Armored Spellcaster Build [Archive] - Wizards Community

Armored Spellcaster Build [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MarkusCryst
04-23-08, 06:04 PM Is there a way to build a good armored spellcaster?

Arcane preferably, but any splat books or anything are ok.
Jaxgaret
04-23-08, 06:09 PM Cleric.

Any arcane caster with Mithral Twilight Chain Shirt of Nimbleness.

Sorcadin (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=965450).
Jackmojo
04-23-08, 06:21 PM Runesmith from Races of Stone (automatically applies still spell to all spells)

Jack
StevenO
04-23-08, 07:49 PM Select spells without a Somatic (S) component or use the Still Spell metamagic feat.

Here is a houserule feat I consider for use with arcane casters:
Armored Casting:
Prereqs: Still Spell, Proficient with Armor.
Benefit: You may ignore ASF while casting spells in armor you are proficient in.
Normal: You suffer ASF for casting spells in armor. Still Spell may be used to remove the (S) component thus ignoring ASF but then the spell requires a slot +1 level higher than usual.

There is also a feat that will allow a character who can already ignore ASF from one class of armor (like a Bard) to ignore it for the next class as well.
Mr_Arcane
04-23-08, 08:55 PM My favorite way to do this is to use the Battle Sorcerer variant from Unearthed Arcana and the SRD, and to invest in the Battle Caster feat from Complete Arcane (pg. 75) to be able to cast in medium armor. Grab some mithril fullplate and a weapon (as you still suffer ASF from sheilds) and go to town. Sad thing is, you still need to get Medium Armor Prof., though.

So, all in all, what you might like is a Battle Sorcerer with Battle Caster. Play a human and you can get that Medium Armor Prof. and Battle Caster by level one.
RobbyPants
04-24-08, 09:21 AM When you say "armored spellcaster", do you mean a caster who is good at melee, or simply a caster that can wear armor (but isn't necessarily expected to fight). If it's the latter, there are several full casting classes that can wear light armor, such as the warmage, beguiler, and dread necromancer. This may give you a level of speciailzation you don't want.

Sorcadin (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=965450).
I've always been a big fan.

Realistically, there are several other combos too. Simply taking one level of SpellSword will let you ignore 10% arcane spell failure, allowing you to cast in a mithril shirt. It's a very easy PrC to qualify for.

Two common entries I see are:
Paladin 2/Sorcerer 4 (like in the Sorcadin above), and

Fighter 1/Wizard 6
Spikes01k
04-24-08, 09:57 PM My favorite way to do this is to use the Battle Sorcerer variant from Unearthed Arcana and the SRD, and to invest in the Battle Caster feat from Complete Arcane (pg. 75) to be able to cast in medium armor. Grab some mithril fullplate and a weapon (as you still suffer ASF from sheilds) and go to town. Sad thing is, you still need to get Medium Armor Prof., though.

So, all in all, what you might like is a Battle Sorcerer with Battle Caster. Play a human and you can get that Medium Armor Prof. and Battle Caster by level one.

A 1 level dip into fighter might not be too bad.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MarkusCryst 04-23-08, 06:04 PM	Is there a way to build a good armored spellcaster? Arcane preferably, but any splat books or anything are ok.
Jaxgaret 04-23-08, 06:09 PM	Cleric. Any arcane caster with Mithral Twilight Chain Shirt of Nimbleness. Sorcadin (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=965450).
Jackmojo 04-23-08, 06:21 PM	Runesmith from Races of Stone (automatically applies still spell to all spells) Jack
StevenO 04-23-08, 07:49 PM	Select spells without a Somatic (S) component or use the Still Spell metamagic feat. Here is a houserule feat I consider for use with arcane casters: Armored Casting: Prereqs: Still Spell, Proficient with Armor. Benefit: You may ignore ASF while casting spells in armor you are proficient in. Normal: You suffer ASF for casting spells in armor. Still Spell may be used to remove the (S) component thus ignoring ASF but then the spell requires a slot +1 level higher than usual. There is also a feat that will allow a character who can already ignore ASF from one class of armor (like a Bard) to ignore it for the next class as well.
Mr_Arcane 04-23-08, 08:55 PM	My favorite way to do this is to use the Battle Sorcerer variant from Unearthed Arcana and the SRD, and to invest in the Battle Caster feat from Complete Arcane (pg. 75) to be able to cast in medium armor. Grab some mithril fullplate and a weapon (as you still suffer ASF from sheilds) and go to town. Sad thing is, you still need to get Medium Armor Prof., though. So, all in all, what you might like is a Battle Sorcerer with Battle Caster. Play a human and you can get that Medium Armor Prof. and Battle Caster by level one.
RobbyPants 04-24-08, 09:21 AM	When you say "armored spellcaster", do you mean a caster who is good at melee, or simply a caster that can wear armor (but isn't necessarily expected to fight). If it's the latter, there are several full casting classes that can wear light armor, such as the warmage, beguiler, and dread necromancer. This may give you a level of speciailzation you don't want. Sorcadin (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=965450). I've always been a big fan. Realistically, there are several other combos too. Simply taking one level of SpellSword will let you ignore 10% arcane spell failure, allowing you to cast in a mithril shirt. It's a very easy PrC to qualify for. Two common entries I see are: Paladin 2/Sorcerer 4 (like in the Sorcadin above), and Fighter 1/Wizard 6
Spikes01k 04-24-08, 09:57 PM	My favorite way to do this is to use the Battle Sorcerer variant from Unearthed Arcana and the SRD, and to invest in the Battle Caster feat from Complete Arcane (pg. 75) to be able to cast in medium armor. Grab some mithril fullplate and a weapon (as you still suffer ASF from sheilds) and go to town. Sad thing is, you still need to get Medium Armor Prof., though. So, all in all, what you might like is a Battle Sorcerer with Battle Caster. Play a human and you can get that Medium Armor Prof. and Battle Caster by level one. A 1 level dip into fighter might not be too bad.