3.5 Mage of the Arcane Order build help - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

3.5 Mage of the Arcane Order build help

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
hanniball
May 20, 2009 20:46:40 Good evening fellow optimizers. I was wondering if I could get some opinions on the build I am planning on playing in a Grewhawk campaign I recently started. The DM has allowed the following books:

Player's Handbook I&II, DMG, MM I-IV, Spell Compendium, Complete Series, and the Races of Series.

My DM's stat generation method is rather generous, but he believes fully in the player getting to play exactly what s/he wants. He stated that we may choose our stats however we see fit as long as our total ability modifiers add up to ten or less. I have therefore selected the follow stat arrangement:

Str: 10 (11-1 Age)
Dex: 14 (15-1 Age)
Con: 16 (17-1 Age)
Int: 19 (18+1 Age)
Wis: 11 (10+1 Age)
Cha: 13 (12+1 Age)

After having played many Primary Caster roles under this particular DM, I have determined that extreme versatility is key to being effective in his campaigns. The Mage of the Arcane Order's Spellpool ability seems to allow for the kind of spellcasting versatility that I feel will be necessary to optimally overcome his many unorthodox encounters.

Finally, I have played so many "broken" builds in the past that I find the simplicity of this build strangely appealing. It is definitely not the most powerful wizard build out there, but I believe savvy spell selection will make up for any lack of power. Now, on to the build:

Currently: LE Human Diviner 2 with a Raven Familiar that speaks Common
Prohibited School: Evocation
Feats: Scribe Scroll (wiz bonus), Skill Focus: Spellcraft (Human bonus), Collegiate Wizard (1)

Build plan: LE Human Diviner 6/Mage of the Arcane Order 10 /Archmage 4

Feats: Scribe Scroll (wiz 1), skill focus: spellcraft (human), collegiate wizard (1), Extend Spell (3), Cooperative Spell (wiz 5), Leadership (6), Quicken Spell (MotAO 2), Spell Focus: Necromancy (9), Spell Focus: Transmutation (12), Persistant Spell (MotAO 9), FEAT (15), FEAT (18)

I have yet to decide upon my High Arcana abilities and, as you can see, there are two open feat slots at the end of the build. I can't seem to come up with anything better than Craft Contingent Spell and Arcane Mastery (both from Complete Arcane)

Suggestions? Comments? Thoughts?
#2
pyro_azer
May 20, 2009 20:50:34 OK
I love MotAO. Nice choice of PrC.

Anyway drop out at level 7. The capstone for it is laughably bad and lvls 8 and 9 aren't that great. However i would at least suggest dropping the 10th level of MotAO and taking another level of arcmage.
#3
yoss
May 20, 2009 21:01:15 I 2nd the "drop out at 7" opinion. Heck, drop out at 4; most of the utility stuff you generally pool is in the first six spell levels anyway. Now you can take Archmage 5 and still have room for another 5 levels of X.
#4
hanniball
May 20, 2009 21:15:17 Thank you for your quick replies. Here is a possible revision to the build:

Diviner 5/MotAO 7/Fatespinner 4/Archmage 4

I like that the Fatespinner doesn't have any feat requirements, especially since I lose out on the bonus Metamagic feat from MotAO 9. My BAB drops a point and my saves are a bit worse, but perhaps the re-roll manipulation is worth it. Thoughts?
#5
dr_rocktopus
May 20, 2009 21:38:42 Fate-spinner + surge of fortune if you can find a way to learn it from the cleric lists. It's in complete champion. These two allow you to basically remove every last random element from a single specific action. It's pretty zany.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 hanniball May 20, 2009 20:46:40	Good evening fellow optimizers. I was wondering if I could get some opinions on the build I am planning on playing in a Grewhawk campaign I recently started. The DM has allowed the following books: Player's Handbook I&II, DMG, MM I-IV, Spell Compendium, Complete Series, and the Races of Series. My DM's stat generation method is rather generous, but he believes fully in the player getting to play exactly what s/he wants. He stated that we may choose our stats however we see fit as long as our total ability modifiers add up to ten or less. I have therefore selected the follow stat arrangement: Str: 10 (11-1 Age) Dex: 14 (15-1 Age) Con: 16 (17-1 Age) Int: 19 (18+1 Age) Wis: 11 (10+1 Age) Cha: 13 (12+1 Age) After having played many Primary Caster roles under this particular DM, I have determined that extreme versatility is key to being effective in his campaigns. The Mage of the Arcane Order's Spellpool ability seems to allow for the kind of spellcasting versatility that I feel will be necessary to optimally overcome his many unorthodox encounters. Finally, I have played so many "broken" builds in the past that I find the simplicity of this build strangely appealing. It is definitely not the most powerful wizard build out there, but I believe savvy spell selection will make up for any lack of power. Now, on to the build: Currently: LE Human Diviner 2 with a Raven Familiar that speaks Common Prohibited School: Evocation Feats: Scribe Scroll (wiz bonus), Skill Focus: Spellcraft (Human bonus), Collegiate Wizard (1) Build plan: LE Human Diviner 6/Mage of the Arcane Order 10 /Archmage 4 Feats: Scribe Scroll (wiz 1), skill focus: spellcraft (human), collegiate wizard (1), Extend Spell (3), Cooperative Spell (wiz 5), Leadership (6), Quicken Spell (MotAO 2), Spell Focus: Necromancy (9), Spell Focus: Transmutation (12), Persistant Spell (MotAO 9), FEAT (15), FEAT (18) I have yet to decide upon my High Arcana abilities and, as you can see, there are two open feat slots at the end of the build. I can't seem to come up with anything better than Craft Contingent Spell and Arcane Mastery (both from Complete Arcane) Suggestions? Comments? Thoughts?
#2 pyro_azer May 20, 2009 20:50:34	OK I love MotAO. Nice choice of PrC. Anyway drop out at level 7. The capstone for it is laughably bad and lvls 8 and 9 aren't that great. However i would at least suggest dropping the 10th level of MotAO and taking another level of arcmage.
#3 yoss May 20, 2009 21:01:15	I 2nd the "drop out at 7" opinion. Heck, drop out at 4; most of the utility stuff you generally pool is in the first six spell levels anyway. Now you can take Archmage 5 and still have room for another 5 levels of X.
#4 hanniball May 20, 2009 21:15:17	Thank you for your quick replies. Here is a possible revision to the build: Diviner 5/MotAO 7/Fatespinner 4/Archmage 4 I like that the Fatespinner doesn't have any feat requirements, especially since I lose out on the bonus Metamagic feat from MotAO 9. My BAB drops a point and my saves are a bit worse, but perhaps the re-roll manipulation is worth it. Thoughts?
#5 dr_rocktopus May 20, 2009 21:38:42	Fate-spinner + surge of fortune if you can find a way to learn it from the cleric lists. It's in complete champion. These two allow you to basically remove every last random element from a single specific action. It's pretty zany.