I'm making a wizard, human, for the SCAP. Any tips? I can't pick a prestige class, and he's starting out at second level. Alignment is still up in the air. I just want to hear some interesting ideas or things you've done with the class. Thanks.
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I'm making a wizard, human, for the SCAP. Any tips? I can't pick a prestige class, and he's starting out at second level. Alignment is still up in the air. I just want to hear some interesting ideas or things you've done with the class. Thanks.
Just a thought, how about just playing a 100% wizard? If you need variety try only using certain types of spells. A wizard can be anything from an artillary force, investigator, spy, trickster, transformation expert, know-it-all, buffer, manipulater, just about anything! Prestige classes were invented to dupe gullible people into not using their own imagination. D&D is a game of imagination so this goes against all the principles that drew you to the realm of D&D. My challenge to you: Play an original character without multiclassing and prestige classing him/her into a Half-dragon wizard 5/cleric2/disciple of crap3/whatever. All of my memorable characters were usually a straight, core rulebook build. Why make math harder?
my 2
FH
I pray upon your morbid fear of terminal disease,
you don't know the difference, now its time for surgery.
Take your 1st level as a fighter and then start taking wizard levels--makes survivability at low levels easier and gives access to weapons skills, an extra feat and more hit points, which are crucial to wizardly survival.
It's also the easiest choice to explain without being accused of power-gaming...virtually all able bodied males receive weapons training as they grow up.
I disagree with Fake Healer that Prestige Classes are a substitute for using your imagination. It's true that you can customize virtually any class to follow the image you have in mind, but I like prestige classes. I compare them to the old "Lord" or "Myrmidon" titles bestowed upon 9th or 10th level characters in 1st edition. Prestige classes would have sucked (and did suck, even though they didn't call them that) in 2nd edition (since they all had their own rule mechanics), but in 3rd edition, prestige classes add flavor to the game (if taken in moderation and with an eye towards overall character development)
Excessive multi-classing is confusing, however, but I believe a level of fighter or rogue may give your wizard some badly needed boosts or skills that may enhance his/her wizardly abiltities at higher levels.
I would shy away from the disciple of crap prestige class that FH mentioned. Good fortitude saves, but you blow your Hide checks every time!!
One final thought--take Skill Focus (Concentration) instead of Combat Casting as a feat. The constant +3 bonus to concentration is much nicer than the +4 bonus that you get only when casting defensively.
Here are my 2 cents worth:
If you're playing in the FRealms:
I suggest the Spellcasting Prodigy feat if your DM allows it. +2 to Int for purposes of determining bonus spells can make a world of difference. You're not a sorceror, after all, and you need those precious spell slots.
For your bonus human feat, try something interesting like Martial Weapon Proficiency. If you want to live dangerously, cast mage armor and shield, then use a longsword (combined with true strike) to show everyone how it's done!
Then, if that's working out for you and you survive, go for the War Wizard of Cormyr prestige class. So long as you're nonchaotic and nonevil, you're in!
For Eberron:
The Research feat is vastly underused. Get inside Bluecrater Academy and find out everything you can about anything and everything. Bardic Knowledge be darned!
"What's that you say? A dwarven stronghold? Let me go to the library and see if they left any structural blueprints laying about..."
Man... now I almost want to stop DMing and start playing a wizard myself!
I disagree with the take a level as a fighter line of thought. You loose one level of spell progression, your party will need those higher level spells ASAP. I have a mixed opinion on prestige classes. I like them, but I only alow one per Player in my games otherwise they get unbalanced quick. The key is, and it was said earlier, as long as it is a logical progression it that fits the PC background its cool.
Wizards can also gain a "mini-prestige" at first level by specializing. I have a weak spot for conjurers. Look at Unearthed Arcana for some really cool variations. An enchanter would be huge fun in Cauldron!
I, like Fake Healer, have a major tendency to play classic uni-classed characters. So I agree with what he said... About the "play a straight wizard" part AND his hatred for prestige classes.
