Best general feats for a Wizard [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best general feats for a Wizard [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Cappo
01-21-04, 05:50 AM i'm looking for the best general feats for a wizard:

So far I've come to:
- Spell Foci and Spell Penetration
- Improved Initiative (Is it worth it?)
- Saving throw improving feats (Great Fortitude etc.)

As I have a caster that is specialized in buffing and spells with no Saving Throw/ SR, the first two ones have no value for me.

What other feats could you come with? (only official WotC sources under 3.5 rules)
Ogre Mage
01-21-04, 05:57 AM If the DM allows for occasional downtime, Craft Wand absolutely rocks. You may want to ask about it beforehand though because in an extremely fast-paced game any item creation feat is a waste of time.
Cappo
01-21-04, 06:31 AM Sorry for not defining it clear enough, but I was explicitely looking for feats from the "general" category, that means no metamagic or item creation.
It's easy to find a lot of excellent caster feats in this category, but with excluding Spell Foci and Spell Penetration it's getting pretty complicated in the general category.
Battousai
01-21-04, 07:04 AM -Spellcasting prodigy
-Combat casting
Sisyfos
01-21-04, 07:10 AM The nerfed spell focus is not a good feat for casters in my opinion.

My suggestions:
- Improved init (always worth it: dropping that fireball before the mobs start running is a great way to start combat. casting a spell before they run next to to you avoids attacks of opportunity and concentration checks. running before they catch you avoids death).
- Improved counterspell
- Reactive counterspell
- craft wondrous item
- Leadership (if campaign allows)
- Spell penetration + greater (not for buffers)
- Spell focus (conjuration) + Augment summoning (for you if you want to use spells without saving throws - look for alternative summon monster lists).
Funny Slaughter
01-21-04, 07:12 AM -Combat casting

first, there are not many casters that really need this feat. if you dont have to spend skillpoints on concentration you should rethink your stats instead of trying to balance it with a feat.
second, in 3.5 skillfocus(concentration) tops it

augment summoning is another non-metamagic one that
can be handy

improved counterspell is also non-meta as is reactive

tatoo focus

bloodline of fire

calashite elementalist

eventually there are even some more

gs
Funny
Cappo
01-21-04, 07:36 AM What about the saving throw improving feats. Is +2 to a single saving throw a worthwhile investion in the long run?
der_gogo
01-21-04, 08:41 AM Originally posted by Cappo
What about the saving throw improving feats. Is +2 to a single saving throw a worthwhile investion in the long run?

I think it is quite a waste for a wizard. There are many magical means of protection against certain spells...
Lord Arkhaven
01-21-04, 09:01 AM The feat to take now is Spell Focus (Good) combined with Consecrate Spell. Half your damage becomes non-specific and the Saving Throw is 2 higher because it is now a good spell.

Me Rikey!
Snow Savant
01-21-04, 12:12 PM Cappo said:
As I have a caster that is specialized in buffing and spells with no Saving Throw/ SR, the first two ones have no value for me.
A very wise and cool direction for a spellcaster. :smirk:

***

Cappo, it sounds like you are looking for your next best feat to take in your build. Perhaps you can share your current build and feat structure with us?

Also, what are your favorite or predominant spells you like to cast?

This will help us give feat suggestions that are custom-tailored to your spellcasting style.

XO,
Snow :cloud9:
Cappo
01-21-04, 01:22 PM He's currently a Diviner 5/ Harper Mage 5 in FR and will gain a bonus general feat the next level.

He's mainly responsible for intel and buffing the fighter types and enhancing the party movement in general and on the battlefield. Very few Summon Monsters to get some little helpers for special tasks, not for fighting, that makes The SF (Conj.) and Augment Summoning Route less attractive.

The important feats so far are Extend Spell, Craft Wondrous Item and Silent Spell. The others are prerequisites for the PRCs or less important bonus feats.

Hope that gives at least some impressions of the outlook of my character.
Snow Savant
01-21-04, 01:59 PM He's mainly responsible for intel and buffing the fighter types and enhancing the party movement in general and on the battlefield.

Cappo,
I like it! Nice angle with your Wizard. Another possible feat that will help you with your buffing duties might be Reach Spell. Allowing you to buff and enable your Fighters from the safety of range while further extending your reach on the battlefield.

Quicken Spell is a nice 12th level feat for you to pick up as well. And that's about the level when it starts to really pay off while having slots feasibly available for the +4 levelled spells.

I'll look more into it tonight when I get to my books.

XO,
Snow :cloud9:
eventhorizon
01-21-04, 02:31 PM Quick Draw - Depends upon your other feats, but being able to switch wands and stuff as a free action can be really useful.
Cappo
01-22-04, 02:43 AM Originally posted by Snow Savant
Cappo,
I like it! Nice angle with your Wizard.

