Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 musaashi May 17, 2008 17:26:17	Class: Wizard Race: Modified Gray Elf (No dex/con bonuses or minuses) Books Available: Core, Complete Arcane, Draconomicon, Tome of Battle, Unearthed Arcana, PHB II, Complete Warrior. Level 1 Familiar: ? Raven possibly. Stats: Str 11 (+0) Dex 15 (+2) Con 17 (+3) Int 19 (+4) Wis 16 (+3) Cha 14 (+2) Hp 7 Feats: Scribe Scroll(Wizard) --- As we can see, I have some decent stats, and the placement is at least okay. Any recommended switches? I'm planning on going for wizard 20. I have no idea on what familiar I'd need, but the raven sounds decent. For my level one feat, I'm thinking of taking "Collegiate Wizard"(page 181 on Complete Arcane), seeing as how the DM told us multiple times, that this will be a long adventure outside based campaign, with minimal magical enemy interaction. I'm playing the wizard as a generalist, and I'd much rather prefer to NOT specialize, since I'm going to have a decently rounded crew with me(though none of them will be overly optimized.) Are there any "must get" spells?
#2 nightwyrm May 17, 2008 17:36:09	http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=956548 This guide and the links it contains has everything you'll ever want to know about wizards.
#3 sally_jones May 17, 2008 18:18:54	switch wis and dex. i know it isnt one of your books listed but races of the wild has elf wizard substitution levels that give you extra "generalist" spells.
#4 Dictum_Mortuum May 18, 2008 3:52:37	see if you can be adult or old, don't remember how that's called. You'll get -1 to physical and +1 to mental.
#5 logicninja May 18, 2008 4:42:53	Yeah, starting Middle-Aged would be a big help (+1 DC, +1 first level spell, thanks to 20 INT). I'd take a rat familiar for the +2 Fort save, but the raven talks, so it's more fun. Color Spray is a big winner at this level. Collegiate Wizard is a fine choice. Being a generalist hurts, though; you're gonna have two first-level spells at level 1. It's too bad you don't have access to Races of the Wild; there's an Elven Generalist substitution level in there.
#6 deathmond May 18, 2008 4:52:37	You have access to Unearthed Arcana. Be a Domain Wizard if you aren't going the specialist route. Edit: Right off the top of my head I can think of both the Archmage and Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil from the books you've listed. And Collegiate Wizard is an excellent feat, even more so if you're not going to get much time in towns to hunt down scrolls or other wizards.
#7 musaashi May 18, 2008 5:13:02	Would a dragon familiar be worth it?(a feat)
#8 heliomance May 18, 2008 5:14:20	Don't go Wiz 20. There's absolutely no reason to. There are plenty of prestige classes that give full caster progression and lots of other goodies besides.
#9 Treantmonklvl20 May 18, 2008 9:01:28	As mentioned - going Prestige Class with wizard is really a good deal - no reason not to. As deathmond mentions - I'm thinking Wizard 9/Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil 7/Archmage 4 at least. If you must be a generalist - Domain Wizard is just free spells. Conjuration or Transmutation domains unsurprisingly are your best choices. However, make sure to check out the specialist options first. Plan out your spells - if there are a couple of schools that are under-represented ask yourself why you aren't specializing. If you find that all schools are represented - domain wizard for sure. Collegiate wizard is a good choice - especially considering what your DM has told you about the campaign. Raven is a good familiar.
#10 dawnmor May 18, 2008 17:48:20	Class: Wizard Race: Modified Gray Elf (No dex/con bonuses or minuses) Books Available: Core, Complete Arcane, Draconomicon, Tome of Battle, Unearthed Arcana, PHB II, Complete Warrior. Level 1 Familiar: ? Raven possibly. Stats: Str 11 (+0) Dex 15 (+2) Con 17 (+3) Int 19 (+4) Wis 16 (+3) Cha 14 (+2) Hp 7 Feats: Scribe Scroll(Wizard) --- As we can see, I have some decent stats, and the placement is at least okay. Any recommended switches? I'm planning on going for wizard 20. I have no idea on what familiar I'd need, but the raven sounds decent. For my level one feat, I'm thinking of taking "Collegiate Wizard"(page 181 on Complete Arcane), seeing as how the DM told us multiple times, that this will be a long adventure outside based campaign, with minimal magical enemy interaction. I'm playing the wizard as a generalist, and I'd much rather prefer to NOT specialize, since I'm going to have a decently rounded crew with me(though none of them will be overly optimized.) Are there any "must get" spells? See if you can take the Dragontouched feat (Dragonmagic) or be Draconic, which will effectively make you a dragon either way, then come in as Venerable and you wont get the -3 str, dex, con, and instead get only a +3 int, wis, cha. Draconic (Races of the Dragon) will get you a +2 str, con, cha, 2 claw attacks and I believe you will also get -2 int, but im not sure.
