Best Epic PRC for Wizard [Opinion] [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best Epic PRC for Wizard [Opinion] [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
v4l3r1o
12-01-05, 07:57 AM First of all I must thank all those that have helped me in the choice of the wizard that I am in order to play :)

( http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=541741 ; http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=535260 )

I have all D&D and FR books; and I cannot use books from Dragon Lance and Eberron campaign setting.

How (in your opinion) is the best "Epic Prc" for a wizard?

By the way, what are best "Epic Feats" for a wizard?

Than you wery much for all :D

ps.sorry for my english form :)
SigmaJargon
12-01-05, 08:26 AM Wizards and FR? At epic levels? I can't see a single reason why you shouldn't be a Incantatrix. In your pre-epic levels you might want to dabble in Geometer, Mindbender, or Archmage levels to fill the gap between finishing Incantatrix and 20th level.

Or you could try something a little more off the beaten path and go with an Incantatrix / War Weaver. Send custom crafted epic buffs through the tapestry to your entire party at once. :D

On the feats end, Epic Spellcasting is a must. Likewise, Improved Spell Capacity is a good choice, though only to a certain point. Since stacking the same metamagic multiple times is out, there is only so far you can take spells. Add this to the Incantatrix's amazing metamagic abilities and this feat begins to look somewhat suboptimal.

Anything and everything that will boost the all important Spellcraft check is a very good idea. Epic Skill Focus is a good starting point.

Master Staff can have its uses, especially with the expensive spells like Gate. Simply buy a Staff of Gate with one charge, and spend a 9th level spell slot instead of a charge to get a Gate without the annoying XP charge tacked on.

Automatic Silent and Still are good choices, but Automatic Quicken isn't that great at all with its revision in one of the books (I forget which one, but IIRC, it was changed so that it only affects one level of spells per time taken. Ouch)
runestar
12-01-05, 11:16 AM Hathran, if only because of its insane epic feat progression(1 every 2 lvs).
Squirrelloid
12-01-05, 11:31 AM So, my pre-epic build would look like Wiz5/Inc8/Fatespinner5/Archm2, and epic would continue incantatrix indefinitely. It really is that good pre-epic, and more bonus feats in epic to just continue it.

Necessary feats: Epic spellcasting, Leadership, Epic Leadership

Why? See the link in my sig about abusing epic spellcasting. Get lots of 1 DC permanent effects by using your cohort and as many spellcasting followers as you can get to reduce the DCs.
catharz
12-01-05, 05:47 PM Cosmic Descrier.
fnord
12-01-05, 06:09 PM The value of Epic Spellcasting depends greatly on the DM. This board (and the Epic board) tend to assume that any epic spell built with the system must be accepted, but the RAW do require DM approval for every custom epic spell.
DavidWL
12-01-05, 11:29 PM Interestingly enough, Hier of Siberys 3 is pretty good -- forget the caster levels and go for the feats.
v4l3r1o
12-02-05, 11:35 AM Interestingly enough, Hier of Siberys 3 is pretty good -- forget the caster levels and go for the feats.

Where can I find it?
joepoe
12-02-05, 12:01 PM Because you need a real high Spellcraft skill to cast epic spells to don't get drawbacks when you cast them (backlash damage to lower Spellcraft DC and Xp burn), I'd say Improved Spell Capacity.
I play a Female Sun-elf 18/5 wizard/archmage with improved spell capacity. As an archmage you can choose between different High Arcana abilities. My favourites are: Mastery of Shaping, Mastery of Elements and Spell Power +1, +2 and +3 (as in FRCS). You pick spell penetration and greater spell peneratition. Then you get a real high "beat SR" check (I have +33, and most epic monsters have SR 35). The spell Polar ray (phb 8th lvl) has no saving throw - only SR check to beat. It deals up to 25d6 of damage (you also get higher caster level with high arcana Spell Power. If you buy Orange Ioun stone you'll get +1 to caster level and the Robe of Archmagi (75.000 gp) is also a goos pick). With Improved Spell Capacity 13th lvl you can cast two of this in one round (quicken spell) and with Mastery of Elements you can choose to cast it as fire or another element. You can also maximize it at 12th level.
Instead of counterspell pick the 9th lvl spell Elminister's Effulgent Epuration (p 91 in Magic og Faerun). It creates one sphere per caster level that floats around you and absorbs one spell level per sphere. You can also redirect some of the spheres to your companions (as a free action if I remember it right).
Finally pick up Shapechange (phb 9th lvl) and find some "good" (not alignment) monsters in Epic Level Handbook (my favourite is Forcedragon).
When you reach 30th lvl you can check out Epic spellcasting. Then your spellcraft is so high that the drawbacks are not so bad. Be sure to pick the Epic Skill Focus (Spellcraft) feat to get +10 to SplCraft. Buy Tome of Intellect (?) +5 to get your int up to the max.