So play a plain old wizard (spacialized or not) and make him the best wizard in the realm!
Ultradan
Fake Healer's post rocked my socks off. I do somewhat agree that prestige classes can limit the imagination because it's a premade concept, but I still take them if they suit the idea behind the character. When you want to be the best two weapon fighter, tempest does sound pretty neat.
Anyways, I will adhere to the sound advice and go straight up wizard, Chaotic Neutral, Human, perhaps exiled from Haluraa, because they're all so stiff. If I do specialize, it will be counterspelling! Rock on.
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Excellent and congrats on taking the first step on the road to lessening the amount of books you need to tote around;}. Also don't get me wrong, I do multiclass at times. Right now I am playing a Rogue5/fighter3 but I was straight up rogue until the Guild got P.O.ed at my loose lips on their activities, and had to start a new career path (lots of melee going on, so it seemed natural). Enjoy the new Spell Snuffer!
FH
Excellent and congrats on taking the first step on the road to lessening the amount of books you need to tote around;}. Also don't get me wrong, I do multiclass at times. Right now I am playing a Rogue5/fighter3 but I was straight up rogue until the Guild got P.O.ed at my loose lips on their activities, and had to start a new career path (lots of melee going on, so it seemed natural). Enjoy the new Spell Snuffer!
FH
I was going to say how a thief was the best class to multiclass, but I will just quote you. You can get great thieving skills at lower levels and multiclass to just about anything to make yourself more diverse. If your focus is a mage, multiclassing really puts a dent in your capabilities. A bard is also a good choice for multiclassing.
I agree with Fake Healer on prestige classes. Usually a prestige class gives you powers but at the expense of class powers. They are usually, to me, not worth the trade off.
Virgins till the day we die. Wait, I got a girl friend. No I don't.
What in the world are you talking about Utak? I don't understand how your post has anything to do with the thread.
FH
I think he is trying to equate D&D with virginity. Or something. Most of the people that I know that play D&D are professionals and dont look the stereotypical part.
I think he is trying to equate D&D with virginity. Or something. Most of the people that I know that play D&D are professionals and dont look the stereotypical part.What in the world are you talking about Utak? I don't understand how your post has anything to do with the thread.
FH
It's based on the subject of the thread. Stephen Lynch is a lyrical comedian who has a song about Dungeons & Dragons. He was quoting the last line of the song, which is something my girlfriend (an avowed non-gamer) likes to sing to me on multiple occasions.
Wow, I guess that I forgot all the stereotypes being I never was one and have led a fairly cool life. 35, married to an ex-model, 2 kids. I remember from about 9-14 maybe fitting into that stereotype but just never gave it much thought.
Oh well.FH
Your secret is safe with us.....
I got a big broadsword, made out of cardboard, and the stereo's a-pumping Zeplin, its that time of the night we turn on the black light let the Dungeons and the Dragons begin
It's DND! Fighting with the legends of yore!
It's DND! Never kissed a lady before!
It's DND! Warriors who terrify!
It's DND! Virgins...'til the day...we....1234 DIE!
The DM has asked me to be from Cauldron, so we'll say I was born there, left to Haluraa as an Infant, but came back for whatever reason. All he told me was that I'll have an interesting birthmark. Meh.
If this character dies, I might go bard for the first time ever. The roleplaying possibilities are huge, so I'm intrigued. As for comedians and D&D, David Cross made a joke about it too. Can't put it here though, it's kinda offensive. I get to see George Carlin in April though.
Bard... That would be interesting. I've never seen one played before. You better be good or else my image of them will be scarred forevermore. George Carlin! But I wonder if your wizard and my cleric will have issues with each other... I guess we'll wait and see! Cha.
Now just to clarify....the wifey thinks I'm a geek!! Luckily I have a thick cloak to hide my disfigurement;)
FH
My wife KNOWS I'm a geek, but she knew that before she married me, so she has to take all the blame when I embarrass her in front of our non-gamer friends.
