Author Topic: Spellmaster Optimization  (Read 2698 times)

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Valen0121

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Spellmaster Optimization
« on: September 17, 2009, 11:26:41 PM »
Hi Everyone,

I getting ready to join a new DND 3.5 campaign that is finally getting ready to start next month and was looking for ideas for a Spellmaster (Advanced Player's Manual ) build from level 1 - 20. I will be a human starting off at 1st level. The GM gave me a stat array of 17, 15, 14, 13, 11, 9.
Books allowed: ALL DND 3.5 Books, Advanced Player's Manual from Green Ronin, all Forgotten Realms books. For feats I was thinking about magical aptitude and scribe scroll. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Xiamegee

DavidWL

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Re: Spellmaster Optimization
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2009, 01:19:17 AM »
Cool class.  For others, you can see it here:
http://grfiles.game-host.org/gr_files/apm_pre.pdf

Best,
David
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cru

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Re: Spellmaster Optimization
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2009, 05:30:03 AM »
Lot of your stats are odd. Can you start middle-aged? 18 wis and 14 con looks ok for starting.

If I understand the mechanics correctly, you need to spend few rounds before casting next spell. Perhaps you should take Zen Archery as fallback. Alas, you're only proficient with crossbows (EWP Greatbow?). Or Precocious Apprentice and some reserve feat? Especially useful if retraining is allowed.

Also, high wisdom seems pretty important for the class to improve the Sense Magic check. Any other way to improve the check? Action points or rerolls could help. Owl's Insight (5th lvl druid spell from SpC) and increased caster level should rock!

Paradox

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Re: Spellmaster Optimization
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2009, 06:16:56 AM »
The spellmaster technically casts spells from both a divine and arcane source explicitly, so there is some fun with that.

Anklebite

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Re: Spellmaster Optimization
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2009, 12:37:31 PM »
well, then just cast every spell as divine and you can ignore ASF.
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awaken DM golem

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Re: Spellmaster Optimization
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2009, 04:35:52 PM »
Sorc advancement, but with both Arc and Divine. Not bad.
It's like a Wisdom Sorceror multiclassing Divine something, for free.
Up to 15th level ... the Turn ability looks OK.
And then nothing really. Sort of a hacked off caster.
Iot7FV always works as a PrC.
ArchMage from PHB can get some strange, but good interactions going.
Persisted Divine Power and also a persisted arcane something, is a unique combo.
Maybe turn into a Gish above 15th level.

Spellcraft DCs can be cranked up with custom items of spellcraft. Easy enough.
the Sense Magic (ex) thingy, is completely outside of normal D&D stuff. Good luck.
If there are items, or feats, or even Aid Another checks ; well that looks to me like the hinge of the class.

Trying to figure out spells, in the middle of combat, is a waste of actions.
Out of combat, you go to a town, and you swap spells you know, for spells you don't.
Basically free expansion of your spells known.

Loading spells before combat is an obvious tactic.
If the metamagic inner workings, cause the Sorc style full round to cast thingy,
then loading a metamagic'd spell before combat, and then casting it later in combat,
SHOULD be a less than full round casting.
But I don't know the game or the mechanics.
If it's OK, that's another interesting spot.

cru

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Re: Spellmaster Optimization
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2009, 05:40:40 PM »
Sense Magic check: 1d20 + spellmaster level + wisdom modifier

lvl 15: 34 wisdom (21 base + 6 enh +  7 insight) +12: 1d20+27
lvl 20: 38 wisdom (22 base + 6 enh + 10 insight) +14: 1d20+34

1. learn miracle (spellcraft check +43)
2. gather power for a slotless lvl 9 spell: Sense Magic DC 33, ~10 minutes
2.5 if you fail, you can always cast a slotless lesser restoration
3. cast a miracle each 10 minutes
4. profit?

Valen0121

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Re: Spellmaster Optimization
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2009, 05:09:15 AM »
Okay here's what I come up with so far. Any suggestions for improvement are appreciated.

Race-Human
Class-Spellmaster

Str-09
Dex-13
Con-15
Int-14
Wis-17
Cha-11


Feats
-----------------
H-Magial Aptitude
1-Scribe Scroll
3-Skill Focus (Spellcraft)
6-Craft Wand
9-Skill Focus (Use Magic Device)
12-????
15-????
18-????


Thanks,
Xiamegee

Paradox

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Re: Spellmaster Optimization
« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2009, 01:40:22 AM »
Get extend, persist and/or quicken, and dmm persist and/or quicken.  Persisted shapechange makes the dm cry.

cru

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Re: Spellmaster Optimization
« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2009, 07:27:30 AM »
Why are you boosting Use Magic Device? Spellmaster can add any spell to his catalog, what's the use of UMD? And your check will be high enough.
What will be your low level strategy? Opening with your single held spell and then attacking with crossbow? I guess.
Try to become middle-aged asap. -1 to physical stats and +1 to mental would help.
Stats I would use:
11=>10 Str
14=>13 Dex
15=>14 Con
13=>14 Int
17=>18 Wis
09=>10 Cha
Feats: I implore you to look at Precocious Apprentice feat from Complete Arcane, p. 181. It gives +2 to Spellcraft checks! And of course, you gain a 2nd level spell known and a 2nd level spell slot. You can use this spell slot to fuel a reserve feat (Complete Mage, p. 36). This should make you a useful contribution to the party at lower levels, and a decent attack option at higher levels.
Take Scribe Scroll at 3 if you really want, but do you really want 2 crafting feats? Will your DM give you enough time to use these feats? Don't you mind losing exp?
Items: Wand of Vigor, Lesser + Wand of CLW (make your party to contribute). Monk's Belt. Metamagic rods. Periapt of Wisdom.

Valen0121

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Re: Spellmaster Optimization
« Reply #10 on: September 25, 2009, 12:25:57 AM »
This is going to be a long term campaign. The reason I'm taking scribe scroll and craft wand, is to have some scrolls and wands on hand when i run out of spell slots and dont want to risk casting a spell without one. I'm very open to other feats that will help me out.

Xiamegee.

P.S. All the characters are starting out young

awaken DM golem

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Re: Spellmaster Optimization
« Reply #11 on: September 25, 2009, 05:45:14 PM »
Sense Magic check: 1d20 + spellmaster level + wisdom modifier

lvl 15: 34 wisdom (21 base + 6 enh +  7 insight) +12: 1d20+27
lvl 20: 38 wisdom (22 base + 6 enh + 10 insight) +14: 1d20+34

1. learn miracle (spellcraft check +43)
2. gather power for a slotless lvl 9 spell: Sense Magic DC 33, ~10 minutes
2.5 if you fail, you can always cast a slotless lesser restoration
3. cast a miracle each 10 minutes
4. profit?
Wow.
I think cru has got it.
If you can get that Sense Magic check up that high, and I don't know how at all, that's really good stuff.