Build me a Rauthmari Battlemage [Archive] - Wizards Community

Build me a Rauthmari Battlemage [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MyndCraft
04-21-04, 10:35 AM Basic idea is to still be the caster of the group so at 20th level I would like access to 8th level spells 9th if possible. I would also like to be able to whoop some butt in combat striking with Arcane Strike and channeling a spell through the sword at the same time (I believe thats possible).

Race is human and from anywhere in FR. So how would you all build this character?
ksbsnowowl
04-21-04, 10:44 AM Originally posted by MyndCraft
Build me a Rauthmari Battlemage That's not generally how it works around here. You need to come up with at least a basic progression/build with feats and present that. Then people with make suggestions to help improve the build. You will get better responses and more help if you put a little work into it yourself.
MyndCraft
04-21-04, 10:52 AM My bad, I can do that. Thanks for the info. I will try to post something tonight or tomorrow then(working late today :()

One reason I didn't post anything first though is I am unfamiliar with a lot of the books and not sure what other Prestige Classes would work well with the concept and thus don't know prerequs etc...

Thanks though.
Iku Rex
04-21-04, 11:44 AM Originally posted by ksbsnowowl
That's not generally how it works around here. You need to come up with at least a basic progression/build with feats and present that. Then people with make suggestions to help improve the build. You will get better responses and more help if you put a little work into it yourself. Actually, I much prefer a generic request. If the character is more or less done and looks good, there's no need to help. If the character is more or less done and a total mess, we're back to square one with the added annoyance of having to explain why the suggested character won't work.

What I'd like to see is a little more info. Which books can he use? Which level is he starting at? What sort of characters are the rest of party? What kind of campaign will it be? Is he determined to play a raumathari battlemage, or does he just want an arcane caster built for melee?
MyndCraft
04-21-04, 11:54 AM Okay here goes....

Any WotC books can be used (This does not include Dragon Mag stuff though). Starting level is 5. In terms of the rest of the group we have a dual wielding ginsu ranger going the SoK/FH route. There is also then a Cleric and a straight fighter.

Campaign is very planar in nature(Planescape ala 3.5). In terms of determined to ply a RB not for the full 10 level course but atleast for a few levels.

Hope that helps and let me know if I can answer any other questions.
CompleteSatori
04-21-04, 12:26 PM Well stats for this guy would help, but heres some basic suggestions...

One, If you want 8th or 9th level spells, your Base Attack bonus is NOT going to be 16+, so if you don't mind losing that 4th attack before Epic, then I can do the spell level requirement, but if you want a +16 BaB, then you will have to settle for 7th level spells.
Two, if you want to be a good Arcane Striking melee caster, you are best off with a Sorcerer build, since that means more spells per day, you just won't have the utility of a Wizard (obviously).

If those things dont bother you, then check out my Exotic Battlemage (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=2994165#post2994165).

If they do, check out one of the many flavorless Eldritch Knight builds that abound on the board, or on the Arcane Gish thread (hyperlinked in my Sig).
Argent
04-21-04, 12:50 PM Not the best BAB, but full Rauthmari Battle Mage progression. Spellsword gives -10 arcane spell failure, worth a one level dip, and the 6th wizard level gives +1 to BAB & saves.

W1/Ftr1/Wiz5/Spell Sword1/RBM10/Acm2

By level 20: 9th Level Spells as wiz 18, BAB +12, F +9, R +5, W +17
Wear Mithril Twilight Chain Mail by level 8 at no arcane spell penalty.

