Feats for a 12th Level Halfling Beguiler [Archive] - Wizards Community

Feats for a 12th Level Halfling Beguiler [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ScoutValas
10-03-07, 12:03 PM Can someone please give me some good ideas for the feats to take for a 12th level Halfling Beguiler? I am going to be playing him as one who avoids melee combat whenever possible so please keep that in mind. In fact the only weapons he will have are a couple of daggers and I was thinking about a couple of hand crossbows. I will be trying to obtain some sort of poisons to use with the HC's. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance.
tafkamhokie
10-03-07, 12:11 PM I'm running a beguiler right now myself (only 2nd level, though). But my observation is picking feats for a beguiler is a bit tough.

Item creation feats are almost useless because of your limited spell list. Most metamagics are useless because most of your spells do not do hit points of damage, are not rays, and don't have an area effect. Combat feats are a real waste of time. You already get Silent Spell and Still Spell for free.

I think there is a feat that eliminates the increased casting time for spontaneous metamagic. That would be a good one as it would allow you to take Quicken Spell.

Spell Focus (illusion) and Spell Focus (enchantment) are better for a beguiler than they are for most casters. Enemies who fail their saves against your spells are toast, while those that make their saves are probably unscathed. Anything that jacks up the saving throw DC is good.

Spell Penetration and Improved Initiative are not very sexy, but they get the job done for a beguiler.

I don't know how long you plan to play the beguiler, but the spell list does qualify you for archmage. If you take spell focus (illusion & enchantment) anyway, then you only need skill focus (spellcraft) to qualify for archmage.
ScoutValas
10-03-07, 12:20 PM Thanks for the input....

I was thinking about Spell Focus but wasn't sure if I wanted to use the two feats to get it for both Illusion and Enchantment but the more I think about it they are probably worth it as well as Spell Penetration.

So that takes up 3 feat slots...forgive me if I'm wrong that leaves me with 2 more feats and if I want to go Archmage which sounds like a pretty good idea then I will take Skill Focus Spellcraft and that leaves me with 1 Feat????

Is Improved Initiative worth it???? or is there a better idea???
ScoutValas
10-03-07, 01:26 PM Any other ideas????
Puca
10-03-07, 02:01 PM but the more I think about it they are probably worth it as well as Spell Penetration. You can already get boosts to beat SR though, right? When they are denied thier dex?

Eventually, level 20, you automatically beat it? Right? If you arent going to level 20, Arcane Mastery, which lets you take 10 on checks to beat SR, might be a better way to go.

You can never have too high a DC when using enchanments or illusions though.

I want to go Archmage which sounds like a pretty good idea then I will take Skill Focus Spellcraft and that leaves me with 1 Feat????Archmages need to be able to cast spells from 5 different schools? Can beguilers do that?

Is Improved Initiative worth it???? or is there a better idea???It is worth it.
ScoutValas
10-03-07, 02:10 PM I'll have to double check to see if they can cast spells from 5 different schools. I don't have the spell list with me at the moment. I was just going on what the other poster said so I'm not sure. What book is Arcane Mastery in and what are other ways to boost the DC for enchantments or illusions?
Puca
10-03-07, 02:25 PM Arcane Mastery is in CA.

Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus are the obvious ones. Four feats is too many, but depending on how you play, you might want to focus your DCs in one school.

There is a Shadow Weave feat in Forgotton Realms that boosts both illusion and enchantment.

Fey Power in CM boosts enchantment DCs, but requires a prerequisite feat, so maybe not worth it.

Other than that, Heighten Spell is a good way to boost DCs. Ive used it with sorcerers a lot, but not with beguilers. The way they have thier spell-lists might not make it as attractive.

They do have five schools of spells. I just checked. Their list is dominated by 2, but it only takes 1 in three others to qualify.
ScoutValas
10-03-07, 02:37 PM My problem is trying to decide if I what school to try and boost Enchantment or Illusion or should I try to do both. Like you said doing both ends up using a lot of feats but if I am going to be using my spellcasting most of the time if not all of the time it might be worth it to have both schools boosted.

