Best way to optimize a wizard without PrC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best way to optimize a wizard without PrC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Rozon
05-01-06, 03:55 PM My Dm is very restrictive so we can't take any prestige class and not all books are allowed. I think PhB, FR, TaB, PGtF and maybe the complete series ares the books allowed.
We start at level 5 and i'm the arcane spellcaster, so i decide to play a wizard.
For now i'm thiking of :

Sun Elf STR 11, DEX 14 CON 14(16-2) INT 20 (17+2+1 lvl4) WIS 12 CHA 12

Wizard 1 - Familiar, scribe scroll, otherworldly
Wizard 2 -
Wizard 3 - ???
Wizard 4 - INT + 1
Wizard 5 - ???

The rest of the party :
Human Fighter
Human cleric
Elf rogue

So i think of a utility/battlefield control wizard (maybe summoner will be good?)
Never play a wizard without PrC before so i dont' really know what to do exactly

Any feat , item, familiar suggestion will be appreciate

Thanks you
Book
05-01-06, 04:02 PM Since you do not have to expend resources on PrC requirements, you have to maximize what core-class Wizard gives to you. One of its most easily optimizable class benefits is the familiar boosting that the straight Wizard receives. This works well with taking the Improved Familiar feat to get a familiar who has exceptional (Su), (Sp), and/or (Ex) abilities to broaden your utility.

There's a whole bunch of "Boosting your Familiar" threads here in the forum. Such as selecting optimal Imp. Familiar choices - as well as complimentary feats and spells for your Wizard.
Archimedes314
05-01-06, 04:16 PM If you are taking Otherworldly then the alter self/polymorph route may be good for you. At sixth level several good outsider forms become available to alter self into (the bralani and the succubus are my favorites, as both have flight speeds and large natural armor bonuses) and just one level after that polymorph opens up a whole new plateau of power, pardon my pontificating.
Rozon
05-01-06, 04:28 PM I choose the feat otherwordly especially to alterself/ polymorph me into outsider type. I think those spells are the best for survavibility and can help in many situations.

Thank you for the tip on familiar..i never thinking of optimizing this part of the wizard
NinjaDebugger
05-01-06, 04:51 PM I choose the feat otherwordly especially to alterself/ polymorph me into outsider type. I think those spells are the best for survavibility and can help in many situations.

Thank you for the tip on familiar..i never thinking of optimizing this part of the wizard

at higher levels, don't underestimate the power of Imbue Familiar with Spell Ability. It effectively becomes another spell you can pump out per round.
Jimbo19
05-01-06, 05:13 PM Well your list of books seems not to be solid. See if you can use Races of the Wild, and use the 1st elf wiz racial sub level.

You would give up a familiar but get 3 spells per level, an extra spell slot for your highest lvl spells you can cast, and search added to your skill list.

Much better then managing a familiar.

Take empower or extend at 3
Sudden Maximize at 5
Craft wondorus at 6

Course if you are doing the whole transform yourself thing, you might want extend.

But I like sudden max for the once per day big punch that always comes in handy.

Craft Wondorus for making your own stuff, and making you more survivable.

At 9 I would take spell penetration. Thats about the time you need it.

after that you will know what you need most for the campaign.

And make sure you have a handy haversack for carrying your stuff.
Book
05-01-06, 05:29 PM You want that Familiar, Rozon.

Straight Wizard is unique in that it is the only Wizard build permutation that advances Familiar capability and empowerment (except for the very rare PrC like Alienist). You obviously want to keep it out of combat and use/abuse its other capabilities as stated forth in those C.O. forum threads I told you about.

Even if you opt out of Imp. Familiar, an Elven Wizard Racial Substitution option allows you to get a +4 unnamed bonus to Fort Save if you take a Rat - all for free. That's an extremely important save for a Wizard.

And as others have stated, Familiar tricks and optimization is key for enhancing your ability to cast multiple spells per round at higher levels (such as the IFwSA spell, Shared Contingencies, or Raven/Wand shenanigans).
ninjarabbit
05-01-06, 06:05 PM Extend spell and quicken spell are probably the best two metamagic feats you can take.
Gryftir
05-01-06, 06:37 PM Don't underestimate the sudden metamagic feats in complete arcane.
Rozon
05-05-06, 08:17 AM Can only have one feat at first level : Otherwordly OR Collegiate wizard

which one is better?
X-Codes
05-05-06, 08:21 AM If you are taking Otherworldly then the alter self/polymorph route may be good for you. At sixth level several good outsider forms become available to alter self into (the bralani and the succubus are my favorites, as both have flight speeds and large natural armor bonuses) and just one level after that polymorph opens up a whole new plateau of power, pardon my pontificating.
Except Alter Self caps at 5 HD. You can't morph into 6 HD creatures with Alter Self.