Class ATT F R W Abilities
1. Wizard +0 +0 +0 +2 Combat Casting
2. Fighter +1 +2 +0 +0 ExWpProf [bastard Sword]
3. Wizard +1 +0 +0 +1 3rd level Feat
4. Wizard +0 +1 +1 +0
5. Wizard +1 +0 +0 +1
6. Wizard +0 +0 +0 +0 Wizard Feat, Feat
7. Wizard +1 +1 +1 +1
8. Spell Sword +1 +2 +0 +2 Ignore Arcane failure 10%
9. RBM +0 +0 +0 +2 Sword Focus, Channel I, Feat
10. RBM +1 +0 +0 +1 Battle Spell (silent)
11. RMB +1 +1 +1 +0 Channel Spell II
12. RBM +1 +0 +0 +1 Battle Spell (Still), Feat
13. RBM +0 +0 +0 +0 Sublime Sword
14. RBM +1 +1 +1 +1 Battle Spell (empower)
15. RBM +1 +0 +0 +0 Channel Spell III, Feat
16. RBM +1 +0 +0 +1 Battle Spell (quicken)
17. RBM +0 +1 +1 +0 Channel Spell IV
18. RBM +1 +0 +0 +1 Battle Spell (maximize, Feat
19. Acm +0 +0 +0 +2 Acm Ability
20. Acm +1 +0 +0 +1 Acm Ability
CompleteSatori
04-21-04, 12:55 PM Note that with the above build, you are a 18d4/1d8/1d10 character, please be careful in melee!
Timespike
04-21-04, 01:17 PM 1 Fighter 1 [+1] EWP: Bastard Sword, Dodge, Mobility
2 Wizard 1 [+1] 1 Scribe Scroll
3 Human Paragon 1 [+1]
4 Human Paragon 2 [+2] 2 Power Attack
5 Human Paragon 3 [+3] 3
6 Wizard 2 [+4] 4 Combat Casting
7 Spellsword 1 [+5] 5
8 Spellsword 2 [+6/+1] Cleave
9 Spellsword 3 [+7/+2] 6 Quicken Spell
10 Eldritch Knight [+8/+3] 1 Spring Attack
11 Eldritch Knight 2 [+9/+4]7
12 Eldritch Knight 3 [+10/+5]8 Arcane Strike
13 Eldritch Knight 4 [+11/+6/+1]9
14 Eldritch Knight 5 [+12/+7/+2]10
15 Eldritch Knight 6 [+13/+8/+3]11 Arcane Disciple (Healing domain)
16 Eldritch Knight 7 [+14/+9/+4]12
17 Raumathari Battlemage 1 [+14/+9/+4] 13
18 Raumathari Battlemage 2 [+15/+10/+5]14 Raptor School
19 Raumathari Battlemage 3 [+16/+11/+6/+1] 15
20 Raumathari Battlemage 4 [+17/+12/+7/+2] 16

This gives you level 8 spells and +17 BAB. It DOESN'T give you full RBM progression, though (not even close, really), and getting up to level 7 isn't going to be fun, so resign yourself to a long climb or rearrange the first few levels to suit your taste better.

it is also possible to wind up with the same BAB and level 9 spells. Just drop the last two levels of spellsword for 2 levels of eldritch knight. This nets you one more caster level, which is sufficient for level 9 spells, and +17 BAB at level 20. Heh. :)

Saves for the first version are:
F 12
R 4
W 15

For the second version, they're
F 12
R 5
W 15

However, I prefer the first version. It's a little less fragile (1d10+6d8+13d4 hit dice as opposed to 1d10+4d8+15d4 hit dice, plus the ability to actually wear some armor...)

It should go without saying that the importance of a high constitution to this build cannot be overestimated...

Edited to account for forgotten-about feat
Sisyfos
04-21-04, 02:41 PM Originally posted by Timespike
It should go without saying that the importance of a high constitution to this build cannot be overestimated...

Indeed. The worst thing a melee caster character can do is to think that they will go with the lithe dextrous archetype and solely boost int and dex while forgetting con. High con can easily double, triple or quadruple the hitpoints these low hitdie characters otherwise have.