I'm going to have to just bite the bullet and go one way or the other.....:confused:

Thanks for all the help.

If I can bother you for some more help I still need to equip him with some useful items as well. I just got the MIC but haven't looked at it alot yet. Any suggestions???
Puca
10-03-07, 03:07 PM I dont have MIC, but

A mithral chain shirt is almost standard issue for guys who can cast in light armor. At 1100 gp, it is in your price range. You could spend another 1000 to make it +1. Id spend that on a mithral buckler: No ASF, no check penalty. Who cares about proficiency.
Look at some other +1 stackable AC items.

Handy Haversack: 2000. Who wants to be the only one in the party without one?

A Circlet of Persuasion is a good item for you too. I assume you will Bluff and such often enough. Thats a tough call when it takes the same slot as a Headband of Intellect, but the party buffer will give you more, if less often, with Foxs Cunning. I would get one stat-boosting item though, either Gloves of Dex or Amulet of Health.

Beyond that its hard to say without knowing more about the character and his role.
ScoutValas
10-03-07, 03:15 PM I am playing in an online campaign and am about to join a party that started not that long ago. I belive they have a Dwarven Fighter, Human Cleric of Pelor, a Druid of some sort and some sort of rogue character and I think a Monk but I'm not sure. I plan on just trying to disable foes or distract them as well as using the spells which deal subdual damage which to me seems like there is plenty of on the Beguiler Spell list.

I also will be able to help out with traps and such if the rogue is either not around or currently unable to do so and should be able to help avoid fights if possible. I plan on being more of a support character.

Personality wise he will seem like a carefree happy go lucky type...you know a halfling but with a much stronger sense of protecting the innocent and the like from the evil in the world.

The campaign is all about us uncovering some sort of underground evil group filled with Mercs and all manner of being I imagine. I know there is a Vampire involved somehow as well....
ScoutValas
10-04-07, 02:50 PM bump

