Armored Mage [Archive] - Wizards Community

Armored Mage [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
wizardguy2003
03-17-07, 04:08 PM Is there an Armored Mage feat, or is it limited to a class feature/variant feature? How about something similiar maybe?
WinterPsionic
03-17-07, 05:02 PM No official feat for it that I know of, and without heavy requirements it should stay that way IMHO.
CaoSlayer
03-17-07, 06:17 PM yes, it is named still spell.
runestar
03-17-07, 10:40 PM Invest in twillight mithril chainshirts...:P
KirkBb
03-17-07, 10:52 PM Twilight mithral chain shirts is one way, but theres an alternate class feature in complete mage that lets a fighter/spellcaster cast in light armor. There are also... 5 arcance spellcaster 20 level classes with the ability. There are also prestige classes that reduce ASF.

AND there actually is a feat to cast in one armor heaviver than usual, but you have to be able to cast in light armor before you can grab it.
wizardguy2003
03-17-07, 11:14 PM Thanks for the help. I still wish there was one like armored mage, but I guess I will make do. I personally don't see an issue for having one since, in my opinion, wizards are such shafted pieces of dungeon bait until later levels, but ah well.
DrMorganes
03-17-07, 11:32 PM Thanks for the help. I still wish there was one like armored mage, but I guess I will make do. I personally don't see an issue for having one since, in my opinion, wizards are such shafted pieces of dungeon bait until later levels, but ah well.

It's the price they pay for wielding world-altering power at those later levels. Call it arcane Darwinism ;)
TheRealOrion
03-17-07, 11:40 PM I don't want to sound like a know-it-all, but a smart mage just stays out of the fight. The ultimate equalizer is range. Hide behind things (like armoured fighters and clerics), or around corners, behind barrels, etc. Don't just stand there being bait. Use the environment as your armour. Or, toss some armour on, burn a feat on the proficiency, and then suck it up when you roll below 15%.
runestar
03-18-07, 12:05 AM I don't want to sound like a know-it-all, but a smart mage just stays out of the fight. The ultimate equalizer is range. Hide behind things (like armoured fighters and clerics), or around corners, behind barrels, etc. Don't just stand there being bait. Use the environment as your armour. Or, toss some armour on, burn a feat on the proficiency, and then suck it up when you roll below 15%.
Just as a smart dm can find ways to suck the mage back into the thick of battle...:P
Firestick42
03-18-07, 02:20 AM Invest in twillight mithril chainshirts...:P
Who needs twilight mithril chainshirts when you can get Thistledown Padded Feycraft Mithral Chain Shirts? Same effect, less cost. Totals around 2k IIRC.
Perseus_Stoned
03-18-07, 02:25 AM Who needs twilight mithril chainshirts when you can get Thistledown Padded Feycraft Mithral Chain Shirts? Same effect, less cost. Totals around 2k IIRC.

En contre, just finding a way to order them is already painful enough.

Mage: Hello? I'd like a Thistledown Padded... ehh, hang on one second.
Saleslady: Excuse me, sir?
Mage: Hang on! I've got it written down somewhere.. ah, there we go.. Feycraft Mithral Chain shirt.
Saleslady: You just completely made up that shirt name.
draco1119
03-18-07, 03:37 AM Thanks for the help. I still wish there was one like armored mage, but I guess I will make do. I personally don't see an issue for having one since, in my opinion, wizards are such shafted pieces of dungeon bait until later levels, but ah well.
Warmage and Spellsword both reduce/ignore ASF. IIRC, the Warmage ignores and the Spellsword reduces it (up to 30%).
CaoSlayer
03-18-07, 06:26 AM Thanks for the help. I still wish there was one like armored mage, but I guess I will make do. I personally don't see an issue for having one since, in my opinion, wizards are such shafted pieces of dungeon bait until later levels, but ah well.

