Author Topic: Ultimate Magus (Read 75805 times)

Korwin · « **on:** May 28, 2008, 09:14:18 AM »

Orginal Thread:

by
Phoenix00

I will copy it one to one, when/if the database error on gleemax is gone.

I think Phoenix00 said he had no time for the Handbook. This is the reason I am copiing it. If he has time and want it back... Gladly

I wont change much (on my own), because Englisch isnt my first language.
So if anyone want something in, please write it - so I can copy and paste... thanks

Korwin · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2008, 09:14:27 AM »

The Ultimate Magus Handbook.

The Ultimate Magus is a prestige class located in Complete Mage, it is available free as an excerpt
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20061010a&page=3

Table of Contents
2. Introduction/Glossary
3. Look at what UM gives you, and its optimization potential
4. Base Class Combinations/Prestige Class possibilities analysis
5. Toppers and
6. Putting it all together (Graphs)
7. Prepared/Spontaneous utilizing Base Spell lists
8. Accelerated/Unique Spell list builds
a)   Other Accelerated Builds
   b)   Nar Demonbinder
   c)   Sublime Chord Builds
9. Feats
10. Tricks
11. Reserved (Last Thread of Handbook)

Oh if you see any heinous spelling errors private message me so I can fix them.

Korwin · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2008, 09:14:38 AM »

UM: An abbreviation for Ultimate Magus

Spells Known Level: This is similar to caster level but is instead the level you use that determines your spells known and spell slots (or how many spells you prepare.) A typical wizard or sorcerer has a spells known that is equal to his class level and thus his caster level. A Wizard 15/Archmage 3 has a spell known level of 18. I am creating this term to use in this handbook to make it easily differentable what spells slots you have access to due to the fact you also use caster level (prior to arcane spell power) and your actual caster level (after arcane spell power).

SKL: An abbreviation for Spells Known Level

Caster Level (Prepared/Spontaneous/Wizard/Sorc/etc): This is your caster level prior to the adding of arcane spell power (the Ultimate Magus 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th level ability). This will included any benefits at all granted by Practiced Spellcaster.

CL: An abbreviation for Caster Level

Actual Caster Level: Your total caster levels after all benefits are added. Includes arcane spell power.

ACL: AN abbreviation of Actual Caster Level

UM is a (X/Y) Prc: Caster levels and Spells Known Level are a big thing in DnD. A common rule of thumb for optimization is though shall not sacrifice caster levels, followed by the second cavet, if though shall sacrifice caster levels it better be for a very good thing. No matter what with a UM you will be sacrificing at least 1 Caster Level/Spell Known Level for your primary spellcasting class. UM is a X/Y Prc is designed to tell you how many spells knowns levels you are sacrificing, so you can easily compare it to other Prcs. When I say UM is a 10/11 Prc in a specific instance I am saying you will lose eventually 1 spells known level over 11 total levels (the Ultimate Magus levels and any non primary spellcasting classes prior to Ultimate Magus.), same thing for UM is a (10/12) Prc (10 levels of SNL over 12 total levels), UM is a (9/12) Prc (9 levels of SNL over 12) etc.

Korwin · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2008, 09:14:49 AM »

3) Look at what UM gives you, and its optimization potential
Now lets look at the Ultimate Magus Prestige Class and its benefits in detail
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20061010a&page=3

Arcane Spell Power: Is just a simple caster level bump for all the arcane spells you cast. You gain your first bump at UM 1 and an additional one at the 4th, 7th, and 10th level.
Only your Lower Level Arcane Casting progresses at levels 1,7, and 10 of Ultimate Magus. More about that later.
Augumented Casting: Now this ability is the true beauty of the cast besides allowing you to create a dual spellcaster and progress them both in a prestige class. It allows you to "sack" a prepared or spontaneous metamagic. This is an ability you can use on the fly, when ever the situation warrants it, you get to choose which metamagic to which spell as a free action. Free Quicken Magic sign me up

(Note you can only add the metamagic to a base spell whose level is 1/2 your UM level) Been jealous of all the Persistent Metamagic Clerics have been doing due to Divine Metamagic Persistent. Well here is the wizard's hour you can persist your spells as easily as cleric can persist her spells starting at level 10

Expanded Spell Knowledge: An ability that allows you to add to your spontaneous spells known from your wizard spellbook. A nice ability you gain every two levels with Ultimate Magus and which scales up with your UM levels. Check out the trick section about probable unforseen tricks you can use with this ability.
Bonus Feat: You gain a bonus feat that can only be used for metamagic feats. You can't take an item creation feat with this feat unlike a traditional wizard feat.

Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level): Concentration, Craft, Decipher Script, Knowledge (all skills, taken individually), Profession, Spellcraft, Use Magic Device. (Can we say using items of other spellcasting classes, or using Prayer Beads

)

On the Proper Way of entering Ultimate Magus (Traditional vs Practiced Spellcaster Trick)

The "traditonal way" or should we say the assumed way to enter into Ultimate Magus is through Wizard 4/Sorc 1 due to the pre requisites. This is a sample level 20 build with the traditonal way to enter into Ultimate Magus:

Sorc 1/Wizard 4/UM 10/X 5

If X continues your Wizard Spellcasting you will end up with the Spells Known of a 16th level wizard, the spells known of a 11th level sorcerer, the actual caster level of a 20th level wizard and the actual caster level of a 15th level sorcerer. This is due to the 1st, 4th, and 7th level of Ultimate Magus only progressing your spellcasting (SKL and Caster Level) of your "lower" class.

Now Enter the Practiced Spellcaster Trick

Quote

Originally Posted by From the Complete Magus Text
...At 1st, 4th, and 7th level, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in your arcane spellcasting class with the lowest caster level...

(Empahsis Mine)

The determining factor of what is the lower caster level is your caster level (not the level of spells you can cast). Practiced Spellcaster allows you to raise the caster level of any of your spellcasting classes by 4, though you can't use it to cast spells above your HD. Thus in the above example

Sorc 1/Wizard 4/UM 10/X 5

if you were to take as your 3rd level feat Practiced Spellcaster (Sorcerer) your sorcerer caster level would be 5 at level 3 (though since you only have 3 HD, it is limited to 3). When your about to enter Ultimate Magus at level 6 your caster level is 5 sorcerer, 4 wizard; thus your wizard side is progressed in both a caster level and a spell known level. When you are about to get Ultimate Magus 4, your cl for sorcerer and wizard are tied at 7, thus you get to choose which side you want to progress and lets say you choose wizard. Now when you are about to enter UM 7 your CL for Sorcerer is 9 and your CL for Wizard is 10 thus your sorcerer side will progress for a CL and SKL.

Makes Sense?

Thus in this above example a

Sorc 1/Wizard 4/UM 10/X 5

Korwin · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2008, 09:15:00 AM »

4) Base Class Combinations/Prestige Class possibilities analysis

Base Classes prepared from spellbook side

Wizard
The main way you are going to do Ultimate Magus, and the class you are most likely going to focus on.
(Need to add more)
Wu Jen
An alternative to wizard, if you want a different spell list from wizard. Wizard is just better though
(Explain why just incase we have people who are new to the CO board)

Base Classes prepared from spontaneous side

Good Classes

Sorcerer (PHB/SRD)

Advantages

Many Sorcerer only feats/spells. Some of them very good
You can pick your spells on your sorcerer spell list.
Can turn UM in a (9/11) Spellcasting Class for wizard with practiced spellcaster

Disadvantages

Cha Based Spellcasting thus low bonus spells and dcs on your Sorc Side

(Need to add more)

Bard (PHB/SRD)

Advantages

Many Bard only feats or spells, thus you are expanding the type of spells you can learn. Some Bard spells are versions of spells from other classes that
6+Int Skills

Disadvantages

Need to take 2 levels of Bard to get
Can turn UM into a 10/12 primary prc with practiced spellcaster but only if you forfeit 4th level metamagic spell sacking on your Bard Side (thus applying those metamagics to your wizard spells).
Else an 9/12 primary prc.

(Need to add more)

Dread Necromancer (Heroes of Horror)

Advantages

If your undead, or you take Tomb Tainted Soul you can heal yourself with negative energy which you can create at will
Same Spell Level Progression as a Sorcerer
More Spells Known than a Sorcerer of Similar Level
Can turn UM in a (9/11) Spellcasting Class for wizard with practiced spellcaster

Disadvantages

Cha Based Spellcasting
Your have a fixed spell list focusing on Necromancy

(Need to add more)
[/list]

Beguiler (Players Handbook II)

Advantages

Int Based Spellcasting
Same Spell Level Progression as a Sorcerer
6+Int Skills, That is 24 Skill points extra if you take Beguiler as your First Level.
More Spells Known than a Sorcerer of Similar Level
Trapfinding
Can turn UM in a (9/11) Spellcasting Class for wizard with practiced spellcaster

Disadvantages

Your have a fixed spell list focusing on Illusion and Enchantment, but it is a pretty nice spell list.(Need to add more)

Warmage (Complete Arcana)

Advantages

Warmage Edge: You can add your int modifer to any damage spell you cast on your Warmage Side, synergizes great with wizard since you already have a high int for wizard.
Same Spell Level Progression as a Sorcerer
More Spells Known than a Sorcerer of Similar Level
Can turn UM in a (9/11) Spellcasting Class for wizard with practiced spellcaster

Disadvantages

Cha Based Spellcasting thus low bonus spells and low DCs
Your have a fixed spell list focusing on Evocation and Damage spells.(Need to add more)

Bad Base Classes Spontaneous Side :nonono

Duskblade (Players Handbook II)

Advantages

+1 BAB
Good Fort and Will
Int Based Spellcasting
Proficent with all martial weapons and shields (except tower)
If you go all the way to 3rd level you can arcane channel touch a spell and still do an attack as a standard action.

