First post, so I’ll introduce myself a little I guess. I’ve played D&D for more than 15 years (though not frequently). I have been DMing a game with/for 5 of my friends for going on 4 months now and I’m looking to take a break.
One of the players has expressed an interest in DMing and wants to run an “Evil Campaign” i.e. a party of evil characters out to conquer the world (country, city, village, etc.) We will be starting at level 13 and LA buyoff is allowed.
Basic Build info
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The intended character is an undead caster with a lot of versatility and power, and came across a build on the boards here that will definitely fit the bill:
Here’s what I’m looking at:
5 Wizard (Specialist: Conjuration, banned Abjuration and Evocation)
/1 Mindbender/2 Ur-Priest/4 Mystic Theurge (After LA buyoff)
Dropped Familiar for Abrupt Jaunt
Dropped Scribe Scroll for Improved Initiave
At level 20:
Here’s what I’m looking at:
5 Wizard (Specialist: Conjuration, banned Abjuration and Evocation)
/1 Mindbender/2 Ur-Priest/4 Mystic Theurge (After LA buyoff)
Dropped Familiar for Abrupt Jaunt
Dropped Scribe Scroll for Improved Initiave
At level 20:
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At level 20 the targeted build goal is 5 Wiz/ 1 MB/ 2 UP/ 8 MT/4 Fatespinner, but this isn't etched in stone.
Also... doesn't the MiC let you combine items without paying extra for one of them? Even if you don't use that rule, you should only pay 1.5x the price for the cheaper item in your Monk Belt of Battle. Isn't the monk's belt cheaper than a belt of battle?
I think the +1 defending dagger is a waste of money. You only get the defense bonus if you attack with it.
Get some enhancement bonus items for Int and Wis (or one item with both stats, per the MiC rules). I'd also suggest DMM: Quicken Spell as one of your later feats.
I was definitely looking at DMM: quicken; I wanted to be sure of one thing though... is DMM: Quicken a feat all by itself or do I just need the DMM feat to "fuel" the metamagic feats I already have? I read the rules and I'm having trouble working out which is correct. (I have no cleric in the group I DM, so the issue hadn't come up yet.)
Also... doesn't the MiC let you combine items without paying extra for one of them? Even if you don't use that rule, you should only pay 1.5x the price for the cheaper item in your Monk Belt of Battle. Isn't the monk's belt cheaper than a belt of battle?
I can probably point to the 1.5 rule vice paying double, but the DM specifically said you get a dual item only if you pay extra on the more expensive of the 2, so rule zero is in effect there.
I think the +1 defending dagger is a waste of money. You only get the defense bonus if you attack with it.
Didn't know that, thanks. I'll ditch the dagger... that alone could get me a 2INT item and a 2 WIS item.
Not sure what books your allowed but I'd recommend going Focused Conjurer with the Abrupt Jaunt alternate class feature. Drop Abjuration, Enchantment, and Evocation. I know losing all those schools can be hard to swallow but your cleric casting makes the extra spell slots well worth it. Trade your 5th level Wizard feat for Spontaneous Divinations. Since you're going Mindbinder you should definitely grab Mindsight(Lords of Madness), it lets you detect anything intelligent within your telepathy range.
I hate to ask so many questions about this, but where can I find the rules for:
1) Focused Conjurer? Found this, never mind.
2) Abrupt Jaunt? Found this, never mind.
3) Spontaneous Divinations? Found this, never mind.
Thanks for the feedback, I certainly have no issue with going focused specialization, but I was a little uncertain which school would get me the most mileage, especially since I can cast divine spells.
I was definitely looking at DMM: quicken; I wanted to be sure of one thing though... is DMM: Quicken a feat all by itself or do I just need the DMM feat to "fuel" the metamagic feats I already have? I read the rules and I'm having trouble working out which is correct. (I have no cleric in the group I DM, so the issue hadn't come up yet.)
It is a feat itself, and it has the metamagic feat you want to apply it to as a prereq. So you'd need Quicken Spell (which you had down already), and Divine Metamagic (Quicken Spell). This was not clear in the original version, but was clarified in either an errata or a later book (or both... I forget).
I'm excited about the character though and the feedback is just making me more so. Can't wait to play him.
Anyway, your CON isn't 0. It's
I definitely think focused conjurer with abrupt jaunt is pretty awesome. Espcially in a dual-casting class, you can make up the lack of schools no problem.
MIC definitely made stacking attribute bonuses on items a lot cheaper.
DMM is really great, but you are a bit feat-starved. OTOH, you don't have much else to do with your turn attempts, since they're ridiculously weak.
Unearthed Arcana (and the SRD - www.d20srd.org) allow you to swap your wizard feats for fighter ones. Changing scribe scroll for improved initiative is usually a good idea, especially at higher levels, when going first is the same as winning.
I actually think Mindsight is better than practiced spellcaster. I'd use it instead of PS:Wizard. Being able to see through doors, detect invisible stuff, etc., is great.
Why no Focused Specialist? Even in Divination, it's good. Not crucial if you have Cleric casting, though....
I think I'm going to go Focused Conjuring, I was just trying to get a little more input before I commit to a specific school, for the record, I think there are enough diviniation spells out there to make it really attractive.
Anyway, your CON isn't 0. It's
A tunic of steady spellcasting is a +5 concentration item. I find that +5 concentration is awfully handy, and at 2,500 gp, it's a steal. Also consider the cheap anklet of translocation for your boot slot. 2 swift action teleports per day gets you out of grapples and other unpleasant situations. Focused conjurer and abrupt jaunt nullify this, though.
