Help me with a SCM - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Help me with a SCM

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
liquid150
Mar 09, 2009 9:29:57 I have a second campaign starting up with a group of friends, and the DM gave us the thumbs up on "imagination," so I'm making a Shadowcraft Mage. I have a minor conundrum in front of me, and I was looking for a bit of feedback. Keep in mind I have access to all sources.

I am currently trying to decide whether I wish to take a level of Shadow Adept in the build, for the three shadow magic feats it brings. However, I remembered on the way to work today that I only have 10 wisdom, and in order to meet the 13 wisdom prerequisite I'd have to drop INT to 17. Is this a good idea, in your opinion(s)?

It's either that, or keep the 10 WIS I currently have and continue progressing Shadowcrafter to 10. At level 20 the plan is to be a gnome illusionist5/shadowcrafter10/Shadowcraft Mage 5, or to be gnome illusionist 5/Shadowcrafter 9/Shadow Adept 1/Shadowcraft Mage 5.

Also, I'm always open for suggestions so feel free to give your 2cp.
#2
liquid150
Mar 09, 2009 10:17:50 For those interested, I'm taking the Gnome Illusionist first level substitution, the Shadow Shaper class variant, the Chains of Disbelief variant, and I am still deciding whether or not to take the Illusion Mastery variant.

Feel free to comment on the Illusion Mastery variant, and its usefulness. I'm convinced that not needing a spellbook is a huge advantage.
#3
phoenix00
Mar 09, 2009 11:29:19 Bonus feat is much better than adding your int modifier to hide checks. So many ways to boost your hide modifier, and shadowcraft mages are already feat starved.

Or you can do the Master Specialist route and more prcs since you are already a specialist wizard and you sorta need those feats anyway for scm.
#4
phaedrusxy
Mar 09, 2009 11:42:29 I'd definitely go Master Specialist. That gives you GSF for free, right? I don't think Shadowcrafter is worth taking 10 levels of, when you could be taking something a lot better like Anima Mage, Incantatrix, or even Magical Trickster.

Are you going with a Focused Specialist? I would.
#5
liquid150
Mar 09, 2009 12:29:57
Bonus feat is much better than adding your int modifier to hide checks. So many ways to boost your hide modifier, and shadowcraft mages are already feat starved.

Or you can do the Master Specialist route and more prcs since you are already a specialist wizard and you sorta need those feats anyway for scm.

You have a good point here, as I reviewed my decisions I found that I really want that bonus feat. I suppose the expenditure of skill points will be worth the feat, I'll probably switch this up. Thanks for the advice.
#6
liquid150
Mar 09, 2009 12:48:16
I'd definitely go Master Specialist. That gives you GSF for free, right? I don't think Shadowcrafter is worth taking 10 levels of, when you could be taking something a lot better like Anima Mage, Incantatrix, or even Magical Trickster.

Are you going with a Focused Specialist? I would.

Indeed, I believe it does give GSF for "free."

Hmmm I had forgotten about focused specialist, actually. 2 spells in exchange for one spell? I guess that's one way to get back your spells per day from the variant.
#7
hijaxx
Mar 09, 2009 15:37:01 try taking a level of cleric (yes, gasp, horribly inefficient multiclassing OMG), for turn undead. get a few nightsticks. get heighten spell and divine metamagic. heighten a spell to 9th level and divine metamagic it away. SCMs can convert figments into evocations or conjuration 1 level lower. your spell is a 9th level spell, and thus can be made to something like summon monster 8 or greater shout. but it takes up a lower levels spell slot
#8
phaedrusxy
Mar 09, 2009 15:55:52 Divine Metamagic only works on divine spells. This was clarified in a FAQ, Errata, or something like that.

