Post/Author/DateTime	Post
EldonG 06-01-06, 10:03 AM	I was just thinking about the possibilities of optimizing a 1st level caster, and came up with something pretty impressive, but what direction should he go from there? Assuming a decent number of points...like 32...3 stats are important: Int 16, Cha 14 and Dex 14 would be a good mix...while other possibilities exist, I'm doing my best to optimize. Human Warmage 1, Spell Thesis: Lesser Orb of Acid, Spell Thematics At first level, he has 4 spells a day (life sucks. ;) ), but they *HURT*...he does 2d8+3, and hits pretty well, and though there is a save for half, he can also crit. He does this in light armor, and carrying a simple weapon of choice. :) Sweet, for a 1st level. I'd use a light crossbow, with a short spear in case they got too close. :) By 4th level, if he's taken Empower Spell at 3rd, he gets 3d8+3 x 1.5 for a 2nd level slot, but he's losing ground shortly thereafter. Thoughts? I did look at using Magic Missile instead, and would consider it viable, but the Orb does more raw damage. Is it worth it? What if it was for a campaign that wouldn't likely get into double-digit levels? Where would you go with him from there?
VonRichthofen 06-01-06, 10:40 AM	In a low-level campaign, you'll never be the one who dishes out the pain. A wizard only starts becoming powerful in medium levels, and will pull ahead somewhere between 10th and 13th level...
EldonG 06-01-06, 10:57 AM	In a low-level campaign, you'll never be the one who dishes out the pain. A wizard only starts becoming powerful in medium levels, and will pull ahead somewhere between 10th and 13th level... Ok...take a deep breath...I'm trying to make an optimal 1st - low level caster build. I *know* they suck at low levels, so I'm trying to make one that doesn't. If you have no creative thoughts along this line, move along, please.
saru 06-01-06, 11:24 AM	i'll take sculpt spell at third level. As warmage, you got lot of area spells and this feat can help you a lot.
EldonG 06-01-06, 11:34 AM	i'll take sculpt spell at third level. As warmage, you got lot of area spells and this feat can help you a lot. It's interesting, but I don't think it really synergizes with the build. Am I wrong?
Caelic 06-01-06, 01:02 PM	I wonder...could you use Precocious Apprentice and Arcane Thesis in conjunction?
EldonG 06-01-06, 07:32 PM	I wonder...could you use Precocious Apprentice and Arcane Thesis in conjunction? I was actually considering that...hmmm...what spell, though?
gkp79 06-01-06, 07:48 PM	Is it worth it? What if it was for a campaign that wouldn't likely get into double-digit levels? Where would you go with him from there? If your DM lets you use the new optional retraining rules from PHB2, that would let you change a feat every time you level up. With this you could keep switching your arcane thesis as you get higher level to put it on a more effective spell as more become avaliable. No wasted feat.
Malcoren 06-02-06, 12:12 AM	Doesn't Arcane Thesis have a Spellcraft requirement of like 9 or so? How does a first level character get this?
dirkformica 06-02-06, 02:31 AM	Arcane Thesis requires 9 ranks of Knowledge (Arcana).