Disadvantages

Very slow spell level progression (3rd level spells at 9 SNL, 4th level spells at 13th level)

Hexblade (Complete Arcane)

Advantages

+1 BAB
Arcane Resistance at 2nd level
Mettle at 3rd

Disadvantages

Cha Based Casting

How about you just don�t take this class, it doesn�t synergize at all with Ultimate Magus. Though if you need Cha to Saves vs Spells and Mettle anyway for your wizard you can take Ultimate Magus. But there is little synergy at all from a Char Op point.

Spell Thief (Complete Adventurer)
How about you just don�t take this class, it doesn�t synergize at all with Ultimate Magus. Don�t do it.
Note from Korwin: Except as a one Level Dip for Master Spellthief, but even then you need another class for the Spontaneus Side for Ultimate Magus

Prestige Classes spontaneous side

Assassin (DMG/SRD)

Advantages

Int based spellcasting
Unique list with some good spells
Will net 4th level spells on the Assassin Side

Disadvantages

You will get more total spells to sacrifice with a Beguiler. About equal with a sorcerer
No 5th level spells for Persistent metamagic
Assassin is a good class for Ultimate Magus due to the fact you can qualify for it starting level 6 and it skills is based off Intelligence.

Suel Arcanamach
Suel Arcanamach is not a good class due to the high BAB requirement, forget this one.

Nar Demonbinder

This class was practically made for Ultimate Magus. A normal wizard can get into it without dipping into other classes just plain wiz 7, only two feats (iron will and conjuration) and some skill points. It gives spontaneous spells up to 8th level, a caster level based off your wizard caster level, and an interesting first level ability. If you Nar Demonbinder as your spontaneous side of UM and practiced Spellcaster Nar Demonbinder, UM is effectively a 10/11 prestige class.

At first glance it appears you can�t enter UM with Nar Demonbinder since it first level only gives you 4th and 5th level spell slots with spells you must select from a specialized list, and this list has no 1st level spells. Thus by itself you can�t cast 1st level spells and no UM for you :( . But this all changes with a feat that grants spells, such as Arcane Disciple or Mother Cyst. Now you can have access to

Oh did I mention Nar Demonbinder gives you access to the Blasphemy (The evil version of Holy Word) and allows you to modify it so it acts as Holy Word, Dictum, or Word of Chaos *insert evil smiley here*. Add that to your already high caster level thanks to arcane power and well� *insert smiley here*

Other ways to boost caster power can be located here.

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=615672 Sublime Chord
Talk about how the Sublime Chord is not really as good as it seems for due to the high skill point requirements, and how there are no feats that grant perform and listen as a class skills. Thus you must take two levels (lvl 9 and 10) in a class that has one of those as a class skill.
Explain the multiple ways you can possible read the Sublime Chord caster level, and how quickly it becomes a headache.

Nar Demonbinder is better from an optimization standpoint.

(Need to add a lot more about the Sublime Chord)

Instead of taking Bard 2 here are classes that I have found that will give +1CL for the wizard side and has required skills for sublime chord. Thus reducing sublime chord to a 10/12 Class. (I searched the Crystal Keep sources, for I am lazy and don't want to look at all my books, any classes you can find that can add to this list will be great. ;) )

Alienist (Complete Arcane) Listen, Profession,
Arcane Trickster(DMG) Listen, Profession,
Earth Dreamer(Races of Stone) Listen.
Ruathar (Races of the Wild) Listen, Profession
Hathran (Players Guide to Faerun) Perform, Profession
Loremaster (DMG) Perform, Profession

Tell me the unique arcane classes I have forgot, I know there is many I aint going to search all my books for all of them.[/list]

Korwin · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2008, 09:15:25 AM »

5) Toppers and Prefillers Prestige Classes

Archmage
Human Paragon
Elf Paragon
Incantatrix
Warweaver
Shadowcraft Mage
Mage of Arcane Order

Korwin · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2008, 09:15:43 AM »

Spells Known at all 20 levels

Pure Wizard vs Ultimate Magus without Practiced Spellcaster (Prepared Int, Spontaneous Side Cha)
[spoiler]

