Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bit101 05-14-07, 07:34 AM	Does anyone know how to "buff-up" a Gnome Wizard? Because the other charachters in my group,a half-elf Monk, and a Half-Elf Druid, are way stronger then me, even when I use spells.
bob_the_great 05-14-07, 07:36 AM	we need more details to tell you what you're doing wrong.
WinDReiN 05-14-07, 07:43 AM	even when I use spells If you don't use spells, you'll certainly be weaker then your fellow PC because you're a wizard :) What lvl are you? What stats do you have? Are you a specialist?
runestar 05-14-07, 08:47 AM	A wizard the weakest member in a party? Something is very wrong indeed.:P I won't compare him with the druid, but he should at least be one-upping the monk... What lv are you? Tactics? Stats?:)
Myers 05-14-07, 09:15 AM	Agreed with everyone else. I'm guessing you are in a 1st level party, in which case yeah the wizard isn't going to shine yet. Let us know what spells etc your trying though we can help you out. Wizards do start out weaker, but the higher level you will quickly catch up to and pass everyone else.
_SIN_ 05-14-07, 09:22 AM	This should go over to the optimisation boards... But yeah, low level wizards are rubbish anyhow. Wait 'till you get to 12th and you're blasting the enemy with area effect spells.... while the monk and druid kill one, maybe two if they're lucky!
Zelck 05-14-07, 10:25 AM	Are you a specialist Wizard? If you are and banned stuff like Abjuration, Conjuration, or Transmutation, you could be in trouble. The not as painful schools to ban are (in alphabetical order) Enchantment, Evocation, Illusion, or Necromancy. At very low levels, use spells like Enlarge Person, Sleep, Color Spray, or Grease to shut down opponents. Magic Missiles aren't that great; you can use a crossbow not much worse than a fighter can usually, and they have effectively infinite ammo (at least much more than Magic Missiles). As you get higher in levels, save-or-die spells and battlefield control spells are usually regarded as better than damage spells.
Mageknight 05-14-07, 11:12 AM	Alternatively, you could try using your spells to buff-up your allies. You say that they are stronger than you, so think how much stronger they could be with your help. It will mean getting less of the spotlight, but you might be more appreciated by the party.
Bit101 05-14-07, 05:18 PM	More specificaly (I think I forgot to mention a bit of stuff), I am a Levl 8/1 Wizard/Bard. I have no specialization. I've got 54 HP, Low strength(I still get +1 though),High Int(of course), and generle other stats.
Feeb 05-14-07, 05:25 PM	Why bard? Could you elaborate about your character concept, or where you are trying to take your character mechanically (i.e. PrC's, etc). In what ways are you weak? do your spells often get resisted (your enemies often make their saves?) Do you feel like the others are doing more raw damage than you are? Are you constantly in melee? How many encounters per day do you tend to see and how often are you allowed to rest/memorize spells? What are your favorite spells to cast?
DarkNick 05-14-07, 05:27 PM	Well, what do you need strength for anyway? HPs are not so much an issue for your mage. at 8th wizard you should be casting 4th level spells. How can you not be kicking arse? I think you are approaching this wizard the wrong way, you can do so much that other players can't do. Concentrate on your spells and nothing else. Your power it not measured by HP's, AC or attack bonus so don't bother comparing these with the other players. Your power is in your use of spells and metamagic feats. What spells and feats do you have?
Bit101 05-14-07, 05:37 PM	In answer to Feebs question, The reason I became a bard is so that I could wield stronger weapons. To Darknick, I have Toughness,Enlarge spell,Spell Mastery*2,Scribe Scroll, and Augment Familiar. By the way, I have another question. Does spell mastery mean you can cast the spell multiple times a day?
Evil DM Mk3 05-14-07, 05:53 PM	In answer to Feebs question, The reason I became a bard is so that I could wield stronger weapons. To Darknick, I have Toughness,Enlarge spell,Spell Mastery*2,Scribe Scroll, and Augment Familiar. By the way, I have another question. Does spell mastery mean you can cast the spell multiple times a day?Well for a start several of theose are poor feats. Also the desire to use weapons is NOT suposed to be one you have. Finaly your question makes no sence in the context of the post and I am wondering if there is not some confusion in your group about game mechanics. A Wiazard can cast teh spell as often as he prepares it in a spell slot, no more no less. Such is the reason for spell slots.
Ace_of_time 05-14-07, 05:56 PM	The most buffs I use are mage armor and the like. But I'm a damaging type and pick spells that don't allow saves like 3rd level combust. Maybe your just picking the wrong spells. Is this your first wizard PC?
