Armour and weapons for wizards? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Armour and weapons for wizards? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
CantripN
04-14-06, 09:26 AM Can a Wizard with Martial Weapon Prof. use a Bastard Sword two-handed, and cast spells? That is, can he attack one round and cast spells on the next, without tossing his sword away? Can he hold the sword in one hand while casting?

Also, can that Wizard, using Light Armour Prof. and wearing a Chain Shirt somehow cast slowly to avoid spell-failure? For instance casting Arcane Mark with a one minute casting time to avoid SF?
JulesCARV
04-14-06, 09:38 AM Can a Wizard with Martial Weapon Prof. use a Bastard Sword two-handed, and cast spells? That is, can he attack one round and cast spells on the next, without tossing his sword away? Can he hold the sword in one hand while casting?

In the case of the bastard sword, I'd say yes: he can wield it one-handed (and suffer an (irrelevant) -4 nonproficiency, owing to not having the exotic weapon proficiency), leaving one hand free to do the somatic components. With, for instance, a greatsword, maybe not..

Also, can that Wizard, using Light Armour Prof. and wearing a Chain Shirt somehow cast slowly to avoid spell-failure? For instance casting Arcane Mark with a one minute casting time to avoid SF?

I don't think so. She could take it off, cast the spell, and put it back on again (a minute and a half, total). It would be interesting, though, to have "negative metamagic" feats, that allowed you to "pay off" normal metamagic feats with weaknesses (e.g., "Slow Spell" paying off "still spell.")
CantripN
04-14-06, 10:06 AM Thank you!
How long does it take to transfer a weapon from one hand to both or Vice-Versa?
About the armour: I remeber seeing some Metamagic that lets you cast spells at lower level slots at cost to DC, casting times, Range and Targets. For instance: Fireball as 2nd level spell, with only one target, with full round action to cast and a range of touch.
I'm yet to see one that helps with armour, other than Still Spell or one that grants a reduction in Spell Failure... Sadly, you can't get the Bard's armoured spellcasting via feats.
tarkin
04-14-06, 10:47 AM It is a free action to change your grip on weapons.

I have never seen an official metamagic feat that reduces levels. Doing so is VERY dificult to do, as people can find MANY ways to abuse it.
For example, lets say there was one that turns an area effect spell into a single target spell by dropping it one level. On fireball that might be OK. But now apply it to Burning Hands. That Cantrip is over-powered. Or consider the case where it reduces the level by 1, but decreases the range by two categores. A 2nd level fireball that is Close range? OVER POWERED.

The closest I have seen is "trade off" feats. Here you do things like

"Short, Small and Still"

To be affected by this spell, it must have a range of at least 10ft and a duration of at least 2 rounds. Any spell affected by this is cast at +0 levels. It no longer has a Somatic Component, but the duration is cut in 1/2 and the range of the spell is also cut in 1/2
Azezel
04-14-06, 01:12 PM If anything, a Fireball which affects only a single target is a better spell than a normal Fireball.

How many times have you thought 'Damned mellee characters getting in my way, now I can't use my AoE spells!'?
Raven Dark
04-14-06, 01:40 PM Can a Wizard with Martial Weapon Prof. use a Bastard Sword two-handed, and cast spells? That is, can he attack one round and cast spells on the next, without tossing his sword away? Can he hold the sword in one hand while casting?

You can cast a spell with somatic components while wielding a two-handed weapon or object. Just be sure to say you release one hand from the weapon, cast the spell, and then put both hands back on the weapon. Changing "handedness" in this fashion is a free action according to the FAQ.

Note, however, that actually switching hands, that is to put a sword or object form your right hand to your left or vice versa, is a move action. This can also be found in the FAQ.

Also, can that Wizard, using Light Armour Prof. and wearing a Chain Shirt somehow cast slowly to avoid spell-failure? For instance casting Arcane Mark with a one minute casting time to avoid SF?

There are no rules that allow this as far as I know. However, there are many other ways to get around arcane spell failure--two of which are Mithral armor and the Twilight armor property (from Explorer's Guide of Eberron and I think Complete Divine) each of which reduce ASF by 10% if I'm not mistaken.
draconic_swine
04-14-06, 01:53 PM Can a Wizard with Martial Weapon Prof. use a Bastard Sword two-handed, and cast spells? That is, can he attack one round and cast spells on the next, without tossing his sword away? Can he hold the sword in one hand while casting?

