Beguiler / Shadowcraft Mage build and question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTimePost
Joachim

10-11-06, 09:30 AM		I am working on a build for our group's next 20-level campaign, and I came up with the following. Parameters: 32-point build, FR, any 3.5 WotC books allowed, 1 Flaw at 1st level (Noncombatant).

Whisper Gnome
Str 8, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 12

1. Beguiler - Shadow Weave Magic, Spell Focus (Illusion)
2. Beguiler
3. Beguiler - Earth Sense (gain Distract Assailant to list)
4. Beguiler
5. Beguiler - Still Spell
6. Beguiler - Heighten Spell
7. Shadow Adept - Pernicious, Tenacious, and Insidious Magic
8. Beguiler - (gain Shadow Well to list)
9. Shadowcraft Mage - Earth Spell
10. Shadowcraft Mage
11. Shadowcraft Mage
12. Shadowcraft Mage - Greater Spell Focus (Illusion)
13. Shadowcraft Mage
14. Shadowcaster
15. Shadowcaster - Arcane Mastery (I hate SR)
16. Shadowcaster
17. Shadowcaster
18. Shadowcaster - Sudden Maximize (for Time Stop)
19. Shadowcaster
20. Shadowcaster

I think this build is pretty solid, but I have question about the mechanics that may not have been thought about by the game designers. Take the following example at 20th level: While standing on stone or unworked earth, I take a full-round action and heighten a silent image to 9th level and use the Shadow Illusion ability to simulate a [insert evocation/conjuration spell here, let's say Meteor Swarm].

Due to Earth Spell, the spell is cast at an equivalent of 28th caster level and is a 10th level spell. The effectiveness of the spell would be:

100% 10th level spell x 10% Shadow Illusion
+20% Shadowcraft Mage Greater Shadow casting ability
+20% Shadowcaster 7 bonus
====
140% effectiveness

Does it cap at 100%? It would make sense as that it would mean that it was 'fully charged' by shadow power, but there is no cap provided in the listed abilities. Considering that Earth Sense and Shadowcraft Mage are from the same source it would make sense that the designers would have realized that this potential was there, but it makes this combination pretty impressive.
dvlsadvct

10-11-06, 11:41 AM		Go here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=655556). I do not believe there is any RAW for either argument.