On_the_wings_of_TPK 05-14-07, 05:57 PM	step 1 ask the DM if you can trade your level of bard for..well anything really. Wizards is best best, and barbarian prolly isn't cool. But other then that almost any other class will get you more. Next what spells are you using. you still have 8 wizard levels no? Try these spells: 1st: mage armour, shield, magic missile, colour spray, ray of infeeblement, 2nd: protection from arrows, glitter dust, see invisibility, touch of idiocy, darkness, blur, invisibility, mirror image, minor image, blindness/deafness, ghoul touch, alter self, bull's str, cat's grace, darkvision, eagles splendor, fox's cunning, knock, 3rd: dispell magic, protection from energy, summon mon 3, arcane sight, deep slumber, hold person, suggestion, displacement, major image, ray of exhuastion, blink, fly, haste, 4th globe of invulnerability lesser, stoneskin, evard's black tenticles, summon monster 4, invisibility greater, phantasmal killer, bestow curse, enervation, polymorph,
Feeb 05-14-07, 06:03 PM	Do you have access to the Player's Handbook 2? If you do, and your DM allows it, you might be better off retrain as an 8th level Duskblade, as that class seems to be somewhat more your style.
Ace_of_time 05-14-07, 06:06 PM	I think we should ask what type of wizard he wants. Damage wizards pick different spells from buffing and support ones.
Bit101 05-14-07, 06:12 PM	This is going to sound really stupid but, THERE'S A PLAYERS HANDBOOK 2!!?!?!?! Also, I would like to be an Offensive spellcaster.
Evil DM Mk3 05-14-07, 06:16 PM	Then pick up offencive spells, the fireball, phantasmal killer, bestow curse, enervation, dispell magic, deep slumber, hold person. A wizard in melee is like fitting wheels on a tomato. Compleately pointelss.
Ace_of_time 05-14-07, 06:27 PM	Then you should pick AC increasing buffs. (mage armor, shield, cat's grace) Blink can be handy. But most should be damaging spell. I don't like save spells but they can be handy. Don't forget to pick 2-3 different energy type spells and force effect spells. Also don't just pick area spells. Get 2-3 spells that just effect 1 person. I love combust but it's not in the PHB. It is a touch spell 3rd level with no save for half. max is 10d6 and then reflex save every round after failure means 1d6 more damage until they put out the flames. Using that makes them think twice before come up on you. Since your multi classing try practiced spell caster.
Raveni 05-14-07, 07:13 PM	Well, maybe you should clarify what you mean by "offensive"... If you want to do pure damage, you're still at a level where the only spell you will really stand out in is an Empowered Scorching Ray. It might be better, especially in a small party, to focus on offensive spells that don't only do raw damage. Spells like Evard's Black Tentacles, Enervation, and Slow all can really ruin your enemies' day. If you find yourself stuck in melee a lot, you need to do three things: 1. Buff uip your AC beforehand. In a small party, you may find yourself extremely outnumbered no matter how fast the monk moves or the Druid summons. You're going to need to survive getting shot at or charged a few times. As mentioned before, Mage Armor, Cat's Grace, and Shield go a long way here. 2. Don't let many of the enemies get to you. Strategic uses of Alter Self or Fly can keep most enemies away, and area spells like Slow or Evard's Black Tentacles can cripple the enemies at the same time as they prevent them from attacking you. Remember, you don't have to be the one who finishes off the opponents; a monk should have a field day attacking creatures who can only move OR attack once. 3. If they get to you, fall back! If the enemy is weak, and you've got a nice blast like Scorching Ray, just take a 5' step and blast it! Maybe, toss up a Wall of Fire in front of you. Otherwise, withdraw and head for the nearest ally to cover you. If you stay to fight with your wimpy +4 BaB, you deserve the full attack you're going to get the next round. Again, remember that your role is not to do the dirty work of the close-in fighting. It's to strategically pound the enemies with whatever spells you have available.
Ace_of_time 05-14-07, 08:25 PM	Ready action can come in handy and you can take a 5' step with it. If you think someone might charge you you can ready a spell to counter.
