Armored Wizard [PEACH] [Archive] - Wizards Community

Armored Wizard [PEACH] [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Gahread
10-03-06, 10:42 AM Wizards have a horrid AC. This is a 'fact'. I'd like to disprove it in our current game.

I have a level 2 sun elf wizard at the moment. I *think* I've figured out a way to get into full plate armor at level 8, but I need to run it by everyone here before I spring it on the DM. I'll be taking the following feats:

3rd: Craft Magic Item
5th: Craft Magic Arms and Armor
6th: Armored Mage (Don't know the name offhand, but I could swear there's a feat that lets you cast in light armor!)

Assuming that I pick up the ability to sling spells in light armor, the Arms and Equipment Guide has Tessellated Armor; +2 full plate with 25% hindrance chance that's considered medium armor. It also has Elven Darkleaf as a material: -5% hindrance, but it drops the armor it's made from by one armor class. 13,000 GP or so, and it looks like I have a set of armor that adds +10 AC, 20% hindrance and it counts as light armor! Add darkwood buckler, and you're good to go.

I figure the party tank is going to be surprised as hell when the wizard grabs 8000 GPs, goes off for a bit and returns with an unspelled AC higher than his.
FriendlyFrog
10-03-06, 10:57 AM Unfortunately I don't think there is a feat that lets you cast in light armor. The only one similar to that I know of is Battle caster that lets you cast in armor one category heavier, but it requires you already to be able to cast in light of medium armor. And you would still take the penalties of using the armor without the proficiency anyway.

Whats wrong with using spells? I think you'll be able to get a really good defence from spells even before you could afford an armor like that. A mage that even needs an armor class is usually doing something wrong, Mirror image, Blur, Displacement and Invisibility are much better at keeping you safe than a high armor class.

Though if you think you'll be needing AC, there's the Greater mage armor spell that gives you +6 armor bonus for 1 hour/level in Complete arcane and Spell compendium. The spells Luminous armor and Greater luminous armor from Book of exalted deeds are even better, the former gives you +5 armor bonus and the latter gives +8. Both last 1 hour/level, too.

ps. Mithral Tessalated armor would be better.

pps. By the way, Tessalated armor is way too underprized!
Gahread
10-03-06, 11:03 AM Whats wrong with using spells? I think you'll be able to get a really good defence from spells even before you could afford an armor like that.

Paranoia, spell slots for blasting (27 INT at 8th level doesn't get you *that* many spell slots), and a complete lack of trust in other party member's abilities. You think a 1 level dip into warmage would be worth it?

And about the price...yeesh, no kidding!
GDarius
10-03-06, 11:05 AM If you're dead-set on being an armored arcane caster, check out the Runesmith PrC out of Races of Stone. You must be a dwarf, you can't get in before level 6, and you should probably take a level of Fighter (just to be proficient with some heavy armor). At the end of it though, you have a 19/20 caster that can cast in full-plate and shield (and not be slowed down by it).
DaveTheMagicWeasel
10-03-06, 11:11 AM You think a 1 level dip into warmage would be worth it?

No, because your Wizard spells will still suffer ASF.
PhaedrusXY
10-03-06, 12:08 PM A Mithril Twilight Chain Shirt has 0% arcane spell failure, and so does a Mithril Buckler, and you can use either of the with no proficiency at no penalty. You're still better off using Mage Armor. Wizards can have pretty good armor classes with a few spells and shared buffs between party members, and they don't need armor to do it. If you don't trust your party mates, then take Arcane Disciple for a domain that gets you Magic Vestment (and Barkskin, if possible, or take it twice). Use a Pearl of Power to cast Magic Vestment twice (once on armor, once on shield). A Lesser Rod of Extend Spell will make those last almost all day.
Prominence
10-03-06, 12:16 PM Wizards have a horrid AC. This is a 'fact'. I'd like to disprove it in our current game.

Yeah I noticed.... wait WHAT? Two level 1 spells: Mage Armor and Shield for 10+dex+8 AC? 18+dex is nothing to sneeze at.

