Human Warmage/Sorcerer Gestalt Build - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Human Warmage/Sorcerer Gestalt Build

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
wyldsong
Mar 30, 2008 16:17:20 Now, sticking with a Human Warmage and Sorcerer as the basis for this gestalt build, and if given access to any 3.5 rulebook to come out through WOTC, what kind of builds (feats, prestige classes, etc.) would you use to create the ultimate in destructive spell caster supreme?

Pretty much, I have gone through several builds using the above as a basis, and quite frankly, my head hurts, so I thought I would check in here for some fresh ideas.

Thanks in advance!
#2
eldritch_lord
Mar 30, 2008 16:42:27 If you're not too attached to sorcerer, you could replace it with wizard to add Ultimate Magus for free metamagic goodness.

If you're set on sorcerer//warmage, there aren't as many options. Unfortunately metamagic doesn't work well with spontaneous casters unless you spend even more feats, so that's much harder unless you pick up the Sudden line (which is still only 1/day each). However, reserve feats are exceptionally good for spontaneous casters, as you only have to know a spell and have a slot ready rather than preparing a specific spell, and they usually give CL boosts as well which helps pump out the damage dice.

Specifically for a warmage//sorcerer, here's some advice.
1) Don't duplicate. You can cast any spell on the warmage list, so save your sorcerer slots for Spell Compendium, Complete Mage, Dragon Magic, or other spells that didn't make it onto that list.

2) Go into Rainbow Servant on the warmage side. You won't get 9th level spells there, but if you do warmage 10/rainbow servant 10//sorcerer 20 you'll get every 8th-level-and-below cleric spell on your list castable spontaneously. That seriously increases your repertoire.

3) Make sure to pick up at least a few defensive spells as a sorcerer, preferably ones that can also potentially deal damage like fire shield or spell turning, since a blaster who doesn't live to blast is worthless.

4) Metamagic, metamagic, metamagic. Either pick up the Sudden line or the various let-sorcerers-metamagic-spells-without-increasing-casting-time feats. Quicken is particularly good for a gestalt character, as with two lists you don't have to worry about going through them too fast, and Repeat can work as well (full-round action this round for an action-free spell next round).

Hope that helps.
#3
sally_jones
Mar 30, 2008 17:26:14 what about armor? how do you overcome spell failure w/ the sorc side? twilight enhancement? Mithril?
#4
eldritch_lord
Mar 30, 2008 18:14:39
what about armor? how do you overcome spell failure w/ the sorc side? twilight enhancement? Mithril?

Mithral and twilight are the best possibilities, particularly used together; there really isn't anything else nearly as good.
#5
wyldsong
Mar 30, 2008 18:36:56 Alright, you've given me some good ideas. I am thinking possibly Warmage to 20, And then something like this:
Sorcerer 1/Wizard 3/Ultimate Magus 10/Holy Scourge 5/Fatespinner 1
#6
eldritch_lord
Mar 30, 2008 19:28:23
Alright, you've given me some good ideas. I am thinking possibly Warmage to 20, And then something like this:
Sorcerer 1/Wizard 3/Ultimate Magus 10/Holy Scourge 5/Fatespinner 1

Looks good. Like I said, keep Rainbow Servant in mind for the warmage side, just in case. You might find cleric casting handy, and depending on RS prereqs you can get that at level ~14.
#7
broken_ability
Apr 09, 2008 16:54:26 You can't use Ultimate Magus in gestalts. It's a dual-progression prestige class, which are forbidden.
#8
yamishinobi
Apr 10, 2008 13:17:19
You can't use Ultimate Magus in gestalts. It's a dual-progression prestige class, which are forbidden.

we got a winner, well, gestalt bans all prestige classes as far as i know.

not just dual progession ones, all of them, period, tons of prestige classes fake gestalt (about 87% that i have heard of)

if i were to be the dm i would say choose gestalt and don't take a prestige class or if you don't gestalt you can take whatever prestige class you feel like at the appropriate level, with the use of fractional bab.
#9
deathlessjuan
Apr 10, 2008 17:25:22 Gesalt does not ban prestige classes. And they recommend not allowing dual-casting prestiges.

As for rainbow servant, take a look at the text that describes its spellcasting. It contradicts the table. Since text trumps table, rainbow servant allows full casting progression. (see also, sacred fist...) Rainbow servant is a very good choice for warmages, or any spontaneous casting class that has full spelllist access.

Prestige Classes

A gestalt character can’t combine two prestige classes at any level, although it’s okay to combine a prestige class and a regular class. Prestige classes that are essentially class combinations-such as the arcane trickster, mystic theurge, and eldritch knight-should be prohibited if you’re using gestalt classes, because they unduly complicate the game balance of what’s already a high-powered variant. Because it’s possible for gestalt characters to qualify for prestige classes earlier than normal, the game master is entirely justified in toughening the prerequisites of a prestige class so it’s available only after 5th level, even for gestalt characters.

