Attempt at a Focused Conjurer - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Attempt at a Focused Conjurer

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
magius_rerecros
Mar 28, 2008 15:03:38 God, it's been so long since my last post. Oh well.

So, we're playing through an adventure set (Pathfinder) made for 4 characters. We're currently level 2. We only have 2 characters, so both of the players are going to be playing 2 characters, and I'm removing my old one in the first place. We currently have a Warblade and a Warlock, but I'm replacing the Warlock with a Conjurer. So, here's what I've got so far:

Sun Elf Focused Conjurer 2

Stats: 8 str, 15 dex, 12 con, 20 int, 12 wis, 12 cha

10 hp

990 starting gp

Banned Schools: Evocation, Enchantment, & Necromancy

Spells Known (* indicates currently prepared):
0 - All known, except those from Enchantment, Evocation, & Necromancy (prepared: Acid Splash, 2 Caltrops, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Read Magic)
1 - Benign Transposition*, Color Spray*, Comprehend Languages, Grease*, Hold Portal, Mage Armor*, Protection from Evil, Summon Monster I*, Wall of Smoke*

Skills: Concentration 5 ranks, Craft (Alchemy) 5 ranks, Decipher Script (5 ranks), Knowledge (Arcana) 5 ranks, Knowledge (Architecture & Engineering) 1 rank, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 1 rank, Knowledge (Geography) 1 rank, Knowledge (History) 1 rank, Knowledge (Local) 1 rank, Knowledge (Nature) 1 rank, Knowledge (Nobility & Royalty) 1 rank, Knowledge (Religion) 1 rank, Knowledge (The Planes) 2 ranks, Spellcraft 5 ranks

Feats: Scribe Scroll, Improved Initiative

Equipment:
Scrolls - Detect Secret Doors x 1, Expeditious Retreat x 1, Feather Fall x 2, Identify x 2
Potions - Cure Light Wounds x 6, Mage Armor x 6
Quarterstaff
Dagger
Backpack
Tent
50 ft silk rope
10 ft pole
Trail Rations (10 days' worth)
Waterskin

And... well... That's about it. So if there are suggestions on improving this, please go right ahead and post them :P

Edit: Switched out Prot. Evil memorization for Benign Transposition memorization, because as Echodork puts it, I very damn well may need to escape "on the cheap".

Also switching Cloudy Conjuration for Improved Initiative; sorry, that dex of 15 just isn't enough to let me act as quickly as I need to, and the 5 foot sickening cloud just isn't worth it. Not yet, anyways :evillaugh
#2
neptunehero
Mar 28, 2008 16:19:29 Have you considered the Malconvoker prc? I'm playing a Focused Conjurer summoner in a campaign right now, heading for that goal; the "Mastering the Malconvoker" thread has some great stuff for such a focus.

A nice thing about conjuring is that most of the feats which are connected to the school share prereqs. Specifically, things like augment summon and spell focus (conj), neither of which is phenomenal but either of which can still make a difference. I recommend shooting for those if you don't know what else to do with your feats. If you plan to summon a lot, the feat "Beckon the Frozen" from Frostburn gives your critters a buff (+1d6 cold damage/hit, cold subtype) which can be useful depending on the amount of attacks your summons get. If you're summoning AND have feats to burn later, Rashemi elemental summoning (UE, I think) isn't great but again adds a small boost. Especially in a small party, improving summons can save your hide.

Are you aiming more for direct battlefield control, summoning mastery or some other strategic application of the conjurer?

PS Tell me how Cloudy Conjuration works for you; I didn't take it, didn't sound that great to me, but I wouldn't mind hearing whether or not it's effective in actual play.
#3
magius_rerecros
Mar 28, 2008 16:26:14 Mostly going for a battlefield control type, but I also need debuffs and utility spells, and I'll be dabbling in summoning. As for PrC's, I haven't really looked into any yet, on account of the fact that we're only level 2 ;)
#4
droma
Mar 28, 2008 16:27:00 I personally like heading into ultimate magus myself as it takes some of the sting out of losing 3 schools.

beguiler 1/focused specialist 3/master specialist 1/UM 10 is a good progression I've used before, you can cap the build with more master specialist or some archmage.

There is a great guide for ultimate magus floating around the boards too.
#5
aftercrescent
Mar 28, 2008 16:27:27 Master specialist is available to you for your 4th level, so you may want to start planning :P ;)
#6
magius_rerecros
Mar 28, 2008 16:39:02 I was thinking originally to go with Focused Conjurer 3/Master Specialist 10/Archmage 7 or somewhere around that, but I'm not sure. That was just a quick thought when I started character creation.