#11 dawnmor May 18, 2008 17:52:42	As mentioned - going Prestige Class with wizard is really a good deal - no reason not to. As deathmond mentions - I'm thinking Wizard 9/Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil 7/Archmage 4 at least. If you must be a generalist - Domain Wizard is just free spells. Conjuration or Transmutation domains unsurprisingly are your best choices. However, make sure to check out the specialist options first. Plan out your spells - if there are a couple of schools that are under-represented ask yourself why you aren't specializing. If you find that all schools are represented - domain wizard for sure. Collegiate wizard is a good choice - especially considering what your DM has told you about the campaign. Raven is a good familiar. I agree with Monk. Transmutation and Conjuration are by far the BEST!!! spec's ever to go and specialize in. Grab FOCUSED SPEC (CM) and youll get 4 extra spell slots for your Spec only. So think hard and long before you decide to go generalist. Try and grab a Dragon wyrmling as a familiar because then you will get a pet that can fly, breath fire, and you get the benefits of its blindsense and such from the Dragon itself. Once you get up in lvl, consider getting a Robe of eyes . Youll get 120 dark vision and see invisbility. Make it Intelligent to make it a early warning device so no matter whatcha do at night, the robe of eyes is watching your back and will keep you alive as it screams in your ear to WAKE THE HECK UP! :P.
#12 nightwyrm May 18, 2008 18:17:09	See if you can take the Dragontouched feat (Dragonmagic) or be Draconic, which will effectively make you a dragon either way, then come in as Venerable and you wont get the -3 str, dex, con, and instead get only a +3 int, wis, cha. Draconic (Races of the Dragon) will get you a +2 str, con, cha, 2 claw attacks and I believe you will also get -2 int, but im not sure. Dragontouched doesn't give you a dragon type. It gives you a dragonblood subtype. Only way you can get aging without penalties is if you use dragonwrought kobold. Draconic is a +1 LA template that gives +2 to str, con, cha with no int penalties, among other things. But it sucks for a wizard.
#13 musaashi May 19, 2008 17:55:05	To Dictum Mortuum: I asked, and the DM is still speculating. To Treantmonklvl20: I'll have to look in the Domain Wizard, though I don't quite have the resource yet. The prestige classes look like gold, I'll have to make sure to plan out well enough to get into them... To DawnMor: I'm not quite sure why I'd want the draconic template...I don't see need of the higher scores at the cost of a level adjustment. I'll keep an eye out for 'Robe of Eyes', to be sure if it may do everything as you explained. --- For note: My(or soon to be my) Unearthed Arcana, Draconomicon, and Complete Warrior aren't in yet, due to shipping circumstances. --- So this is what it's looking like: Class: Wizard (Generalist, or Domain Wizard if allowed) Race: Modified Gray Elf (No dex/con bonuses or minuses) Alignment: Lawful Neutral Level 1 Familiar: (Hopefully holding off on one until I have a feat for a wyrmling.) Stats: Str 11 (+0) Dex 16 (+3) Con 17 (+3) Int 19 (+4) Wis 15 (+2) Cha 14 (+2) Hp 7 Feats: Scribe Scroll(Wizard) Collegiate Wizard or 'X' (-X is used to represent the unknown) First Level Spells: Enlarge Person, Mage Armor, Identify, Charm Person, Silent Image, Ventriloquism, Sleep, [Alarm, Grease, Ray of Enfeeblement]. [Items in brackets are unsure due to approval/use of Collegiate Wizard.]
#14 eldariel May 20, 2008 1:28:15	Being Middle-Aged makes a damn lot sense for a Wizard, seeing that you're "ye olde beardeth dude with the funny hatte and the duste bookke". Wizards study long so it isn't really a stretch. I'd actually put some rather high stat to Charisma; that'd open up a few Enhancement and Conjuration (Planar Binding)-spells that could otherwise be problematic to use. It seems like you've got the stats to burn, so I'd switch Wis and Cha and indeed strive to be Middle-Aged. You'd land at: Str 10, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 20, Wis 15, Cha 16 - looks solid all around (although it's a bummer that you'd have to go with two uneven ability scores). So yea, if you're not specializing, I suggest you up the Cha a bit and make use of the related spells.
#15 musaashi May 21, 2008 17:13:11	Uh...would the hit to Constitution be worth it though? I mean, the DM will allow me to, but I'm debating on it, because I'd be less meaty and such. To note: I've taken Collegiate Wizard feat, and for the extra first level spells I've got in mind are: Grease, Ray of Enfeeblement, and Animate Rope. Ray of Enfeeblement will gimme something so I can take out creatures, and make them easier to deal with. Grease sounds like a LOT of fun to mess with. Animate rope sounds pretty darned useful too... Or should I opt out for other things? For domain wizard: I just pick a domain, and bam, extra spells, correct? Would there be any flaws that'd be decent to take? Noncombatant seems okay...
