Need Help with Arcane Build [Archive] - Wizards Community

Need Help with Arcane Build [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dragon2007
06-23-07, 11:38 PM Hello,

Never having played an arcane caster of any type, I'm unsure what race, stats, classes, etc. I should select so I'll describe what I'm looking for in a character. I'm intrigued by the ability and story of a Spellsword and would like an arcane-based fighter with the ability to switch between offensive and defensive roles as the party requires.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Dan
Reylance
06-23-07, 11:54 PM There are plenty of arcane fighter builds here; just do a search for the term "gish."

A gish typically starts with Ftr1/Wiz6, or Ftr2/Wiz4, or Pal2/Sor4, picks up some Spellsword, then goes into Eldritch Knight. With just a single level in Spellsword, you wear a mithral chain shirt and a mithral buckler (both enchanted +1 with abilities like Fortification and Death Ward); if you wanted to go Spellsword all the way, you could be a full plate fighter. You typically use spells like Shield, Displacement, and Stoneskin to make yourself harder to kill in combat; buff with False Life, Greater Magic Weapon, and Heroism; and increase your damage with spells like Sonic Weapon.

Feats include Practiced Spellcaster, Craft Wondrous Item, and often Craft Arms and Armor.

Race is most often human. Both dwarf and snow elf are advantageous for melee fighters.
UMiskatonic
06-24-07, 03:41 PM Also, spell failure will be difficult at low levels.

Get around this with swift spells, like swift expeditious retreat to get into position, and verbal-only spells, like True Strike and Blur.

Craft Arms and Armor and Craft Wondrous will help you as well, but you're likely really tight on feats. Plan those out carefully, you can't really afford any duds.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dragon2007 06-23-07, 11:38 PM	Hello, Never having played an arcane caster of any type, I'm unsure what race, stats, classes, etc. I should select so I'll describe what I'm looking for in a character. I'm intrigued by the ability and story of a Spellsword and would like an arcane-based fighter with the ability to switch between offensive and defensive roles as the party requires. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks! Dan
Reylance 06-23-07, 11:54 PM	There are plenty of arcane fighter builds here; just do a search for the term "gish." A gish typically starts with Ftr1/Wiz6, or Ftr2/Wiz4, or Pal2/Sor4, picks up some Spellsword, then goes into Eldritch Knight. With just a single level in Spellsword, you wear a mithral chain shirt and a mithral buckler (both enchanted +1 with abilities like Fortification and Death Ward); if you wanted to go Spellsword all the way, you could be a full plate fighter. You typically use spells like Shield, Displacement, and Stoneskin to make yourself harder to kill in combat; buff with False Life, Greater Magic Weapon, and Heroism; and increase your damage with spells like Sonic Weapon. Feats include Practiced Spellcaster, Craft Wondrous Item, and often Craft Arms and Armor. Race is most often human. Both dwarf and snow elf are advantageous for melee fighters.
UMiskatonic 06-24-07, 03:41 PM	Also, spell failure will be difficult at low levels. Get around this with swift spells, like swift expeditious retreat to get into position, and verbal-only spells, like True Strike and Blur. Craft Arms and Armor and Craft Wondrous will help you as well, but you're likely really tight on feats. Plan those out carefully, you can't really afford any duds.