You can get the same effect with levels of Anima Mage, Incantatrix, or Magical Trickster, though.
#9
liquid150
Mar 09, 2009 16:06:26 yeah, i'm taking on enough cheese already, thanks but no thanks on the DMM material. :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 liquid150 Mar 09, 2009 9:29:57	I have a second campaign starting up with a group of friends, and the DM gave us the thumbs up on "imagination," so I'm making a Shadowcraft Mage. I have a minor conundrum in front of me, and I was looking for a bit of feedback. Keep in mind I have access to all sources. I am currently trying to decide whether I wish to take a level of Shadow Adept in the build, for the three shadow magic feats it brings. However, I remembered on the way to work today that I only have 10 wisdom, and in order to meet the 13 wisdom prerequisite I'd have to drop INT to 17. Is this a good idea, in your opinion(s)? It's either that, or keep the 10 WIS I currently have and continue progressing Shadowcrafter to 10. At level 20 the plan is to be a gnome illusionist5/shadowcrafter10/Shadowcraft Mage 5, or to be gnome illusionist 5/Shadowcrafter 9/Shadow Adept 1/Shadowcraft Mage 5. Also, I'm always open for suggestions so feel free to give your 2cp.
#2 liquid150 Mar 09, 2009 10:17:50	For those interested, I'm taking the Gnome Illusionist first level substitution, the Shadow Shaper class variant, the Chains of Disbelief variant, and I am still deciding whether or not to take the Illusion Mastery variant. Feel free to comment on the Illusion Mastery variant, and its usefulness. I'm convinced that not needing a spellbook is a huge advantage.
#3 phoenix00 Mar 09, 2009 11:29:19	Bonus feat is much better than adding your int modifier to hide checks. So many ways to boost your hide modifier, and shadowcraft mages are already feat starved. Or you can do the Master Specialist route and more prcs since you are already a specialist wizard and you sorta need those feats anyway for scm.
#4 phaedrusxy Mar 09, 2009 11:42:29	I'd definitely go Master Specialist. That gives you GSF for free, right? I don't think Shadowcrafter is worth taking 10 levels of, when you could be taking something a lot better like Anima Mage, Incantatrix, or even Magical Trickster. Are you going with a Focused Specialist? I would.
#5 liquid150 Mar 09, 2009 12:29:57	Bonus feat is much better than adding your int modifier to hide checks. So many ways to boost your hide modifier, and shadowcraft mages are already feat starved. Or you can do the Master Specialist route and more prcs since you are already a specialist wizard and you sorta need those feats anyway for scm. You have a good point here, as I reviewed my decisions I found that I really want that bonus feat. I suppose the expenditure of skill points will be worth the feat, I'll probably switch this up. Thanks for the advice.
#6 liquid150 Mar 09, 2009 12:48:16	I'd definitely go Master Specialist. That gives you GSF for free, right? I don't think Shadowcrafter is worth taking 10 levels of, when you could be taking something a lot better like Anima Mage, Incantatrix, or even Magical Trickster. Are you going with a Focused Specialist? I would. Indeed, I believe it does give GSF for "free." Hmmm I had forgotten about focused specialist, actually. 2 spells in exchange for one spell? I guess that's one way to get back your spells per day from the variant.
#7 hijaxx Mar 09, 2009 15:37:01	try taking a level of cleric (yes, gasp, horribly inefficient multiclassing OMG), for turn undead. get a few nightsticks. get heighten spell and divine metamagic. heighten a spell to 9th level and divine metamagic it away. SCMs can convert figments into evocations or conjuration 1 level lower. your spell is a 9th level spell, and thus can be made to something like summon monster 8 or greater shout. but it takes up a lower levels spell slot
#8 phaedrusxy Mar 09, 2009 15:55:52	Divine Metamagic only works on divine spells. This was clarified in a FAQ, Errata, or something like that. You can get the same effect with levels of Anima Mage, Incantatrix, or Magical Trickster, though.
#9 liquid150 Mar 09, 2009 16:06:26	yeah, i'm taking on enough cheese already, thanks but no thanks on the DMM material. :D