Best feat for this Wizard... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best feat for this Wizard... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
xdahnx
03-17-08, 08:40 PM So, I told my DM at 5th level that I was interested in taking the leadership feat. He was cool with it, and I worked out all the different uses for the followers, as well as a significant backstory for the cohort (my half-elf daughter!). We have even met the character in game (she is also holding onto 5000gp for me, in case I ever need to get raised; she is a priestess at the temple of boccob...).

The thing is, my character has hit 8th level, and I still haven't got my cohort or any followers. I'm pretty sure my friend (the DM) is just a little concerned with the addition of another character, and so I'm willing to give it up. If we encounter my daughter as an NPC, so be it, but no cohorty-goodness for me.

So, I need a new feat for my level 6 slot.
I am a Grey Elf Wizard (Enchanter)3/Master Specialist5
With the Focused Specialist variant. I can't cast from Necromancy, Conjuration, or Illusion.
I currently have Scribe Scroll,Spell Focus(enchantment), Gr. Spell Focus (enchantment),Skill Focus(spellcraft), and still spell.
I also have a rod of Silent Metamagic.

My character is a master manipulator, absolutely. I walk into a dungeon and tell the monsters to redecorate, while I impatiently tap my toes. I have my fingers in various organizational pies in town. I consider myself the leader of our adventuring group. I assert myself, and get my way.
Through creative use of Polymorph, Alter Self, lesser Geas, Dominate, and stupid high save DCs, I have the mental muscle to do so.

Leadership really was the perfect fit, so I need something to replace it that is equally striking. Improved Initiative is lacking, Spell Penetration has no oomph, and extend spell, while useful, pales in comparison.

What say you, oh Sages of the boards?
Kouk
03-18-08, 03:16 AM If you rely on your spells to get things done, and your spells already allow saves in most any circumstance, I would just go with Spell Penetration.

When creatures have SR they basically will get two saves against your effects, and enchantment spells don't tend to do anything on a successful save. EDIT: And enchantments tend to allow SR so if that is what you focus on (and prepare) then you are at even more of a disadvantage when fighting creatures with SR than a mage not specialized or specialized differently.

Otherwise, Unsettling Enchantment (also in CM) seems like a fun (and useful) feat. This way, even if they do resist your spells, you have still done something to them -- which is normally not the case.
LSMFT
03-18-08, 12:34 PM Spell Penetration might not have a lot of flash, but as you increase in level, you will face more things with SR, and a failure to penetrate it will kill an enchanter.

Another option is to take another Spell Focus. If you do, you will have met the prereqs for Archmage, which is a nice way to round out a Master Specialist. Another option which may have the flash you're looking for, if you are allowed, is Potent Enchantment, from Dragon #325. It raises the hit dice cap on your enchantment spells.
MrWildman
03-18-08, 04:18 PM In Complete Mage there are powerful feats, and attention is paid to all of the specialty wizards. As an enchanter you could lower the AC of foes targeted with enchantment spells, even if they save!
There's a metamagic feat that lashes out at melee attackers, feats to lower spell-level cost or enhance metamagic effects [I](meta-metamagic?)[I] as well as wicked reserve feats granting at-will abilities, allowing you to target foes with ranged magical effects as a standard action.
Tactical feats introduce new magical defenses and situational benefits. Really, this book is a candy store for power-mad mages. I highly recommend it.

Peace.
Grovel_hits_it_yes
03-18-08, 06:27 PM Spell Penetration, Extend spell, Negotiator, or Persuasive.

Those are what I recommend. Spell pene and Extend will be most helpful, but you seem to be a roleplayer so that is why I recommended the other two.

Heck I could even see the feat 'Deceitful' coming in handy for you. Perhaps skill focus diplomacy or bluff.

BTW, you didn't mention what your familiar gets you(or if you have one). I have a viper familiar for one of my characters and his bluff checks are awesome.

EDIT: Make sure you have Heighten spell by the time you hit dominate monster/person. Imagine having someone dominated for 22+ days off of one spell(with extend and a "stupid high save DC" ).
xdahnx
03-18-08, 06:36 PM Ah, I haven't summoned a familiar yet. I was thinking of taking Improved Familiar to get an Imp or Mephit or something...but I don't want to open up a can of worms that way either....

The suggestions are helpful guys, but I'm less combat focused, and more manipulative out of combat. There is another wizard, a cleric, and a fighter to do the smashing. I get us the good room at the inn. The mayor's room.
Grovel_hits_it_yes
03-18-08, 06:46 PM "Can of worms"? Explain.

You realize that you can keep your imp charmed, that's what I do with my spell casters?
rironin
03-18-08, 07:13 PM "Can of worms"? Explain.