Gesalt Characters, class features

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 wyldsong Mar 30, 2008 16:17:20	Now, sticking with a Human Warmage and Sorcerer as the basis for this gestalt build, and if given access to any 3.5 rulebook to come out through WOTC, what kind of builds (feats, prestige classes, etc.) would you use to create the ultimate in destructive spell caster supreme? Pretty much, I have gone through several builds using the above as a basis, and quite frankly, my head hurts, so I thought I would check in here for some fresh ideas. Thanks in advance!
#2 eldritch_lord Mar 30, 2008 16:42:27	If you're not too attached to sorcerer, you could replace it with wizard to add Ultimate Magus for free metamagic goodness. If you're set on sorcerer//warmage, there aren't as many options. Unfortunately metamagic doesn't work well with spontaneous casters unless you spend even more feats, so that's much harder unless you pick up the Sudden line (which is still only 1/day each). However, reserve feats are exceptionally good for spontaneous casters, as you only have to know a spell and have a slot ready rather than preparing a specific spell, and they usually give CL boosts as well which helps pump out the damage dice. Specifically for a warmage//sorcerer, here's some advice. 1) Don't duplicate. You can cast any spell on the warmage list, so save your sorcerer slots for Spell Compendium, Complete Mage, Dragon Magic, or other spells that didn't make it onto that list. 2) Go into Rainbow Servant on the warmage side. You won't get 9th level spells there, but if you do warmage 10/rainbow servant 10//sorcerer 20 you'll get every 8th-level-and-below cleric spell on your list castable spontaneously. That seriously increases your repertoire. 3) Make sure to pick up at least a few defensive spells as a sorcerer, preferably ones that can also potentially deal damage like fire shield or spell turning, since a blaster who doesn't live to blast is worthless. 4) Metamagic, metamagic, metamagic. Either pick up the Sudden line or the various let-sorcerers-metamagic-spells-without-increasing-casting-time feats. Quicken is particularly good for a gestalt character, as with two lists you don't have to worry about going through them too fast, and Repeat can work as well (full-round action this round for an action-free spell next round). Hope that helps.
#3 sally_jones Mar 30, 2008 17:26:14	what about armor? how do you overcome spell failure w/ the sorc side? twilight enhancement? Mithril?
#4 eldritch_lord Mar 30, 2008 18:14:39	what about armor? how do you overcome spell failure w/ the sorc side? twilight enhancement? Mithril? Mithral and twilight are the best possibilities, particularly used together; there really isn't anything else nearly as good.
#5 wyldsong Mar 30, 2008 18:36:56	Alright, you've given me some good ideas. I am thinking possibly Warmage to 20, And then something like this: Sorcerer 1/Wizard 3/Ultimate Magus 10/Holy Scourge 5/Fatespinner 1
#6 eldritch_lord Mar 30, 2008 19:28:23	Alright, you've given me some good ideas. I am thinking possibly Warmage to 20, And then something like this: Sorcerer 1/Wizard 3/Ultimate Magus 10/Holy Scourge 5/Fatespinner 1 Looks good. Like I said, keep Rainbow Servant in mind for the warmage side, just in case. You might find cleric casting handy, and depending on RS prereqs you can get that at level ~14.
#7 broken_ability Apr 09, 2008 16:54:26	You can't use Ultimate Magus in gestalts. It's a dual-progression prestige class, which are forbidden.
#8 yamishinobi Apr 10, 2008 13:17:19	You can't use Ultimate Magus in gestalts. It's a dual-progression prestige class, which are forbidden. we got a winner, well, gestalt bans all prestige classes as far as i know. not just dual progession ones, all of them, period, tons of prestige classes fake gestalt (about 87% that i have heard of) if i were to be the dm i would say choose gestalt and don't take a prestige class or if you don't gestalt you can take whatever prestige class you feel like at the appropriate level, with the use of fractional bab.
#9 deathlessjuan Apr 10, 2008 17:25:22	Gesalt does not ban prestige classes. And they recommend not allowing dual-casting prestiges. As for rainbow servant, take a look at the text that describes its spellcasting. It contradicts the table. Since text trumps table, rainbow servant allows full casting progression. (see also, sacred fist...) Rainbow servant is a very good choice for warmages, or any spontaneous casting class that has full spelllist access. Prestige Classes A gestalt character can’t combine two prestige classes at any level, although it’s okay to combine a prestige class and a regular class. Prestige classes that are essentially class combinations-such as the arcane trickster, mystic theurge, and eldritch knight-should be prohibited if you’re using gestalt classes, because they unduly complicate the game balance of what’s already a high-powered variant. Because it’s possible for gestalt characters to qualify for prestige classes earlier than normal, the game master is entirely justified in toughening the prerequisites of a prestige class so it’s available only after 5th level, even for gestalt characters. Gesalt Characters, class features