Edit: Now I'm thinking maybe Focused Conjurer 3/Master Specialist 2/Mage of the Arcane Order 10/Master Specialist +4/Archmage 1

I may also throw in the Rapid Summoning and Enhanced Summoning class variants, in case I do start to get more summon heavy.
#7
bellinator
Mar 28, 2008 17:13:38 http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=953100

http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=918686

Those 2 threads offer a ton of info.

For starters: take the immediate metamagic variant from PHB 2 (Abrupt Jaunt)

2nd: I like to take Wizard to 6, but I recommend at least level 5 so you can take Spontaneous Divination from C. Champion.

Last, I find that my wizards do best when they act first. If you can fit in Improved Initiative, take it. And then a great level 1 spell: Nerveskitter (SC) that adds +5 to initiative.

You could take the unearthed arcana variant and trade scribe scroll for improved initiative, but the flavor might be wrong for you. That was the case for me below.

My current character (We are doing Expedition to the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk)

I play a level 10 Focused Specialist (Conjuration) with an INT of 22.

He is a Whisper Gnome named See So Far:

FS 6/ Divine Oracle 2/ Loremaster 2
Feats: Improved Initiative, Scribe Scroll, Fiery Burst, Skill Focus Religion, Searing Spell... at level 11 (Loremaster 3) I will take Empower Spell.

Forbidden schools: Evocation, Enchantment, and Necromancy

He is great fun, regularly offering to read palms, interpret the liver of a freshly disemboweled cow, or telling you your fortune upon consulting his magic 8 ball... and in or out of combat, he is still better than any sorcerer you can throw out there against him.

Out of combat, while not a "face type" he is capable of almost anything else with the spontaneous divinations. On top of that, the Divine Oracle gives access to the Oracle Domain granting some top notch divinations. He has a great set of Skills. The big INT allows for me to act as a Bard type for lore/knowledge. Loremaster 2 gives Bardic Lore.

In combat, this guy really shines in spite of taking prestige classes geared for role playing. (Divine Oracle and Loremaster)

My massive daily allotment of spells enables me to buff each morning with 4 spells (Greater Mage Armor, Create Magic Tattoo, Heart of Air, Heart of Water) for 20 hours with my rod of extend spell. After that I still have a huge allotment of spells to fight with.

Defensively, I usually have a very high initiative thanks to a good Dex, improved initiative and Nerveskitter...

Additionally, Abrupt Jaunt is absolutely huge, repeatedly saving my little gnome butt. Of course I use the common illusions everybody uses to distract/stay alive: Silent image, Blinding Color Surge (LOVE THIS SPELL), Greater Mirror Image...

Offensively he has loads of spells to buff, move allies, debuff enemies, control the battle, or blast. Orbs, benign transposition, stinking could, regroup, dim door, haste, mass darkvision, solid fog, and the best spell ever: Glitterdust. Don't forget I don't have to memorize any divinations, so I can cast whatever is needed at any given point in time. See invisible, next level True Seeing, and how about Alter Fortune on a critical save... like when my buddy took a Beholder Disintegrate Ray in the face and rolled a 1. Don't underestimate how strong spontaneous Alter Fortune is.

We are averaging maybe 4 encounters a day, and between Fiery Burst and my spells, I have not spelled out. I have been super close several times, but Fiery Burst has been my best friend. Fiery Burst, in a crawl like this module, is the best thing going. I can't believe how good that feat has turned out to be. If you can catch more than 1 bad guy the damage isn't bad, and the DC for save is quite high. FS actually helps with using the feat because I have an extra Orb memorized to feed the Reserve Requirement. SCORE!

If you are planning on seeing a great many encounters I can't tell you how much I recommend a reserve feat.
#8
magius_rerecros
Mar 28, 2008 17:22:23 That 1st link is actually why I went with a focused specialist wizard in the first place; I was actually going to just go with a sorcerer :P
#9
bellinator
Mar 28, 2008 17:27:37 Your character looks good. Personally, I think the Spontaneous Divination is awesome, but that is just me.

I also love Abrupt Jaunt, but it does not come up all that often. When it does, it is a doozy though. It saved my butt on grapple checks a few times.
#10
magius_rerecros
Mar 28, 2008 17:37:32 Yeah, I think I'll take the Abrupt Jaunt class variant, which I had not seen before. This, obviously, prevents me from taking Rapid Summoning. Oh well.
#11
bellinator
Mar 28, 2008 17:42:22 It all depends what you want the character to be. I never summon, so this way works for me. To each their own.

