So I was given the task to build a 20th level warmage to duel a 20th level Sorcerer(No Multi-classing).
So far the rules are this.
Only races from the PHP.
The books that are allowed are the 3 core books, The Spell Compendium and the Complete Series.
Lvl 20 Starting gold(760,000GP,I believe)
Only Magic Items that exist in those books.
No Class Varients
So far it's agreed not to use Retributive strike from the staff off power and the sorcerer will not use irresistable dance.
Personaly i feel that the Advantage in this duel goes to the Sorcerer but i'm willing to give it a try.
Does anyone have any advice?
My advice is to end it in one shot, or you're pretty much doomed. If you pick up Energy Substitution, Energy Admixture, and Rapid Metamagic, then slap Energy Admixture and your Sudden Empower and Sudden Maximize abilities onto an Orb of X spell. The result is 270 damage with no save and no spell resistance, assuming the Sorcerer isn't immune to the energy types you throw out, which ought to be enough raw damage to end the fight immediately.
What's the prebuff enviornment? I assume nothing, or the Sorc has an even bigger advantage. As it is, he won't miss with his Death Orb as he can Greater Arcane Fusion (Complete Mage) it with True Strike.
What about absorption or the rod of absorption. Those completely negate the target concept. What about an area effect that is sudden maxed and sudden empowered?
Oi. A Rod of Absorption pretty much means you're screwed, since some of the most dangerous things the Sorcerer can do involve buffing herself, and you're not likely to get the 50 spell levels tapped until the Sorcerer's managed to doom you mightily.
Arcane disciple is a feat to look into, it can easily add 9 spells to your spells known, including shape change and gate. You can only cast each of the spells once per day, but for a duel it shouldn't really matter.
One importent peice of info is if there is a buff round. If there is I would suggestest buying a scroll of Time stop and scrolls of your favorite buffing spells.
Also arcane disciple to get gate. Gate in something really nasty like a celestial great wyrm gold dragon.
One importent peice of info is if there is a buff round. If there is I would suggestest buying a scroll of Time stop and scrolls of your favorite buffing spells.
Warmages don't have those spells on their lists, so it's moot. Unless he has UMD...
Well charisma is a key stat for warmages (i think). That plus ranks (even if they are cc) and an item should get the job done.
Yeah, you need to make totaly sure you go 1st. If celerity is allowed, buy a Contigient one. Or use contigency (get it via Expanded spell list) and cast Celerity on you from a wand. If not, boost your initiative. Imp init, Nerveskitter (wand), weapon enchantments ect. Try to blast him 1st round, and you may have a chance...
But really, imo it's pointless.
Prismatic Sphere, Mages Disjunction, Implosion. In that order. Get Mages Disjuntion by Arcane Discipline and make sure you're first. And try to get a Greater Metamagic Rod of Quickening.
/cast Locate Epic Thread VI
Ah HA! Found it.
community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758...
There's some stuff in there that might give you ideas on how make a warmage... umm... better... but they really do suck. What it will come down to is whether the other guy is an idiot or not.
You could try to convince him to agree to a ban on called creatures. That would stop him from showing up with a bunch of pit fiends. It'd also be nice if he didn't use mage's disjunction.
You could use extraordinary spell aim to cast antimagic field (from arcane disciple) with a hollow space in the middle where you stand. If called creatures and mage's disjunction are off the table, that leaves instantaneous conjurations as the only spell effects that can pass through the field. Instantaneous conjurations translates to orb spells, in this case.
How much do you think you can convince him to limit himself?
Was Leadership banned? If not, snag that and make something unpleasant there too, and then after the bloodbath, remind him that the military doesn't fight fair (overwhelming firepower and all). Seriously though, I will be working on a build tonight, keyed to destroying Sorcs. No class variants will hurt, obviously 