dice for that energy admixtured sonic-acid fireball. :D
castlemike 10-19-06, 06:22 PM	Human +0 Aisimar UA Battle Sorcerer or Spellcaster (Both Arcane and Divine Spell Lists) with MotAO (with D8 for HD as you have already paid for it. Human +0 Tiefling, Archivist HoH, D6, 4SPs, Two good saves, light and Medium Armor Proficiency, Free Divine Spells with opportunity to find, learn, purchase or trade for Arcane spells to learn and cast plus cast as good as Specialist Wizard but no prohibited spells or freebie arcane spells leveling plus unusual knowledge and lore.
Cherubaddon 10-19-06, 06:40 PM	Human +0 Aisimar UA Battle Sorcerer or Spellcaster (Both Arcane and Divine Spell Lists) with MotAO (with D8 for HD as you have already paid for it. Human +0 Tiefling, Archivist HoH, D6, 4SPs, Two good saves, light and Medium Armor Proficiency, Free Divine Spells with opportunity to find, learn, purchase or trade for Arcane spells to learn and cast plus cast as good as Specialist Wizard but no prohibited spells or freebie arcane spells leveling plus unusual knowledge and lore. I am asking for arcane casters here, not divine ones. Who is the Battle Sorcerer? Never heard about him. Could you vaguely describe him? Thanks.
castlemike 10-19-06, 07:39 PM	UA Battle Sorcerer, D8, Fair BAB up to +15, Simple Weapon Proficiency with one single hand held weapon proficiency, Light Armor Proficiency with No ASF wearing Light Armor, less spells per day -1 per level 5 max not 6, and one less known spell per level min 1. The Spellcaster basically traded in one level 9 spell casting a day and summon familiar for open bonus feats at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 and can cast arcane spells from both arcane and divine spell lists. So leveling up in my opinion from level 1 you get two more useable bonus feats for PRCs instead of summon familiar. With a PC already penalized with known spells MotAO with two simple changes to the PRC D8 and Fair BAB it's a pretty playable combination particularly for taking usefull spells like Mage Armor or Rope Trick you only use occasionally and rarely more than once a day including that single low level spell that will just fit the situation like Animate Rope, Knock, Feather Fall, Spider Climb or Situaltion Buff or Illusion Spell. Hope that helps
Cherubaddon 10-19-06, 09:18 PM	Thanks, I added it.
Need_A_Life 10-20-06, 01:51 PM	1. Wild Mage (or anything that can use wildsurge as it's supposed to be) 2. Sorcerer (played quite a few recently) 3. Warlock (like flavor better than sorcerer, but still--) 4. Dread Necromancer (seems fun) 5. Hexblade (meh, better than nothing) 6. Spellthief (quite flavorful, but I don't like the mechanics) 7. Bard (better than commoner... barely) 8. Duskblade (just to make him die gruesomely :D ) Would never play: Beguiler (Just hand me a sorcerer with enchanment spells, please) Warmage (Specialist evoker? No thanks.) Wizard (hate preparing spells, too inflexible) Wu Jen (Stupid oriental-wannabe placed hamfistedly into a medieval setting!)
Cherubaddon 10-22-06, 01:16 PM	1. Wild Mage (or anything that can use wildsurge as it's supposed to be) Wild Surge? You aren't talking about the Wilder here, are you? And I don't see Wild Surge in the Wild Mage Description. Could you tell me what you mean? Thanks.
castlemike 10-22-06, 08:21 PM	Wild Surge? You aren't talking about the Wilder here, are you? And I don't see Wild Surge in the Wild Mage Description. Could you tell me what you mean? Thanks. In a nutshell a Wild Mage take a permanent -3 to CL (mage 11 would cast as a Base Mage 8) before adding in 1D6 Wild Surge. Some pretty neat other abilities in the PRC so might want to take a look at it in Complete Arcane.
Cherubaddon 10-22-06, 08:31 PM	In a nutshell a Wild Mage take a permanent -3 to CL (mage 11 would cast as a Base Mage 8) before adding in 1D6 Wild Surge. Some pretty neat other abilities in the PRC so might want to take a look at it in Complete Arcane. I think you are confounding Wild Magic and Wild Surge here. What you are talking about is called (at least in my version of CAr) Wild Magic, while Wild Surge is the class feature of the psionic wilder. But I see what you mean. Keep posting, guys!
castlemike 10-22-06, 08:47 PM	I think you are confounding Wild Magic and Wild Surge here. What you are talking about is called (at least in my version of CAr) Wild Magic, while Wild Surge is the class feature of the psionic wilder. But I see what you mean. Keep posting, guys! I know the difference between a psionic Wilder a 3.5 Wild Mage PRC and the 2E Wild Mage and was just responding to your post in case you hadn't seen it in Complete Arcane.
