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Maximizing Arcane Spellcaster Feats

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
atnoon
Aug 01, 2008 22:36:05 Well, I recently began to plan a new arcane spellcaster char. Because it is a high level game, I decided to write down all the feats I would like my char to have.

Thats when I saw a big problem, there isn't enough feats in 20 levels to cover all the options I wanted. So I need to optimize the number of feats I receive, without compromising my caster level (at least, not much). I searched the boards but I couldn't find anything in that topic.

Basically I am considering mainly Wizards and Sorcerers, lets leave the other Arcane spellcasters (Warmage, Beguiler, and such) as secondary options.

The Challenge (or What I need help with, please :D) :

I am trying to find the best possible combination of Prestige Classes that gives most bonus feats to a arcane spellcaster.

The Rules:

When I say Bonus Feat, i mean any feat and abilities that are similar to a Feat. For example, a PrC with an ability that gives +1 on DC on evocation spells, is basically the same as getting the feat Spell Focus (Evocation), so it would count.

The feats should improve the spellcaster like Metamagic Feats, Item Creation Feats, Spell Focus and the like. Getting a Weapon Specialization (Bastard Sword) as a bonus feat wont help an arcane spellcaster.

Caster level is important. It isn't the most important thing but lets use some balance here. Like a PrC that looses 1 or 2 casters levels but gain 2 or 3 feats is very acceptable, while a PrC that looses 5 caster levels to gain 1 feat isn't.

Also try to consider the PrC feat requirements. A PrC that gives 2 bonus feats, but requires 4 feats to enter isn't really a good trade, unless those required feats are good feats for a caster.

Final Thoughts:

I really need help here. Feel free to post full builds or just PrC suggestions.

A few things I got so far:

Alienist (Complete Arcane): Requires 2 feats to enter, Spell Focus (Conjuration) and Augment Summoning, 7 levels in the PrC gives 2 bonus feats.

Mage of the Arcane Order (Complete Arcane): Requires 2 feats to enter, Cooperative Spell and any other Metamagic, 9 levels in the PrC gives 2 bonus metamagic feats.

Incantatrix (Players Guide to Faerun): Requires 2 feat to enter, Iron Will and any other Metamagic, 10 levels in the PrC gives 4 bonus metamagic feats.

Spellguard of Silvermoon (Players Guide to Faerun): Requires 2 feats to enter, Combat Casting and any other metamagic, 4 levels in the PrC gives 2 bonus metamagic feats.

I appreciate any help here.
#2
nighttree
Aug 02, 2008 9:39:03 Take a look at the Recaster as well, you loose one level of spellcasting...but class abilities mimic many metamagic feats.
#3
rebel7284
Aug 02, 2008 10:04:17 You can get Iron Will in a magical location if DM allows. Incantatrix is considered the best as far as bonus feats go. Incantatrix is not enough for your build? Embrace/Shun the Dark chaos on racial feats perhaps?
#4
widow
Aug 02, 2008 10:13:34 You did not mention the books sources allowed, but here we go.

First of all, an easy trick is using the spells from the Abyssal book called "Shun the dark choas" and "Embrace the dark choas". Basically one lets you sacrifice any feat to pick up an abyssal feat and the second spell lets you sac an abyssal feat for any feat. 1 level of fighter will give you three armor feats, 2 shield feats, and a bonus fighter feat. THe spell cost 250xp each, so for 1 fighter level and 3,000xp you get 6 feats of your choice.

I just saw Rebel7284 beat me too it. He is refering to the elf racial weapon feats.
#5
atnoon
Aug 02, 2008 10:22:55
Take a look at the Recaster as well, you loose one level of spellcasting...but class abilities mimic many metamagic feats.

Which source book is Recaster in?

You did not mention the books sources allowed, but here we go.

Sorry, I forgot about that. Basically any Wizard official material is allowed.