Then there's Luminous Armor in BoED, Protection from X for +2 deflection, +1 Mithril Chain Shirt of Nimbleness and Twilight with Magic Vestment to +5 for 15 AC possible. Let's throw in Cover for free by using your terrain as anotehr 4 AC. I'm at 35 AC without even trying.

Then there's the whole different kind of 'AC' like Invisibility, Darkness + Ebon Eyes, Blur, Displacement, making people blind... etc.

edit: Oh and we'll throw in Alter Self cheese for another 4-5 natural armor putting us at AC 39-40 assuming humanoid (trogdolyte). If we somehow become an outsider like PAO or shapechange, sky's the limit. Turn into a Solar for crazier NA.
FeceMan
10-03-06, 01:14 PM Greater mage armor for +6. Throw in an argent savant level for +8 from greater mage armor and +6 from shield.
ChristopherGroves
10-03-06, 03:33 PM All touch AC too. Silly mages. They just WISH they were clerics.
RLRapp
10-03-06, 11:03 PM Of course, you can always do it the easy way, by specializing in spells with no somatic components and get the Still Spell feat.
nittanytbone
10-03-06, 11:56 PM Assuming that I pick up the ability to sling spells in light armor, the Arms and Equipment Guide has Tessellated Armor; +2 full plate with 25% hindrance chance that's considered medium armor. It also has Elven Darkleaf as a material: -5% hindrance, but it drops the armor it's made from by one armor class. 13,000 GP or so, and it looks like I have a set of armor that adds +10 AC, 20% hindrance and it counts as light armor! Add darkwood buckler, and you're good to go.

I figure the party tank is going to be surprised as hell when the wizard grabs 8000 GPs, goes off for a bit and returns with an unspelled AC higher than his.

Wand of Mage Armor: 750 GP
Mithril Buckler +1: ~2000 GP
Bonus to AC: +6
Feats Spent: Zero
Money Spent: <3000 GP
ASF: Zero

vs.

Super Armor Plan
Bonus to AC: +10
Feats Spent: 3
Money Spent: 8000 GP
ASF: 20%

That's a very expensive four steps of armor class.
jarazix
10-04-06, 02:37 PM Well don't forget the monks belt for wis to ac as well

Wis+Dex+Ma adds to decent to good AC
Prominence
10-04-06, 02:44 PM All touch AC too. Silly mages. They just WISH they were clerics.
huh? shield and armor bonuses aren't touch... unless you spend feats to do so.
Raphael_Maure
10-04-06, 03:01 PM AC-addict?

1 level dip into Monk, Carmandine(sp?) Monk feat, et voilà: +INT bonus to AC (unnamed), stacks with Shield and Mage Armor. And it counts vs. touch attacks as well.
(and now you always threaten squares around you)
jarazix
10-04-06, 04:48 PM Monk dip is not worth it...monks belt does the same...and most wizards bearly use the belt slot so there is little or not cost.

Monks belt is 1+wiz to ac and 5th level as monk unarmed strike.
PhaedrusXY
10-04-06, 05:10 PM Monk dip is not worth it...monks belt does the same...and most wizards bearly use the belt slot so there is little or not cost.

Monks belt is 1+wiz to ac and 5th level as monk unarmed strike.Carmendine Monk gives a monk Int to AC instead of Wis. So it is considerably more useful than a monk's belt for most wizards. I'm still not sure it is worth the cost, however.
jarazix
10-05-06, 12:44 PM well that is pretty cool int to ac huh...way better than wis to ac for a monk (due to skill point synergy) and a wiz obviously
ShneekeyTheLost
10-05-06, 01:59 PM One level dip into Monk is good, then take Carmindine Monk, and get a Monk's Belt to increase your monk level by 5 for determining AC and unarmed damage.

Another option is to dip a level of Fighter, then a one level dip of Spellsword for ASF reduction. Mithril Chain + Mithril Buckler + 10% reduction on ASF = +5 armor, which can be further enchanted for under 3k. Toss on a +1 each for 1k each, and that's +7. Continue stacking on bonuses for more cheezy goodness.