Assuming you start with 18 int, 14 cha
At level 4 you place your ability modifer in int, 19 int
At level 8 you place your ability modifer in int, 20 int
At level 8 you get an item that gives +2 to int, 22 int
At level 12 you place your ability modifer in int, 23 int
At level 13 you upgrade your item that now gives +4 to int, 25 int
At level 16 you place your ability modifer in int, 26 int
At level 17 you get through a tome or wish a +5 inherent bonus to int, 31 int
At level 18 you upgrade your item that now gives +6 to int, 33 int
At level 20 you place your ability modifer in int, 34 int

At level 10 you get an item that gives +2 to cha, 16 cha
At level 15 you upgrade your item that now gives +4 to cha, 18 cha
At level 20 you upgrade your item that now gives +6 to cha, 22 cha
At level 20 you get through a tome or a wish a +4 inherent bonus to cha, 26 cha[/spoiler]
Pure Wizard vs Ultimate Magus without Practiced Spellcaster (Prepared Int, Spontaneous Side Int)
[spoiler]

Assuming you start with 18 int
At level 4 you place your ability modifer in int, 19 int
At level 8 you place your ability modifer in int, 20 int
At level 8 you get an item that gives +2 to int, 22 int
At level 12 you place your ability modifer in int, 23 int
At level 13 you upgrade your item that now gives +4 to int, 25 int
At level 16 you place your ability modifer in int, 26 int
At level 17 you get through a tome or wish a +5 inherent bonus to int, 31 int
At level 18 you upgrade your item that now gives +6 to int, 33 int
At level 20 you place your ability modifer in int, 34 int[/spoiler]
Pure Wizard vs Ultimate Magus with Practiced Spellcaster (Prepared Int, Spontaneous Side Cha)
[spoiler]

Assuming you start with 18 int, 14 cha
At level 4 you place your ability modifer in int, 19 int
At level 8 you place your ability modifer in int, 20 int
At level 8 you get an item that gives +2 to int, 22 int
At level 12 you place your ability modifer in int, 23 int
At level 13 you upgrade your item that now gives +4 to int, 25 int
At level 16 you place your ability modifer in int, 26 int
At level 17 you get through a tome or wish a +5 inherent bonus to int, 31 int
At level 18 you upgrade your item that now gives +6 to int, 33 int
At level 20 you place your ability modifer in int, 34 int

At level 10 you get an item that gives +2 to cha, 16 cha
At level 15 you upgrade your item that now gives +4 to cha, 18 cha
At level 20 you upgrade your item that now gives +6 to cha, 22 cha
At level 20 you get through a tome or a wish a +4 inherent bonus to cha, 26 cha[/spoiler]
Pure Wizard vs Ultimate Magus with Practiced Spellcaster (Prepared Int, Spontaneous Side Int)
[spoiler]

Assuming you start with 18 int
At level 4 you place your ability modifer in int, 19 int
At level 8 you place your ability modifer in int, 20 int
At level 8 you get an item that gives +2 to int, 22 int
At level 12 you place your ability modifer in int, 23 int
At level 13 you upgrade your item that now gives +4 to int, 25 int
At level 16 you place your ability modifer in int, 26 int
At level 17 you get through a tome or wish a +5 inherent bonus to int, 31 int
At level 18 you upgrade your item that now gives +6 to int, 33 int
At level 20 you place your ability modifer in int, 34 int[/spoiler]

Insert Chart comparing Pure Wizard with Ultimate Magus "Practiced Spellcaster Build+Krau" (Prepared Int, Spontaneous Side Cha)
Insert Chart comparing Pure Wizard with Ultimate Magus "Practiced Spellcaster Build+Krau" (Prepared Int, Spontaneous Side Int)

----------

Pure Wizard vs Nar Demonbinder Ultimate Magus with Practiced Spellcaster (Prepared Int, Spontaneous Side Cha)
[spoiler]

Assuming you start with 18 int, 14 cha
At level 4 you place your ability modifer in int, 19 int
At level 8 you place your ability modifer in int, 20 int
At level 8 you get an item that gives +2 to int, 22 int
At level 12 you place your ability modifer in int, 23 int
At level 13 you upgrade your item that now gives +4 to int, 25 int
At level 16 you place your ability modifer in int, 26 int
At level 17 you get through a tome or wish a +5 inherent bonus to int, 31 int
At level 18 you upgrade your item that now gives +6 to int, 33 int
At level 20 you place your ability modifer in int, 34 int

At level 10 you get an item that gives +2 to cha, 16 cha
At level 15 you upgrade your item that now gives +4 to cha, 18 cha
At level 20 you upgrade your item that now gives +6 to cha, 22 cha
At level 20 you get through a tome or a wish a +4 inherent bonus to cha, 26 cha[/spoiler]

Insert Chart comparing Pure Wizard with "Traditional" Ultimate Magus Sublime Chord build (Prepared Int, Spontaneous Side Cha)
Insert Chart comparing Pure Wizard with Shadowcraft the Sublime Way Ultimate Magus (Prepared Int, Spontaneous Side Cha)

Any other major builds you will want me to add charts with?