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ScoutValas 10-03-07, 12:03 PM	Can someone please give me some good ideas for the feats to take for a 12th level Halfling Beguiler? I am going to be playing him as one who avoids melee combat whenever possible so please keep that in mind. In fact the only weapons he will have are a couple of daggers and I was thinking about a couple of hand crossbows. I will be trying to obtain some sort of poisons to use with the HC's. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance.
tafkamhokie 10-03-07, 12:11 PM	I'm running a beguiler right now myself (only 2nd level, though). But my observation is picking feats for a beguiler is a bit tough. Item creation feats are almost useless because of your limited spell list. Most metamagics are useless because most of your spells do not do hit points of damage, are not rays, and don't have an area effect. Combat feats are a real waste of time. You already get Silent Spell and Still Spell for free. I think there is a feat that eliminates the increased casting time for spontaneous metamagic. That would be a good one as it would allow you to take Quicken Spell. Spell Focus (illusion) and Spell Focus (enchantment) are better for a beguiler than they are for most casters. Enemies who fail their saves against your spells are toast, while those that make their saves are probably unscathed. Anything that jacks up the saving throw DC is good. Spell Penetration and Improved Initiative are not very sexy, but they get the job done for a beguiler. I don't know how long you plan to play the beguiler, but the spell list does qualify you for archmage. If you take spell focus (illusion & enchantment) anyway, then you only need skill focus (spellcraft) to qualify for archmage.
ScoutValas 10-03-07, 12:20 PM	Thanks for the input.... I was thinking about Spell Focus but wasn't sure if I wanted to use the two feats to get it for both Illusion and Enchantment but the more I think about it they are probably worth it as well as Spell Penetration. So that takes up 3 feat slots...forgive me if I'm wrong that leaves me with 2 more feats and if I want to go Archmage which sounds like a pretty good idea then I will take Skill Focus Spellcraft and that leaves me with 1 Feat???? Is Improved Initiative worth it???? or is there a better idea???
ScoutValas 10-03-07, 01:26 PM	Any other ideas????
Puca 10-03-07, 02:01 PM	but the more I think about it they are probably worth it as well as Spell Penetration. You can already get boosts to beat SR though, right? When they are denied thier dex? Eventually, level 20, you automatically beat it? Right? If you arent going to level 20, Arcane Mastery, which lets you take 10 on checks to beat SR, might be a better way to go. You can never have too high a DC when using enchanments or illusions though. I want to go Archmage which sounds like a pretty good idea then I will take Skill Focus Spellcraft and that leaves me with 1 Feat????Archmages need to be able to cast spells from 5 different schools? Can beguilers do that? Is Improved Initiative worth it???? or is there a better idea???It is worth it.
ScoutValas 10-03-07, 02:10 PM	I'll have to double check to see if they can cast spells from 5 different schools. I don't have the spell list with me at the moment. I was just going on what the other poster said so I'm not sure. What book is Arcane Mastery in and what are other ways to boost the DC for enchantments or illusions?
Puca 10-03-07, 02:25 PM	Arcane Mastery is in CA. Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus are the obvious ones. Four feats is too many, but depending on how you play, you might want to focus your DCs in one school. There is a Shadow Weave feat in Forgotton Realms that boosts both illusion and enchantment. Fey Power in CM boosts enchantment DCs, but requires a prerequisite feat, so maybe not worth it. Other than that, Heighten Spell is a good way to boost DCs. Ive used it with sorcerers a lot, but not with beguilers. The way they have thier spell-lists might not make it as attractive. They do have five schools of spells. I just checked. Their list is dominated by 2, but it only takes 1 in three others to qualify.
ScoutValas 10-03-07, 02:37 PM	My problem is trying to decide if I what school to try and boost Enchantment or Illusion or should I try to do both. Like you said doing both ends up using a lot of feats but if I am going to be using my spellcasting most of the time if not all of the time it might be worth it to have both schools boosted. I'm going to have to just bite the bullet and go one way or the other.....:confused: Thanks for all the help. If I can bother you for some more help I still need to equip him with some useful items as well. I just got the MIC but haven't looked at it alot yet. Any suggestions???
Puca 10-03-07, 03:07 PM	I dont have MIC, but A mithral chain shirt is almost standard issue for guys who can cast in light armor. At 1100 gp, it is in your price range. You could spend another 1000 to make it +1. Id spend that on a mithral buckler: No ASF, no check penalty. Who cares about proficiency. Look at some other +1 stackable AC items. Handy Haversack: 2000. Who wants to be the only one in the party without one? A Circlet of Persuasion is a good item for you too. I assume you will Bluff and such often enough. Thats a tough call when it takes the same slot as a Headband of Intellect, but the party buffer will give you more, if less often, with Foxs Cunning. I would get one stat-boosting item though, either Gloves of Dex or Amulet of Health. Beyond that its hard to say without knowing more about the character and his role.
ScoutValas 10-03-07, 03:15 PM	I am playing in an online campaign and am about to join a party that started not that long ago. I belive they have a Dwarven Fighter, Human Cleric of Pelor, a Druid of some sort and some sort of rogue character and I think a Monk but I'm not sure. I plan on just trying to disable foes or distract them as well as using the spells which deal subdual damage which to me seems like there is plenty of on the Beguiler Spell list. I also will be able to help out with traps and such if the rogue is either not around or currently unable to do so and should be able to help avoid fights if possible. I plan on being more of a support character. Personality wise he will seem like a carefree happy go lucky type...you know a halfling but with a much stronger sense of protecting the innocent and the like from the evil in the world. The campaign is all about us uncovering some sort of underground evil group filled with Mercs and all manner of being I imagine. I know there is a Vampire involved somehow as well....
ScoutValas 10-04-07, 02:50 PM	bump