Author Topic: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard  (Read 3887 times)

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fun_at_funerals

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Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« on: January 22, 2010, 03:32:28 AM »
I could really use some help picking a prestige class for a wizard I'm playing for a present campaign I'm participating in. There are several restrictions I have to observe as (1) the majority of the members of the party I'm playing with, around 4/6 total, have not had prior exposure to D&D and (2) the DM does not want the players with prior experience (including myself) to kill the game for the others by pulling something cheesy and reducing the others to being mere pack mules for the loot.

That said, I am restricted to a single prestige class that I have to complete. I am also only allowed to take up 1 other base class for the purpose of meeting prerequisites and whatever. Note that he is familiar with all the crazy stuff that goes on in the CO boards and won't tolerate anything that he deems "over the top". When I initially voiced my intentioned to become a Shadowcraft Mage, he wouldn't even let me complete my sentence and just screamed "NO".

These considerations in mind, I've found it rather difficult to settle on a prestige class.

Presently, I'm a level 3 Middle Aged Illuminian Wizards. I've yet to settle on my feats.

I was initially considering taking a single level of Sacred Exorcist for Turn Undead and using Southern Magician for some persistent spells. Was thinking of using Aeshkrau to Draconic Polymorph into something with a massive Str score for some added spell slots and using DMM: Persist to make it last all day.

I was also considering taking up an Incantatrix instead but I'm not yet sure how that might fly with the DM. Right now I'm just trying to figure out what other options are out there.

I was considering going for the full 10 levels of Malconvoker, but the idea just makes me miss the Shadowcraft Mage. Plus, the hit to caster levels kinda hurt.

From what he's told us so far, the campaign seems to be set in a howbrew locale in the Forgotten Realms universe, so books from there should be allowed, but he has also voiced out that he was open to other campaign specific books for so long as we run things by him first. Other than that, no flaws allowed and he's still considering whether or not to allow ACF's. That should be about it for restrictions.

Could really use some help here.

Also, I'm trying to map out a spell list. If you guys have any suggestions on spells to learn I'd totally appreciate that.

Thanks in advance, CO.  :D
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NiteCyper

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2010, 03:39:37 AM »
I'm too tired and impatient to write a comprehensive post.

re: the DM: banishment is the mark of a bad DM, I'd say. "When you've done things right, people won't think you've done anything at all." Channel the energy, don't build a dam.

re: point 1 and 2: It's the player's fault for ruining the fun? If one reads JaronK's thread about a Tier System, there'll be an FAQ-section that addresses this topic. The tier system is for the sake of balance. Now, it's your duty to make the party shine together, as a character-optimizer. The DM imposing limitations in lieu of this is insulting.

re: possible paths: I suppose you should abuse whatever Illumian abilites you got or get since you imply our abetting you in choosing your sigils. The only two I know are the pseudo Divine Metamagic and the one that changes your base spellcasting stat. lolcancermagefesteringanger. I'm thinking that you should use the pseudo DMM for early entry.

Focus on what you CAN do, then if you can do it well, throw in another ability you "druther". Be the godamn Batman. Control the battlefield so your teammates can deliver the wallop, DMM buff the next best candidate, show them the ropes.

Is what you've got so far perfect for entry into Incantatrix? Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil? Mage of the Arcane Order/Paragnostic Apostle/Archmage (multiple PrCs, so pick one)?
« Last Edit: January 22, 2010, 03:54:37 AM by NiteCyper »
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bearsarebrown

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2010, 03:40:11 AM »
 Play a Buff machine. Go War Weaver.

Best way to optimize your character in a group of new players.

CantripN

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2010, 04:58:08 AM »
With new players, I'd say go for something like Cityscape's Urban Savant. Nothing quite like knowing everything about everyone, for free. It's powerful, very much so in fact, but without being apparent to new players.
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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2010, 05:19:38 AM »
Play a Buff machine. Go War Weaver.

Best way to optimize your character in a group of new players.

+1 War Weaver is great to play with new players, the insta-buffs just make them excel reguardless of their own choices
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PhaedrusXY

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2010, 11:24:57 AM »
The suggestions by CantripN and bears are both very good. Don't make something that naturally lends itself to overpowered showboating. Make something that makes the other players function more effectively. A combination of buffing, debuffing/crowd control, and/or divination should work well for that. You'll be very powerful, but your buddies will get all the glory.
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

fun_at_funerals

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2010, 10:46:51 PM »
I was thinking of focusing on battlefield control and leaving the buffing to the cleric but I suppose I could focus on both. WarWeaver+Spontaneous Divination it is

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KellKheraptis

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2010, 10:57:51 PM »
And see if you can get those pointless PrC restrictions lifted, especially if you're around Silverymoon.  The Spellguard PrC is awesome with a War Weaver, and actually, if you want to buff them to hell and back, end it with 5 levels of Legacy Champion (DaveTheMagicWeasel's Ultimate War Weaver build right there).  Can't persistify like an Incantatrix, but when you have all of them a move action away, it doesn't really matter.