Alter Fortune is the best damn spell out there for a mid level game. I highly recommend that.
#12
magius_rerecros
Mar 28, 2008 18:01:47 Again, as a point of reference, we're 2nd level. Not quite mid-game, there ;)

Thus, I also can't pick up Spontaneous Divination until 5th level, but I'll get there. Hopefully.

Speaking of S.D... Question: does it literally allow you to cast ANY Divination spell spontaneously, or just the ones that you know? Because I suppose being able to cast Augury wouldn't be so bad for this game...
#13
bellinator
Mar 28, 2008 20:06:21 Any that you know. I have augury via the Oracle Domain from Divine Oracle.
#14
Nathreet
Mar 28, 2008 22:48:01 Evocation has some great battlefield control spells. I'd ban something else instead. Illusion has invis, while abjuration and transmutations have a lot of good things too. So it's a tough call.
#15
droma
Mar 29, 2008 0:30:05
Evocation has some great battlefield control spells.

Positive your not confusing it with conjuration?
#16
bellinator
Mar 29, 2008 7:17:20
Evocation has some great battlefield control spells. I'd ban something else instead. Illusion has invis, while abjuration and transmutations have a lot of good things too. So it's a tough call.

Evocation is the easy one to ban. Conjuration can do much of what it can do, and eventually you get shadow evocation. I hate giving up Necro the most.
#17
magius_rerecros
Mar 29, 2008 11:01:41 Yeah, Evocation truly is the easy one to ban, simply because of the Shadow Evocation chain, if nothing else. I agree that Necromancy is a b**** to give up, , but I was left with little other choice. I mean, this guy is the only arcanist in the party. I can't let myself give up illusion; it has too many nice things. Transmutation? No. Just.... No. I'd have to be mentally retarded to do that. Abjuration? Sorry, only party arcanist. Need those dispel spells, protection spells, planar binding, etc. Divination? Not allowed. Skip Williams is too busy collecting his nickels (thing from the Conjurer's Handbook). And I already gave up Evocation and Enchantment, so that just leaves Universal (sorry, not technically a school), Conjuration (wtf? aren't I specializing in that?), and Necromancy. The debuffs are nice, but they can be replicated through other means, whether that be similar spells from different schools, getting scrolls/wands/staves with said debuffs in them for the party rogue, etc.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 magius_rerecros Mar 28, 2008 15:03:38	God, it's been so long since my last post. Oh well. So, we're playing through an adventure set (Pathfinder) made for 4 characters. We're currently level 2. We only have 2 characters, so both of the players are going to be playing 2 characters, and I'm removing my old one in the first place. We currently have a Warblade and a Warlock, but I'm replacing the Warlock with a Conjurer. So, here's what I've got so far: Sun Elf Focused Conjurer 2 Stats: 8 str, 15 dex, 12 con, 20 int, 12 wis, 12 cha 10 hp 990 starting gp Banned Schools: Evocation, Enchantment, & Necromancy Spells Known (* indicates currently prepared): 0 - All known, except those from Enchantment, Evocation, & Necromancy (prepared: Acid Splash, 2 Caltrops, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Read Magic) 1 - Benign Transposition, Color Spray, Comprehend Languages, Grease, Hold Portal, Mage Armor, Protection from Evil, Summon Monster I, Wall of Smoke Skills: Concentration 5 ranks, Craft (Alchemy) 5 ranks, Decipher Script (5 ranks), Knowledge (Arcana) 5 ranks, Knowledge (Architecture & Engineering) 1 rank, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 1 rank, Knowledge (Geography) 1 rank, Knowledge (History) 1 rank, Knowledge (Local) 1 rank, Knowledge (Nature) 1 rank, Knowledge (Nobility & Royalty) 1 rank, Knowledge (Religion) 1 rank, Knowledge (The Planes) 2 ranks, Spellcraft 5 ranks Feats: Scribe Scroll, Improved Initiative Equipment: Scrolls - Detect Secret Doors x 1, Expeditious Retreat x 1, Feather Fall x 2, Identify x 2 Potions - Cure Light Wounds x 6, Mage Armor x 6 Quarterstaff Dagger Backpack Tent 50 ft silk rope 10 ft pole Trail Rations (10 days' worth) Waterskin And... well... That's about it. So if there are suggestions on improving this, please go right ahead and post them :P Edit: Switched out Prot. Evil memorization for Benign Transposition memorization, because as Echodork puts it, I very damn well may need to escape "on the cheap". Also switching Cloudy Conjuration for Improved Initiative; sorry, that dex of 15 just isn't enough to let me act as quickly as I need to, and the 5 foot sickening cloud just isn't worth it. Not yet, anyways :evillaugh