Actually, at low levels wizards have very good AC, use mage armor and you will be using the equivalent of one mithril chain shirt without spending a single gp, then toss shield spell and you have the equivalent of a full plate armor.
At level 2 you get some nice stuff like mirror image and alterself for further protection and finally by level 3 you get two of the best protection spells out here: displacement and blink, miss chances are great because always works the same regardless the melee prowness of the attacker.
grufflehead
03-18-07, 12:55 PM Fantasy Flight Games' 'Masterwork Anthology' has a feat called 'Reduced Spell Failure' which reduces ASF by 10%.

Paradigm Concepts' 'Players Guide to Arcanis' has a feat called Armoured Caster which also reduces ASF by 10%

WotC's 'Complete Arcane' has a feat called Battle Caster which allows you to ignore ASF in armour one type heavier than normal; combined with any number of classes that allow you to cast in light armour, would at least make it medium armour - and in games where special materials are available for crafting which reduces the armour weight by 1 category....
RobbyPants
03-18-07, 11:34 PM Or, toss some armour on, burn a feat on the proficiency, and then suck it up when you roll below 15%.
Actually, you probably wouldn't have to burn a feat for proficiency anyway. Anything with an ACP of 0 (padded, leather, mithril shirt, etc...) will basically impose a -0 penalty on all your attack rolls for non-proficiency. ;) These all ave 10% or less ASF.

A mithirl buckler is also a nice way to boost your AC without risk to your spellcasting.
The_Geek
03-19-07, 01:54 PM Arcane Hierophant (Druid/Wiz) allows for Medium (Druid) armour.

Combined with Battle Caster, you could wear Heavy ... at the cost of your Druid abilities & Spells.

It's possible to hit the AH PrC without Druid, but it requires a bit of class dipping. Eg. (Elf/Half-Elf) Wiz 3/Clr 3/Rng 1/Wildrunner 1/AH , Battle Caster and you've got a Wizard/Cleric who can cast in full plate.

.
TheRealOrion
03-19-07, 07:15 PM Actually, you probably wouldn't have to burn a feat for proficiency anyway. Anything with an ACP of 0 (padded, leather, mithril shirt, etc...) will basically impose a -0 penalty on all your attack rolls for non-proficiency. ;) These all ave 10% or less ASF.
Dude, sweet rule hack! Twice zero is still zero. Nice.
stsword
03-26-07, 10:55 PM There are multiple ways to get armor for one's wizard. There's a fighter substitution level that allows one to ignore spell failure for light armor on spell levels up to your fighter level plus one in complete mage.

There's a "heavy armor proficiency" substitution level that requires being dragonblooded that allows one to grow one's own armor that advances as long as you gain levels in a class with heavy armor proficiency, and it has absolutely no spell failure chance. So at the cost of a fighter (or something similar) level and either a feat or the appropriate race choice you could get a six to armor bonus if memory serves. That option is available in dragon magic.

Then there's a feat in complete scoundrel that allows one to cast in light armor, but it requires taking a level in spellthief.

And of course multiple armor qualities and the twilight property and multiple prestige classes that lessen spell failure chances.
Razorgrin
03-30-07, 02:23 PM WotC's 'Complete Arcane' has a feat called Battle Caster which allows you to ignore ASF in armour one type heavier than normal; combined with any number of classes that allow you to cast in light armour, would at least make it medium armour - and in games where special materials are available for crafting which reduces the armour weight by 1 category....

I have a Battle Caster-endowed Warmage who wears +2 mithril full plate armor. My party's fighter is really mad at me for some reason.
Dragonteuthis
03-30-07, 02:45 PM I have a Battle Caster-endowed Warmage who wears +2 mithril full plate armor. My party's fighter is really mad at me for some reason.

His fault for gimping himself by being a Fighter.
Razorgrin
03-30-07, 02:47 PM His fault for gimping himself by being a Fighter.

I keep telling him that, but he's the type who won't let go of the idea that a class called "fighter" should be the best in combat. I've got a level or two of swordsage, plus some Jade Phoenix Mage, so I'm better than he is in melee combat half the time. ::shrugs:: Can't teach some people.
Kursk
03-30-07, 03:55 PM Is there an Armored Mage feat, or is it limited to a class feature/variant feature? How about something similiar maybe?