Also, I'll gladly underestimate the sudden metamagic feats in CA. Metamagic Rods are just as good for Wizards. Otherworldly, while very nice, can be passed on. Quicken Spell is a staple, and Extend Spell is too damn useful to not take it. Craft Wonderous Item and Craft Staff can save lots of headaches down the road. If you absolutely need to make something die RIGHT NOW then Empower spell will just about fill out feat selections.
Aricandor
05-05-06, 08:24 AM Depends how stingy your GM is with scrolls/slain wizard's spellbooks/money. If you have good access to these things, Otherworldly will work fine.
If you end up really low on these, Collegiate Wizard *might* pay off a little better. Polymorphing is really powerful in general though.

By the way, here's another vote for going the familiar route.
Rozon
05-05-06, 08:29 AM if i try to convince my dm to let me switch my familiar for the second feat....does it worth it
runestar
05-05-06, 09:00 AM Personally, straight wiz is as optimised as it gets... :P A wizard's strengths always was in his spells, so that is what you should be concentrating on. ;)

If you need the extra cash, maybe swap out otherwordly for collegiate wizard and take 1st lv of elven wizard racial sub? You get 5 new spells/lv, that's quite a bit saved on scribing new spells... :)

Basically, just familiarise yourself with the different spells available to you and use whatever works. :D
NineInchNall
05-05-06, 11:17 AM Hmmph. Familiars.

Summon Easily Killable Bundle of Your XP

At first level, the Sorcerer may choose to summon an Easily Killable Bundle of Your XP. This Easily Killable Bundle of Your XP provides some mediocre ability that you will probably never use. Oh yeah and the Alertness feat. Like you were really stressing on where to stick that feat into your class progression. Easily Killable Bundle of Your XP also may have some other abilities, like being able to deal 1d2-4 damage or crawl at a pace of 5 feet per round. Now at one point in your career, you may feel the desire to send Easily Killable Bundle of Your XP to deliver a message or stay behind with the camp. Resist this temptation. The moment you let Easily Killable Bundle of Your XP out of your vest pocket or off your shoulder, it will die. It will die and take lots of your XP with it.

Take some Otherworldly, the Elf Wizard sub level if possible, then get yourself some good metamagic feats (Extend, Quicken, Twin, etc.) and Craft Wondrous Item. Everything else is just gravy, like Insightful Reflexes from Complete Adventurer.

For spells, well, the polymorph tree will be your friend. Color spray is hard core at low levels. Just look at the Sorcerer list (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=183763&page=1&pp=30)for some inspiration. Spend most of your time buffing party members during the early levels. *shrug*
NineInchNall
05-05-06, 11:20 AM Personally, straight wiz is as optimised as it gets... :P

You mean other than straight Cleric or Druid, right?
LucRivNor
05-05-06, 12:25 PM For stat, INT is first and CON his second. Dont care too much about DEX, the key to be a good wizard is to avoid melee (fly, invisibility,...)

Try to have the other pay a part of what u craft for the group (like an emergency scroll of teleport)...
Fwib
05-05-06, 12:38 PM Get yourself one or more (Boccob's) Blessed Books (DMG) and a Tome of Ancient Lore (Complete Divine)

From the latter, scribe spells for free into the former, saving you a huge quantity of money.

Also, in an emergency, you have 90% access to any spells you can memorise from the ToAL.

