Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Vanadium 07-04-07, 09:09 PM	So due to a couple mistakes I've made with my character, I seem to have money woes with my level 5 wizard. I have nothing for magical items (except some things I shouldn't have purchased), and I realize that I probably want to have at least a +2 amulet of con, a +2 headband, and a vest of resistance, along with some pearls of power 1. The only problem with this is that I need to gain about 3500 experience to get CWI. To make matters worse, I just got access to a spellbook with a limited spell I want in it (Nerveskitter). The only problem is that this particular spellbook is not discounted, and I'll end up losing about 2300 to get it (along with Evard's, also in the book), at minimum. If I opt to keep the book, I'm out 3900. So, I crunched numbers based on playing at APL 6 and getting to the gold cap for each of them. Doing this, I figured out that I should be able to get the things I want (although if I buy the book, I'll have a lower vest of resistance and fewer pearls of power). However, this has a problem with it, too, as the mods I can play in my area at this level are the year 6 IUZ metaregional mods. This not only means the odds of getting good access are up, but also the chance that I die. I guess the question becomes is Nerveskitter worth the 1900 I'd spend to get it (considering I'm a battlefield control mage)? Or, should I save the money (in anticipation for crafting) and forget that I got access to one of my sought after spells?
Mattastrophic 07-04-07, 09:16 PM	You can craft that Headband whenever you want. Nerveskitter you'll probably get access to once. After that: What's your Int? That'll determine how important a Headband will be for you right this moment. 18 Int becomes necessary at 7th, for the bonus spell. Same with 20 Int at 9th. If you'll be fine there, just craft four Pearls I and the Vest +1, and that'll give you an arsenal of 1st that will last awhile. Then go for the Amulet. Later, craft a +2 upgrade to the Vest along with two more Pearls I. Though I'd also kick around crafting a Boccob's Blessed Book. Saves you TONS of money in the long run. Also, if you're heavy on TUs, consider mastering the spellbook containing Nerveskitter for the time being, waiting till you craft a Boccob's, then rescribe and sell the book back. -Matt
clannagh 07-04-07, 09:44 PM	However, this has a problem with it, too, as the mods I can play in my area at this level are the year 6 IUZ metaregional mods. This not only means the odds of getting good access are up, but also the chance that I die. Death in terms of money is not usually a bad thing. Its permanent death from TPK's or bodies being unavailable htat really blows. Unfortunately at level 5 it costs you more to die than you make back regaining the level (especially if parts of the body are missing) so you need a free or cheap raise/res to make it viable. From APL8 up dieing actually puts you above the curve even without cheap raises.
Vanadium 07-04-07, 10:10 PM	You can craft that Headband whenever you want. Nerveskitter you'll probably get access to once. After that: What's your Int? That'll determine how important a Headband will be for you right this moment. 18 Int becomes necessary at 7th, for the bonus spell. Same with 20 Int at 9th. If you'll be fine there, just craft four Pearls I and the Vest +1, and that'll give you an arsenal of 1st that will last awhile. Then go for the Amulet. Later, craft a +2 upgrade to the Vest along with two more Pearls I. I've got 19 Int now, and I'm mostly making the transition to Battlefield Controller full-time now, so I guess I can hold off on the headband. Though I'd also kick around crafting a Boccob's Blessed Book. Saves you TONS of money in the long run. Also, if you're heavy on TUs, consider mastering the spellbook containing Nerveskitter for the time being, waiting till you craft a Boccob's, then rescribe and sell the book back. -Matt Actually, I haven't played the character for a while, but when I got into this situation a few months back, this was exactly the idea I had: to save for Boccob's Book. However, for the same cost of the book, I figured I could get three +2 items and a pearl. However, as you stated above, I could probably hold off on those for a while. I'm thinking my original idea of making a beeline for Boccob's is the way to go, barring any unforeseen deaths or access. The only reason I don't want to keep the book is because most of it is Evocation (and I dropped it). Looking at it, though, it pretty much has all the good evocation spells, and I was planning on retraining, swapping the dropped school to Enchantment instead of Evocation.
Nutation 07-04-07, 10:55 PM	I have nothing for magical items (except some things I shouldn't have purchased), and I realize that I probably want to have at least a +2 amulet of con, a +2 headband, and a vest of resistance, along with some pearls of power 1. Through APL 6, and approximately true for APL 8, you earn 1 gold piece per XP. So, at 5th you've earned 10,000 and by 6th you will have earned 15,000. Less upkeep and scribing. You've given a wish list of 11,000 gp or more, so it's not surprising you're lacking. You probably should have at least one thing on that list, though, so maybe you did spend a little poorly. Get Craft Wondrous Items at 6th. You've only missed a small opportunity to use the feat. The gold starts coming in regularly when you are playing APL10. Until then, expect to struggle.
ithardin 07-05-07, 06:37 PM	"...consider mastering the spellbook containing Nerveskitter for the time being, waiting till you craft a Boccob's, then rescribe and sell the book back." I second the aforementioned suggestion. Mastering spellbooks, other then being another use for a through the roof spellcraft score (he he he) saves mucho dinero! It (along with CWI) has REALLY helped my 4th level wizard get well on his way to being fully equipped. Ian