Many thanks for your compliments, snow! Even more as this angle is greatly inspired by your suggestions in former threads.

Originally posted by Snow Savant
Another possible feat that will help you with your buffing duties might be Reach Spell. Allowing you to buff and enable your Fighters from the safety of range while further extending your reach on the battlefield.

Thought about about this one, but as this one isn't a genereal feat no viable option at this level. Something to consider would be taking 2 Spell Foci, as I will get another general bonus feat at Level 15 and go into Archmage for Arcane Reach, what seems to be a bit superior to Reach Spell.

Originally posted by Snow Savant
Quicken Spell is a nice 12th level feat for you to pick up as well. And that's about the level when it starts to really pay off while having slots feasibly available for the +4 levelled spells.

This one will be definately taken at level 12, it's already in my progression.

Originally posted by Snow Savant
I'll look more into it tonight when I get to my books..

Looking forward to more of your ideas :)

Right now it looks like either taking improved initiative or the first Spell Focus for going into Archmage later on. Out of Roleplaying Reasons Archmage isn't exactly what I'm looking for, but maybe as my character is going up in level it could be justified.
Funny Slaughter
01-22-04, 03:57 AM but as this one isn't a genereal feat no viable option at this level

why exactly are you so much into taking a general feat?

gs
Funny
Cappo
01-22-04, 05:40 AM Originally posted by Funny Slaughter
why exactly are you so much into taking a general feat?

gs
Funny

Cause the bonus feat I will be granted has to be a general feat. I would be much happier with a metamagic feat, but that's not possible.
Battousai
01-22-04, 06:50 AM Arcane strike might a be a cool idea, depending on the character concept.
Funny Slaughter
01-22-04, 07:50 AM i know it is, of course, much fun to hold your secrets, but why are you getting a bonus-feat?

gs
Funny
Cappo
01-22-04, 09:43 AM Originally posted by Funny Slaughter
i know it is, of course, much fun to hold your secrets, but why are you getting a bonus-feat?

gs
Funny

It's no secret, so everybody may know it. It's a bonus feat granted at fist level here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frx/20030604a)
Funny Slaughter
01-22-04, 10:25 AM i didnt know this PrC, sounds interesting. quite hard skill-requirements for a non-bard though.
with other words: i would like to see how a wizard or sorcerer gains access to this class...

clerical BAB, two good saves, three bonus-feats, d6 hit-die and some more or less good abilities.
a great skill-list and fair skillpoints.

gs
Funny
Cappo
01-22-04, 11:24 AM Originally posted by Funny Slaughter
i didnt know this PrC, sounds interesting. quite hard skill-requirements for a non-bard though.
with other words: i would like to see how a wizard or sorcerer gains access to this class...

No problem at all if you start as a Harper Mage, all of the problematic skills are class skills for you. Of course, you should have a decent INT to keep Spellcraft, Know Arc and Concentration high, but as a Wizard you can gain a lot as soon as you've entered the PrC. Just keep in mind: Alertness is required as Harper Mage anyway, that means only Iron Will as a "wasted" feat.
Snow Savant
01-22-04, 12:01 PM Cappo,
After checking out my books last night ... and after finding out you have Arch-Mage PrC ambitions, I'll offer my best suggestions:

1. Imp. Initiative = For a general feat, this is one of the strongest for Wizard. And at higher level play, the importance of going first against fellow spellcasters who are wielding spells such as Disintegrate, Baleful Polymorph, etc. is really key. You cannot go wrong with this feat. It will never dissapoint you.

2. Spell Focus: Conjuration = To help fulfill your AM pre-req.'s. "No Save / No SR" Conjuration spells seem like your theme & strong suite. And it will allow you to make good use of the Conjuration spells that are "Yes Save / No SR". Of which there are a few excellent spells like this, especially outside the PHB. And ... if your Summon spells go from being strictly utilitarian (as they are now) to being viable in a combat sense, SF: Conj opens the door to Augment Summoning if you so choose. I would hope too, you take the Plane Shift spell (6th level) at 11th level. Use it on yourself to escape certain death, or use it (augmented with your Sp. Focus: Conjuration feat) as a "save or die" spell against enemies.

3. Spell Focus: Transmutation = Your 2nd AM pre-req. feat. For when you are not casting your typical thematic spells, this school offers the highest quantity and quality of offensive "save or die" spells in the game.

****

Sounds like you have a strong and well-planned path ahead. Good luck and have fun!

****

Regarding the Master Harper PrC, I like it as well! I think it would work well in a build like this:

Bard9 / NarDemonbinder1 / MasterHarper10

Using this path >> Bard9/MH1/NarD1/MH9 ...

You get BAB +13, both 8th level ND spells & 4th level Bard spells. Also, tons of Bard Song/Lore and MH goodies.

For a more martial bent:

Bard8 / Dragonslayer1 / NarDemonbinder1 / MasterHarper10

This gives you BAB +14, and with pretty much the same goodies.