Sier_laBeguileuse 10-23-06, 06:06 PM	I'm gonna have to show my love for Beguiler as they are the anti warmage and require more creative approaches to playing and roleplaying than "BOOOM!" Plus I always liked to specialize in illusion or enchantment and forbid evocation and necromancy when playing wizards. I'm sneaky like that. Real wizards dont need to blow stuff up. They're moe creative. :dancin: :dancin: :dancin:
Cherubaddon 10-23-06, 06:33 PM	Real wizards dont need to blow stuff up. They're moe creative. :dancin: :dancin: :dancin: Exactly my opinion! Meet Morgwath, my necromancer(forewent evocation)! Keep posting, guys!
Worguron 10-24-06, 12:50 AM	Warlocks win in my book because they are fun and unique. They also allow for an endless amount of Roleplaying possibilities.
Max the Immortal 10-25-06, 04:06 AM	I like the wizard for his versatility and wide range of available prestige classes.
Cherubaddon 10-27-06, 04:55 PM	Ahmm...guys? No more arcane casters? Come on!
Cherubaddon 10-30-06, 04:51 PM	:bump:
zvbxrpl 10-30-06, 06:53 PM	I favor absent-minded-professer-type wizards.
TheChilliGod 10-30-06, 10:32 PM	I'll throw my vote in with the Warlock. Nothing makes an appearance than a hideously evil dude throwing bolts of doom at you from 250 feet away... in the air, on demon wings. The way I actually want to play a BBEG warlock is like it is a bard, where it plays an instrument and fires eldritch blasts while it's playing. Kinda like those assassins from Kung Fu Hustle, only you take out the swords and add raw chaos. :devil:
HaikenEdge 10-30-06, 11:45 PM	Warlock. The only arcanist on your list not forced to suffer the horrendous atrocity called the Vancian spell system.
Cherubaddon 10-31-06, 01:06 PM	Warlock. The only arcanist on your list not forced to suffer the horrendous atrocity called the Vancian spell system. Does that refer to the spell/day system? I actually prefer that system to the mana/power/magic/whatnot point system of most other RPGs I know. That said, the warlock's casting system is a lot cooler. It's just, in my eyes, sadly limited. However, it is interesting to see that the warlock is almost as popular as the wizard!
HaikenEdge 10-31-06, 02:21 PM	Does that refer to the spell/day system? I actually prefer that system to the mana/power/magic/whatnot point system of most other RPGs I know. That said, the warlock's casting system is a lot cooler. It's just, in my eyes, sadly limited. However, it is interesting to see that the warlock is almost as popular as the wizard! Yeah, the Vancian spell system is the one that uses spell slots. The psionics system is better (less broken).
Cherubaddon 10-31-06, 05:57 PM	Yeah, the Vancian spell system is the one that uses spell slots. The psionics system is better (less broken). Excuse me if this question is stupid...but why is it broken? I mean, Wizards & Co. are certainly powerful, but how are they broken?
HaikenEdge 10-31-06, 07:30 PM	Excuse me if this question is stupid...but why is it broken? I mean, Wizards & Co. are certainly powerful, but how are they broken? The brokeness stems from the sheer number of options that Wizards & Co get to choose from. Certainly, if the list of spells available to them (wizards & co) were cleaned, they would be more balanced... I mean, 6th level spells that let you call an Efreeti for Wish x3? Color me stupid, but I'd say that's broken. Give psionic characters the same options, and I'd call psionics broken too. But we're going off topic. If you want to discuss it any more, PM me.
Cherubaddon 10-31-06, 08:22 PM	Hmm..interesting point. See, most of my players would never consider calling an efreeti for even one wish, because I usually have the called outsider (at least when intelligent) severely persecute the PCs for essentially blackmailing him. But I see your perspective. Thanks, that was all I wanted to know.
prozacman 10-31-06, 10:45 PM	for an evil bent arcanist? Warlock, or dread necro. In general? I've a soft spot for a sorc w/ ascetic mage from complete adv. (yay cha to armor) Also, evokers.... what can i say? i like nothing more than throwing 10-20 d6s and laughing maniacally.
Otogi 11-02-06, 05:35 PM	Wu Jen is my favorite. They're just so exotic!
Mufflon 11-02-06, 08:09 PM	Which Arcanist do you prefer? Wizards are THE Arcanists! ... with wu-jen as a close second!
GaffeR 11-03-06, 12:07 AM	Wizard, but I'm in a serious wizard state of mind right now.
TheAnthroDM 11-03-06, 01:49 AM	I change my vote from Bard to Gestalt Warlock/Wizard..... or Wizard.
Out_of_the_Frying_Pan 11-03-06, 10:57 PM	I like the idea of either a sorcerer or dread necromancer that goes into the Tainted Scholar. Pump that taint score and blast away with all the nastiness that you can manage. Like many others, I dislike the spells prepared wrinkle of the wizards. Having just a list of spells known is much more rewarding because it's so much more fun to play.