WARNING : R-Rated Spoiler (V)
[spoiler]
Oh, and a personal opinion...if a DM screamed at me, AND CUT ME OFF MID SENTENCE while I am being perfectly civil, with no opportunity to speak at all, he'd learn the irony behind the sentence "Keep your tongue behind your teeth" by losing all of his.  Just a personal note, one which I am legendary for (the temper part), but personally I see the previous action of your DM as extremely insulting and egregiously disrespectful, to the point of leaving the game and leaving him on a stretcher.[/spoiler]
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bearsarebrown

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2010, 11:32:22 PM »
[spoiler]one time i called Kell a bitch and he decked me

now i'm scared of him

PS: That DM really does sound like a jerk.[/spoiler]

NiteCyper

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2010, 11:43:07 PM »
ITT: rant about DMs.

@bearsarebrown: Did he do it with the utmost courtesy?
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KellKheraptis

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2010, 12:10:13 AM »
ITT: rant about DMs.

@bearsarebrown: Did he do it with the utmost courtesy?

"You're a bitch!"

"En guarde, wot!"

-BIFF!-

:P

PS : Kell is not British, or meaning offense to those from GB in any way, but felt the Redwall reference fit like a glove.

PSS : What does ITT stand for?  All I know of is a tech school that has WAY too many catchy adds lol
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Havok4

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #11 on: January 23, 2010, 01:30:16 AM »
 I second everyones recommendation of being buff focused. A good feat for that might be Chain Spell if you decide to go elsewhere than warweaver.

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #12 on: January 23, 2010, 01:33:01 AM »
I second everyones recommendation of being buff focused. A good feat for that might be Chain Spell if you decide to go elsewhere than warweaver.
Combined with Reach Spell. Yeah, Baby! :D
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

bearsarebrown

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #13 on: January 23, 2010, 01:37:24 AM »
I second everyones recommendation of being buff focused. A good feat for that might be Chain Spell if you decide to go elsewhere than warweaver.
Combined with Reach Spell. Yeah, Baby! :D

YES. Chain and its synergy with Reach is one of the most underrated combinations. Shit gets silly fast.

fun_at_funerals

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #14 on: January 23, 2010, 04:09:38 AM »
I'm pretty certain my DM meant no disrespect by it. Far from being a total facist about it, I'm certain that he was just overly concerned (to the point of paranoia) about ruining the game for the new players.

 :D I just assumed it was meant in good (albeit stern) humor

I second everyones recommendation of being buff focused. A good feat for that might be Chain Spell if you decide to go elsewhere than warweaver.
Combined with Reach Spell. Yeah, Baby! :D

YES. Chain and its synergy with Reach is one of the most underrated combinations. Shit gets silly fast.

Does that actually work? I remember reading this long debat somewhere that Chain doesn't work on rays/ranged touch attacks. If it does, does that require me to make another attack roll for secondary targets?
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KellKheraptis

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #15 on: January 23, 2010, 04:26:12 AM »
Works like a charm, actually, and even on a War Weaver (for an offensive tapestry).  Might also present this idea to him, if you know how to keep the kid gloves on : Wizard 3/War Weaver 5/Incantatrix 3/Halruuan Elder 5/Legacy Champion 4 .  Make sure the legacy item has cunning on it, so you're never surprised.  Congrats, you are now a Chain-reaching persistifying sanctum 9th's in the tapestry war weaver on crack.  Dragonborn Grey Elf gets +2 Int, -2 Str with Ex flight, and since you're still casting as an 18th level wizard all told (since -1 from war weaver and LC), I highly recommend Invoke Magic as a persistent buff at late levels if you even suspect the DM will chuck AMF at you.  You're legion on crack with everything running, which means your "legion" really IS Legion, but once the buffs go south, you've got problems.  Check out Doc Rock's war weaver guide on here, it's got a TON of awesome buffing ideas, plus it allows you to play GOD in ways the average wizard can only imagine.  Now the glue to cement the deal with the DM : if need be, you're his Deux Ex Machina.  Shit gets outta hand with the newbies, crank it up a notch.  DM screws up and throws something way outta the party's league?  Take the kid gloves off.  And if you want true invulnerable archmage type of stuff, at least 3 levels Incantatrix + Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil = persistent veils.  Yay, arcane force fields!
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raith0

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #16 on: January 23, 2010, 11:13:46 AM »
the other option besides wizard for the war weaver build is to make an archivist war weaver.  but yeah i would go with a war weaver build and ask your DM if you can go into something that builds off of that but isnt full casting ( I know but it does work) or at least another 5 level prc like war mage of krynn for even more bonus to the party   just my 2 copper

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #17 on: January 23, 2010, 01:57:05 PM »
This has inspired another idea for an optimized mage for the game I'm in tomorrow...I'll make another thread (since my base is Wiz 2/MPSS 3, with one more level to assign) and let you know how it goes.
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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #18 on: January 23, 2010, 03:32:21 PM »
I second either Warweaver or Incantrix, but only if you decide to stay in the game. Personally, with that sort of disrespect, I would have packed my materials up right then and left.

PSS : What does ITT stand for?  All I know of is a tech school that has WAY too many catchy adds lol

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NiteCyper

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Re: Prestige Class Help for a Middle Aged Illuminian Wizard
« Reply #19 on: January 23, 2010, 03:52:27 PM »
ITT: ragequit-posturing. dramaquitlols
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