Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MayorMcNaked 12-13-06, 01:44 PM	We're starting a new campaign in Eberron and I've decided to fill the Arcane caster slot. I'm looking to go Wizard for the larger spell selection and flexibility. I'm looking for some advice on the exact sort of role(s) I should try and fill within the context of the party, which is as follows: Human Cleric, likely focusing on buffing and melee Elf Scout, focusing on ranged damage and mobility Warforged Knight, focusing on defense and high DR Dwarf Artificer, focusing on buffing and melee From what I've read, the Wizard's Handbook is apparently way out of date and Direct Damage spells apparently aren't very good. I'm not so much looking for a build as I am wondering what sort of a Wizard would do the most good in this party (blaster, battlefield controller, buffer, etc.) and how best to optimize it. I've looked at the "must have spells" threads, but any other advice on spell selection would be great. Also, if there's a newer Wizard handbook somewhere and I'm just not seeing it, a link would be helpful. Characters are 32 point buy. All Eberron books are fair game as is anything 3.5 that's not campaign specific aside from Complete Mage, Dragon Magic, Magic of Incarnum, or either of the "Tome" books. Dragon Magazine or UA material is considered "iffy." We'll be playing an Age of Worms campaign, so I expect it to be fairly undead-heavy. Not sure if all that info's necessary, but hey it's in the rules so there ya go. :) Thanks in advance.
PhoenixInferno 12-13-06, 02:47 PM	Just becuase the handbooks don't have "latest and greatest" material, doesn't make the old advice any less useful. Direct damage still has limited usefulness, you're best served doing other things like dropping Black Tentacles.
MayorMcNaked 12-13-06, 07:48 PM	Sound advice. Thanks. From what I've read in other threads, the idea that I'm getting is that a Wizard's strength lies less in dropping fireballs on the enemy and more in controlling the battlefield. Trapping enemies between black tentacles and a stinking cloud or other ongoing area effect. Am I on the right track?
Necromas 12-13-06, 08:03 PM	Abuse the hell out of incantrix, then fill the last 5 levels before 20 with arcane prc's to taste.
MayorMcNaked 12-13-06, 09:09 PM	Alas, I tried to get Incantatrix cleared, but it's Faerun material and therefore a no-go.
Endarire 12-13-06, 09:52 PM	Gray elf wizard5/mindbender1/mage of the arcane order7/fatespinnerX/archmageX. -EE
icedrake 12-13-06, 10:12 PM	There a number of great Eberron specific PrCs for casters, the Dragon Prophet's pretty cool, as is the Alchemist Savont, both are from Magic of Eberron. Since you've got an artifester in the party already, Brew potion might to be the best option, but it could make for some interesting synergy. You should consider the material from Complete Mage and Unearthed Arcana. Both have great material for specialists and the reserve feats just own face. A gnome illusionist could be excellent, using shadow craft mage and the gnome sub levels from Races of Stone. I'd pick a few schools of magic that you like and think about the style you'd like your character to have and build your ideas up from there.
The Jake 12-13-06, 10:21 PM	If you cant go incantatrix, can you go master abjurer/iotsv?