Other Combos and Multi-classing OptionsIn general, you're still looking for the same things:
- Expanded Spell Lists
- Free metamagic
- Class abilities that are better than straight warmage (this is not difficult)
Divine Oracle (1 or 2)Needs skill focus (religion) and a way to get that as a class skill if you want to enter early (like Educated or Knowledge Devotion). You can go Warmage 5 / Divine Oracle 1 / Rainbow Servant / Divine Oracle +1 / Sacred Exorcist 1 and still nab Divine Metamagic at 18. Yay us! The second level of Divine Oracle is good for prescient sense ... and if you take Divine Oracle at 6 you can take Warmage 6 later and advanced/eclectic learn a higher level spell.
Contemplative (1 or 2)Rainbow Warsnakes qualify because they can cast divine spells. You get a domain. Pick one like ... oh ... I don't know ... Time ... or Spell ... or Transmutation (Races of Eberron) something with some happy fancy spells. Contemplative 2 nets you Slippery Mind, not bad to stay in it the extra level.
Seeker of the Misty Isle 1Elf Rainbow Warsnakes can get in with only skill requirements and it advances casting + gives you the Travel domain. Free action and nifty spells that don't have a lot of overlap on the clerical side. Bonus.
Paragnostic Apostle (various)Some good class features ... really this isn't a spectacular class but it gives you something useful at every level. Look at it for every build and see if it fits.
Church Inquisitor (1 or 2)Rainbow Warsnakes can cast
zone of truth as a divine spell. Yay for the Inquisition domain at first level! A second level makes you immune to charms.
Sovereign Speaker (as many as you want)You need a feat to get in, but Rainbow Warsnakes cast divine spells. One domain per level can be added to your spell list.
Wild Mage 1 + Practiced SpellcasterCaster level hijinks. Why not, you've got Holy Word.
HierophantYep, you qualify. If you want something and don't need the spell progression, go for it.
Mindbender 1 + Mindsight (feat)Use Warmage 6 to snag
charm person or a feat (Eberron has a couple) that grant it as an SLA. Sets you up for Mindsight, obviously. This is a valid dip for just about any casting class ... downside is you can't do it with a good Rainbow Warsnake. If for some reason you're not playing one of those (like, for instance, it is a mid-level game) this is a good option.
Wyrm WizardRequires Arcane Preparation. A two level dip nets you a spell from any class (your choice) but loses a caster level. Might be a good way to finish of a Warmage of the Arcane Order?
IncantrixA good class is a good class.
DweomerkeeperYou need some feats but, as mentioned, Rainbow Warsnakes can cast both arcane and divine spells. If you go with Arcane Disciple and forsake Sacred Exorcist and DMM (which you probably shouldn't) you could get Supernatural Spell 1/day. That's worth quite a bit right there being as it is basically a freebie.
Fiend-BloodedExpanded spell list, some nifty abilities. Very good.
RecasterLoses a caster level up front, adds some spells known and has free metamagic. Changelings only.
Making Damage Not ResistableSilver Pyromancer, Sanctified One of Kord (fire only), Paragnostic Apostle (with Manifest Ethos) ... all of these make elmental damage partially or completely unresistable. If you're doing fire and you are lazy, Elemental Savant can auto-convert your spells on the fly to fire without delay ... useful since you can't metamagic quickly. Piercing Evocation (feat from Complete Mage) can also make this work too.
Celerity AbuseOther characters talk about it, you should do it because you're that kind of hard-core mercenary. Dragonmark, Mark of the Dauntless + Wyrm Wizard 2. Others might balk at the loss of caster level (you started one behind a wizard, this will make you two behind) and a sorcerer can do it better ... but for them they are trading something off likely some class features they want AND they probably don't have the flexibility you do.
If you do this, consider Born of Three Thunders as well for the daze synergy.
Draconic FeatsOther classes can do this too, but usually don't have the spare room. What are you going to take? Sudden Metamagic? Dragontouched, Draconic Senses, Draconic Vigor and Draconic Legacy are good (and cherry pick some good spells with Legacy). You'll need two others before Draconic Legacy, so see what fits. Avoid things that do damage. I like the [whatever] Dragon Heritage feats that let you slow, debuff saves, etc.
Class Mixing CombosAnima Mage, Eldritch Theurge, Soulcaster, etc. Always an option. Note that if you're looking to do this as a capstone cast after a Rainbow Warsnake build, you have the divine options to choose from too.
Versatile Spell + HeightenThis combo works per the latest FAQ; it doesn't raise your caster level but at 4th you can cast 3rd level spells (heightened 2nd levels using 2 2nds to cast them) and if your DM allows get you into Rainbow Servant earlier.
Unseen Pointless WonderI joke. Well, maybe not. If you're going to play a sniping type, I question the logic of playing a Warmage as opposed to a Warlock or a Sorcerer who can do far more with
disintegrate and
enervation. If for some reason you want to do this anyway, this is how you do it.
Scout or Rogue or Spellthief 1 / Warmage 4 / Unseen Seer or Daggerspell Mage
Not very complex. You can finish out with some combination of Daggerspell, Arcane Trickster, etc. Unseen Seer gets you a few divination spells known. Maybe Spellwarp Sniper. You could also focus on blasting, using something like Incantatrix or War Mage (Dragon Lance) to amp damage.
You're still pretending to be a sorcerer or a warlock and you shouldn't. Instead of being the Swiss Army Knife you're trying to be a one-trick pony. Don't. I'm mentioning this because if I don't the first comment will be about some combination of Warmage and Unseen Seer, Daggerspell Mage or Arcane Trickster.