How viable is Wiz1/Druid3/MTX/Arcane HierophantX? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

How viable is Wiz1/Druid3/MTX/Arcane HierophantX?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Endarire
Dec 15, 2008 23:06:25 Wizards and druids seem plenty powerful separately, but assuming you started at ECL1 with all books available, how does this build compare to a full on wizard or druid?

I realize there's MAD and this build requires Precocious Apprentice (CA), Southern Magician (Races of Faerun?) to work and Practiced Spellcaster: Wizard is a high priority. Specialization, especially in conjuration for Abrupt Jaunt, is a given, but what else would optimize this build?
#2
kurashu
Dec 16, 2008 0:03:27 Southern Magician would let you qualify for MT or AH without PA craziness.

I'd go Wiz 1/Druid 3/MT 6/AH 10. Nets you Wiz 17 and Druid 19 casting.
#3
Krusk
Dec 16, 2008 8:37:29 IMO, you end up slightly less powerful than a druid 20, but a bit more versitile.

I think it all depends on the power level you play at. Basically at levels 16+ all the full caster classes are the same class, and so your versitility could be a waste. Or if you play at a much lower power, the extra lower level spells could be a huge boon.
#4
pithica
Dec 16, 2008 10:01:07 Druid should come first if you aren't using PA. The extra skill points are helpful and that way you can bump Know-Arcana and Know-Religion up in a single level without spending as many X-class skills by blowing all your Wiz skill points on them. I'd even (almost) recommend going Wiz 2 just to save the skill points, but I consider them more precious than most. (Dru 3/Wiz 2/MT 2/Arc Heir 10/MT +3 get's you CL of 18/18 final, which is sweet enough for me.)

I personally love the versatility of Arcane Heirophant builds. While it's true that you are behind straight casters and ulimately no more 'powerful', the sheer volume you can pump out and the myriad of effects possible can allow for a depth of creativity not common in other builds. Most of the single casting class builds are specialists, focusing solely on one spell or one type of spell. Here you can throw around almost every type of spell and specialize in two or three with few issues.

But that's just me. It obviously works better the higher you start. And feat selection is pretty key.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Endarire Dec 15, 2008 23:06:25	Wizards and druids seem plenty powerful separately, but assuming you started at ECL1 with all books available, how does this build compare to a full on wizard or druid? I realize there's MAD and this build requires Precocious Apprentice (CA), Southern Magician (Races of Faerun?) to work and Practiced Spellcaster: Wizard is a high priority. Specialization, especially in conjuration for Abrupt Jaunt, is a given, but what else would optimize this build?
#2 kurashu Dec 16, 2008 0:03:27	Southern Magician would let you qualify for MT or AH without PA craziness. I'd go Wiz 1/Druid 3/MT 6/AH 10. Nets you Wiz 17 and Druid 19 casting.
#3 Krusk Dec 16, 2008 8:37:29	IMO, you end up slightly less powerful than a druid 20, but a bit more versitile. I think it all depends on the power level you play at. Basically at levels 16+ all the full caster classes are the same class, and so your versitility could be a waste. Or if you play at a much lower power, the extra lower level spells could be a huge boon.
#4 pithica Dec 16, 2008 10:01:07	Druid should come first if you aren't using PA. The extra skill points are helpful and that way you can bump Know-Arcana and Know-Religion up in a single level without spending as many X-class skills by blowing all your Wiz skill points on them. I'd even (almost) recommend going Wiz 2 just to save the skill points, but I consider them more precious than most. (Dru 3/Wiz 2/MT 2/Arc Heir 10/MT +3 get's you CL of 18/18 final, which is sweet enough for me.) I personally love the versatility of Arcane Heirophant builds. While it's true that you are behind straight casters and ulimately no more 'powerful', the sheer volume you can pump out and the myriad of effects possible can allow for a depth of creativity not common in other builds. Most of the single casting class builds are specialists, focusing solely on one spell or one type of spell. Here you can throw around almost every type of spell and specialize in two or three with few issues. But that's just me. It obviously works better the higher you start. And feat selection is pretty key.