"So much useless knowledge in your head--couple with such a strong opinion of yourself"
YEP, she is of course, correct.
Anyway--I think metamagic feats can make a human wizard pretty powerful--the wide spell selection certainly makes them more useful in RP oriented campaigns.
If I was to play a non-multi classed wizard, my feat selection would have to carefully chosen. FH is absolutely correct that a single class wizard can fulfill many roles in a party, but would have a tough time doing anything other than THAT role, because branching out just dilutes your primary vision for that character.
I would certainly take the feat that lets you craft wands, assuming my character was teamed with a rogue who was willing to pour a bunch of points into Use Magic Device. A rogue with a wand of lightning or somesuch is as effective as a tough fighter in combat--just expensive to resupply.
Bard's a nice choice. Many people don't like them, but they nicely fill in for any part of the group that is missing.
And to add a few more lyrics from the great Bard Stephen Lynch:
I sit in my room, which I call the Dragon's Tomb, when I am not with my girlfriend, its D&...
Wait, wait.. you got a girlfriend...
Well, yeah...no
It's D&D.
(sorry, I couldn't help it)
Bard... That would be interesting. I've never seen one played before. You better be good or else my image of them will be scarred forevermore. George Carlin! But I wonder if your wizard and my cleric will have issues with each other... I guess we'll wait and see! Cha.
Oh gee, your only making a Drow Cleric of Lolth my dear. I think she's gonna have a hard time getting along with ANYONE. When you said you wanted to be that, paladine went right out the window..
We put on our cloaks and tell warlock jokes...
A wizard and fighter walk into a bar. The theif ducks, then says "Oh, you didn't make your reflex saves?" And then the fighter stabs him in the face.
...... All he told me was that I'll have an interesting birthmark. Meh.
Héhéhéhé:-)))
I think he is trying to equate D&D with virginity. Or something. Most of the people that I know that play D&D are professionals and dont look the stereotypical part.What in the world are you talking about Utak? I don't understand how your post has anything to do with the thread.
FH
I was only quoting song lyrics, or actually just paraphrasing the only lines that I could remember. I meant no offense to anybody, and being happily married, I do not believe in the stereotypes either.
Lord Eisen does the song justice earlier in this thread.
Utak
It's based on the subject of the thread. Stephen Lynch is a lyrical comedian who has a song about Dungeons & Dragons.
For Lynch fans who haven't got his latest CD, (The Craig Machine) there's an expanded version of the song at the end (it's not on the song list... you have to get past all the crickets chirping).
A taste:
"Summoning the demons of hell..
When my shift ends at the Taco Bell..."
...and for those of you who recognize that line from the DVD version, the CD has a new monologue at the end.
...and for those of you who recognize that line from the DVD version, the CD has a new monologue at the end.
Another item to put on my wishlist! =)
Wow, I guess that I forgot all the stereotypes being I never was one and have led a fairly cool life. 35, married to an ex-model, 2 kids. I remember from about 9-14 maybe fitting into that stereotype but just never gave it much thought.
Oh well.FH
The problem with sterotypes is there is usually a grain of truth in them. All I have to do is go to the local game store with my wife to see this. Most of the guys that hang out there act as if I just walked in with a unicorn. the mystical Ooooman! Then the whole cheast beating, poo throwing thing insues.
One of my favorite characters so far was a paladin 1 / abjurer 12. He started on the road to paladinhood but found that the study was more his calling. In fact he had read of some proficies that spoke of evil outsiders and so he thought he could best serve the world as an abjurer. He still followed St. Cuthbert and the code of the knights he once belonged to but he called himself the Spellshield of St. Cuthbert. He was a great roleplaying experience because he acted like a paladin but didn't look like one.
I do realize that a second level of paladin would have given him higher save bonuses, lay on hands, and all sorts of cooler stuff. That didn't fit his story.