A small question. [Archive] - Wizards Community

A small question. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Waterhammer
08-05-06, 11:27 PM I'm submitting a wizard for a core game, and I can't decide which feat to take. I've got it narrowed down to toughness, or spell focus (enchantment).

The character is an elf, and I'm taking the sleep spell. That's what the spell focus would help. He is going to be a generalist wizard. Not specialized.

It's a 32 point buy game so I built the character to have a 12 Con. I'm kind of leaning toward the toughness feat, but I'm interested in other options anyone could suggest.
PhoenixInferno
08-06-06, 12:22 AM Well, I wouldn't get Spell Focus (Enchantment) just because you're getting the Sleep spell. Remember that you play a character for at least a few levels - some people play characters from 1-20. So think a few levels past this one.

And 12 CON is going to sting a bit. Demihumans just pale in comparison to the Human, except for specific applications, and in my opinion, Elves suck the worst with their CON penalty.
Xalxika
08-06-06, 01:51 AM IMO, toughness is a worthless feat. While you may get hit from time to time and the extra HP are nice, especially at lower levels, there should be other people in the group to take the damage for you. If you're looking for some physical reinforcement to your character, go with Great Fortitude. Either that or Iron Will or Lightning Reflexes. These will help you avoid things which could potentially hurt you more than not having those 3 extra HP. If you choose to pick up the Spell Focus, or even if you grab one of the above feats, I would recommend picking up Cat's Grace. An average roll on the 1d4 is a 2.5, so round that up for benefit of the doubt and add the 1 bonus (1d4+1). That's 4 Dex, which means 10% less chance of being hit. This is a much better way to go, and as a general Wizard, it's in your spells available. Also, if your GM has created a spell which grants 1d4+1 Con, go with that. If so, I would actually recommend going with a specialized Wizard type under Transmuter so you can cast one of these for free each day if you so choose. Hope that helps.
GoodBradFluffkins
08-06-06, 02:22 AM Its definitely tough playing the first level mage. having only 5 hp is enough to scare anyone into taking a crappy feat like Toughness... However, there are definitely lots of better ways to spend your feats. I honestly wouldn't take spell focus enchantment though either, unless you are going to be an enchantment specialist.

Is this core only like only player's handbook and dmg? There's a sweet feat in Players guide to faerun called mind over body that can only be taken at first level which gives +int to hp instead of con (first level only), +1 hp/metamagic feat, and a +1 insight bonus to AC.
If its PHB only, then yeah I guess toughness is worth taking.
Dathium
08-06-06, 08:01 AM As a first level feat for an Elven Wizard... Core books only...
Might be worth looking at Combat Casting. You'll love yourself for it if you get backed into a corner with nowhere to run and find you need to cast a spell to survive (sleep, for example)

Alternatively, you might look at other things that could improve your characters survivability. Dodge, for example, or Improved Counterspell.
Waterhammer
08-06-06, 03:21 PM Thanks all for the input. :cool:

Guess I will have to have a fresh look at all the feats availible, and decide.

Strickly PHB.
Timlagor
08-06-06, 07:04 PM Consider a Metamagic feat (though with only PHB you'll have space for them later if you get that far). Are DMG PrCs an option in the future?

Definitely don't take Toughness
Great Fortitude is rather better

Improved Initiative is excellent -probably the only top tier wizard Feat you can take and benefit from immediately (CWI and Empower being pretty much the only other two in the PHB)

You might also consider Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot (useful with your (X-)Bow at low levels and rays later).
Personaly I would play a Human, Gnome or Dwarf before an Elf for Wizard (though Grey Elves ROCK -but they're in the MM)
Waterhammer
08-06-06, 11:39 PM Yeah, I went with great fortitude. Improved initiative would have made an excellent choice, but it's a done deal now. BTW I won't be shooting a X-bow. That's the reason I went elf. Proficiency with long, and short, sword, and bow. Including composite versions of the bows.