#16 Treantmonklvl20 May 21, 2008 17:30:44	Uh...would the hit to Constitution be worth it though? I mean, the DM will allow me to, but I'm debating on it, because I'd be less meaty and such. IMO the hit to Con AND Dex is not worth it. Or should I opt out for other things? Good choices IMO For domain wizard: I just pick a domain, and bam, extra spells, correct? Yep - added to your spellbook for free too. If you are going generalist - domain wizard is better with no downside whatsoever. Would there be any flaws that'd be decent to take? Noncombatant seems okay... Any hit to a non-class skill is a good choice (Hard of hearing - etc)
#17 eldariel May 21, 2008 22:06:35	You have a 17 in Con; it becoming 16 is no hit at all unless you plan on investing points in it later (which you don't, I hope). You'll basically lose 1 modifier in Dex for 1 modifier in Int, worth it in my book.
#18 Endarire May 23, 2008 17:32:48	I advise Conjurer or Transmuter, unless you insist on regularly casting spells from every school. PHB2 70 has an Abrupt Jaunt alternative class feature, giving you a 10' teleport as an immediate action INT mod times per day. If you decide to go generalist, however, you can't use the elf wizard substitution levels from Races of the Wild. If you love your familiar and must keep it, I advise taking a rat for the Fortitude save boost. Consider the UA wizard variant for fighter feats to swap Scribe Scroll for Improved Initiative at L1. If you use this, take Weapon Focus (ray) at L5. Class-wise, Mage of the Arcane Order is spiffier than straight wizard, even if you must get the very crappy Cooperative Spell to enter. Wizard5/MotAO7-9/ArchmageX/FatespinnerY (where Y is less than 5) makes for a proper wizard character considering your sources. Fatespinner requires less than Archmage, meaning you could go MotAO7/Fatespinner1-4/ArchmageX. Stat-wise, I advise arranging your stats as such: 16 DEX, 17 CON, 19 INT; the rest matter little.
#19 musaashi Jun 08, 2008 1:35:24	So this is what it's looking like: Class: Wizard(Generalist) Race: Modified Gray Elf (No dex/con bonuses or minuses) Alignment: Lawful Neutral Level 1 Familiar: Raven, for UMD Ability Scores: Str 11 (+0) 10 (+0) Dex 16 (+3) 15 (+2) Con 17 (+3) 16 (+3) Int 19 (+4) 20 (+5) Wis 15 (+2) 16 (+3) Cha 14 (+2) 15 (+2) Adulthood Middle Aged Hp: 7 Hp: 7 Feats: Scribe Scroll(Wizard) Collegiate Wizard First Level Spells: Enlarge Person, Mage Armor, Identify, Charm Person, Silent Image, Ventriloquism, Sleep, Alarm, Grease, Ray of Enfeeblement. Items: Quarterstaff Light Crossbow (20 bolts) Travelers Outfit Bedroll Rations (5) Soap Ink Inkpen Silk Rope (Knotted, exactly fifty feet long.) Canvas Chalk Spellbook Am I missing anything? Also, which of those ability scores would you personally pick?
#20 eldariel Jun 08, 2008 6:29:28	Toss 15 to Cha over Wis; there're few summon spells and enchantments that require Charisma-checks, so having 16 there is more useful than having 16 in Wis. Actually, I'd do the shuffle as follows: 11 Str/15 Dex/17 Con/19 Int/14 Wis/16 Cha Modified, it results in: 10 Str/14 Dex/16 Con/20 int/15 Wis/17 Cha That makes for quite the mental beast. The character is looking good; Collegiate Wizard's usefulness depends entirely on how many scrolls you expect to be able to buy and how many spellbooks/spells you end up finding. Scribe Scroll is gonna be handy if you expect downtime, otherwise switch it to a Fighter-feat (Improved Initiative). All in all, it looks good.
#21 shokatsuryou Jun 08, 2008 9:08:45	Looks pretty good. I only have very minor suggestions. First Level Spells: Enlarge Person, Mage Armor, Identify, Charm Person, Silent Image, Ventriloquism, Sleep, Alarm, Grease, Ray of Enfeeblement. I highly suggest picking up Color Spray at the earliest opportunity. Items: Quarterstaff Light Crossbow (20 bolts) Travelers Outfit Bedroll Rations (5) Soap Ink Inkpen Silk Rope (Knotted, exactly fifty feet long.) Canvas Chalk Spellbook Since you're an elf, picking up a longsword and longbow eventually might not be a bad idea. (I'm guessing you can't afford them at 1st level though.) Definitely get a spell component pouch or two.
#22 Endarire Jun 11, 2008 7:59:51	Grease! This is a rare DEX-based save or be disabled spell! You also can get grapple-proofing by casting it on someone's armor or clothing.