So, I suppose since you already have all martial weapon proficencies, just go EK from there to get the full BAB.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gahread 10-03-06, 10:42 AM	Wizards have a horrid AC. This is a 'fact'. I'd like to disprove it in our current game. I have a level 2 sun elf wizard at the moment. I think I've figured out a way to get into full plate armor at level 8, but I need to run it by everyone here before I spring it on the DM. I'll be taking the following feats: 3rd: Craft Magic Item 5th: Craft Magic Arms and Armor 6th: Armored Mage (Don't know the name offhand, but I could swear there's a feat that lets you cast in light armor!) Assuming that I pick up the ability to sling spells in light armor, the Arms and Equipment Guide has Tessellated Armor; +2 full plate with 25% hindrance chance that's considered medium armor. It also has Elven Darkleaf as a material: -5% hindrance, but it drops the armor it's made from by one armor class. 13,000 GP or so, and it looks like I have a set of armor that adds +10 AC, 20% hindrance and it counts as light armor! Add darkwood buckler, and you're good to go. I figure the party tank is going to be surprised as hell when the wizard grabs 8000 GPs, goes off for a bit and returns with an unspelled AC higher than his.
FriendlyFrog 10-03-06, 10:57 AM	Unfortunately I don't think there is a feat that lets you cast in light armor. The only one similar to that I know of is Battle caster that lets you cast in armor one category heavier, but it requires you already to be able to cast in light of medium armor. And you would still take the penalties of using the armor without the proficiency anyway. Whats wrong with using spells? I think you'll be able to get a really good defence from spells even before you could afford an armor like that. A mage that even needs an armor class is usually doing something wrong, Mirror image, Blur, Displacement and Invisibility are much better at keeping you safe than a high armor class. Though if you think you'll be needing AC, there's the Greater mage armor spell that gives you +6 armor bonus for 1 hour/level in Complete arcane and Spell compendium. The spells Luminous armor and Greater luminous armor from Book of exalted deeds are even better, the former gives you +5 armor bonus and the latter gives +8. Both last 1 hour/level, too. ps. Mithral Tessalated armor would be better. pps. By the way, Tessalated armor is way too underprized!
Gahread 10-03-06, 11:03 AM	Whats wrong with using spells? I think you'll be able to get a really good defence from spells even before you could afford an armor like that. Paranoia, spell slots for blasting (27 INT at 8th level doesn't get you that many spell slots), and a complete lack of trust in other party member's abilities. You think a 1 level dip into warmage would be worth it? And about the price...yeesh, no kidding!
GDarius 10-03-06, 11:05 AM	If you're dead-set on being an armored arcane caster, check out the Runesmith PrC out of Races of Stone. You must be a dwarf, you can't get in before level 6, and you should probably take a level of Fighter (just to be proficient with some heavy armor). At the end of it though, you have a 19/20 caster that can cast in full-plate and shield (and not be slowed down by it).
DaveTheMagicWeasel 10-03-06, 11:11 AM	You think a 1 level dip into warmage would be worth it? No, because your Wizard spells will still suffer ASF.
PhaedrusXY 10-03-06, 12:08 PM	A Mithril Twilight Chain Shirt has 0% arcane spell failure, and so does a Mithril Buckler, and you can use either of the with no proficiency at no penalty. You're still better off using Mage Armor. Wizards can have pretty good armor classes with a few spells and shared buffs between party members, and they don't need armor to do it. If you don't trust your party mates, then take Arcane Disciple for a domain that gets you Magic Vestment (and Barkskin, if possible, or take it twice). Use a Pearl of Power to cast Magic Vestment twice (once on armor, once on shield). A Lesser Rod of Extend Spell will make those last almost all day.
