Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rebornarcanist 08-11-06, 07:32 AM	I have just become 21 lvl and wants to take some levels as Archmage. I want to take the ranged touch ability, but am not sure if spelllike ability, master of shaping or master of elements is better. The ranged touch would be incredible with improved invsibility...but maybe any of you have experienced something or have an opinion that can change my mind ? Please tell what you would choose and why. Thanks
UmbralKnight 08-11-06, 07:55 AM	Id say go with your first instinct and take Arcane reach. Its what I would do ;) .
smallfishnova 08-11-06, 08:22 AM	so you are an epic caster, do your dm let you develop epic spell...those it is for later... i assume you can cast lv 9 level acrane spell, so you are wizard or sorcerer-based caster?... they require quite a different things...if a sorcerer...it also depends on his spell known... have you decide which epic feat you will take at 21st lv?...that will affect the choice...other feat also affect the choice... for example: improved spell capacity + extend spell at 10lv slot for 2 times shapechange per day which lasts 420 mins each time is quite...@_@"...if your caster level is high enough....i hope you have int or cha 30 to get the bonus spell slot for this... for range touch ability, if taken 1 time only, it is not that great, since most C size monster will have 30ft reach... 2 times is much much better... and which touch spells you want to use anyway? master of shaping is always a good choice unless you can ignore other feelings and blast them together and they even not complaining about it...those some groups can tactically avoid this problem... master of elements... a better choice for sorcerer-type than wizard...also, if you don"t want to blast...it is no use... it is just fun and good for blasting, no other usage... improved invisbility...at least you can"t use it to approach a dragon...:p... for other creature that don"t have blind sense or the like... why bother about it...the target get some effect and other even don"t know you cast a spell (assume you apply quicken or silent spell...) in my opinion, the best core arcane touch spell are imprisonment and irri. dance for combat...unless you access to divine spell...it is not so useful...
Novacat 08-11-06, 08:41 AM	Good lord, Smallfishnova, reading your post brought pain to my eyes. I'm a huge fan of Mastery of Shaping and Spell Power, myself.
Alamanther's comeback 08-11-06, 10:00 AM	If you rely on many area attack spells, you can't go wrong with mastery of shaping, so that you can avoid harming allies and innocents. Mastery of elements is essentially five spells for the price of one, meaning that you will always have the energy typ you need against a creature with energy resistance, energy immunity, or energy vulnerablity. Spell power is my personal favourite - increase all level-dependent aspects of your spell and increase the likelihood of your spell making it through spell resistance or surviving a dispel attempt. Worth taking many times. Spell-like ability is cool, especially coupled with the Quicken Spell-like Ability feat. Arcane fire is better for wizards than sorcerers. Arcane reach is limted in its application, but useful if you have many touch range attack spells, or if you frequently need to cast touch range buff spell on an ally who is out of reach (but within 30 feet). Mastery of counterspelling is very much up to the individual caster and how much he relies on counterspelling.
Novacat 08-11-06, 11:53 AM	Ah yes, I forgot about Spell-like ability. I had a sorcerer/archmage who got a Disintegrate spell-like ability. I forget when he got what, but by 18th level, I had Spell Power, Maximize Spell-like Ability and Empower Spell-like Ability. So twice a day, I could zap something with a ray dealing 228 + (half of 38d6) damage, averaging 361 damage on a failed save. I called it my Lich-repellant (SR wasn't a worry, as I had several special measures for penetrating SR).
camble 08-11-06, 01:50 PM	There is a lot to be said about the ranged touch ability. First if you have access to the persistant spell feat many spells that where not available as options for its use become available. The same goes for the chain spell feat. I had a transmuter that took the ability so he could become a better buffer for the party It worked out pretty well for me. In my case I had dropped evocation as a school so area effect damage spells where not a priority of mine so YMMV.
Sivis 08-11-06, 02:38 PM	Arcane Reach Mastery of Elements Mastery of Shaping Spell-Like Ablilty (teleport with out error..quickened for those tight areas) Spell Power This is just me though!