XO,
Snow :cloud9:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Cappo 01-21-04, 05:50 AM	i'm looking for the best general feats for a wizard: So far I've come to: - Spell Foci and Spell Penetration - Improved Initiative (Is it worth it?) - Saving throw improving feats (Great Fortitude etc.) As I have a caster that is specialized in buffing and spells with no Saving Throw/ SR, the first two ones have no value for me. What other feats could you come with? (only official WotC sources under 3.5 rules)
Ogre Mage 01-21-04, 05:57 AM	If the DM allows for occasional downtime, Craft Wand absolutely rocks. You may want to ask about it beforehand though because in an extremely fast-paced game any item creation feat is a waste of time.
Cappo 01-21-04, 06:31 AM	Sorry for not defining it clear enough, but I was explicitely looking for feats from the "general" category, that means no metamagic or item creation. It's easy to find a lot of excellent caster feats in this category, but with excluding Spell Foci and Spell Penetration it's getting pretty complicated in the general category.
Battousai 01-21-04, 07:04 AM	-Spellcasting prodigy -Combat casting
Sisyfos 01-21-04, 07:10 AM	The nerfed spell focus is not a good feat for casters in my opinion. My suggestions: - Improved init (always worth it: dropping that fireball before the mobs start running is a great way to start combat. casting a spell before they run next to to you avoids attacks of opportunity and concentration checks. running before they catch you avoids death). - Improved counterspell - Reactive counterspell - craft wondrous item - Leadership (if campaign allows) - Spell penetration + greater (not for buffers) - Spell focus (conjuration) + Augment summoning (for you if you want to use spells without saving throws - look for alternative summon monster lists).
Funny Slaughter 01-21-04, 07:12 AM	-Combat casting first, there are not many casters that really need this feat. if you dont have to spend skillpoints on concentration you should rethink your stats instead of trying to balance it with a feat. second, in 3.5 skillfocus(concentration) tops it augment summoning is another non-metamagic one that can be handy improved counterspell is also non-meta as is reactive tatoo focus bloodline of fire calashite elementalist eventually there are even some more gs Funny
Cappo 01-21-04, 07:36 AM	What about the saving throw improving feats. Is +2 to a single saving throw a worthwhile investion in the long run?
der_gogo 01-21-04, 08:41 AM	Originally posted by Cappo What about the saving throw improving feats. Is +2 to a single saving throw a worthwhile investion in the long run? I think it is quite a waste for a wizard. There are many magical means of protection against certain spells...
Lord Arkhaven 01-21-04, 09:01 AM	The feat to take now is Spell Focus (Good) combined with Consecrate Spell. Half your damage becomes non-specific and the Saving Throw is 2 higher because it is now a good spell. Me Rikey!
Snow Savant 01-21-04, 12:12 PM	Cappo said: As I have a caster that is specialized in buffing and spells with no Saving Throw/ SR, the first two ones have no value for me. A very wise and cool direction for a spellcaster. :smirk: *** Cappo, it sounds like you are looking for your next best feat to take in your build. Perhaps you can share your current build and feat structure with us? Also, what are your favorite or predominant spells you like to cast? This will help us give feat suggestions that are custom-tailored to your spellcasting style. XO, Snow :cloud9:
Cappo 01-21-04, 01:22 PM	He's currently a Diviner 5/ Harper Mage 5 in FR and will gain a bonus general feat the next level. He's mainly responsible for intel and buffing the fighter types and enhancing the party movement in general and on the battlefield. Very few Summon Monsters to get some little helpers for special tasks, not for fighting, that makes The SF (Conj.) and Augment Summoning Route less attractive. The important feats so far are Extend Spell, Craft Wondrous Item and Silent Spell. The others are prerequisites for the PRCs or less important bonus feats. Hope that gives at least some impressions of the outlook of my character.
Snow Savant 01-21-04, 01:59 PM	He's mainly responsible for intel and buffing the fighter types and enhancing the party movement in general and on the battlefield. Cappo, I like it! Nice angle with your Wizard. Another possible feat that will help you with your buffing duties might be Reach Spell. Allowing you to buff and enable your Fighters from the safety of range while further extending your reach on the battlefield. Quicken Spell is a nice 12th level feat for you to pick up as well. And that's about the level when it starts to really pay off while having slots feasibly available for the +4 levelled spells. I'll look more into it tonight when I get to my books. XO, Snow :cloud9:
eventhorizon 01-21-04, 02:31 PM	Quick Draw - Depends upon your other feats, but being able to switch wands and stuff as a free action can be really useful.