Korwin · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2008, 09:15:54 AM »

7) Prepared/Spontaneous utilizing Base Spell lists

Traditonal Ultimate Magus Build
Wizard 2/Spontaneous Class 1/Wizard +2(4)/Ultimate Magus 10/X 5
Without Practiced Spellcaster Trick
16 SKL Wizard ACL 20
11 SKL Spontaneous Class ACL 15
With Practiced Spellcaster Trick on the Spontaneous Side(Taken before level 9)
18 SKL Wizard ACL 22
9 SKL Spontaneous Class ACL 17

Human Magus
Wizard 1/Spontaneous Class 1/Human Paragon 3/Ultimate Magus 10/X 5
Uses the Practiced Spellcaster (Spontaneous Class) trick
18 SKL Wizard ACL 22
8 SKL Spontaneous Class ACL 16
Grabs an extra bonus feat, an +2 Ability Boost to a Stat, One Skill is always class skill

Elf Magus
Wizard 1/Spontaneous Class 1/Elf Paragon 3/Ultimate Magus 10/X 5
Uses the Practiced Spellcaster (Spontaneous Class) trick
18 SKL Wizard ACL 22
8 SKL Spontaneous Class ACL 16
Grabs , an +2 Ability Boost to Int, Weapon Focus, some minor other things

Wizard 2/Spontaneous Class 1/Wizard +2(4)/Ultimate Magus 10/Archmage 5

Persistent Dragon Ultimate Magus
Sorcerer 1/Wizard 4/Ultimate Magus 10/X 4
Take Dragonwraught as your 1st level feat.
Take Practiced Spellcaster at 3rd level, but at UM 1 take the advancement in Wizard, but at UM 4, and 7 take the advancement in sorcerer. This is due to the fact you need 10 SKL to net 5th level spells on the Sorc side, so you can sacrifice them for Persistent Metamagic on the Wizard Side.
Take Practical Metamagic Persistent at lvl 15.

Persistent Metamagic UserSpontaneous 1/Wizard 4/Ultimate Magus 10/X 4
Similar to above, but use Easy Metamagic from Dragon (Get the Number) instead of Practical Metamagic. Will need 5th level spells though.

The Ultimate Magus Gish
Duskblade 3/Wizard 2/Ultimate Magus 6/Spellsword 1/Eldritch Knight 8
or
Duskblade 3/Wizard 2/Ultimate Magus 6/Spellsword 1/Eldritch Knight 3/Abraunt Champion 5
BAB of 16, Wizard Casting of 16 spell level, Duskblade Casting of 7 (2nd level spells), Arcane Channel any touch spell as a standard action into an attack. All works on Int.

Warweaver Wizard/Bard. Use your bard spells to buff with either your bard or your wizard spells. Additionally you can persist spells by sacrificing your wizard slots.

Shadowcraft Magus
Beguiler 1/Wizard 4/UM 4/Shadowcraft Mage 3/UM +6(UM 10)/Shadowcraft Mage +2 (SCM 5)
Or
Beguiler 1/Wizard 4/UM 4/Shadowcraft Mage 3/UM +6(UM 10)/Wizard +1 (Wizard 5)/X 1
18 Wizard SKL, 22 ACL Wizard
9 Beguiler SKL, 17 ACL Beguiler
Uses Practiced Spellcaster.
You now use your beguiler side for the casting of silent, minor image, and major image and then sacrifice the wizard spell slot to heighten that slot to the one you want. With Earth spell you are actually 1 level ahead or tied with a typical wizard in the highest spell known for Conjuration and Evocation spells, until lvl 14 when you are tied when you use Earth Spell for Conjuration and Evocation spells.[/INDENT]

Give me builds, there are far more than this

Korwin · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2008, 09:16:05 AM »

8. Accelerated/Unique Spell list builds

a) Other Accelerated/Unique Builds

[INDENT]The Magus AssassinA different form of Incantatrix
Wizard 5/Incantatrix 3/Nar Demonbinder 1/UM 10/Incantatrix +1(4)
With Practiced Spellcaster Nar Demonbinder
Either Arcane Disciple (Any) on the Nar Demonbinder side at 9th level or Mother Cyst at 9th level or prior or some other way to add a 1st level spell to the Demonbinder spell list
Requires Iron Will and a Metamagic prior to lvl 6
Requires Skill Focus Conjuration prior to level 9

19 SKL Wizard (Int Casting) thus 9th level spells. 23 ACL
8 SKL (Cha casting) thus 8th level spells (including some cleric only spells), 24 ACL
1 Wizard Bonus Feats, 2 Incantatrix Bonus Feats, 2 Ultimate Magus Bonus Feats
Metamagic Effect
Cooperative Metamagic

Deadly Circle MagicDemon Magic ExpertTraditional Sublime Chord Ultimate Magus Build
Wizard 8/Bard 2/Sublime Chord 1/Ultimate Magus 9

Sublime Shadowcraft
Wizard 7/Shadowcraft Mage 3/Bard 1/Sublime Chord 1/Ultimate Magus 8

Stargazer Guild Magus

Korwin · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2008, 09:16:18 AM »

9) Feats
   Any feat that is normally good for a wizard.