Ryusage 05-15-07, 05:55 PM	This is going to sound really stupid but, THERE'S A PLAYERS HANDBOOK 2!!?!?!?! yes... but contrary to the name, it is not an update or replacement to the Player's Handbook v.3.5. It is simply an expansion useful for all classes. it contains four new classes, plus various feats, spells, role-playing and gaming advice, and rules for rebuilding your character. it also expands on 17 classes found in the PHB and the Complete Series. Really, really good buy.
pjackson 05-15-07, 07:05 PM	In a small party some extra versatility is often useful, even at the expense of some power. Taking you first level in bard for a bunch of skill points in a party without a rogue could be reasonable. So could taking a level of bard to be able to use wands of Cure Light Wounds in a party without a cleric. Also reasonable might be taking a level of bard to get some social skills and become the face of the party. Taking a level in bard for role-playing reasons would be good. But taking a level in bard so as to use a better weapon does not make much sense. A wizard's weapons are his spells and in taking that bard level you are currently missing out on access to 5th level spells. If your character concept was a weapon wielding wizard you should have taken the level in fighter. That would have given you access to a wider range oweapons, more hit points, +1BAB and a bonus feat to boost your fighting skills. Ranger or rogue would also work better than bards for that purpose. There are many forms of offensive spell caster. Do you want to summon monster to attack your enemies, blast them with mystic energies, manipulate their minds, or all three as the situation needs. As a wizard you can get a large range of spells and once you have learned what it is your are going to face next you cn prepare the right spells for the job. You seemed to be very worried about loosing you spell book. You have taken spell master twice, and a level in a class that does not need one. Is there something about your game that nmakes spellbooks especially vulnerable? Can you not afford to make a copy to carry with you whilst leaving the main one safely guarded at home?
Psikerlord 05-15-07, 11:24 PM	If you can use PHB2 retraining rules, or psionics psychic reformation power (4th level), I'd change some feats for more offensive ones likes sudden empower, or extra ray (for scorching ray) or similar. A lesser rod of empower for 9,000gp is an easy augment for those direct blasting spells. Evards Black tentacles is an awesome attacking spell - area effect, great grapple chance, no save, no SR, causes damage and renders foes immobile. For protection, maybe buy yourself a mithril twilight chain shirt (no arcane spell failure chance), adding the displacement enhancement from MIC. Also consider Tumble skill... although your dex may be too low? - allows you a half move out of melee with a DC15 check with no attack of opportunity, which forces your foe to waste a move action to follow up (ie they can't full attack next round).
Yokomohoyo 05-16-07, 01:23 AM	How can anyone compare a mage (wizard or any caster) with a melee? My friend let me just say that a wizard will be weak at any level with any buff if you get into melee with someone. Remember Range is your friend. First few levels (till about level 5) you should go all crowd controll and afterwards think NOVA! A group gets too close for comfert then fireball/lighting ball them. If its one target scorching ray them. After you have your level 4 spells then phantasmal killer it. If you wish to go melee with anything then I am sorry you should have picked either Warlock or Warmage instead of Wizard. After all with a mear 1d4 of health per level you cant exactly take more than a punch or two at most. What I think you should be doing if you wish to buff someone is buffing the fighter with Bulls Strength and Cats Grace or the Monk with Mage Armor. Then casting in the middle of the combat Hypnotic Pattern, Greese or Web to slow down the baddies wile your team mates take them down. At low levels a wizard is like a swiss army knife, not really good for killing but great for everything else. After level 6 a wizard turns from swiss army knife to rambo knife. Huge utility and aswome for killing. So don't worry about being offencive untill you have access to your level 3 spells or higher.
Archangel_Tyrael 05-16-07, 12:48 PM	How can anyone compare a mage (wizard or any caster) with a melee? My friend let me just say that a wizard will be weak at any level with any buff if you get into melee with someone. Polymorph and Stoneskin are the great equalizers.
Alric 05-16-07, 01:53 PM	There are a lot of spell options to help you turn a wizard into a melee character. You probably need more than just the phb though because a lot of the good spells are in the other book. Now if you decide to go that way you do need to be careful however, as you still likely have few hp. The one thing I suggest though, is ask your DM if he will allow you to switch out toughness for improved toughness. Which so much better. It gives 1 hp per level instead of just 3 total.
Feeb 05-16-07, 02:08 PM	Polymorph and Stoneskin are the great equalizers. As are freedom of movement and dimensional door!
trapspringer 05-16-07, 10:30 PM	Dude, you need to read the PHB front to back. Pay attention to the parts on spells. Might wanna' read that a few times. You seem to be lacking in the "rules familiarity" department. You're gunna' need some of that. If'n you don't have access to the PHB I, the SRD (system reference document) is linked in my sig, and provides a free version of the basic rules (which are more than you need).