Cappo 01-22-04, 02:43 AM	Originally posted by Snow Savant Cappo, I like it! Nice angle with your Wizard. Many thanks for your compliments, snow! Even more as this angle is greatly inspired by your suggestions in former threads. Originally posted by Snow Savant Another possible feat that will help you with your buffing duties might be Reach Spell. Allowing you to buff and enable your Fighters from the safety of range while further extending your reach on the battlefield. Thought about about this one, but as this one isn't a genereal feat no viable option at this level. Something to consider would be taking 2 Spell Foci, as I will get another general bonus feat at Level 15 and go into Archmage for Arcane Reach, what seems to be a bit superior to Reach Spell. Originally posted by Snow Savant Quicken Spell is a nice 12th level feat for you to pick up as well. And that's about the level when it starts to really pay off while having slots feasibly available for the +4 levelled spells. This one will be definately taken at level 12, it's already in my progression. Originally posted by Snow Savant I'll look more into it tonight when I get to my books.. Looking forward to more of your ideas :) Right now it looks like either taking improved initiative or the first Spell Focus for going into Archmage later on. Out of Roleplaying Reasons Archmage isn't exactly what I'm looking for, but maybe as my character is going up in level it could be justified.
Funny Slaughter 01-22-04, 03:57 AM	but as this one isn't a genereal feat no viable option at this level why exactly are you so much into taking a general feat? gs Funny
Cappo 01-22-04, 05:40 AM	Originally posted by Funny Slaughter why exactly are you so much into taking a general feat? gs Funny Cause the bonus feat I will be granted has to be a general feat. I would be much happier with a metamagic feat, but that's not possible.
Battousai 01-22-04, 06:50 AM	Arcane strike might a be a cool idea, depending on the character concept.
Funny Slaughter 01-22-04, 07:50 AM	i know it is, of course, much fun to hold your secrets, but why are you getting a bonus-feat? gs Funny
Cappo 01-22-04, 09:43 AM	Originally posted by Funny Slaughter i know it is, of course, much fun to hold your secrets, but why are you getting a bonus-feat? gs Funny It's no secret, so everybody may know it. It's a bonus feat granted at fist level here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frx/20030604a)
Funny Slaughter 01-22-04, 10:25 AM	i didnt know this PrC, sounds interesting. quite hard skill-requirements for a non-bard though. with other words: i would like to see how a wizard or sorcerer gains access to this class... clerical BAB, two good saves, three bonus-feats, d6 hit-die and some more or less good abilities. a great skill-list and fair skillpoints. gs Funny
Cappo 01-22-04, 11:24 AM	Originally posted by Funny Slaughter i didnt know this PrC, sounds interesting. quite hard skill-requirements for a non-bard though. with other words: i would like to see how a wizard or sorcerer gains access to this class... No problem at all if you start as a Harper Mage, all of the problematic skills are class skills for you. Of course, you should have a decent INT to keep Spellcraft, Know Arc and Concentration high, but as a Wizard you can gain a lot as soon as you've entered the PrC. Just keep in mind: Alertness is required as Harper Mage anyway, that means only Iron Will as a "wasted" feat.
Snow Savant 01-22-04, 12:01 PM	Cappo, After checking out my books last night ... and after finding out you have Arch-Mage PrC ambitions, I'll offer my best suggestions: 1. Imp. Initiative = For a general feat, this is one of the strongest for Wizard. And at higher level play, the importance of going first against fellow spellcasters who are wielding spells such as Disintegrate, Baleful Polymorph, etc. is really key. You cannot go wrong with this feat. It will never dissapoint you. 2. Spell Focus: Conjuration = To help fulfill your AM pre-req.'s. "No Save / No SR" Conjuration spells seem like your theme & strong suite. And it will allow you to make good use of the Conjuration spells that are "Yes Save / No SR". Of which there are a few excellent spells like this, especially outside the PHB. And ... if your Summon spells go from being strictly utilitarian (as they are now) to being viable in a combat sense, SF: Conj opens the door to Augment Summoning if you so choose. I would hope too, you take the Plane Shift spell (6th level) at 11th level. Use it on yourself to escape certain death, or use it (augmented with your Sp. Focus: Conjuration feat) as a "save or die" spell against enemies. 3. Spell Focus: Transmutation = Your 2nd AM pre-req. feat. For when you are not casting your typical thematic spells, this school offers the highest quantity and quality of offensive "save or die" spells in the game. ** Sounds like you have a strong and well-planned path ahead. Good luck and have fun! ** Regarding the Master Harper PrC, I like it as well! I think it would work well in a build like this: Bard9 / NarDemonbinder1 / MasterHarper10 Using this path >> Bard9/MH1/NarD1/MH9 ... You get BAB +13, both 8th level ND spells & 4th level Bard spells. Also, tons of Bard Song/Lore and MH goodies. For a more martial bent: Bard8 / Dragonslayer1 / NarDemonbinder1 / MasterHarper10 This gives you BAB +14, and with pretty much the same goodies. XO, Snow :cloud9: