Help me create a mad mage! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Help me create a mad mage! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
D20RollPlayer
12-11-05, 12:17 PM Hello, I'm creating my second ever character today and i want him to be a senile old crazy mage who is obssesed with using fire spells to solve every situation.

Which class would be better, socerer or wizard. Also I was thinking of playing an elf, merely because my first character was human and i wanted to try sometyhing different, however elves don't seem to be the crazy types, if anyone can help me justify my elf being crazy then i'd love to play him, otherwise i have no problem sticking with a human.

Thank you.
D20RollPlayer
12-11-05, 12:25 PM Also, obviously i shall have a high intelligence, but where else shall i allocate my stats, i'm proably going to have a low wisdom score.
Darkmatter20
12-11-05, 12:40 PM Make him a dwarf wizard.
Do a grumpy stocish accent. (All dwarves are stocish).

Low wisdom is definitly needed if he is to be a bit mad.
Low charisma as well. A sorcerer is mechanically a better blaster ( Edit oh god this is so going to start into a sorcerer versus wizard thing again. Let just leave that alone ok :) ) but a wizard can obsesse over wasting his valuable fire spells.

Anyway have fun.
ReverendCow
12-11-05, 12:44 PM Some of what follows is just my personal bias speaking, so disregard as you see fit:

Definitely go with the low wisdom score. If you want him to be a lovable (if crazy,) old coot, go with a high charisma. Play a psion. If you're dead-set on being a pyro, go for the discipline Psychokinesis. It has lots of lovely energy powers that allow you to have your pick of Cold, Fire, Sonic, Electricity damage, but of course, you'll be using Fire. You'll still be able to use the other energy types against asbestos-coated foes.

You'll also have access to a bunch of nifty other powers. Check out the SRD. Ever since I first read about psionics, arcane and divine magic have seemed (in my opinion, refer to above,) rediculous.
D20RollPlayer
12-11-05, 12:44 PM No, I want him to try to use fire spells for every situation, and i know a wizard can specialise in evocation which is what i was thinking of doing, can a soccerer specialise at all and if so how?
Darkmatter20
12-11-05, 12:48 PM No a sorcerer can't specialise.
If your a socerer you just choose your spells and thats it. Up to you to stick to a theme.
ReverendCow
12-11-05, 12:49 PM No, I want him to try to use fire spells for every situation,

Sorry if I'm not being helpful, but if the above is truly the case, then you definitely want to be a psion. If you do play a psion, you're not stuck with just your prepared spells (as a wizard.) I'm not too sure about a sorcerer, though.

On a slight aside: This sort of character can be very hard to ROLE-play effectively. If not done effectively, you might have the other players wanting to torch YOU.
D20RollPlayer
12-11-05, 12:49 PM ok, so what about race, human or elf?
ReverendCow
12-11-05, 12:52 PM ok, so what about race, human or elf?

I don't have my PHB handy, do elves get a + to INT? If so, go with them for blasting power. If not, go with human for extra skill points and an extra feat. Beyond crazy fire-blaster, what kind of flavor do you want this guy to have? Having him only be crazy and a pyrophile is going to make him very, well, flat. Try to think of what kind guy he is, why he does what he does, and first and foremost: Why is he crazy?
D20RollPlayer
12-11-05, 12:56 PM oh, i was going to have him smoke his "magic pipe" constantly and believe that his magic powers come from the stuff he smokes (which is why he's also crazy) and i was thinking of him having a big book that he writes every little detail down in but wont let anyone else see.
ReverendCow
12-11-05, 12:58 PM oh, i was going to have him smoke his "magic pipe" constantly and believe that his magic powers come from the stuff he smokes (which is why he's also crazy) and i was thinking of him having a big book that he writes every little detail down in but wont let anyone else see.

Hmmm, have you thought up any other "fluff" for this guy? Back-story-wise?
D20RollPlayer
12-11-05, 01:00 PM well it all depends on wheather he's human or elf really, oh and i just checked my phb and elves get +2 dex not int.
ReverendCow
12-11-05, 01:03 PM Well, a +2 to dex would help you with ranged attack spells/powers/whatever. Here's a question: What race fits your idea of this guy better? Which races racial information (i.e. the stuff that affects your character sheet,) do you like better?
D20RollPlayer
12-11-05, 01:06 PM hmmm probably a human i guess, as elves would most probably be more aloft than he will be.
D20RollPlayer
12-11-05, 01:08 PM but i'd really like to play an elf this time around so if anyone can think of a reason why my elf is a bit out of touch with elven society then please help!
Gleddon
12-11-05, 01:13 PM I'd say go evocation specialization aiming for Elemental Savant if you want the fire thing. It should make for a solid show of your preference of action.
Elemenofi
12-11-05, 01:17 PM I believe all powerfull evil wizards should be Enchanters Diviners or Transmuters. There is a certain point in which Evocation tends to be a obsolete.
ReverendCow
12-11-05, 01:17 PM One thing to keep in mind: If you over-specialize, you're screwed when you come up against an opponent resistant or immune to your abilities. I.E.: Your crazy fire-blaster comes up against a Magmin or Red Dragon. This is why I suggested the psion approach. Anyway, I'm not really sure what else to tell you. I think you should more fully think out his background and motivations.
D20RollPlayer
12-11-05, 02:14 PM so what personality differences are there between both a soccerer and wizard and a human and elf. I've read ther phb but i'd like your opinions. I'd like to have a old elven socerer whom smokes his "magic pipe" all day and believes it's the stuff that he smokes that gives him his powers. Does this conficlict, personality-wise that is.
ReverendCow
12-11-05, 02:18 PM This is just my opinion, but, I think that aside from mechanical differences, the differences between sorcerer/wizard are in your head.

As for humans/elves: I think humans would be less aloof, but more quick about their decisions/actions. Elves would be more uptight, but less rash. I dunno, maybe I'm wrong. It's your character, all the details are really up to you.
D20RollPlayer
12-11-05, 02:41 PM ok i have created an old elven socerer who ends up with:

19 int (was 17 +2 because he's old)
15 dex (was 16 +2 because he's elven - 3 because he's old)
16 cha (was 14 +2 because he's old)
9 str (was 12 -3 because he's old)
12 wis (was 10 +2 because he's old)
10 con (was 15 -2 because he's elven -3 because he's old)

i think thats ok, or do i need to have a high charisma score because i'm a socerer?
ReverendCow
12-11-05, 02:45 PM i think thats ok, or do i need to have a high charisma score because i'm a socerer?

Of course. CHA is a sorcerer's primary casting attribute, isn't it? On the other hand, there are feats to allow you to use INT instead of CHA, I believe.
D20RollPlayer
12-11-05, 02:47 PM it's no problem i can just swap them around, i havn't written them down yet, does intelligence come anywhere into a socerers life?
Elemenofi
12-11-05, 07:41 PM Into anybodies life. Int means skills.

You need CHA for a sorecerer. But let me tell you that elfs tend to be mentally equilibrated, there are no CRAZY elfs.

Wizards own Sorcerers, in my opinion.
Morbid
12-12-05, 12:59 AM Go with a Gnome. I've made crazies in the past, and they were fine, but the best were Gnomes. Just think of how twisted the little critter could be...
turalisj
12-12-05, 07:04 AM 2 easy steps:
1. Find a mage
2. Kick him in the balls. If it's a girl, then call her ugly. :D
Feor
12-13-05, 12:24 AM Am I the only one who basically read that as "I wanna play as Fizban" ? :D

Not that that's a bad thing, Fizban was a pretty fun character. :P

I'd go Sorceror myself, just because a crazy character isn't likely to be able to sit quietly for 8 hours memorizing spells. Also gives you a roleplay reason for being insane, what with all that magic (which is so complex it actually erases itself as you use it) bouncing around inside your skull for so long.
captainmorley
12-13-05, 12:36 AM play a half orc yes u get minus to int but who cares its so funny to be a beserking half orc pyro one of my many characters on my need to paly list
Demonfey
12-13-05, 01:06 AM Elemental savant of fire, for the pyros that just have to burn everything without torching themselves. Turns every element spell into a fire spell :mage:
Or, you can make a bizarre kind of elemental savant (iron, maybe) and become immune to electricity and cast all fire spells, if you want to surprise people.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
D20RollPlayer 12-11-05, 12:17 PM	Hello, I'm creating my second ever character today and i want him to be a senile old crazy mage who is obssesed with using fire spells to solve every situation. Which class would be better, socerer or wizard. Also I was thinking of playing an elf, merely because my first character was human and i wanted to try sometyhing different, however elves don't seem to be the crazy types, if anyone can help me justify my elf being crazy then i'd love to play him, otherwise i have no problem sticking with a human. Thank you.
D20RollPlayer 12-11-05, 12:25 PM	Also, obviously i shall have a high intelligence, but where else shall i allocate my stats, i'm proably going to have a low wisdom score.
Darkmatter20 12-11-05, 12:40 PM	Make him a dwarf wizard. Do a grumpy stocish accent. (All dwarves are stocish). Low wisdom is definitly needed if he is to be a bit mad. Low charisma as well. A sorcerer is mechanically a better blaster ( Edit oh god this is so going to start into a sorcerer versus wizard thing again. Let just leave that alone ok :) ) but a wizard can obsesse over wasting his valuable fire spells. Anyway have fun.
ReverendCow 12-11-05, 12:44 PM	Some of what follows is just my personal bias speaking, so disregard as you see fit: Definitely go with the low wisdom score. If you want him to be a lovable (if crazy,) old coot, go with a high charisma. Play a psion. If you're dead-set on being a pyro, go for the discipline Psychokinesis. It has lots of lovely energy powers that allow you to have your pick of Cold, Fire, Sonic, Electricity damage, but of course, you'll be using Fire. You'll still be able to use the other energy types against asbestos-coated foes. You'll also have access to a bunch of nifty other powers. Check out the SRD. Ever since I first read about psionics, arcane and divine magic have seemed (in my opinion, refer to above,) rediculous.
D20RollPlayer 12-11-05, 12:44 PM	No, I want him to try to use fire spells for every situation, and i know a wizard can specialise in evocation which is what i was thinking of doing, can a soccerer specialise at all and if so how?
Darkmatter20 12-11-05, 12:48 PM	No a sorcerer can't specialise. If your a socerer you just choose your spells and thats it. Up to you to stick to a theme.
ReverendCow 12-11-05, 12:49 PM	No, I want him to try to use fire spells for every situation, Sorry if I'm not being helpful, but if the above is truly the case, then you definitely want to be a psion. If you do play a psion, you're not stuck with just your prepared spells (as a wizard.) I'm not too sure about a sorcerer, though. On a slight aside: This sort of character can be very hard to ROLE-play effectively. If not done effectively, you might have the other players wanting to torch YOU.
D20RollPlayer 12-11-05, 12:49 PM	ok, so what about race, human or elf?
ReverendCow 12-11-05, 12:52 PM	ok, so what about race, human or elf? I don't have my PHB handy, do elves get a + to INT? If so, go with them for blasting power. If not, go with human for extra skill points and an extra feat. Beyond crazy fire-blaster, what kind of flavor do you want this guy to have? Having him only be crazy and a pyrophile is going to make him very, well, flat. Try to think of what kind guy he is, why he does what he does, and first and foremost: Why is he crazy?
D20RollPlayer 12-11-05, 12:56 PM	oh, i was going to have him smoke his "magic pipe" constantly and believe that his magic powers come from the stuff he smokes (which is why he's also crazy) and i was thinking of him having a big book that he writes every little detail down in but wont let anyone else see.
ReverendCow 12-11-05, 12:58 PM	oh, i was going to have him smoke his "magic pipe" constantly and believe that his magic powers come from the stuff he smokes (which is why he's also crazy) and i was thinking of him having a big book that he writes every little detail down in but wont let anyone else see. Hmmm, have you thought up any other "fluff" for this guy? Back-story-wise?
D20RollPlayer 12-11-05, 01:00 PM	well it all depends on wheather he's human or elf really, oh and i just checked my phb and elves get +2 dex not int.
ReverendCow 12-11-05, 01:03 PM	Well, a +2 to dex would help you with ranged attack spells/powers/whatever. Here's a question: What race fits your idea of this guy better? Which races racial information (i.e. the stuff that affects your character sheet,) do you like better?
D20RollPlayer 12-11-05, 01:06 PM	hmmm probably a human i guess, as elves would most probably be more aloft than he will be.
D20RollPlayer 12-11-05, 01:08 PM	but i'd really like to play an elf this time around so if anyone can think of a reason why my elf is a bit out of touch with elven society then please help!
Gleddon 12-11-05, 01:13 PM	I'd say go evocation specialization aiming for Elemental Savant if you want the fire thing. It should make for a solid show of your preference of action.
Elemenofi 12-11-05, 01:17 PM	I believe all powerfull evil wizards should be Enchanters Diviners or Transmuters. There is a certain point in which Evocation tends to be a obsolete.
ReverendCow 12-11-05, 01:17 PM	One thing to keep in mind: If you over-specialize, you're screwed when you come up against an opponent resistant or immune to your abilities. I.E.: Your crazy fire-blaster comes up against a Magmin or Red Dragon. This is why I suggested the psion approach. Anyway, I'm not really sure what else to tell you. I think you should more fully think out his background and motivations.
D20RollPlayer 12-11-05, 02:14 PM	so what personality differences are there between both a soccerer and wizard and a human and elf. I've read ther phb but i'd like your opinions. I'd like to have a old elven socerer whom smokes his "magic pipe" all day and believes it's the stuff that he smokes that gives him his powers. Does this conficlict, personality-wise that is.
ReverendCow 12-11-05, 02:18 PM	This is just my opinion, but, I think that aside from mechanical differences, the differences between sorcerer/wizard are in your head. As for humans/elves: I think humans would be less aloof, but more quick about their decisions/actions. Elves would be more uptight, but less rash. I dunno, maybe I'm wrong. It's your character, all the details are really up to you.
D20RollPlayer 12-11-05, 02:41 PM	ok i have created an old elven socerer who ends up with: 19 int (was 17 +2 because he's old) 15 dex (was 16 +2 because he's elven - 3 because he's old) 16 cha (was 14 +2 because he's old) 9 str (was 12 -3 because he's old) 12 wis (was 10 +2 because he's old) 10 con (was 15 -2 because he's elven -3 because he's old) i think thats ok, or do i need to have a high charisma score because i'm a socerer?
ReverendCow 12-11-05, 02:45 PM	i think thats ok, or do i need to have a high charisma score because i'm a socerer? Of course. CHA is a sorcerer's primary casting attribute, isn't it? On the other hand, there are feats to allow you to use INT instead of CHA, I believe.
D20RollPlayer 12-11-05, 02:47 PM	it's no problem i can just swap them around, i havn't written them down yet, does intelligence come anywhere into a socerers life?
Elemenofi 12-11-05, 07:41 PM	Into anybodies life. Int means skills. You need CHA for a sorecerer. But let me tell you that elfs tend to be mentally equilibrated, there are no CRAZY elfs. Wizards own Sorcerers, in my opinion.
Morbid 12-12-05, 12:59 AM	Go with a Gnome. I've made crazies in the past, and they were fine, but the best were Gnomes. Just think of how twisted the little critter could be...
turalisj 12-12-05, 07:04 AM	2 easy steps: 1. Find a mage 2. Kick him in the balls. If it's a girl, then call her ugly. :D
Feor 12-13-05, 12:24 AM	Am I the only one who basically read that as "I wanna play as Fizban" ? :D Not that that's a bad thing, Fizban was a pretty fun character. :P I'd go Sorceror myself, just because a crazy character isn't likely to be able to sit quietly for 8 hours memorizing spells. Also gives you a roleplay reason for being insane, what with all that magic (which is so complex it actually erases itself as you use it) bouncing around inside your skull for so long.
captainmorley 12-13-05, 12:36 AM	play a half orc yes u get minus to int but who cares its so funny to be a beserking half orc pyro one of my many characters on my need to paly list
Demonfey 12-13-05, 01:06 AM	Elemental savant of fire, for the pyros that just have to burn everything without torching themselves. Turns every element spell into a fire spell :mage: Or, you can make a bizarre kind of elemental savant (iron, maybe) and become immune to electricity and cast all fire spells, if you want to surprise people.