In same book as Spelled Fighter. :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
wizardguy2003 03-17-07, 04:08 PM	Is there an Armored Mage feat, or is it limited to a class feature/variant feature? How about something similiar maybe?
WinterPsionic 03-17-07, 05:02 PM	No official feat for it that I know of, and without heavy requirements it should stay that way IMHO.
CaoSlayer 03-17-07, 06:17 PM	yes, it is named still spell.
runestar 03-17-07, 10:40 PM	Invest in twillight mithril chainshirts...:P
KirkBb 03-17-07, 10:52 PM	Twilight mithral chain shirts is one way, but theres an alternate class feature in complete mage that lets a fighter/spellcaster cast in light armor. There are also... 5 arcance spellcaster 20 level classes with the ability. There are also prestige classes that reduce ASF. AND there actually is a feat to cast in one armor heaviver than usual, but you have to be able to cast in light armor before you can grab it.
wizardguy2003 03-17-07, 11:14 PM	Thanks for the help. I still wish there was one like armored mage, but I guess I will make do. I personally don't see an issue for having one since, in my opinion, wizards are such shafted pieces of dungeon bait until later levels, but ah well.
DrMorganes 03-17-07, 11:32 PM	Thanks for the help. I still wish there was one like armored mage, but I guess I will make do. I personally don't see an issue for having one since, in my opinion, wizards are such shafted pieces of dungeon bait until later levels, but ah well. It's the price they pay for wielding world-altering power at those later levels. Call it arcane Darwinism ;)
TheRealOrion 03-17-07, 11:40 PM	I don't want to sound like a know-it-all, but a smart mage just stays out of the fight. The ultimate equalizer is range. Hide behind things (like armoured fighters and clerics), or around corners, behind barrels, etc. Don't just stand there being bait. Use the environment as your armour. Or, toss some armour on, burn a feat on the proficiency, and then suck it up when you roll below 15%.
runestar 03-18-07, 12:05 AM	I don't want to sound like a know-it-all, but a smart mage just stays out of the fight. The ultimate equalizer is range. Hide behind things (like armoured fighters and clerics), or around corners, behind barrels, etc. Don't just stand there being bait. Use the environment as your armour. Or, toss some armour on, burn a feat on the proficiency, and then suck it up when you roll below 15%. Just as a smart dm can find ways to suck the mage back into the thick of battle...:P
Firestick42 03-18-07, 02:20 AM	Invest in twillight mithril chainshirts...:P Who needs twilight mithril chainshirts when you can get Thistledown Padded Feycraft Mithral Chain Shirts? Same effect, less cost. Totals around 2k IIRC.
Perseus_Stoned 03-18-07, 02:25 AM	Who needs twilight mithril chainshirts when you can get Thistledown Padded Feycraft Mithral Chain Shirts? Same effect, less cost. Totals around 2k IIRC. En contre, just finding a way to order them is already painful enough. Mage: Hello? I'd like a Thistledown Padded... ehh, hang on one second. Saleslady: Excuse me, sir? Mage: Hang on! I've got it written down somewhere.. ah, there we go.. Feycraft Mithral Chain shirt. Saleslady: You just completely made up that shirt name.
draco1119 03-18-07, 03:37 AM	Thanks for the help. I still wish there was one like armored mage, but I guess I will make do. I personally don't see an issue for having one since, in my opinion, wizards are such shafted pieces of dungeon bait until later levels, but ah well. Warmage and Spellsword both reduce/ignore ASF. IIRC, the Warmage ignores and the Spellsword reduces it (up to 30%).
CaoSlayer 03-18-07, 06:26 AM	Thanks for the help. I still wish there was one like armored mage, but I guess I will make do. I personally don't see an issue for having one since, in my opinion, wizards are such shafted pieces of dungeon bait until later levels, but ah well. Actually, at low levels wizards have very good AC, use mage armor and you will be using the equivalent of one mithril chain shirt without spending a single gp, then toss shield spell and you have the equivalent of a full plate armor. At level 2 you get some nice stuff like mirror image and alterself for further protection and finally by level 3 you get two of the best protection spells out here: displacement and blink, miss chances are great because always works the same regardless the melee prowness of the attacker.
