Building a wizard [Archive] - Wizards Community

Building a wizard [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Aldus
08-14-06, 10:27 AM Hi, this is my first post.... :)

I've played d&d for about 2 years. I've always played with a melee warrior type.

I want to build a Wizard but i don't know where to start.

I what to know great feats and prestige classes for wizard. Also what kind of variant can I bulid.

My idea is to build a generalis wizard, I have no interest in familiars and I liked loremaster (but i'm not married why it)

I would appreciate any help .
Furion Thamior
08-14-06, 10:29 AM You might find this helpful: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=165134

In the future, check the board faq and the important threads index first, you can usually find most of the information you'll need right away by looking there.
Eidolon Faer
08-14-06, 02:48 PM IF you're uncomfortable with the move to a spellcaster, try a Cleric or Sorcerer as a first step.

They'll let you get familiar with the mechanics of spellcasting and introduce you to some of the tactics without the complexity involved in the Wizard's spellbook.

Either that or sit down and study the spells you have available till you know what they do, and get some advice from a player in your group who can go over them with you.

The guides on this board are helpful but not always easy to use. And some of the stuff in them I wouldn't always agree with. But they're a resource.

The key to remember is that you're not there to beat the foe down with spells like a fighter uses a greatsword. You're goal is to stack the deck against the enemy so that your side wins easily. Sometimes blasts of fire are the best way to do this and sometimes a cheap illusion or a levitate spell is more effective.

Think outside the box.
Hanniball
08-14-06, 03:34 PM Since your interested in a Generalist Wizard, consider an Elven mage utilizing the Elven Wizard substitution levels out of Races of the Wild. Only the first level is worth it (IMO) and it's a pretty powerful substitution to specializing. An extra spell in your spellbook at every new level and an additional spell slot of the highest level you can cast each day.

Combine this with the Collegiate Wizard feat from Complete Arcane (It's near the back of the book) and your adding 5 spells to your spellbook every level!

Either way...just my 2 cp

P.S. Welcome to the boards!
PhaedrusXY
08-14-06, 03:38 PM I would urge you to seriously reconsider the Familiar, especially since you're taking levels in Loremaster. Loremaster has Use Magic Device as a class skill. Familiars use their master's skill ranks. Therefore, your familiar could use magic items. The DC on activating a wand is only 20. Give it some wands of Scorching Ray, and you've doubled your spells per round. There are also alot more clever things you can do.

Ravens can speak, fly, and have decent Charisma, so they make the best core familiars for this kind of stuff I think. If the DM says it can't use a magic item without hands, then share a Polymorph or Alter Self with it to give it hands. Or take Improved Familiar, and get an Imp. Look through the "Clever Uses of Share Spells" in my sig, and Wyrd's "Getting the most out of your familiar" thread for alot more ideas like this. You can find a link to Wyrd's thread in the first post of mine.
jameswilliamogle
08-14-06, 04:02 PM I'd second the idea of playing a spontaneous caster first; Sorcerers + the metamagic variant from PHB2 is a good one. A familiar is good, but when first starting to play arcane casters, they are just another thing to worry about. Also realize that although some direct damage is good, it is generally better accepted that you will be more effective as a battlefield controller. Kobold Sorcerers have some nifty options in RoD that makes them even better that normal Sorcerers, too. I'd go with the following:

Dragonborn Kobold Sorcerer (metamagic variant) 6 (1-6), Incanatrix 10 (7-16), Archmage 3 (17-19), Mindbender 1 (20)

feats: Extend Spell, Iron Will, Sp foci: any, Sp foci: any, Skill Foci: Spellcraft, Mobile Concentration (or Extraordinary Concentration or Leadership), Draconic Resevoir, Persistant Spell, Quicken Spell, Twin Spell, Energy Admixture

Take Draconic Resevoir at 6th, complete the Draconic Rite of Passage and the Greater Draconic Rite of Passage (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060420a) at that time. Become reborn as a Dragonborn of Bahamut at some point.

This build isn't as focused as it could be, but that's probably better for your first time. Enjoy, and good luck!
tharivol266
08-14-06, 04:13 PM you came to the wrong place to look for a first of a type. these people are jerks. you dont want to frequent this place. but i must say the posts on this thread are civil. you really wanna walk away and go to the friendlier threads like "whats a player to do" or "classes" forums. they are actually helpful.
Evolis
08-14-06, 05:30 PM Well, I don't like being called a jerk but your one among us ^^

.... calling us jerks and haveing a link to "Pun Pun" in your signature :rolleyes:
Hanniball
08-14-06, 05:45 PM you came to the wrong place to look for a first of a type. these people are jerks. you dont want to frequent this place. but i must say the posts on this thread are civil. you really wanna walk away and go to the friendlier threads like "whats a player to do" or "classes" forums. they are actually helpful.

As much as I hate to feed trolls, I must say that your asinine post was completely barren of any assistance to the OP whatsoever. Define Irony. ;)
PhoenixInferno
08-14-06, 06:35 PM you came to the wrong place to look for a first of a type. these people are jerks. you dont want to frequent this place. but i must say the posts on this thread are civil. you really wanna walk away and go to the friendlier threads like "whats a player to do" or "classes" forums. they are actually helpful.Well, at least most of us know how to use capital letters...

I agree that this may not be the right place for a beginner, however.
WizO_Autumn
08-14-06, 07:06 PM Some great help was linked- the Wizard's Handbook is a good place to start and I do recommend the FAQ and Important links as a next choice.

And of no fault of your own, seems some trolls are lingering in the area so let's all just look away and hope they get bored and move on.