We've also added a houserule to the synergi bonuses of skills. With 5 ranks in a skill you can get at synergi bonus of +2 to another skill (core rules). At 10 ranks we add +3, 15 ranks +4 aso. This boosts up the Spellcraft a little more.

Imo - don't pick Epic Spellcasting before you have at least +60 in spellcraft. You can get similar good or better spells if you search through phb (and other D&D products) when adding metamagics.
OGS-Remix
12-02-05, 12:15 PM Since Epic spellcasting is all about epic spells, Rainbow Servant once again makes a good prestige class. The 10th level ability qualifies you for casting both types of epic spells and three times as many epic slots. (Assuming you have the appropriate knowledge skills, but as a wizard what else are you going to put points in.)

Epic Spellcasting [Epic]
Prerequisite
Spellcraft 24 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 24 ranks, ability to cast 9th-level arcane spells. OR Spellcraft 24 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 24 ranks, ability to cast 9th-level divine spells. OR Spellcraft 24 ranks, Knowledge (nature) 24 ranks, ability to cast 9th-level divine spells.

Special
If you meet more than one set of prerequisites, the limit on the number of spells you may cast per day is cumulative.
v4l3r1o
12-04-05, 08:37 AM Up :rolleyes:
v4l3r1o
12-04-05, 05:47 PM Last Up :(

Any other suggestions?
aelryinth
12-04-05, 06:10 PM Hathran was supposed to be errata'd to 1/3 epic bonus feats, or even 1/4, so that the straight Wizard kept ahead of it. I talked to Andy Collins about it as soon as it went up, and he went "Ooops."

==Aelryinth
NineInchNall
12-05-05, 01:19 AM An Incantatrix's Instant Metamagic breaks the game at epic levels. I watch people on the Epic boards making monsters, talking about their creations huge challenge ratings. Then I look at the immunities line ... Oh, it's not immune to death, polymorph, or mind affecting effects? CR 256? Yeah, I can take that down in one action with my level 21 character.

Bah.

Master Transmogrifists get silly stupid once they get shapechange. Add to that their crazy attack bonus progression, and they're just about awesome. Unfortunately, the class's abilities are written extraordinarily poorly, so there's a significant amount of uncertainty about exactly is intended, which puts the class's power almost completely in the hands of the DM.

Cosmic Descryer is, um, pretty freakin' good.

Plane Shifters make the best demiliches (become an archlich rather than a standard lich and pick a race that's naturally immune to mind-affecting effects) due to their tenth level ability.

OGS is right about the utility of Rainbow Servant's 10th level ability.