Sisyfos
Timespike
04-21-04, 02:59 PM *thumps himself* Actually, for optimum results, your best bet is probably human paragon 1/fighter 1/wizard 1/human paragon 2/wizard 1/rest of the build. That'll give you some extra skill points. Take tumble as your adaptive learning skill.
ksbsnowowl
04-21-04, 03:02 PM I'd like to appologize for my somewhat blunt nature earlier. I was trying to answer before running to class, and I was beginning to feel kind of crappy. Low and behold, here I am four hours later under the weather and having just lost my lunch. So, after a few more posts, I think I will take a nap for a few hours...
PhaedrusXY
04-21-04, 03:27 PM Here are some possible skeletal builds. I'd probably go with the 1st one.

Ftr1/Wiz 6/RaumBM4/EldritchKnight(EK)8/Spellsword1
BAB +16, caster level 18
Channeling: 2nd lvl spells, 2Xday
Free Metamagics: Silent and Still, 2 per day

OR

Ftr1/Wiz 6/RaumBM8/EK4/Spellsword1
BAB +15, caster level 17
Channeling: 3th lvl spells, 3Xday
Free Metamagics: Silent, Still, Empower, Quicken, 4Xday

OR

Ftr1/Wiz 6/RaumBM10/EK2/Spellsword1
BAB +14, caster level 17
Channeling: 4th lvl spells, 4Xday
Free Metamagics: Silent, Still, Empower, Quicken, Maximize, 5Xday

OR

Ftr1/Wiz 6/RaumBM10/Spellsword3
BAB +14, caster level 17
Channeling: 4th lvl spells, 4Xday
Free Metamagics: Silent, Still, Empower, Quicken, Maximize, 5Xday
(I'm not sure what SS3 gets you, as I don't own the Complete Warrior.)
eRaz0r
04-21-04, 05:45 PM Where do I find this class Rauthmari Battlemage ?
What sourcebook ?

- thanks in advance...
CompleteSatori
04-21-04, 06:00 PM Unapproachable East, pg.27
nk1415
04-21-04, 06:01 PM The Raumathari Battlemage can be found on pages 29 and 30 of the Forgotten Realms expansion Unapproachable East.

There ya go.
CompleteSatori
04-21-04, 11:54 PM Ha!

I got you by a minute, nk!
Battousai
04-22-04, 07:47 AM it was in an old Excerpts too: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20030413c
Iku Rex
04-22-04, 01:38 PM The high-level power build(!):

Human (Impiltur)
Wizard6/Raumathari Battlemage4/Incantatrix10

1,1,3,5*,6,9,11*, 12, 14*, 15, 17*, 18, 20*

Millitia(R, PgtF), EWP: BS, Combat Casting, Extend Spell*, Iron Will, Arcane Strike(CW), Qucicken Spell*, Arcane Disciple(Complete Divine (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20040418a&page=3) ), Still Spell*, Skill Focus: Spellcraft (or another Arcane Disciple if +spellcraft item allowed), Persistent Spell (PgtF)*, Power Attack, Empower Spell*

Max out spellcraft and use the incantatrix to make your spells persistent on high levels. ( Persistent spells: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=108949 )

(5 ranks of knowledge:arcana, greater heroism spell, luckstone and skill focus spellcraft all add to spellcraft. If he DM allows it, an item that boosts spellcraft can let you do this earlier.)

A simple sorcerer (or wizard) build:
Sor6/Raumathari Battlemage4/Eldritch Knight10
(Millitia feat).
- caster level 19, BAB 16

I played a Half-Ogre Barbarian1/Sorcerer6/Raumathari Battlemage4/Eldritch KnightX once. (Trip expert.) The Half-Ogre is a good choice because of the size - less equipment problems when you polymorph.

Levels of sacred exorcist (DotF) is nice for a "holy warrior" sorcerer - get extra spells known and turn undead to power the divine might feat. (Use the "educated" feat from Players Guide to Faerun to get the necessary skills.) It may be nerfed in the upcoming Complete Divine book though.

Then there's the spelldancer :rolleyes: : http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=213421 . Not really recommended outside of an all-out munchkin campaign...

The perhaps most important aspect of a character like this is the spell selection. Let us know if you decide on a build, then we can offer suggestions.
MyndCraft
04-23-04, 08:59 AM WOw, thanks everyone for all the input!!