Once again, thanks for the help, all.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Waterhammer 08-05-06, 11:27 PM	I'm submitting a wizard for a core game, and I can't decide which feat to take. I've got it narrowed down to toughness, or spell focus (enchantment). The character is an elf, and I'm taking the sleep spell. That's what the spell focus would help. He is going to be a generalist wizard. Not specialized. It's a 32 point buy game so I built the character to have a 12 Con. I'm kind of leaning toward the toughness feat, but I'm interested in other options anyone could suggest.
PhoenixInferno 08-06-06, 12:22 AM	Well, I wouldn't get Spell Focus (Enchantment) just because you're getting the Sleep spell. Remember that you play a character for at least a few levels - some people play characters from 1-20. So think a few levels past this one. And 12 CON is going to sting a bit. Demihumans just pale in comparison to the Human, except for specific applications, and in my opinion, Elves suck the worst with their CON penalty.
Xalxika 08-06-06, 01:51 AM	IMO, toughness is a worthless feat. While you may get hit from time to time and the extra HP are nice, especially at lower levels, there should be other people in the group to take the damage for you. If you're looking for some physical reinforcement to your character, go with Great Fortitude. Either that or Iron Will or Lightning Reflexes. These will help you avoid things which could potentially hurt you more than not having those 3 extra HP. If you choose to pick up the Spell Focus, or even if you grab one of the above feats, I would recommend picking up Cat's Grace. An average roll on the 1d4 is a 2.5, so round that up for benefit of the doubt and add the 1 bonus (1d4+1). That's 4 Dex, which means 10% less chance of being hit. This is a much better way to go, and as a general Wizard, it's in your spells available. Also, if your GM has created a spell which grants 1d4+1 Con, go with that. If so, I would actually recommend going with a specialized Wizard type under Transmuter so you can cast one of these for free each day if you so choose. Hope that helps.
GoodBradFluffkins 08-06-06, 02:22 AM	Its definitely tough playing the first level mage. having only 5 hp is enough to scare anyone into taking a crappy feat like Toughness... However, there are definitely lots of better ways to spend your feats. I honestly wouldn't take spell focus enchantment though either, unless you are going to be an enchantment specialist. Is this core only like only player's handbook and dmg? There's a sweet feat in Players guide to faerun called mind over body that can only be taken at first level which gives +int to hp instead of con (first level only), +1 hp/metamagic feat, and a +1 insight bonus to AC. If its PHB only, then yeah I guess toughness is worth taking.
Dathium 08-06-06, 08:01 AM	As a first level feat for an Elven Wizard... Core books only... Might be worth looking at Combat Casting. You'll love yourself for it if you get backed into a corner with nowhere to run and find you need to cast a spell to survive (sleep, for example) Alternatively, you might look at other things that could improve your characters survivability. Dodge, for example, or Improved Counterspell.
Waterhammer 08-06-06, 03:21 PM	Thanks all for the input. :cool: Guess I will have to have a fresh look at all the feats availible, and decide. Strickly PHB.
Timlagor 08-06-06, 07:04 PM	Consider a Metamagic feat (though with only PHB you'll have space for them later if you get that far). Are DMG PrCs an option in the future? Definitely don't take Toughness Great Fortitude is rather better Improved Initiative is excellent -probably the only top tier wizard Feat you can take and benefit from immediately (CWI and Empower being pretty much the only other two in the PHB) You might also consider Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot (useful with your (X-)Bow at low levels and rays later). Personaly I would play a Human, Gnome or Dwarf before an Elf for Wizard (though Grey Elves ROCK -but they're in the MM)
Waterhammer 08-06-06, 11:39 PM	Yeah, I went with great fortitude. Improved initiative would have made an excellent choice, but it's a done deal now. BTW I won't be shooting a X-bow. That's the reason I went elf. Proficiency with long, and short, sword, and bow. Including composite versions of the bows. Once again, thanks for the help, all.