   Metamagic Feats are especially good for the UM due to your ability to sack spell slots from one of your sides to apply metamagic with no level adjustment. Some notable ones are.
      Quicken Spell
      Persistent Spell, Requires Extend
      Twin Spell

   Easy Metamagic (Dragon 325): Reduces the Metamagic cost of one Metamagic Feat by one. Thus allowing your Augmented Casting(Su) To become applicable for Persistent Metamagic.
   Practical Metamagic (Races of the Dragon), Requires Dragonblood Subtype: Reduces the Metamagic cost of one Metamagic Feat by one. Thus allowing your Augmented Casting(Su) To become applicable for Persistent Metamagic.
   Metamagic School (Complete Mage)

   Give me input here please

Korwin · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2008, 09:16:29 AM »

10) Tricks

Expanded Spell Knowledge This class ability allows you to launder spells that you know from your Wizard List over to your Spontaneous List. This wouldn't seem as an ability you can use as a trick, for after all most wizard spells are also sorcerer spells. (Keyword Most

)

Expanded Spell Knowledge (Arcane Disciple)Now if you taken the arcane disciple feat on your wizard side you are limited to only 1 casting of this spell per day. If you launder it over with expanded spell knowledge you may cast this spell as long as you have slots for it. Add the fact that domain spells are often divine spells that wizard or sorcerers don't have access to and you can get a forbidden spell. (divine power comes to mind, but note your hps are going to be low, anybody with some good ideas for "must have" 5th level or lower domain spells or lower please post them)

Expanded Spell Knowledge (Wizard Only Spells): similar to above, but you can also launder wizard only spells to your sorcerer list. If you launder Mnemonic Enhancer over to the Spontaneous side you may now "break up" your spontaneous slots to allow you to prepare more copies of any wizard spell you have 3rd level or below.

(If anybody else knows of any good wizard only spells post them, there is also mage lubrication but you won't be able to get that till epic.)

Taking a level of a non spellcasting class prior to level 6: This trick only works if you are already taking practiced spellcaster and are planning for a "base class spontaneous sorc (or sorc like) build" which doesn't have a caster level that is dependent on your wizard level. Due to the skill point requirements of ultimate magus you can't enter it till level 6, even though you only require 3 levels of wizard, and 1 level of a spontaneous caster. Normally you assume just take another level of wizard so you have a higher wizard SKL. It is true if you take 4 levels of wizard, and 1 of spontaneous caster you will have a higher caster level and SKL, until level 12 (Ultimate Magus 7). At this time the caster level difference between your spontaneous side and wizard side has caught up and your wizard side is greater. At level 5 you had a caster level difference of +1, which was lowered to +0 and -1 with UM 1 and UM 4. Thus its inevitable for you to progress your Spotaneous Side with UM 7. Now if you are using a Sorcerer, Beguiler, Warmage, Dread Necro or similar class there is really no advancement from the final endpoint of SKL 8 and SKL 9. One extra 4th level spell whipee. If you were to take a different base or prestige class prior to level 5, lets say monk 1 (with Kung Fu Genius or Candemine Monk), Human Paragon 3, Fighter for Bonus Feat, etc your difference between your wizard caster level and your sorcerer caster level is +2 instead of +1, thus at UM 7 you advance your wizard side instead of your sorc side. You are trading that 1 SKL of Spontaneous Spells (which is only 1 more 4th level spell) for a bonus feat or some other benefit. Additionally now from levels 5 to 11 you will be 2 SKL behind a "Pure Wizard" instead of 1, but this can be a good trade off, for no matter what with a "base class spontaneous sorc (or sorc like) build" you were going to be 2 SKL behind a pure wizard at and after level 12 even with the practiced spellcaster trick.

Give me input here for other tricks with Ultimate Magus.

Here are some threads of people who made all the legal persistent spells
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=477252 Persistent Spells for Wizards
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=136060 Persistent Spells for Clerics (Will need to do some laundering to put it on your prepared or spontaneous side.)
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=407298 Another Presistent Spell List though Divine Sources.

Korwin · « **Reply #11 on:** May 29, 2008, 03:40:34 AM »

11) Reserved

This guide is very preliminary and I am still writing it. It is just easier to write it as I go along due to all the formatting issues. Figured I might as well get some initial input while I write it.