Question though, what is and from what book is the human paragon?

I'll report back when I decide which route to take :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MyndCraft 04-21-04, 10:35 AM	Basic idea is to still be the caster of the group so at 20th level I would like access to 8th level spells 9th if possible. I would also like to be able to whoop some butt in combat striking with Arcane Strike and channeling a spell through the sword at the same time (I believe thats possible). Race is human and from anywhere in FR. So how would you all build this character?
ksbsnowowl 04-21-04, 10:44 AM	Originally posted by MyndCraft Build me a Rauthmari Battlemage That's not generally how it works around here. You need to come up with at least a basic progression/build with feats and present that. Then people with make suggestions to help improve the build. You will get better responses and more help if you put a little work into it yourself.
MyndCraft 04-21-04, 10:52 AM	My bad, I can do that. Thanks for the info. I will try to post something tonight or tomorrow then(working late today :() One reason I didn't post anything first though is I am unfamiliar with a lot of the books and not sure what other Prestige Classes would work well with the concept and thus don't know prerequs etc... Thanks though.
Iku Rex 04-21-04, 11:44 AM	Originally posted by ksbsnowowl That's not generally how it works around here. You need to come up with at least a basic progression/build with feats and present that. Then people with make suggestions to help improve the build. You will get better responses and more help if you put a little work into it yourself. Actually, I much prefer a generic request. If the character is more or less done and looks good, there's no need to help. If the character is more or less done and a total mess, we're back to square one with the added annoyance of having to explain why the suggested character won't work. What I'd like to see is a little more info. Which books can he use? Which level is he starting at? What sort of characters are the rest of party? What kind of campaign will it be? Is he determined to play a raumathari battlemage, or does he just want an arcane caster built for melee?
MyndCraft 04-21-04, 11:54 AM	Okay here goes.... Any WotC books can be used (This does not include Dragon Mag stuff though). Starting level is 5. In terms of the rest of the group we have a dual wielding ginsu ranger going the SoK/FH route. There is also then a Cleric and a straight fighter. Campaign is very planar in nature(Planescape ala 3.5). In terms of determined to ply a RB not for the full 10 level course but atleast for a few levels. Hope that helps and let me know if I can answer any other questions.
CompleteSatori 04-21-04, 12:26 PM	Well stats for this guy would help, but heres some basic suggestions... One, If you want 8th or 9th level spells, your Base Attack bonus is NOT going to be 16+, so if you don't mind losing that 4th attack before Epic, then I can do the spell level requirement, but if you want a +16 BaB, then you will have to settle for 7th level spells. Two, if you want to be a good Arcane Striking melee caster, you are best off with a Sorcerer build, since that means more spells per day, you just won't have the utility of a Wizard (obviously). If those things dont bother you, then check out my Exotic Battlemage (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=2994165#post2994165). If they do, check out one of the many flavorless Eldritch Knight builds that abound on the board, or on the Arcane Gish thread (hyperlinked in my Sig).