grufflehead 03-18-07, 12:55 PM	Fantasy Flight Games' 'Masterwork Anthology' has a feat called 'Reduced Spell Failure' which reduces ASF by 10%. Paradigm Concepts' 'Players Guide to Arcanis' has a feat called Armoured Caster which also reduces ASF by 10% WotC's 'Complete Arcane' has a feat called Battle Caster which allows you to ignore ASF in armour one type heavier than normal; combined with any number of classes that allow you to cast in light armour, would at least make it medium armour - and in games where special materials are available for crafting which reduces the armour weight by 1 category....
RobbyPants 03-18-07, 11:34 PM	Or, toss some armour on, burn a feat on the proficiency, and then suck it up when you roll below 15%. Actually, you probably wouldn't have to burn a feat for proficiency anyway. Anything with an ACP of 0 (padded, leather, mithril shirt, etc...) will basically impose a -0 penalty on all your attack rolls for non-proficiency. ;) These all ave 10% or less ASF. A mithirl buckler is also a nice way to boost your AC without risk to your spellcasting.
The_Geek 03-19-07, 01:54 PM	Arcane Hierophant (Druid/Wiz) allows for Medium (Druid) armour. Combined with Battle Caster, you could wear Heavy ... at the cost of your Druid abilities & Spells. It's possible to hit the AH PrC without Druid, but it requires a bit of class dipping. Eg. (Elf/Half-Elf) Wiz 3/Clr 3/Rng 1/Wildrunner 1/AH , Battle Caster and you've got a Wizard/Cleric who can cast in full plate. .
TheRealOrion 03-19-07, 07:15 PM	Actually, you probably wouldn't have to burn a feat for proficiency anyway. Anything with an ACP of 0 (padded, leather, mithril shirt, etc...) will basically impose a -0 penalty on all your attack rolls for non-proficiency. ;) These all ave 10% or less ASF. Dude, sweet rule hack! Twice zero is still zero. Nice.
stsword 03-26-07, 10:55 PM	There are multiple ways to get armor for one's wizard. There's a fighter substitution level that allows one to ignore spell failure for light armor on spell levels up to your fighter level plus one in complete mage. There's a "heavy armor proficiency" substitution level that requires being dragonblooded that allows one to grow one's own armor that advances as long as you gain levels in a class with heavy armor proficiency, and it has absolutely no spell failure chance. So at the cost of a fighter (or something similar) level and either a feat or the appropriate race choice you could get a six to armor bonus if memory serves. That option is available in dragon magic. Then there's a feat in complete scoundrel that allows one to cast in light armor, but it requires taking a level in spellthief. And of course multiple armor qualities and the twilight property and multiple prestige classes that lessen spell failure chances.
Razorgrin 03-30-07, 02:23 PM	WotC's 'Complete Arcane' has a feat called Battle Caster which allows you to ignore ASF in armour one type heavier than normal; combined with any number of classes that allow you to cast in light armour, would at least make it medium armour - and in games where special materials are available for crafting which reduces the armour weight by 1 category.... I have a Battle Caster-endowed Warmage who wears +2 mithril full plate armor. My party's fighter is really mad at me for some reason.
Dragonteuthis 03-30-07, 02:45 PM	I have a Battle Caster-endowed Warmage who wears +2 mithril full plate armor. My party's fighter is really mad at me for some reason. His fault for gimping himself by being a Fighter.
Razorgrin 03-30-07, 02:47 PM	His fault for gimping himself by being a Fighter. I keep telling him that, but he's the type who won't let go of the idea that a class called "fighter" should be the best in combat. I've got a level or two of swordsage, plus some Jade Phoenix Mage, so I'm better than he is in melee combat half the time. ::shrugs:: Can't teach some people.
Kursk 03-30-07, 03:55 PM	Is there an Armored Mage feat, or is it limited to a class feature/variant feature? How about something similiar maybe? In same book as Spelled Fighter. :D