That's all I've got for now. :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
v4l3r1o 12-01-05, 07:57 AM	First of all I must thank all those that have helped me in the choice of the wizard that I am in order to play :) ( http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=541741 ; http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=535260 ) I have all D&D and FR books; and I cannot use books from Dragon Lance and Eberron campaign setting. How (in your opinion) is the best "Epic Prc" for a wizard? By the way, what are best "Epic Feats" for a wizard? Than you wery much for all :D ps.sorry for my english form :)
SigmaJargon 12-01-05, 08:26 AM	Wizards and FR? At epic levels? I can't see a single reason why you shouldn't be a Incantatrix. In your pre-epic levels you might want to dabble in Geometer, Mindbender, or Archmage levels to fill the gap between finishing Incantatrix and 20th level. Or you could try something a little more off the beaten path and go with an Incantatrix / War Weaver. Send custom crafted epic buffs through the tapestry to your entire party at once. :D On the feats end, Epic Spellcasting is a must. Likewise, Improved Spell Capacity is a good choice, though only to a certain point. Since stacking the same metamagic multiple times is out, there is only so far you can take spells. Add this to the Incantatrix's amazing metamagic abilities and this feat begins to look somewhat suboptimal. Anything and everything that will boost the all important Spellcraft check is a very good idea. Epic Skill Focus is a good starting point. Master Staff can have its uses, especially with the expensive spells like Gate. Simply buy a Staff of Gate with one charge, and spend a 9th level spell slot instead of a charge to get a Gate without the annoying XP charge tacked on. Automatic Silent and Still are good choices, but Automatic Quicken isn't that great at all with its revision in one of the books (I forget which one, but IIRC, it was changed so that it only affects one level of spells per time taken. Ouch)
runestar 12-01-05, 11:16 AM	Hathran, if only because of its insane epic feat progression(1 every 2 lvs).
Squirrelloid 12-01-05, 11:31 AM	So, my pre-epic build would look like Wiz5/Inc8/Fatespinner5/Archm2, and epic would continue incantatrix indefinitely. It really is that good pre-epic, and more bonus feats in epic to just continue it. Necessary feats: Epic spellcasting, Leadership, Epic Leadership Why? See the link in my sig about abusing epic spellcasting. Get lots of 1 DC permanent effects by using your cohort and as many spellcasting followers as you can get to reduce the DCs.
catharz 12-01-05, 05:47 PM	Cosmic Descrier.
fnord 12-01-05, 06:09 PM	The value of Epic Spellcasting depends greatly on the DM. This board (and the Epic board) tend to assume that any epic spell built with the system must be accepted, but the RAW do require DM approval for every custom epic spell.
DavidWL 12-01-05, 11:29 PM	Interestingly enough, Hier of Siberys 3 is pretty good -- forget the caster levels and go for the feats.
v4l3r1o 12-02-05, 11:35 AM	Interestingly enough, Hier of Siberys 3 is pretty good -- forget the caster levels and go for the feats. Where can I find it?
joepoe 12-02-05, 12:01 PM	Because you need a real high Spellcraft skill to cast epic spells to don't get drawbacks when you cast them (backlash damage to lower Spellcraft DC and Xp burn), I'd say Improved Spell Capacity. I play a Female Sun-elf 18/5 wizard/archmage with improved spell capacity. As an archmage you can choose between different High Arcana abilities. My favourites are: Mastery of Shaping, Mastery of Elements and Spell Power +1, +2 and +3 (as in FRCS). You pick spell penetration and greater spell peneratition. Then you get a real high "beat SR" check (I have +33, and most epic monsters have SR 35). The spell Polar ray (phb 8th lvl) has no saving throw - only SR check to beat. It deals up to 25d6 of damage (you also get higher caster level with high arcana Spell Power. If you buy Orange Ioun stone you'll get +1 to caster level and the Robe of Archmagi (75.000 gp) is also a goos pick). With Improved Spell Capacity 13th lvl you can cast two of this in one round (quicken spell) and with Mastery of Elements you can choose to cast it as fire or another element. You can also maximize it at 12th level. Instead of counterspell pick the 9th lvl spell Elminister's Effulgent Epuration (p 91 in Magic og Faerun). It creates one sphere per caster level that floats around you and absorbs one spell level per sphere. You can also redirect some of the spheres to your companions (as a free action if I remember it right). Finally pick up Shapechange (phb 9th lvl) and find some "good" (not alignment) monsters in Epic Level Handbook (my favourite is Forcedragon). When you reach 30th lvl you can check out Epic spellcasting. Then your spellcraft is so high that the drawbacks are not so bad. Be sure to pick the Epic Skill Focus (Spellcraft) feat to get +10 to SplCraft. Buy Tome of Intellect (?) +5 to get your int up to the max. We've also added a houserule to the synergi bonuses of skills. With 5 ranks in a skill you can get at synergi bonus of +2 to another skill (core rules). At 10 ranks we add +3, 15 ranks +4 aso. This boosts up the Spellcraft a little more. Imo - don't pick Epic Spellcasting before you have at least +60 in spellcraft. You can get similar good or better spells if you search through phb (and other D&D products) when adding metamagics.
OGS-Remix 12-02-05, 12:15 PM	Since Epic spellcasting is all about epic spells, Rainbow Servant once again makes a good prestige class. The 10th level ability qualifies you for casting both types of epic spells and three times as many epic slots. (Assuming you have the appropriate knowledge skills, but as a wizard what else are you going to put points in.) Epic Spellcasting [Epic] Prerequisite Spellcraft 24 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 24 ranks, ability to cast 9th-level arcane spells. OR Spellcraft 24 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 24 ranks, ability to cast 9th-level divine spells. OR Spellcraft 24 ranks, Knowledge (nature) 24 ranks, ability to cast 9th-level divine spells. Special If you meet more than one set of prerequisites, the limit on the number of spells you may cast per day is cumulative.
v4l3r1o 12-04-05, 08:37 AM	Up :rolleyes:
v4l3r1o 12-04-05, 05:47 PM	Last Up :( Any other suggestions?
aelryinth 12-04-05, 06:10 PM	Hathran was supposed to be errata'd to 1/3 epic bonus feats, or even 1/4, so that the straight Wizard kept ahead of it. I talked to Andy Collins about it as soon as it went up, and he went "Ooops." ==Aelryinth
NineInchNall 12-05-05, 01:19 AM	An Incantatrix's Instant Metamagic breaks the game at epic levels. I watch people on the Epic boards making monsters, talking about their creations huge challenge ratings. Then I look at the immunities line ... Oh, it's not immune to death, polymorph, or mind affecting effects? CR 256? Yeah, I can take that down in one action with my level 21 character. Bah. Master Transmogrifists get silly stupid once they get shapechange. Add to that their crazy attack bonus progression, and they're just about awesome. Unfortunately, the class's abilities are written extraordinarily poorly, so there's a significant amount of uncertainty about exactly is intended, which puts the class's power almost completely in the hands of the DM. Cosmic Descryer is, um, pretty freakin' good. Plane Shifters make the best demiliches (become an archlich rather than a standard lich and pick a race that's naturally immune to mind-affecting effects) due to their tenth level ability. OGS is right about the utility of Rainbow Servant's 10th level ability. That's all I've got for now. :)