Argent 04-21-04, 12:50 PM	Not the best BAB, but full Rauthmari Battle Mage progression. Spellsword gives -10 arcane spell failure, worth a one level dip, and the 6th wizard level gives +1 to BAB & saves. W1/Ftr1/Wiz5/Spell Sword1/RBM10/Acm2 By level 20: 9th Level Spells as wiz 18, BAB +12, F +9, R +5, W +17 Wear Mithril Twilight Chain Mail by level 8 at no arcane spell penalty. Class ATT F R W Abilities 1. Wizard +0 +0 +0 +2 Combat Casting 2. Fighter +1 +2 +0 +0 ExWpProf [bastard Sword] 3. Wizard +1 +0 +0 +1 3rd level Feat 4. Wizard +0 +1 +1 +0 5. Wizard +1 +0 +0 +1 6. Wizard +0 +0 +0 +0 Wizard Feat, Feat 7. Wizard +1 +1 +1 +1 8. Spell Sword +1 +2 +0 +2 Ignore Arcane failure 10% 9. RBM +0 +0 +0 +2 Sword Focus, Channel I, Feat 10. RBM +1 +0 +0 +1 Battle Spell (silent) 11. RMB +1 +1 +1 +0 Channel Spell II 12. RBM +1 +0 +0 +1 Battle Spell (Still), Feat 13. RBM +0 +0 +0 +0 Sublime Sword 14. RBM +1 +1 +1 +1 Battle Spell (empower) 15. RBM +1 +0 +0 +0 Channel Spell III, Feat 16. RBM +1 +0 +0 +1 Battle Spell (quicken) 17. RBM +0 +1 +1 +0 Channel Spell IV 18. RBM +1 +0 +0 +1 Battle Spell (maximize, Feat 19. Acm +0 +0 +0 +2 Acm Ability 20. Acm +1 +0 +0 +1 Acm Ability
CompleteSatori 04-21-04, 12:55 PM	Note that with the above build, you are a 18d4/1d8/1d10 character, please be careful in melee!
Timespike 04-21-04, 01:17 PM	1 Fighter 1 [+1] EWP: Bastard Sword, Dodge, Mobility 2 Wizard 1 [+1] 1 Scribe Scroll 3 Human Paragon 1 [+1] 4 Human Paragon 2 [+2] 2 Power Attack 5 Human Paragon 3 [+3] 3 6 Wizard 2 [+4] 4 Combat Casting 7 Spellsword 1 [+5] 5 8 Spellsword 2 [+6/+1] Cleave 9 Spellsword 3 [+7/+2] 6 Quicken Spell 10 Eldritch Knight [+8/+3] 1 Spring Attack 11 Eldritch Knight 2 [+9/+4]7 12 Eldritch Knight 3 [+10/+5]8 Arcane Strike 13 Eldritch Knight 4 [+11/+6/+1]9 14 Eldritch Knight 5 [+12/+7/+2]10 15 Eldritch Knight 6 [+13/+8/+3]11 Arcane Disciple (Healing domain) 16 Eldritch Knight 7 [+14/+9/+4]12 17 Raumathari Battlemage 1 [+14/+9/+4] 13 18 Raumathari Battlemage 2 [+15/+10/+5]14 Raptor School 19 Raumathari Battlemage 3 [+16/+11/+6/+1] 15 20 Raumathari Battlemage 4 [+17/+12/+7/+2] 16 This gives you level 8 spells and +17 BAB. It DOESN'T give you full RBM progression, though (not even close, really), and getting up to level 7 isn't going to be fun, so resign yourself to a long climb or rearrange the first few levels to suit your taste better. it is also possible to wind up with the same BAB and level 9 spells. Just drop the last two levels of spellsword for 2 levels of eldritch knight. This nets you one more caster level, which is sufficient for level 9 spells, and +17 BAB at level 20. Heh. :) Saves for the first version are: F 12 R 4 W 15 For the second version, they're F 12 R 5 W 15 However, I prefer the first version. It's a little less fragile (1d10+6d8+13d4 hit dice as opposed to 1d10+4d8+15d4 hit dice, plus the ability to actually wear some armor...) It should go without saying that the importance of a high constitution to this build cannot be overestimated... Edited to account for forgotten-about feat
Sisyfos 04-21-04, 02:41 PM	Originally posted by Timespike It should go without saying that the importance of a high constitution to this build cannot be overestimated... Indeed. The worst thing a melee caster character can do is to think that they will go with the lithe dextrous archetype and solely boost int and dex while forgetting con. High con can easily double, triple or quadruple the hitpoints these low hitdie characters otherwise have. Sisyfos
Timespike 04-21-04, 02:59 PM	thumps himself Actually, for optimum results, your best bet is probably human paragon 1/fighter 1/wizard 1/human paragon 2/wizard 1/rest of the build. That'll give you some extra skill points. Take tumble as your adaptive learning skill.