12) Special Thanks to
I want to give special thanks for several ideas from sparkster4242 you can read his own thread here
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=721891

Korwin · « **Reply #12 on:** May 29, 2008, 03:46:00 AM »

Posted orginally here:
http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=15093365&postcount=363

Race: Human
Beguiler 1/Wizard 5/Spellthief 1/Unseen Seer 2/Ulitmate Magus 10/Paragnostic Apostle 1
[spoiler]

Needed things for Pre.-Req.
Paragnostic Apostle: Knowledge Arcana 5, Knowledge Religion 5, Knowledge any 5 [Mind over Matter needs Knowledge architecture and engineering], able to cast Lvl. 3 Arcane spells, Member of the Paragnostic Asembly

Ultimate Magus: Knowledge Arcana 4, Spellcraft 8, any Metamagic feat, able to spontaneously cast 1st-level arcane spells, able to prepare and cast 2nd-level arcane spells from a spellbook

Unseen Seer: Hide 8, Search 8, Sense Motive 4, Spellcraft 4, Spot 8, able to cast 1st-level arcane spells, including at least two divination spells.

I only need one Feat (any Metamagic) as Pre.-Reqs.
[/spoiler]

Level by level (Stuff from Class levels, Stuff from Char. Levels),
[spoiler]
01 Beguiler 1 - Armored mage, trapfinding, Able Learner, Extend Spell
02 Wizard 1 - Focused Conjurer, Fighter Variant (Impr. Ini.), Aprupt Jaunt

03 Wizard 2 - Sculpt Spell
04 Wizard 3 - +1 Int.
05 Spellthief 1 - 1d6 sneak attack, steal spell, trapfinding*
06 Unseen Seer 1 - Damage Bonus 1d6, Master Spellthief
07 Ultimate Magus 1 - Arcane Spell Power
08 Ultimate Magus 2 - Expanded spell Knowledge Lvl. 1 [Shield], + 1 Int.
09 Ultimate Magus 3 - Augmented casting, Arcane Disciple: Competition
10 Unseen Seer 2 - Advanced learning [Hunters Eye], Silent Spell
11 Ultimate Magus 4 - Arcane Spell Power +2, Expanded spell Knowledge Lvl. 2 [Hunters Eye]
12 Ultimate Magus 5 - Quicken Spell Persistent Feat, +1 Int.
13 Ultimate Magus 6 - Expanded spell Knowledge Lvl. 3 [Wraithstrike]
14 Ultimate Magus 7 - Arcane Spell Power +2
15 Ultimate Magus 8 - Expanded spell Knowledge Lvl. 4 [Divine Power] Arcane Disciple: Mysticism
16 Wizard 4 - +1 Int
17 Wizard 5 - Spontaneos Divination
18 Ultimate Magus 9 - Chain Spell, Arcane Spell Power +3 Empower Spell
19 Ultimate Magus 10 - Arcane Spell Power +2, Expanded spell Knowledge Lvl. 5 [],
20 Paragnostic Apostle 1 - Holy texts, knowledge is power [Mind over matter], lore +1 Int

* Is there anywhere an option to trade out trapfinding? Don't need it two times...

Feats planned: Extend spell, Persistent Spell, Arcane Disciple, ...?

[/spoiler]

Caster Level at the end is 31.
would be 33 with Illumian, and possible/arguable 43 with Illumian and three times Practiced Spellcaster, but even if you DM would let that go [3 times Practiced Spellcaster in combination with Master Spellthief] its IMHO not worth... There arent that many uncapped Spells...

Variants I plan to use
[spoiler]

Focused Conjurer - Banned Schools Illusion, Enchantment, Evocation.
Abrupt Jaunt - lose Familiar
Combat Wizard - exchange Wizards-feats with Fighter Feats (Scribe Scroll too)
Spontaneous Divination - lose Feats at 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th level

[/spoiler]

Simple Tactics:
Persistent Spell on: Hunters Eye, Divine Power, Wraithstrike.
Go to the enemy, flank the guy (+12d6 sneak attack) and quicken Dimension Hop away.

Caelic · « **Reply #13 on:** July 04, 2008, 01:44:33 PM »

My favorite UM build:

Wizard 6/Ruathar 3/Knight of the Weave 1/Ultimate Magus 10

For a loss of one wizard SCL, you gain all of the benefits of Ruathar (Low-light vision, extended lifespan, status and gifts from the elves, better HP, better skill points, better saves,) the ability to detect magic and read magic at will, and a secondary spell list up to level 6 that includes some useful spells (adding healing to your repertoire, for instance) and can be used to fuel augmented casting up to and including Persistent Spell.

Sinfire Titan · « **Reply #14 on:** July 08, 2008, 02:20:38 PM »

Might I add in a suggestion (albeit a cheesy one)?