Since I have the headband of conscious effort, I see no reason not to bump my Concentration by 5 for 2,500, thanks for the tip. I think I'm in line to go for abrupt jaunt as it is, so I can probably skip the anklet and save some money :D
I definitely think focused conjurer with abrupt jaunt is pretty awesome. Espcially in a dual-casting class, you can make up the lack of schools no problem.
Yup, I've reviewed the overlap in functionality between arcane and divine spells and I think I'll gain much more than I lose from Focused Specialization.
MIC definitely made stacking attribute bonuses on items a lot cheaper.
DMM is really great, but you are a bit feat-starved. OTOH, you don't have much else to do with your turn attempts, since they're ridiculously weak.
My thoughts exactly. Also quickened spells are likely going to be big with this character, with his spell list he can cast 2 spells a round for a long time before he feels the pinch.
Unearthed Arcana (and the SRD - www.d20srd.org) allow you to swap your wizard feats for fighter ones. Changing scribe scroll for improved initiative is usually a good idea, especially at higher levels, when going first is the same as winning.
I'll think on this, scribe scroll is pretty nice as well, though I do know that a wizard that's first in line tends to win everything. Do you think Improved inititave is worthwhile even with his 20 DEX?
I actually think Mindsight is better than practiced spellcaster. I'd use it instead of PS:Wizard. Being able to see through doors, detect invisible stuff, etc., is great.
I was looking for a feat to dump for Mindsight, and I think you just found it for me!
Also, I should give you an official commendation on the quality of your post. Many people come here with lousy posts such as: "Hay guys, maek me a ur-Priest, ready go!" and that's it. This post should be linked in the guidelines as an example of what to do when looking for feedback.
Thanks for this, I tried hard to meet the guidelines (especially on my first post after lurking for months) and I'm glad my effort wasn't in vain.
The Otyugh Hole is a special location listed at the end of Complete Scoundrel. Spend a week in a dank and smelly magical pit, go half-crazy, and get Iron Will as a feat. It has a 3,000gp equivalent cost, so if you start above 3rd level, you can write it into your backstory (it easily fits in there), pay the 3k, and have a spare feat.
I'll run this past my GM, apart from it being a prerequisite, I hate that I have to waste a feat on this. Currently my saves are:
Fort: 9
Reflex: 12
Will: 28
Edited my OP with my updated changes based on your input guys, let me know how it looks and thanks again!
One thing I didn't immediately realize about the combiniation of Focused Specialist: Conjuration and Spontaneous Divination that popped into my head last night is that the only spells I'll ever have to memorize on the arcane side are Conjuration, Illusion, Necromancy, and Transmutation.
I think this is pretty great, as it allows me to simplify the process of selecting all the spells that I grab each day. I've created a spreadsheet of the Wizard spells between 1 and 9 (except for the SpC... working on that) and memorizing spells will be a simple matter of putting check marks on the sheet next to the appropriate spell.
Thanks to everyone that contributed by replying, and thanks to Treantmonk, LogicNinja, Dictum Mortuum, and Tsuyoshikentsu for the guides that allowed me to develop my character concept past:
"Maek me l33t wizurd NOW kkplzthxlala!!!111eleven!! O, I liek Urpriest n Mistik Thrugge 2 thx"
I think I'm done now, if you see an error or poor decision, let me know. I assure you all the good decisions are the work of the other contributors and the errors are mine. Thanks.
Look at my Guide to Transmutation for more spells.
Ack! I left you off the "thanks" list!
I have your guide saved into my favorites already.I tried to remember everyone, but I kinda felt like I was on the Oscars and trying not to leave anyone out during my acceptance speech. A thousand appologies.
Also, you mention the wizard spells you'll prepare, but Focused Conjuration means you HAVE to prepare a certain number of those spells as Conjuration spells.
Quick question. How are you getting into Mindbender if you ban enchantment? You can't cast charm person then, and that's a prereq for the class... Did I miss something?
No, I missed it. Bollocks. Thanks for the catch, I'll probably drop Necromancy instead, though it pains me to do so.
Also, you mention the wizard spells you'll prepare, but Focused Conjuration means you HAVE to prepare a certain number of those spells as Conjuration spells.
All I meant was I only have to pick from four schools, since 3 are prohibited and 1 is more or less unnecessary (divination)
1. Abjuration (glad to do it)
2. Evocation (I'd drop it for +0 spells/level)
3. Necromancy (Nooooo!)
To be Focused Specialist in Conjuration?
Or drop:
1. Abjuration
2. Evocation
And be content with just Specialist in Conjuration?
Both have benefits, but I'm leaning toward keeping Necromancy for awesome debuffs, save or die/lose/suck, and a few irreplaceables like Magic Jar, Enervation, and whatnot.
Also I have to consider the fact that I've already been forced due to grab the Spell Focus: Evil Feat to get into Ur-Priest, which synergizes well with necromancy.
I know in the end it's just a judgement call, but are there any specific issues, pros, cons, or circumstances that I'm missing? I know I've already asked a lot on this guy but now I'm invested and I want to do this right. Your input is appriciated as always, please save me.
Also consider swapping Scribe Scroll for Improved Initiative (Unearthed Arcana variant - it's in the online SRD).
You guys all helped me out a great deal, either by creating guides or responding directly to my post with advice, questions, and opinions. I appriciate you taking the time to contribute, I've put a lot of time into this build at this point and the help was appriciated at every stage.