ksbsnowowl 04-21-04, 03:02 PM	I'd like to appologize for my somewhat blunt nature earlier. I was trying to answer before running to class, and I was beginning to feel kind of crappy. Low and behold, here I am four hours later under the weather and having just lost my lunch. So, after a few more posts, I think I will take a nap for a few hours...
PhaedrusXY 04-21-04, 03:27 PM	Here are some possible skeletal builds. I'd probably go with the 1st one. Ftr1/Wiz 6/RaumBM4/EldritchKnight(EK)8/Spellsword1 BAB +16, caster level 18 Channeling: 2nd lvl spells, 2Xday Free Metamagics: Silent and Still, 2 per day OR Ftr1/Wiz 6/RaumBM8/EK4/Spellsword1 BAB +15, caster level 17 Channeling: 3th lvl spells, 3Xday Free Metamagics: Silent, Still, Empower, Quicken, 4Xday OR Ftr1/Wiz 6/RaumBM10/EK2/Spellsword1 BAB +14, caster level 17 Channeling: 4th lvl spells, 4Xday Free Metamagics: Silent, Still, Empower, Quicken, Maximize, 5Xday OR Ftr1/Wiz 6/RaumBM10/Spellsword3 BAB +14, caster level 17 Channeling: 4th lvl spells, 4Xday Free Metamagics: Silent, Still, Empower, Quicken, Maximize, 5Xday (I'm not sure what SS3 gets you, as I don't own the Complete Warrior.)
eRaz0r 04-21-04, 05:45 PM	Where do I find this class Rauthmari Battlemage ? What sourcebook ? - thanks in advance...
CompleteSatori 04-21-04, 06:00 PM	Unapproachable East, pg.27
nk1415 04-21-04, 06:01 PM	The Raumathari Battlemage can be found on pages 29 and 30 of the Forgotten Realms expansion Unapproachable East. There ya go.
CompleteSatori 04-21-04, 11:54 PM	Ha! I got you by a minute, nk!
Battousai 04-22-04, 07:47 AM	it was in an old Excerpts too: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20030413c
Iku Rex 04-22-04, 01:38 PM	The high-level power build(!): Human (Impiltur) Wizard6/Raumathari Battlemage4/Incantatrix10 1,1,3,5,6,9,11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20* Millitia(R, PgtF), EWP: BS, Combat Casting, Extend Spell, Iron Will, Arcane Strike(CW), Qucicken Spell, Arcane Disciple(Complete Divine (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20040418a&page=3) ), Still Spell, Skill Focus: Spellcraft (or another Arcane Disciple if +spellcraft item allowed), Persistent Spell (PgtF), Power Attack, Empower Spell* Max out spellcraft and use the incantatrix to make your spells persistent on high levels. ( Persistent spells: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=108949 ) (5 ranks of knowledge:arcana, greater heroism spell, luckstone and skill focus spellcraft all add to spellcraft. If he DM allows it, an item that boosts spellcraft can let you do this earlier.) A simple sorcerer (or wizard) build: Sor6/Raumathari Battlemage4/Eldritch Knight10 (Millitia feat). - caster level 19, BAB 16 I played a Half-Ogre Barbarian1/Sorcerer6/Raumathari Battlemage4/Eldritch KnightX once. (Trip expert.) The Half-Ogre is a good choice because of the size - less equipment problems when you polymorph. Levels of sacred exorcist (DotF) is nice for a "holy warrior" sorcerer - get extra spells known and turn undead to power the divine might feat. (Use the "educated" feat from Players Guide to Faerun to get the necessary skills.) It may be nerfed in the upcoming Complete Divine book though. Then there's the spelldancer :rolleyes: : http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=213421 . Not really recommended outside of an all-out munchkin campaign... The perhaps most important aspect of a character like this is the spell selection. Let us know if you decide on a build, then we can offer suggestions.
MyndCraft 04-23-04, 08:59 AM	WOw, thanks everyone for all the input!! Question though, what is and from what book is the human paragon? I'll report back when I decide which route to take :D