#2 neptunehero Mar 28, 2008 16:19:29	Have you considered the Malconvoker prc? I'm playing a Focused Conjurer summoner in a campaign right now, heading for that goal; the "Mastering the Malconvoker" thread has some great stuff for such a focus. A nice thing about conjuring is that most of the feats which are connected to the school share prereqs. Specifically, things like augment summon and spell focus (conj), neither of which is phenomenal but either of which can still make a difference. I recommend shooting for those if you don't know what else to do with your feats. If you plan to summon a lot, the feat "Beckon the Frozen" from Frostburn gives your critters a buff (+1d6 cold damage/hit, cold subtype) which can be useful depending on the amount of attacks your summons get. If you're summoning AND have feats to burn later, Rashemi elemental summoning (UE, I think) isn't great but again adds a small boost. Especially in a small party, improving summons can save your hide. Are you aiming more for direct battlefield control, summoning mastery or some other strategic application of the conjurer? PS Tell me how Cloudy Conjuration works for you; I didn't take it, didn't sound that great to me, but I wouldn't mind hearing whether or not it's effective in actual play.
#3 magius_rerecros Mar 28, 2008 16:26:14	Mostly going for a battlefield control type, but I also need debuffs and utility spells, and I'll be dabbling in summoning. As for PrC's, I haven't really looked into any yet, on account of the fact that we're only level 2 ;)
#4 droma Mar 28, 2008 16:27:00	I personally like heading into ultimate magus myself as it takes some of the sting out of losing 3 schools. beguiler 1/focused specialist 3/master specialist 1/UM 10 is a good progression I've used before, you can cap the build with more master specialist or some archmage. There is a great guide for ultimate magus floating around the boards too.
#5 aftercrescent Mar 28, 2008 16:27:27	Master specialist is available to you for your 4th level, so you may want to start planning :P ;)
#6 magius_rerecros Mar 28, 2008 16:39:02	I was thinking originally to go with Focused Conjurer 3/Master Specialist 10/Archmage 7 or somewhere around that, but I'm not sure. That was just a quick thought when I started character creation. Edit: Now I'm thinking maybe Focused Conjurer 3/Master Specialist 2/Mage of the Arcane Order 10/Master Specialist +4/Archmage 1 I may also throw in the Rapid Summoning and Enhanced Summoning class variants, in case I do start to get more summon heavy.
#7 bellinator Mar 28, 2008 17:13:38	http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=953100 http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=918686 Those 2 threads offer a ton of info. For starters: take the immediate metamagic variant from PHB 2 (Abrupt Jaunt) 2nd: I like to take Wizard to 6, but I recommend at least level 5 so you can take Spontaneous Divination from C. Champion. Last, I find that my wizards do best when they act first. If you can fit in Improved Initiative, take it. And then a great level 1 spell: Nerveskitter (SC) that adds +5 to initiative. You could take the unearthed arcana variant and trade scribe scroll for improved initiative, but the flavor might be wrong for you. That was the case for me below. My current character (We are doing Expedition to the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk) I play a level 10 Focused Specialist (Conjuration) with an INT of 22. He is a Whisper Gnome named See So Far: FS 6/ Divine Oracle 2/ Loremaster 2 Feats: Improved Initiative, Scribe Scroll, Fiery Burst, Skill Focus Religion, Searing Spell... at level 11 (Loremaster 3) I will take Empower Spell. Forbidden schools: Evocation, Enchantment, and Necromancy He is great fun, regularly offering to read palms, interpret the liver of a freshly disemboweled cow, or telling you your fortune upon consulting his magic 8 ball... and in or out of combat, he is still better than any sorcerer you can throw out there against him. Out of combat, while not a "face type" he is capable of almost anything else with the spontaneous divinations. On top of that, the Divine Oracle gives access to the Oracle Domain granting some top notch divinations. He has a great set of Skills. The big INT allows for me to act as a Bard type for lore/knowledge. Loremaster 2 gives Bardic Lore. In combat, this guy really shines in spite of taking prestige classes geared for role playing. (Divine Oracle and Loremaster) My massive daily allotment of spells enables me to buff each morning with 4 spells (Greater Mage Armor, Create Magic Tattoo, Heart of Air, Heart of Water) for 20 hours with my rod of extend spell. After that I still have a huge allotment of spells to fight with. Defensively, I usually have a very high initiative