It's probably a DM call, but I'd allow a wizard who uses a "regular" two-handed weapon (like a greatsword or a guisarme) to hold it, but not threaten with it, in one hand. Just because you're unable to weild it in one hand doesn't mean you can't carry it like that (at least for short periods of time), IMO.
DM_Greatness
04-14-06, 03:39 PM If your DM allows it, why not just Psionics?
- It is slightly strong than Arcane Magic
- You can be wearing Full Plate and a Tower shield if you like, because their is no armor check faliure for Psionics.

I mean, why not?
tarkin
04-14-06, 04:27 PM Because not all people are prejudiced and think Psionics is stronger than magic.

Also, if he was willing to use something besides Arcane Magic, he would have switched to Clerics. They can cast freely in armor too. And can get upto 2 wizard spells per level via Domains. And their own spells are pretty good.

Psionics is nice, but the game has a lot of good magic spells that people want to play.
CantripN
04-14-06, 06:56 PM It's not about power. I simply want to have a character that can survive combat.
My DM says I can do the hand thing as swift action, so I can AOO after casting a spell.
supernerd8916
04-14-06, 07:49 PM as a wizard, you probably shouldnt be in combat

if you want a combat wizard though...

scale down the spell progression

give them bards light armor ability

make them proficient with simple weapons

raise the bab

and so on.

that being said, yes you can cast if you have a sword in one hand

no, there isnt a way (at the moment) to get rid of spell failure
Darkxarth
04-14-06, 08:00 PM Their are several PrC that allow you to lower, or get rid of, your Arcane Spell Failure chance. The Spellsword in the Complete Warrior. The Eldritch Knight (I think) in the DMG 3.5. Also, in the Complete Arcane, the War-Mage class has an ability that allows it do get rid of failure chances on light, and eventually medium, armor.
BeyondFated
04-14-06, 10:23 PM Because not all people are prejudiced and think Psionics is stronger than magic.

Also, if he was willing to use something besides Arcane Magic, he would have switched to Clerics. They can cast freely in armor too. And can get upto 2 wizard spells per level via Domains. And their own spells are pretty good.

Psionics is nice, but the game has a lot of good magic spells that people want to play.
Whoa Tarkin! The guy was just making a suggestion; you don't have to rip his throat out. Yeesh.

Anyway, CantripN, you should look into the Spellsword PrC from Complete Warrior. As you gain levels, it allows you to ignore Spell Failure chances (up to 15%, if memory serves). Couple this with Mithril, and you have yourself a none too shabby wizard in armor.

I'm also sure that there is a feat somewhere that allows you to ignore 5% of Spell Failure, but I cant remember where.
CantripN
04-15-06, 05:21 AM Well, I got a Bastard Sword +2, which I can summon to my hand thrice per week, no matter where it is or what state it's in (That is, if it's a pile of dust inside the dragon's belly, who is on another plane - I can still summon it and get it, as if it wasn't hurt, as a free action).
Now I need AC.
My stats are:
STR 14
DEX 12
CON 14
INT 16
WIS 11
CHA 13
I'm using a Mithral Chainshirt, and have a feat that reduces spell failure by 10%.
I have Shield and Prot. from Chaos as armour boosters sometimes. Any suggestions how to raise my normal measly 15 AC? With Shield + Prot. from Chaos, it's 21. Still, I get hit too often... I get 3rd level wizard spells and some clerical Abjurations (Sanctuary...).
supernerd8916
04-15-06, 08:30 AM gloves of dexterity
amulet of natural armor
ring of force shield
bracers of natural armor
mage armor (potion)
shield of faith (potion)
blur (potion)
darkness (oil)

and so on (not all these raise ac, but 20 to 50% miss chance is good)

here:http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/magicItemsPRR.html
CantripN
04-15-06, 08:41 AM gloves of dexterity - I'll make me some.
amulet of natural armor - same here.
ring of force shield - Don't have Wall of force yet, am using a two-handed weapon and can't buy it.
bracers of natural armor - don't stack with the amulet. I'll probably go with the bracers.
mage armor - Doesn't help me at all, other than being a force effect, since I have a chainshirt.
shield of faith - Might make an item that uses that.
blur - Prohibited school, don't like it.
darkness - No Darkvision, so what's the point?