After you check out the links, if you have a more specific questions, I invite you to post again.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aldus 08-14-06, 10:27 AM	Hi, this is my first post.... :) I've played d&d for about 2 years. I've always played with a melee warrior type. I want to build a Wizard but i don't know where to start. I what to know great feats and prestige classes for wizard. Also what kind of variant can I bulid. My idea is to build a generalis wizard, I have no interest in familiars and I liked loremaster (but i'm not married why it) I would appreciate any help .
Furion Thamior 08-14-06, 10:29 AM	You might find this helpful: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=165134 In the future, check the board faq and the important threads index first, you can usually find most of the information you'll need right away by looking there.
Eidolon Faer 08-14-06, 02:48 PM	IF you're uncomfortable with the move to a spellcaster, try a Cleric or Sorcerer as a first step. They'll let you get familiar with the mechanics of spellcasting and introduce you to some of the tactics without the complexity involved in the Wizard's spellbook. Either that or sit down and study the spells you have available till you know what they do, and get some advice from a player in your group who can go over them with you. The guides on this board are helpful but not always easy to use. And some of the stuff in them I wouldn't always agree with. But they're a resource. The key to remember is that you're not there to beat the foe down with spells like a fighter uses a greatsword. You're goal is to stack the deck against the enemy so that your side wins easily. Sometimes blasts of fire are the best way to do this and sometimes a cheap illusion or a levitate spell is more effective. Think outside the box.
Hanniball 08-14-06, 03:34 PM	Since your interested in a Generalist Wizard, consider an Elven mage utilizing the Elven Wizard substitution levels out of Races of the Wild. Only the first level is worth it (IMO) and it's a pretty powerful substitution to specializing. An extra spell in your spellbook at every new level and an additional spell slot of the highest level you can cast each day. Combine this with the Collegiate Wizard feat from Complete Arcane (It's near the back of the book) and your adding 5 spells to your spellbook every level! Either way...just my 2 cp P.S. Welcome to the boards!
PhaedrusXY 08-14-06, 03:38 PM	I would urge you to seriously reconsider the Familiar, especially since you're taking levels in Loremaster. Loremaster has Use Magic Device as a class skill. Familiars use their master's skill ranks. Therefore, your familiar could use magic items. The DC on activating a wand is only 20. Give it some wands of Scorching Ray, and you've doubled your spells per round. There are also alot more clever things you can do. Ravens can speak, fly, and have decent Charisma, so they make the best core familiars for this kind of stuff I think. If the DM says it can't use a magic item without hands, then share a Polymorph or Alter Self with it to give it hands. Or take Improved Familiar, and get an Imp. Look through the "Clever Uses of Share Spells" in my sig, and Wyrd's "Getting the most out of your familiar" thread for alot more ideas like this. You can find a link to Wyrd's thread in the first post of mine.
jameswilliamogle 08-14-06, 04:02 PM	I'd second the idea of playing a spontaneous caster first; Sorcerers + the metamagic variant from PHB2 is a good one. A familiar is good, but when first starting to play arcane casters, they are just another thing to worry about. Also realize that although some direct damage is good, it is generally better accepted that you will be more effective as a battlefield controller. Kobold Sorcerers have some nifty options in RoD that makes them even better that normal Sorcerers, too. I'd go with the following: Dragonborn Kobold Sorcerer (metamagic variant) 6 (1-6), Incanatrix 10 (7-16), Archmage 3 (17-19), Mindbender 1 (20) feats: Extend Spell, Iron Will, Sp foci: any, Sp foci: any, Skill Foci: Spellcraft, Mobile Concentration (or Extraordinary Concentration or Leadership), Draconic Resevoir, Persistant Spell, Quicken Spell, Twin Spell, Energy Admixture Take Draconic Resevoir at 6th, complete the Draconic Rite of Passage and the Greater Draconic Rite of Passage (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060420a) at that time. Become reborn as a Dragonborn of Bahamut at some point. This build isn't as focused as it could be, but that's probably better for your first time. Enjoy, and good luck!
tharivol266 08-14-06, 04:13 PM	you came to the wrong place to look for a first of a type. these people are jerks. you dont want to frequent this place. but i must say the posts on this thread are civil. you really wanna walk away and go to the friendlier threads like "whats a player to do" or "classes" forums. they are actually helpful.
Evolis 08-14-06, 05:30 PM	Well, I don't like being called a jerk but your one among us ^^ .... calling us jerks and haveing a link to "Pun Pun" in your signature :rolleyes:
Hanniball 08-14-06, 05:45 PM	you came to the wrong place to look for a first of a type. these people are jerks. you dont want to frequent this place. but i must say the posts on this thread are civil. you really wanna walk away and go to the friendlier threads like "whats a player to do" or "classes" forums. they are actually helpful. As much as I hate to feed trolls, I must say that your asinine post was completely barren of any assistance to the OP whatsoever. Define Irony. ;)
PhoenixInferno 08-14-06, 06:35 PM	you came to the wrong place to look for a first of a type. these people are jerks. you dont want to frequent this place. but i must say the posts on this thread are civil. you really wanna walk away and go to the friendlier threads like "whats a player to do" or "classes" forums. they are actually helpful.Well, at least most of us know how to use capital letters... I agree that this may not be the right place for a beginner, however.
WizO_Autumn 08-14-06, 07:06 PM	Some great help was linked- the Wizard's Handbook is a good place to start and I do recommend the FAQ and Important links as a next choice. And of no fault of your own, seems some trolls are lingering in the area so let's all just look away and hope they get bored and move on. After you check out the links, if you have a more specific questions, I invite you to post again.