This cash-efficiency leaves you with plenty of money for other things.
Surreal
05-05-06, 03:04 PM This cash-efficiency leaves you with plenty of money for other things.
Like golems and cheap meatshields :D
Malakai_Demonos
05-05-06, 09:10 PM I agree with one of the guys from above, focus on your knowledge of spells, that will be your saving grace. If you can, get you DM to use spell compendium, best book ever in my opinion. But, there are plenty of sweet spells in the PHB. Glitterdust rocks hard core, and you never appreciate a good fireball until you can't cast it, Staff of Fire rocks!
runestar
05-06-06, 12:11 AM You mean other than straight Cleric or Druid, right?
I meant compared with other arcane spellcaster builds. It has no fancy capabilities compared with those PRCs, but no noticeable drawbacks either, since you get to dictate your feat choices and can play it whatever flavour you want. :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rozon 05-01-06, 03:55 PM	My Dm is very restrictive so we can't take any prestige class and not all books are allowed. I think PhB, FR, TaB, PGtF and maybe the complete series ares the books allowed. We start at level 5 and i'm the arcane spellcaster, so i decide to play a wizard. For now i'm thiking of : Sun Elf STR 11, DEX 14 CON 14(16-2) INT 20 (17+2+1 lvl4) WIS 12 CHA 12 Wizard 1 - Familiar, scribe scroll, otherworldly Wizard 2 - Wizard 3 - ??? Wizard 4 - INT + 1 Wizard 5 - ??? The rest of the party : Human Fighter Human cleric Elf rogue So i think of a utility/battlefield control wizard (maybe summoner will be good?) Never play a wizard without PrC before so i dont' really know what to do exactly Any feat , item, familiar suggestion will be appreciate Thanks you
Book 05-01-06, 04:02 PM	Since you do not have to expend resources on PrC requirements, you have to maximize what core-class Wizard gives to you. One of its most easily optimizable class benefits is the familiar boosting that the straight Wizard receives. This works well with taking the Improved Familiar feat to get a familiar who has exceptional (Su), (Sp), and/or (Ex) abilities to broaden your utility. There's a whole bunch of "Boosting your Familiar" threads here in the forum. Such as selecting optimal Imp. Familiar choices - as well as complimentary feats and spells for your Wizard.
Archimedes314 05-01-06, 04:16 PM	If you are taking Otherworldly then the alter self/polymorph route may be good for you. At sixth level several good outsider forms become available to alter self into (the bralani and the succubus are my favorites, as both have flight speeds and large natural armor bonuses) and just one level after that polymorph opens up a whole new plateau of power, pardon my pontificating.
Rozon 05-01-06, 04:28 PM	I choose the feat otherwordly especially to alterself/ polymorph me into outsider type. I think those spells are the best for survavibility and can help in many situations. Thank you for the tip on familiar..i never thinking of optimizing this part of the wizard
NinjaDebugger 05-01-06, 04:51 PM	I choose the feat otherwordly especially to alterself/ polymorph me into outsider type. I think those spells are the best for survavibility and can help in many situations. Thank you for the tip on familiar..i never thinking of optimizing this part of the wizard at higher levels, don't underestimate the power of Imbue Familiar with Spell Ability. It effectively becomes another spell you can pump out per round.
Jimbo19 05-01-06, 05:13 PM	Well your list of books seems not to be solid. See if you can use Races of the Wild, and use the 1st elf wiz racial sub level. You would give up a familiar but get 3 spells per level, an extra spell slot for your highest lvl spells you can cast, and search added to your skill list. Much better then managing a familiar. Take empower or extend at 3 Sudden Maximize at 5 Craft wondorus at 6 Course if you are doing the whole transform yourself thing, you might want extend. But I like sudden max for the once per day big punch that always comes in handy. Craft Wondorus for making your own stuff, and making you more survivable. At 9 I would take spell penetration. Thats about the time you need it. after that you will know what you need most for the campaign. And make sure you have a handy haversack for carrying your stuff.
Book 05-01-06, 05:29 PM	You want that Familiar, Rozon. Straight Wizard is unique in that it is the only Wizard build permutation that advances Familiar capability and empowerment (except for the very rare PrC like Alienist). You obviously want to keep it out of combat and use/abuse its other capabilities as stated forth in those C.O. forum threads I told you about. Even if you opt out of Imp. Familiar, an Elven Wizard Racial Substitution option allows you to get a +4 unnamed bonus to Fort Save if you take a Rat - all for free. That's an extremely important save for a Wizard. And as others have stated, Familiar tricks and optimization is key for enhancing your ability to cast multiple spells per round at higher levels (such as the IFwSA spell, Shared Contingencies, or Raven/Wand shenanigans).
ninjarabbit 05-01-06, 06:05 PM	Extend spell and quicken spell are probably the best two metamagic feats you can take.