Thanks for the ideas. Any others?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
CantripN 04-14-06, 09:26 AM	Can a Wizard with Martial Weapon Prof. use a Bastard Sword two-handed, and cast spells? That is, can he attack one round and cast spells on the next, without tossing his sword away? Can he hold the sword in one hand while casting? Also, can that Wizard, using Light Armour Prof. and wearing a Chain Shirt somehow cast slowly to avoid spell-failure? For instance casting Arcane Mark with a one minute casting time to avoid SF?
JulesCARV 04-14-06, 09:38 AM	Can a Wizard with Martial Weapon Prof. use a Bastard Sword two-handed, and cast spells? That is, can he attack one round and cast spells on the next, without tossing his sword away? Can he hold the sword in one hand while casting? In the case of the bastard sword, I'd say yes: he can wield it one-handed (and suffer an (irrelevant) -4 nonproficiency, owing to not having the exotic weapon proficiency), leaving one hand free to do the somatic components. With, for instance, a greatsword, maybe not.. Also, can that Wizard, using Light Armour Prof. and wearing a Chain Shirt somehow cast slowly to avoid spell-failure? For instance casting Arcane Mark with a one minute casting time to avoid SF? I don't think so. She could take it off, cast the spell, and put it back on again (a minute and a half, total). It would be interesting, though, to have "negative metamagic" feats, that allowed you to "pay off" normal metamagic feats with weaknesses (e.g., "Slow Spell" paying off "still spell.")
CantripN 04-14-06, 10:06 AM	Thank you! How long does it take to transfer a weapon from one hand to both or Vice-Versa? About the armour: I remeber seeing some Metamagic that lets you cast spells at lower level slots at cost to DC, casting times, Range and Targets. For instance: Fireball as 2nd level spell, with only one target, with full round action to cast and a range of touch. I'm yet to see one that helps with armour, other than Still Spell or one that grants a reduction in Spell Failure... Sadly, you can't get the Bard's armoured spellcasting via feats.
tarkin 04-14-06, 10:47 AM	It is a free action to change your grip on weapons. I have never seen an official metamagic feat that reduces levels. Doing so is VERY dificult to do, as people can find MANY ways to abuse it. For example, lets say there was one that turns an area effect spell into a single target spell by dropping it one level. On fireball that might be OK. But now apply it to Burning Hands. That Cantrip is over-powered. Or consider the case where it reduces the level by 1, but decreases the range by two categores. A 2nd level fireball that is Close range? OVER POWERED. The closest I have seen is "trade off" feats. Here you do things like "Short, Small and Still" To be affected by this spell, it must have a range of at least 10ft and a duration of at least 2 rounds. Any spell affected by this is cast at +0 levels. It no longer has a Somatic Component, but the duration is cut in 1/2 and the range of the spell is also cut in 1/2
Azezel 04-14-06, 01:12 PM	If anything, a Fireball which affects only a single target is a better spell than a normal Fireball. How many times have you thought 'Damned mellee characters getting in my way, now I can't use my AoE spells!'?
Raven Dark 04-14-06, 01:40 PM	Can a Wizard with Martial Weapon Prof. use a Bastard Sword two-handed, and cast spells? That is, can he attack one round and cast spells on the next, without tossing his sword away? Can he hold the sword in one hand while casting? You can cast a spell with somatic components while wielding a two-handed weapon or object. Just be sure to say you release one hand from the weapon, cast the spell, and then put both hands back on the weapon. Changing "handedness" in this fashion is a free action according to the FAQ. Note, however, that actually switching hands, that is to put a sword or object form your right hand to your left or vice versa, is a move action. This can also be found in the FAQ. Also, can that Wizard, using Light Armour Prof. and wearing a Chain Shirt somehow cast slowly to avoid spell-failure? For instance casting Arcane Mark with a one minute casting time to avoid SF? There are no rules that allow this as far as I know. However, there are many other ways to get around arcane spell failure--two of which are Mithral armor and the Twilight armor property (from Explorer's Guide of Eberron and I think Complete Divine) each of which reduce ASF by 10% if I'm not mistaken.