thanks to a good Dex, improved initiative and Nerveskitter... Additionally, Abrupt Jaunt is absolutely huge, repeatedly saving my little gnome butt. Of course I use the common illusions everybody uses to distract/stay alive: Silent image, Blinding Color Surge (LOVE THIS SPELL), Greater Mirror Image... Offensively he has loads of spells to buff, move allies, debuff enemies, control the battle, or blast. Orbs, benign transposition, stinking could, regroup, dim door, haste, mass darkvision, solid fog, and the best spell ever: Glitterdust. Don't forget I don't have to memorize any divinations, so I can cast whatever is needed at any given point in time. See invisible, next level True Seeing, and how about Alter Fortune on a critical save... like when my buddy took a Beholder Disintegrate Ray in the face and rolled a 1. Don't underestimate how strong spontaneous Alter Fortune is. We are averaging maybe 4 encounters a day, and between Fiery Burst and my spells, I have not spelled out. I have been super close several times, but Fiery Burst has been my best friend. Fiery Burst, in a crawl like this module, is the best thing going. I can't believe how good that feat has turned out to be. If you can catch more than 1 bad guy the damage isn't bad, and the DC for save is quite high. FS actually helps with using the feat because I have an extra Orb memorized to feed the Reserve Requirement. SCORE! If you are planning on seeing a great many encounters I can't tell you how much I recommend a reserve feat.
#8 magius_rerecros Mar 28, 2008 17:22:23	That 1st link is actually why I went with a focused specialist wizard in the first place; I was actually going to just go with a sorcerer :P
#9 bellinator Mar 28, 2008 17:27:37	Your character looks good. Personally, I think the Spontaneous Divination is awesome, but that is just me. I also love Abrupt Jaunt, but it does not come up all that often. When it does, it is a doozy though. It saved my butt on grapple checks a few times.
#10 magius_rerecros Mar 28, 2008 17:37:32	Yeah, I think I'll take the Abrupt Jaunt class variant, which I had not seen before. This, obviously, prevents me from taking Rapid Summoning. Oh well.
#11 bellinator Mar 28, 2008 17:42:22	It all depends what you want the character to be. I never summon, so this way works for me. To each their own. Alter Fortune is the best damn spell out there for a mid level game. I highly recommend that.
#12 magius_rerecros Mar 28, 2008 18:01:47	Again, as a point of reference, we're 2nd level. Not quite mid-game, there ;) Thus, I also can't pick up Spontaneous Divination until 5th level, but I'll get there. Hopefully. Speaking of S.D... Question: does it literally allow you to cast ANY Divination spell spontaneously, or just the ones that you know? Because I suppose being able to cast Augury wouldn't be so bad for this game...
#13 bellinator Mar 28, 2008 20:06:21	Any that you know. I have augury via the Oracle Domain from Divine Oracle.
#14 Nathreet Mar 28, 2008 22:48:01	Evocation has some great battlefield control spells. I'd ban something else instead. Illusion has invis, while abjuration and transmutations have a lot of good things too. So it's a tough call.
#15 droma Mar 29, 2008 0:30:05	Evocation has some great battlefield control spells. Positive your not confusing it with conjuration?
#16 bellinator Mar 29, 2008 7:17:20	Evocation has some great battlefield control spells. I'd ban something else instead. Illusion has invis, while abjuration and transmutations have a lot of good things too. So it's a tough call. Evocation is the easy one to ban. Conjuration can do much of what it can do, and eventually you get shadow evocation. I hate giving up Necro the most.
#17 magius_rerecros Mar 29, 2008 11:01:41	Yeah, Evocation truly is the easy one to ban, simply because of the Shadow Evocation chain, if nothing else. I agree that Necromancy is a b**** to give up, , but I was left with little other choice. I mean, this guy is the only arcanist in the party. I can't let myself give up illusion; it has too many nice things. Transmutation? No. Just.... No. I'd have to be mentally retarded to do that. Abjuration? Sorry, only party arcanist. Need those dispel spells, protection spells, planar binding, etc. Divination? Not allowed. Skip Williams is too busy collecting his nickels (thing from the Conjurer's Handbook). And I already gave up Evocation and Enchantment, so that just leaves Universal (sorry, not technically a school), Conjuration (wtf? aren't I specializing in that?), and Necromancy. The debuffs are nice, but they can be replicated through other means, whether that be similar spells from different schools, getting scrolls/wands/staves with said debuffs in them for the party rogue, etc.