Doomed_Penguin 11-04-06, 09:45 PM	Beguilers all the way, but if I'm in a gestalt campaign, I prefer Hexblade/Warlock. The flavor is simply scrumdidilyumptious. Or supercalifradjulisticexpialidotious. Or hippopotomonstrousesquipdaliophobia. Well, it deserves a long word at least.
nerd42 11-05-06, 11:07 PM	I like the idea of a junta of warmages with a name like "the Civic Order and State Restoration Commission." How about "The Committee for Public Safety"? That was the actual name of the group run by Robespierre during the French Revolution that went around guillotining everybody. The whole idea of magic's effects on society is fascinating and under-explored in my view. Think about it: you've got clerics raising the dead, mages who can pass through walls...
A_Wizard_for_Breakfast 11-06-06, 12:50 AM	The whole idea of magic's effects on society is fascinating and under-explored in my view. Think about it: you've got clerics raising the dead, mages who can pass through walls... I agree. I tend to treat things like a bit of an industrial revolution in my games. Some of the more out of the way places are still very much mundane. Most of the larger metropolises are just bursting with new and untested magical paraphernalia and what not.
TheAnthroDM 11-06-06, 02:24 AM	I like the idea of a junta of warmages with a name like "the Civic Order and State Restoration Commission." How about "The Committee for Public Safety"? No no, you're missing the idea, For Warmages it would be "The Society of Blantantly Blasting Things First And Asking Questions Never"
Cherubaddon 11-06-06, 02:11 PM	No no, you're missing the idea, For Warmages it would be "The Society of Blantantly Blasting Things First And Asking Questions Never" That's the inofficial name. It just doesn't fit on the badge.
Diplominator 11-06-06, 11:10 PM	Beguiler. Look at my name, man.
FiestFan 11-07-06, 07:40 PM	1. Warlock 2. Beguiler 3. Bard 4. Sorcerer 5. Bard 6. Spellthief 7. Wizard 8. Truenamer Just in order of personal preference, though that preference may not accurately reflect which one I'd be more likely to play at any given time.
Xylem 11-07-06, 10:43 PM	Really, I like them all. As a GM I like Shadowcasters, since they can be so sinister (and yes, they are mechanically weak, but I can always make them a few levels higher to compensate). Although, come to think of it, they are only sort of arcane casters, being mostly their own thing. As a player I like Warmage, Beguiler and Dread Necromancer since I'm lazy and I like just having all of my spells all of the time.
Cherubaddon 11-10-06, 03:52 PM	Really, I like them all. As a GM I like Shadowcasters, since they can be so sinister (and yes, they are mechanically weak, but I can always make them a few levels higher to compensate). Although, come to think of it, they are only sort of arcane casters, being mostly their own thing. As a player I like Warmage, Beguiler and Dread Necromancer since I'm lazy and I like just having all of my spells all of the time. That's OK, Shadowcasters (as all other ToM characters) are arcane enough. Any others?
Seir 11-10-06, 08:07 PM	Warlock is by far the most fun. You should meet my NPC with a demon claw as a right hand, who enjoys flying around and blowing people up for no reason other than fun. He also finds corrupting paladins extremely amusing...
Cherubaddon 11-11-06, 01:52 PM	Warlock is by far the most fun. You should meet my NPC with a demon claw as a right hand, who enjoys flying around and blowing people up for no reason other than fun. He also finds corrupting paladins extremely amusing... :evillaugh
Doomed_Penguin 11-11-06, 05:10 PM	He also finds corrupting paladins extremely amusing... That is quite possibly my favorite pastime in D&D!!! When I'm playing a paladin of St. Cuthebert, I try to corrupt the paladins of other gods, just to prove that paladins of St. Cuthebert are the only ones truly strong enough to handle paladinhood. Corrupting paladins is usually my main goal as a CG PC, as many of my PCs see paladins as being evil in their own way. Edit: Completely forgot to mention that part in Dogma where the Ex-Angel of Death was corrupting a nun with by using the "hidden meanings" in Dr. Suess. And afterward, he says, "I love messing with the clergy." PRICELESS! I love good, but lawful good = innocent tyrants. I hate that. Just look at the Spanish Inquisition. Can't really charge them with anything, they were just doing what they thought was right. P.S. Somebody PLEASE make a Montey Python referance to that. Thank you in advance.
Seir 11-12-06, 02:39 AM	The particular paladin he recently corrupted was a paladin captain. He had a secret love for a woman... who the warlock promptly kidnapped and dominated mind and soul. So the paladin abandoned everything to exact vengeance, which was a big no-no for his particular order... just like taking a lover was. Needless to say there is a fairly powerful black guard running about now, and the warlock has a dominated female paladin he likes to show off like a collectible.