draconic_swine 04-14-06, 01:53 PM	Can a Wizard with Martial Weapon Prof. use a Bastard Sword two-handed, and cast spells? That is, can he attack one round and cast spells on the next, without tossing his sword away? Can he hold the sword in one hand while casting? It's probably a DM call, but I'd allow a wizard who uses a "regular" two-handed weapon (like a greatsword or a guisarme) to hold it, but not threaten with it, in one hand. Just because you're unable to weild it in one hand doesn't mean you can't carry it like that (at least for short periods of time), IMO.
DM_Greatness 04-14-06, 03:39 PM	If your DM allows it, why not just Psionics? - It is slightly strong than Arcane Magic - You can be wearing Full Plate and a Tower shield if you like, because their is no armor check faliure for Psionics. I mean, why not?
tarkin 04-14-06, 04:27 PM	Because not all people are prejudiced and think Psionics is stronger than magic. Also, if he was willing to use something besides Arcane Magic, he would have switched to Clerics. They can cast freely in armor too. And can get upto 2 wizard spells per level via Domains. And their own spells are pretty good. Psionics is nice, but the game has a lot of good magic spells that people want to play.
CantripN 04-14-06, 06:56 PM	It's not about power. I simply want to have a character that can survive combat. My DM says I can do the hand thing as swift action, so I can AOO after casting a spell.
supernerd8916 04-14-06, 07:49 PM	as a wizard, you probably shouldnt be in combat if you want a combat wizard though... scale down the spell progression give them bards light armor ability make them proficient with simple weapons raise the bab and so on. that being said, yes you can cast if you have a sword in one hand no, there isnt a way (at the moment) to get rid of spell failure
Darkxarth 04-14-06, 08:00 PM	Their are several PrC that allow you to lower, or get rid of, your Arcane Spell Failure chance. The Spellsword in the Complete Warrior. The Eldritch Knight (I think) in the DMG 3.5. Also, in the Complete Arcane, the War-Mage class has an ability that allows it do get rid of failure chances on light, and eventually medium, armor.
BeyondFated 04-14-06, 10:23 PM	Because not all people are prejudiced and think Psionics is stronger than magic. Also, if he was willing to use something besides Arcane Magic, he would have switched to Clerics. They can cast freely in armor too. And can get upto 2 wizard spells per level via Domains. And their own spells are pretty good. Psionics is nice, but the game has a lot of good magic spells that people want to play. Whoa Tarkin! The guy was just making a suggestion; you don't have to rip his throat out. Yeesh. Anyway, CantripN, you should look into the Spellsword PrC from Complete Warrior. As you gain levels, it allows you to ignore Spell Failure chances (up to 15%, if memory serves). Couple this with Mithril, and you have yourself a none too shabby wizard in armor. I'm also sure that there is a feat somewhere that allows you to ignore 5% of Spell Failure, but I cant remember where.
CantripN 04-15-06, 05:21 AM	Well, I got a Bastard Sword +2, which I can summon to my hand thrice per week, no matter where it is or what state it's in (That is, if it's a pile of dust inside the dragon's belly, who is on another plane - I can still summon it and get it, as if it wasn't hurt, as a free action). Now I need AC. My stats are: STR 14 DEX 12 CON 14 INT 16 WIS 11 CHA 13 I'm using a Mithral Chainshirt, and have a feat that reduces spell failure by 10%. I have Shield and Prot. from Chaos as armour boosters sometimes. Any suggestions how to raise my normal measly 15 AC? With Shield + Prot. from Chaos, it's 21. Still, I get hit too often... I get 3rd level wizard spells and some clerical Abjurations (Sanctuary...).
supernerd8916 04-15-06, 08:30 AM	gloves of dexterity amulet of natural armor ring of force shield bracers of natural armor mage armor (potion) shield of faith (potion) blur (potion) darkness (oil) and so on (not all these raise ac, but 20 to 50% miss chance is good) here:http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/magicItemsPRR.html
CantripN 04-15-06, 08:41 AM	gloves of dexterity - I'll make me some. amulet of natural armor - same here. ring of force shield - Don't have Wall of force yet, am using a two-handed weapon and can't buy it. bracers of natural armor - don't stack with the amulet. I'll probably go with the bracers. mage armor - Doesn't help me at all, other than being a force effect, since I have a chainshirt. shield of faith - Might make an item that uses that. blur - Prohibited school, don't like it. darkness - No Darkvision, so what's the point? Thanks for the ideas. Any others?