You realize that you can keep your imp charmed, that's what I do with my spell casters?You cast a 4th-level spell every day just to make your familiar like you more than your familiar already automatically likes you? Why do you need to charm your own familiar?
Grovel_hits_it_yes
03-18-08, 07:24 PM You cast a 4th-level spell every day just to make your familiar like you more than your familiar already automatically likes you? Why do you need to charm your own familiar?
As a last resort you can charm, plus charm last days. In 2nd edition imps would try to kill/corrupt their masters. I thought perhaps that was what the OP meant.
rironin
03-18-08, 07:52 PM As a last resort you can charm, plus charm last days. In 2nd edition imps would try to kill/corrupt their masters. I thought perhaps that was what the OP meant.Ah, I had missed that charm monster does indeed last much longer than charm person. I was assuming we were working with 3rd edition, and that there would be no danger of a familiar ever willingly working against its master. I'd hate to have to worry about my familiar pulling something like that!
Grovel_hits_it_yes
03-18-08, 11:31 PM It made for some interesting roleplaying, that's for sure.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
xdahnx 03-17-08, 08:40 PM	So, I told my DM at 5th level that I was interested in taking the leadership feat. He was cool with it, and I worked out all the different uses for the followers, as well as a significant backstory for the cohort (my half-elf daughter!). We have even met the character in game (she is also holding onto 5000gp for me, in case I ever need to get raised; she is a priestess at the temple of boccob...). The thing is, my character has hit 8th level, and I still haven't got my cohort or any followers. I'm pretty sure my friend (the DM) is just a little concerned with the addition of another character, and so I'm willing to give it up. If we encounter my daughter as an NPC, so be it, but no cohorty-goodness for me. So, I need a new feat for my level 6 slot. I am a Grey Elf Wizard (Enchanter)3/Master Specialist5 With the Focused Specialist variant. I can't cast from Necromancy, Conjuration, or Illusion. I currently have Scribe Scroll,Spell Focus(enchantment), Gr. Spell Focus (enchantment),Skill Focus(spellcraft), and still spell. I also have a rod of Silent Metamagic. My character is a master manipulator, absolutely. I walk into a dungeon and tell the monsters to redecorate, while I impatiently tap my toes. I have my fingers in various organizational pies in town. I consider myself the leader of our adventuring group. I assert myself, and get my way. Through creative use of Polymorph, Alter Self, lesser Geas, Dominate, and stupid high save DCs, I have the mental muscle to do so. Leadership really was the perfect fit, so I need something to replace it that is equally striking. Improved Initiative is lacking, Spell Penetration has no oomph, and extend spell, while useful, pales in comparison. What say you, oh Sages of the boards?
Kouk 03-18-08, 03:16 AM	If you rely on your spells to get things done, and your spells already allow saves in most any circumstance, I would just go with Spell Penetration. When creatures have SR they basically will get two saves against your effects, and enchantment spells don't tend to do anything on a successful save. EDIT: And enchantments tend to allow SR so if that is what you focus on (and prepare) then you are at even more of a disadvantage when fighting creatures with SR than a mage not specialized or specialized differently. Otherwise, Unsettling Enchantment (also in CM) seems like a fun (and useful) feat. This way, even if they do resist your spells, you have still done something to them -- which is normally not the case.
LSMFT 03-18-08, 12:34 PM	Spell Penetration might not have a lot of flash, but as you increase in level, you will face more things with SR, and a failure to penetrate it will kill an enchanter. Another option is to take another Spell Focus. If you do, you will have met the prereqs for Archmage, which is a nice way to round out a Master Specialist. Another option which may have the flash you're looking for, if you are allowed, is Potent Enchantment, from Dragon #325. It raises the hit dice cap on your enchantment spells.
MrWildman 03-18-08, 04:18 PM	In Complete Mage there are powerful feats, and attention is paid to all of the specialty wizards. As an enchanter you could lower the AC of foes targeted with enchantment spells, even if they save! There's a metamagic feat that lashes out at melee attackers, feats to lower spell-level cost or enhance metamagic effects [I](meta-metamagic?)[I] as well as wicked reserve feats granting at-will abilities, allowing you to target foes with ranged magical effects as a standard action. Tactical feats introduce new magical defenses and situational benefits. Really, this book is a candy store for power-mad mages. I highly recommend it. Peace.
Grovel_hits_it_yes 03-18-08, 06:27 PM	Spell Penetration, Extend spell, Negotiator, or Persuasive. Those are what I recommend. Spell pene and Extend will be most helpful, but you seem to be a roleplayer so that is why I recommended the other two. Heck I could even see the feat 'Deceitful' coming in handy for you. Perhaps skill focus diplomacy or bluff. BTW, you didn't mention what your familiar gets you(or if you have one). I have a viper familiar for one of my characters and his bluff checks are awesome. EDIT: Make sure you have Heighten spell by the time you hit dominate monster/person. Imagine having someone dominated for 22+ days off of one spell(with extend and a "stupid high save DC" ).
xdahnx 03-18-08, 06:36 PM	Ah, I haven't summoned a familiar yet. I was thinking of taking Improved Familiar to get an Imp or Mephit or something...but I don't want to open up a can of worms that way either.... The suggestions are helpful guys, but I'm less combat focused, and more manipulative out of combat. There is another wizard, a cleric, and a fighter to do the smashing. I get us the good room at the inn. The mayor's room.
Grovel_hits_it_yes 03-18-08, 06:46 PM	"Can of worms"? Explain. You realize that you can keep your imp charmed, that's what I do with my spell casters?
rironin 03-18-08, 07:13 PM	"Can of worms"? Explain. You realize that you can keep your imp charmed, that's what I do with my spell casters?You cast a 4th-level spell every day just to make your familiar like you more than your familiar already automatically likes you? Why do you need to charm your own familiar?
Grovel_hits_it_yes 03-18-08, 07:24 PM	You cast a 4th-level spell every day just to make your familiar like you more than your familiar already automatically likes you? Why do you need to charm your own familiar? As a last resort you can charm, plus charm last days. In 2nd edition imps would try to kill/corrupt their masters. I thought perhaps that was what the OP meant.
rironin 03-18-08, 07:52 PM	As a last resort you can charm, plus charm last days. In 2nd edition imps would try to kill/corrupt their masters. I thought perhaps that was what the OP meant.Ah, I had missed that charm monster does indeed last much longer than charm person. I was assuming we were working with 3rd edition, and that there would be no danger of a familiar ever willingly working against its master. I'd hate to have to worry about my familiar pulling something like that!
Grovel_hits_it_yes 03-18-08, 11:31 PM	It made for some interesting roleplaying, that's for sure.