Prominence 10-03-06, 12:16 PM	Wizards have a horrid AC. This is a 'fact'. I'd like to disprove it in our current game. Yeah I noticed.... wait WHAT? Two level 1 spells: Mage Armor and Shield for 10+dex+8 AC? 18+dex is nothing to sneeze at. Then there's Luminous Armor in BoED, Protection from X for +2 deflection, +1 Mithril Chain Shirt of Nimbleness and Twilight with Magic Vestment to +5 for 15 AC possible. Let's throw in Cover for free by using your terrain as anotehr 4 AC. I'm at 35 AC without even trying. Then there's the whole different kind of 'AC' like Invisibility, Darkness + Ebon Eyes, Blur, Displacement, making people blind... etc. edit: Oh and we'll throw in Alter Self cheese for another 4-5 natural armor putting us at AC 39-40 assuming humanoid (trogdolyte). If we somehow become an outsider like PAO or shapechange, sky's the limit. Turn into a Solar for crazier NA.
FeceMan 10-03-06, 01:14 PM	Greater mage armor for +6. Throw in an argent savant level for +8 from greater mage armor and +6 from shield.
ChristopherGroves 10-03-06, 03:33 PM	All touch AC too. Silly mages. They just WISH they were clerics.
RLRapp 10-03-06, 11:03 PM	Of course, you can always do it the easy way, by specializing in spells with no somatic components and get the Still Spell feat.
nittanytbone 10-03-06, 11:56 PM	Assuming that I pick up the ability to sling spells in light armor, the Arms and Equipment Guide has Tessellated Armor; +2 full plate with 25% hindrance chance that's considered medium armor. It also has Elven Darkleaf as a material: -5% hindrance, but it drops the armor it's made from by one armor class. 13,000 GP or so, and it looks like I have a set of armor that adds +10 AC, 20% hindrance and it counts as light armor! Add darkwood buckler, and you're good to go. I figure the party tank is going to be surprised as hell when the wizard grabs 8000 GPs, goes off for a bit and returns with an unspelled AC higher than his. Wand of Mage Armor: 750 GP Mithril Buckler +1: ~2000 GP Bonus to AC: +6 Feats Spent: Zero Money Spent: <3000 GP ASF: Zero vs. Super Armor Plan Bonus to AC: +10 Feats Spent: 3 Money Spent: 8000 GP ASF: 20% That's a very expensive four steps of armor class.
jarazix 10-04-06, 02:37 PM	Well don't forget the monks belt for wis to ac as well Wis+Dex+Ma adds to decent to good AC
Prominence 10-04-06, 02:44 PM	All touch AC too. Silly mages. They just WISH they were clerics. huh? shield and armor bonuses aren't touch... unless you spend feats to do so.
Raphael_Maure 10-04-06, 03:01 PM	AC-addict? 1 level dip into Monk, Carmandine(sp?) Monk feat, et voilà: +INT bonus to AC (unnamed), stacks with Shield and Mage Armor. And it counts vs. touch attacks as well. (and now you always threaten squares around you)
jarazix 10-04-06, 04:48 PM	Monk dip is not worth it...monks belt does the same...and most wizards bearly use the belt slot so there is little or not cost. Monks belt is 1+wiz to ac and 5th level as monk unarmed strike.
PhaedrusXY 10-04-06, 05:10 PM	Monk dip is not worth it...monks belt does the same...and most wizards bearly use the belt slot so there is little or not cost. Monks belt is 1+wiz to ac and 5th level as monk unarmed strike.Carmendine Monk gives a monk Int to AC instead of Wis. So it is considerably more useful than a monk's belt for most wizards. I'm still not sure it is worth the cost, however.
jarazix 10-05-06, 12:44 PM	well that is pretty cool int to ac huh...way better than wis to ac for a monk (due to skill point synergy) and a wiz obviously
ShneekeyTheLost 10-05-06, 01:59 PM	One level dip into Monk is good, then take Carmindine Monk, and get a Monk's Belt to increase your monk level by 5 for determining AC and unarmed damage. Another option is to dip a level of Fighter, then a one level dip of Spellsword for ASF reduction. Mithril Chain + Mithril Buckler + 10% reduction on ASF = +5 armor, which can be further enchanted for under 3k. Toss on a +1 each for 1k each, and that's +7. Continue stacking on bonuses for more cheezy goodness. So, I suppose since you already have all martial weapon proficencies, just go EK from there to get the full BAB.