Gryftir 05-01-06, 06:37 PM	Don't underestimate the sudden metamagic feats in complete arcane.
Rozon 05-05-06, 08:17 AM	Can only have one feat at first level : Otherwordly OR Collegiate wizard which one is better?
X-Codes 05-05-06, 08:21 AM	If you are taking Otherworldly then the alter self/polymorph route may be good for you. At sixth level several good outsider forms become available to alter self into (the bralani and the succubus are my favorites, as both have flight speeds and large natural armor bonuses) and just one level after that polymorph opens up a whole new plateau of power, pardon my pontificating. Except Alter Self caps at 5 HD. You can't morph into 6 HD creatures with Alter Self. Also, I'll gladly underestimate the sudden metamagic feats in CA. Metamagic Rods are just as good for Wizards. Otherworldly, while very nice, can be passed on. Quicken Spell is a staple, and Extend Spell is too damn useful to not take it. Craft Wonderous Item and Craft Staff can save lots of headaches down the road. If you absolutely need to make something die RIGHT NOW then Empower spell will just about fill out feat selections.
Aricandor 05-05-06, 08:24 AM	Depends how stingy your GM is with scrolls/slain wizard's spellbooks/money. If you have good access to these things, Otherworldly will work fine. If you end up really low on these, Collegiate Wizard might pay off a little better. Polymorphing is really powerful in general though. By the way, here's another vote for going the familiar route.
Rozon 05-05-06, 08:29 AM	if i try to convince my dm to let me switch my familiar for the second feat....does it worth it
runestar 05-05-06, 09:00 AM	Personally, straight wiz is as optimised as it gets... :P A wizard's strengths always was in his spells, so that is what you should be concentrating on. ;) If you need the extra cash, maybe swap out otherwordly for collegiate wizard and take 1st lv of elven wizard racial sub? You get 5 new spells/lv, that's quite a bit saved on scribing new spells... :) Basically, just familiarise yourself with the different spells available to you and use whatever works. :D
NineInchNall 05-05-06, 11:17 AM	Hmmph. Familiars. Summon Easily Killable Bundle of Your XP At first level, the Sorcerer may choose to summon an Easily Killable Bundle of Your XP. This Easily Killable Bundle of Your XP provides some mediocre ability that you will probably never use. Oh yeah and the Alertness feat. Like you were really stressing on where to stick that feat into your class progression. Easily Killable Bundle of Your XP also may have some other abilities, like being able to deal 1d2-4 damage or crawl at a pace of 5 feet per round. Now at one point in your career, you may feel the desire to send Easily Killable Bundle of Your XP to deliver a message or stay behind with the camp. Resist this temptation. The moment you let Easily Killable Bundle of Your XP out of your vest pocket or off your shoulder, it will die. It will die and take lots of your XP with it. Take some Otherworldly, the Elf Wizard sub level if possible, then get yourself some good metamagic feats (Extend, Quicken, Twin, etc.) and Craft Wondrous Item. Everything else is just gravy, like Insightful Reflexes from Complete Adventurer. For spells, well, the polymorph tree will be your friend. Color spray is hard core at low levels. Just look at the Sorcerer list (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=183763&page=1&pp=30)for some inspiration. Spend most of your time buffing party members during the early levels. shrug
NineInchNall 05-05-06, 11:20 AM	Personally, straight wiz is as optimised as it gets... :P You mean other than straight Cleric or Druid, right?
LucRivNor 05-05-06, 12:25 PM	For stat, INT is first and CON his second. Dont care too much about DEX, the key to be a good wizard is to avoid melee (fly, invisibility,...) Try to have the other pay a part of what u craft for the group (like an emergency scroll of teleport)...
Fwib 05-05-06, 12:38 PM	Get yourself one or more (Boccob's) Blessed Books (DMG) and a Tome of Ancient Lore (Complete Divine) From the latter, scribe spells for free into the former, saving you a huge quantity of money. Also, in an emergency, you have 90% access to any spells you can memorise from the ToAL. This cash-efficiency leaves you with plenty of money for other things.
Surreal 05-05-06, 03:04 PM	This cash-efficiency leaves you with plenty of money for other things. Like golems and cheap meatshields :D
Malakai_Demonos 05-05-06, 09:10 PM	I agree with one of the guys from above, focus on your knowledge of spells, that will be your saving grace. If you can, get you DM to use spell compendium, best book ever in my opinion. But, there are plenty of sweet spells in the PHB. Glitterdust rocks hard core, and you never appreciate a good fireball until you can't cast it, Staff of Fire rocks!
runestar 05-06-06, 12:11 AM	You mean other than straight Cleric or Druid, right? I meant compared with other arcane spellcaster builds. It has no fancy capabilities compared with those PRCs, but no noticeable drawbacks either, since you get to dictate your feat choices and can play it whatever flavour you want. :)