Dragonwrought Kobold Wizard 5/War-Weaver 5/Ultimate Magus 10?

Practiced Spellcaster at 6th level, along with Loredrake (debatable, but not game-breaking if allowed) to get Sorcerer casting of 5 and wizard casting of 5. War-Weaver at 6th level to stall the Wizard's CL by one so PS will work the way we want it to, then Ultimate Magus at 7th level advancing whichever one you choose. End result:

Wizard casting of 18 (effectively 20)
Sorcerer casting of 8 (I think, but CL of 12+)
War-Weaver for awesomeness
Ultimate Magus for free metamagic
Dragonwrought to alleviate MAD
Specialize in Transmutation or Conjuration, at your leisure

Purely a party-buffer build, but highly efficient in that all or most of your Wizard slots can be devoted to whatever you need at the time via Versatile Spellcaster+Uncanny Forethought. Your Sorcerer side can be used for large party buffs such as Animalistic Power and such thanks to War-Weaver, while leaving your spell slots open for whatever is needed. Ultimate Magus can allow for a limited amount of metamagic tricks for offensive tactics.

BowenSilverclaw · « **Reply #15 on:** July 09, 2008, 07:39:39 AM »

Heh, reminds me of an evoker I once made using Dragonwrought Kobold, UM, Theurgic Specialist and Boccob's Rolling Cloud. Around 5000 damage at level 20, who said blasting isn't optimized

~Bowen

anomalousman · « **Reply #16 on:** August 18, 2008, 10:18:15 PM »

Alternative to being illumian for keeping maximum wizard casting.

My current trick for Ultimate Magus requires being human and taking a flaw:

Build: Beguiler 1 / Wizard 3 / UM 10 / XX6
Feats:
1: Favoured (Arcane Guild, +2 UMD)
Human: Primary Contact (+1 rank spellcraft)
Flaw: Extend Spell
3: Practised Spellcaster (Beguiler)

Using Primary Contact to qualify one level early allows wizard spellcasting to lag sufficiently that the Practised Spellcaster trick works to turn UM into a 10/10 wizard spellcasting class, and you get 19/20 wizard spellcasting through the levels. At the cost of stopping at Beguiler 8. But beguiler 9 spellcasting is not that amazing. Rather than a flaw, if you can convince your DM to allow a metamagic feat instead of scribe scroll, then that works too. The feats from Cityscape that let you qualify early work well in terms of RP for an Ultimate Magus, so I think it works really well.

How does it play? One level behind a wizard, but three caster levels ahead. That one level is replaced by the enormous utility of low level beguiler spells, and beguiler skills. Lots of spells on that list come in really handy, and it allows the wizard to specialise without the normal associated costs.

My variants:
Focused Specialist Conjurer (CMage), with immediate magic option instead of familiar (PHB2)
Enhanced Summoner Variant from Unearthed Arcana (p60)

This UM entry also allows an extra topper PrCs, but I haven't put much thought that far ahead at this stage.

Arcane-surge · « **Reply #17 on:** August 19, 2008, 12:00:08 AM »

No love for Master Spellthief? A dip into Spellthief and that feat not only lets you wear armor and steal spells, it does some funny things to your caster level when in an Ultimate Magus build.

anomalousman · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2008, 01:14:01 AM »

Quote from: Arcane-surge on August 19, 2008, 12:00:08 AM

No love for Master Spellthief? A dip into Spellthief and that feat not only lets you wear armor and steal spells, it does some funny things to your caster level when in an Ultimate Magus build.

It's good for making UM 10/10 for wizard, but you're still stuck with more than one non-wizard levels pre-UM. I think Favoured or being an Illumian are the only ways to get 19/20 wizard casting. Not, mind you, that there's anything inherently unbeatable about that goal. 17/20 wizard seems an important milestone to obtain, but that leaves plenty of room for those that love spellthief. Or demonbinders.

tarbrush · « **Reply #19 on:** September 10, 2008, 07:09:37 AM »

To improve upon Caelic's spot of Knight of the Weave as a great UM class, I give you:

Wizard 5/Knight of the Weave 1/Ultimate Magus 10/Anything 4

You can qualify for KotW at 6th, because one of the ways to gain entry is by being able to spontaneously cast 3rd level arcane spells. So if you take spontaneous divination as your 5th level feat, you can do just that.

Knight of the Weave is a great class to add to UM becuase your KotW caster level is always your caster level in another arcane class + your KotW level, so you always advance wizard casting. And, 8 levels of KotW spells gets you 6th level spells for all your persistifying needs.

So, you end up with 19th level wizard SKL, and 4 free levels to take in pretty much anything wizardy.

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Author Topic: Ultimate Magus (Read 75805 times)