Illusionist Ideas? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Illusionist Ideas?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
dopey_power
Apr 05, 2009 15:55:30 I'm thinking of building an Illusionist wizard for the next campaign I'll be playing in, and would like some help, as I really haven't played a caster before.

Books allowed are core and complete, we're on a 32 point buy, starting at level 3, and no races with level adjustment are allowed.

I've been unsure of what PrCs to choose. I've been thinking Possibly Ultimate Magus, Master Specialist, Nightmare Spinner, etc.

I'm debating between Human and Gnome, for a race as I'm worried about multiclassing penalties.

I think I'm going to try focused specialist, giving up evocation, enchantment and necromancy, as those three seem to be good choices to give up from what I've read.

I have no Idea which feats are good choices, or which items I want to be saving for throughout the game.

Also, if anyone has any clever uses of silent image I could steal, it would be very helpful.

Thanks a lot for your time, hope I haven't left any information out.
#2
cloer
Apr 05, 2009 16:30:10 the shadowcraft mage is pretty nice

http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=290914

http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=655556
#3
dopey_power
Apr 05, 2009 17:28:40 I know, I like it too. Unfortunately, it's in Races of Stone, and I'm stuck with Core and Complete.
#4
Omen_of_Peace
Apr 05, 2009 17:45:27 There have been many threads about Silent Image already - search around a bit, in the Handy Links in particular. (In short: create ghosts or other incorporeals, fogs or walls that will hinder the enemy but let the party see through... Use your imagination !)

Multiclassing penalties don't apply to prestige classes, but Human or Gnome is a fine choice anyway.
The point of Ultimate Magus is to use metamagic, and an Illusionist has little use for it, so I'd recommend Master Specialist. You can take to the end - it's decent. Then you can finish with whatever you like. You may not need the Nightmare Spinner's extra slots if you're a Focused Specialist - I'd turn to PrCs that don't lose a caster level (Archmage is easy to get in after Master Specialist, for instance).

I can't recall any must-have feat for a non-Shadowcraft Illustionist (apart from Spell Focus), so you're relatively free to choose. Go for "never-bad" feats like Craft Wondrous Items.
#5
dopey_power
Apr 05, 2009 20:12:50 Okay, thanks that helps. Any ideas for items to buy? Even as a wizard in general?

Thanks again.
#6
AH_schulerta
Apr 06, 2009 13:49:11 Bag of Holding or Heward's Handy Haversack (to carry all of your Spell Books)
Boccob's Blessed Book (so you don't have to carry as many)
Headband of Intellect of course

You could also do Mage of the Arcane Order for a PRC. Spellpool access will give you access to spells from forbidden schools.

Loremaster is good for Use Magic Device to use scrolls/wands from forbidden schools and divine magic items. With the Instant Mastery Secret you get 4 free ranks in UMD so that with the 1st level of the class taken you could probably max UMD.
#7
Omen_of_Peace
Apr 06, 2009 18:07:59 Did you look at Dictum Mortum's wizard handbook ? I think he has suggestions for equipment (and for feats and the rest for that matter).

Collegiate Wizard is a nice feat that I forgot to mention : it lets you gain 4 spells instead of 2 when you level up. It's only not worth it if you have plenty of downtime.
#8
dopey_power
Apr 06, 2009 22:38:28 Thanks for the suggestions so far, they've really helped!
#9
hijaxx
Apr 07, 2009 5:53:06 This thread might contain some additional advice to have fun with

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 dopey_power Apr 05, 2009 15:55:30	I'm thinking of building an Illusionist wizard for the next campaign I'll be playing in, and would like some help, as I really haven't played a caster before. Books allowed are core and complete, we're on a 32 point buy, starting at level 3, and no races with level adjustment are allowed. I've been unsure of what PrCs to choose. I've been thinking Possibly Ultimate Magus, Master Specialist, Nightmare Spinner, etc. I'm debating between Human and Gnome, for a race as I'm worried about multiclassing penalties. I think I'm going to try focused specialist, giving up evocation, enchantment and necromancy, as those three seem to be good choices to give up from what I've read. I have no Idea which feats are good choices, or which items I want to be saving for throughout the game. Also, if anyone has any clever uses of silent image I could steal, it would be very helpful. Thanks a lot for your time, hope I haven't left any information out.
#2 cloer Apr 05, 2009 16:30:10	the shadowcraft mage is pretty nice http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=290914 http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=655556
#3 dopey_power Apr 05, 2009 17:28:40	I know, I like it too. Unfortunately, it's in Races of Stone, and I'm stuck with Core and Complete.
#4 Omen_of_Peace Apr 05, 2009 17:45:27	There have been many threads about Silent Image already - search around a bit, in the Handy Links in particular. (In short: create ghosts or other incorporeals, fogs or walls that will hinder the enemy but let the party see through... Use your imagination !) Multiclassing penalties don't apply to prestige classes, but Human or Gnome is a fine choice anyway. The point of Ultimate Magus is to use metamagic, and an Illusionist has little use for it, so I'd recommend Master Specialist. You can take to the end - it's decent. Then you can finish with whatever you like. You may not need the Nightmare Spinner's extra slots if you're a Focused Specialist - I'd turn to PrCs that don't lose a caster level (Archmage is easy to get in after Master Specialist, for instance). I can't recall any must-have feat for a non-Shadowcraft Illustionist (apart from Spell Focus), so you're relatively free to choose. Go for "never-bad" feats like Craft Wondrous Items.
#5 dopey_power Apr 05, 2009 20:12:50	Okay, thanks that helps. Any ideas for items to buy? Even as a wizard in general? Thanks again.
#6 AH_schulerta Apr 06, 2009 13:49:11	Bag of Holding or Heward's Handy Haversack (to carry all of your Spell Books) Boccob's Blessed Book (so you don't have to carry as many) Headband of Intellect of course You could also do Mage of the Arcane Order for a PRC. Spellpool access will give you access to spells from forbidden schools. Loremaster is good for Use Magic Device to use scrolls/wands from forbidden schools and divine magic items. With the Instant Mastery Secret you get 4 free ranks in UMD so that with the 1st level of the class taken you could probably max UMD.
#7 Omen_of_Peace Apr 06, 2009 18:07:59	Did you look at Dictum Mortum's wizard handbook ? I think he has suggestions for equipment (and for feats and the rest for that matter). Collegiate Wizard is a nice feat that I forgot to mention : it lets you gain 4 spells instead of 2 when you level up. It's only not worth it if you have plenty of downtime.
#8 dopey_power Apr 06, 2009 22:38:28	Thanks for the suggestions so far, they've really helped!
#9 hijaxx Apr 07, 2009 5:53:06	This thread might contain some additional advice to have fun with