First of all, an easy trick is using the spells from the Abyssal book called "Shun the dark choas" and "Embrace the dark choas"

Thanks for the trick. I will look into it.
#6
mdsummer
Aug 02, 2008 11:24:22 Not a feat, but Rods of Metamagic might work in cases where the metamagic is good to have, but limited in use.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 atnoon Aug 01, 2008 22:36:05	Well, I recently began to plan a new arcane spellcaster char. Because it is a high level game, I decided to write down all the feats I would like my char to have. Thats when I saw a big problem, there isn't enough feats in 20 levels to cover all the options I wanted. So I need to optimize the number of feats I receive, without compromising my caster level (at least, not much). I searched the boards but I couldn't find anything in that topic. Basically I am considering mainly Wizards and Sorcerers, lets leave the other Arcane spellcasters (Warmage, Beguiler, and such) as secondary options. The Challenge (or What I need help with, please :D) : I am trying to find the best possible combination of Prestige Classes that gives most bonus feats to a arcane spellcaster. The Rules: When I say Bonus Feat, i mean any feat and abilities that are similar to a Feat. For example, a PrC with an ability that gives +1 on DC on evocation spells, is basically the same as getting the feat Spell Focus (Evocation), so it would count. The feats should improve the spellcaster like Metamagic Feats, Item Creation Feats, Spell Focus and the like. Getting a Weapon Specialization (Bastard Sword) as a bonus feat wont help an arcane spellcaster. Caster level is important. It isn't the most important thing but lets use some balance here. Like a PrC that looses 1 or 2 casters levels but gain 2 or 3 feats is very acceptable, while a PrC that looses 5 caster levels to gain 1 feat isn't. Also try to consider the PrC feat requirements. A PrC that gives 2 bonus feats, but requires 4 feats to enter isn't really a good trade, unless those required feats are good feats for a caster. Final Thoughts: I really need help here. Feel free to post full builds or just PrC suggestions. A few things I got so far: Alienist (Complete Arcane): Requires 2 feats to enter, Spell Focus (Conjuration) and Augment Summoning, 7 levels in the PrC gives 2 bonus feats. Mage of the Arcane Order (Complete Arcane): Requires 2 feats to enter, Cooperative Spell and any other Metamagic, 9 levels in the PrC gives 2 bonus metamagic feats. Incantatrix (Players Guide to Faerun): Requires 2 feat to enter, Iron Will and any other Metamagic, 10 levels in the PrC gives 4 bonus metamagic feats. Spellguard of Silvermoon (Players Guide to Faerun): Requires 2 feats to enter, Combat Casting and any other metamagic, 4 levels in the PrC gives 2 bonus metamagic feats. I appreciate any help here.
#2 nighttree Aug 02, 2008 9:39:03	Take a look at the Recaster as well, you loose one level of spellcasting...but class abilities mimic many metamagic feats.
#3 rebel7284 Aug 02, 2008 10:04:17	You can get Iron Will in a magical location if DM allows. Incantatrix is considered the best as far as bonus feats go. Incantatrix is not enough for your build? Embrace/Shun the Dark chaos on racial feats perhaps?
#4 widow Aug 02, 2008 10:13:34	You did not mention the books sources allowed, but here we go. First of all, an easy trick is using the spells from the Abyssal book called "Shun the dark choas" and "Embrace the dark choas". Basically one lets you sacrifice any feat to pick up an abyssal feat and the second spell lets you sac an abyssal feat for any feat. 1 level of fighter will give you three armor feats, 2 shield feats, and a bonus fighter feat. THe spell cost 250xp each, so for 1 fighter level and 3,000xp you get 6 feats of your choice. I just saw Rebel7284 beat me too it. He is refering to the elf racial weapon feats.
#5 atnoon Aug 02, 2008 10:22:55	Take a look at the Recaster as well, you loose one level of spellcasting...but class abilities mimic many metamagic feats. Which source book is Recaster in? You did not mention the books sources allowed, but here we go. Sorry, I forgot about that. Basically any Wizard official material is allowed. First of all, an easy trick is using the spells from the Abyssal book called "Shun the dark choas" and "Embrace the dark choas" Thanks for the trick. I will look into it.
#6 mdsummer Aug 02, 2008 11:24:22	Not a feat, but Rods of Metamagic might work in cases where the metamagic is good to have, but limited in use.