Not the sorcerer. :] I like the idea of a gnarled old man bent over tomes of lost knowledge, seeking power. However, the wizard class just seems....bleh. Vanilla. And not the French kind.
Is there an alternative wizard class that focuses on aspects of magic, such as elements or summoning?
Thanks.
Not the sorcerer. :] I like the idea of a gnarled old man bent over tomes of lost knowledge, seeking power. However, the wizard class just seems....bleh. Vanilla. And not the French kind.
Is there an alternative wizard class that focuses on aspects of magic, such as elements or summoning?
Thanks.
The wu jen from Complete Arcane focuses on one of the four elements. Truenamers could also be a good alternative, but the class's playability is arguable.
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Not the sorcerer. :] I like the idea of a gnarled old man bent over tomes of lost knowledge, seeking power. However, the wizard class just seems....bleh. Vanilla. And not the French kind.
Is there an alternative wizard class that focuses on aspects of magic, such as elements or summoning?
Thanks.
While I understand what you are saying, it seems like what you are looking for has more to do with prestige classes. There are a lot of prestige classes that can really help further define a wizard and help it not feel so bleh.
You could also look into psionics as an alternative.
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Is there an alternative wizard class that focuses on aspects of magic, such as elements or summoning?
I agree with Bill's sentiment on this one. It sounds like prestige classes are really what you need to 'spice up' your musty old tome reader. Look into the alternate wizard pacakges outlined in Unearthed Arcana to get a little bit of extra flavor out of specialist wizards and try out a few wizard variants like the Domain Wizard.
If you're looking for something entirely NEW while still holding on to the concept of pouring over arcane texts... my suggestion would be either the wu jen as suggested above or possibly the cloistered cleric variant in UA (casts divine spells instead of arcane, though). Hope this helps.
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well, there's always specialist wizards...
conjurer, with maxed out ranks in know: planes and know: arcana, who can bring forth huge beasts to do his bidding...
perhaps, the bard? arcane spells, better HD, music and bardic knowledge...not to mention 2 good saves, much better skill points, and 3/4 BAB.
psion? just as tailored for knowledge, but much different flavor and background
-the hamster
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For a different approach to the keeper of arcane knowledge type (that's arcane as you would find it in the dictionary, not arcane in d&d terms...) take a look at the Archivist from Heroes of Horror. They research divine spells in much the way a wizard researches arcane spells, and don't follow a deity or anything. They also get some other lore-related abilities.
Worth a look if you're trying to change things up. I also agree that the Wu Jen would be worth looking at for you.
Not the sorcerer. :] I like the idea of a gnarled old man bent over tomes of lost knowledge, seeking power. However, the wizard class just seems....bleh. Vanilla. And not the French kind.
Is there an alternative wizard class that focuses on aspects of magic, such as elements or summoning?
Thanks.
I have to recommend picking up the Complete Arcane (and a Spell Compendium while you're at it, though I haven't bought one I will once my Warmage gets in the higher levels).
Speaking of Warmage, why not a Warmage? Sure they're walking artillery units with little practical magic, but I play one with the Tactician approach in mind (PHB2) and picked my bonus Evocation spells with distraction and disguise in mind (Blacklight from Sunless Citadel & Forgotten Realms + Distracting Shadows from Magic of Eberron)
The selection of these spells was made easier by the Master Spell List, a spreadsheet I picked up from Bill Hendricks post to the thread "Generators And More..."
I'm not sure if they are in the Spell Compendium or not, but I do not think so as they are not listed as such in the Master Spell List. (Thanks Bill!)
Also, I recommend the feat Battle Mage if you're a Warmage, I didn't take it so I could keep my dex bonus to AC, but if you take it, your Warmage could be in FULL Plate by level eight.
You could also consider a Warlock, but who in their right mind would want to play one of those?
Again, you're probably looking for a prestige class so here you go, DMG- ARCHMAGE, CA- Wayfarer Guide (teleportation at its best, and if you EVER needed an Extractor- something I wish my DM of the Mercenary company would consider as a possible Presige Class, npc if need be...), or Mage of The Arcane Order might be more what you're looking for- and the rest of the Complete Arcane is pretty good too.
I'm going to have to second the Bard recommendation too, it's an alterntive arcane magic user that gets the short end of the stick, but from what I've seen of bards (at least in 2e, they can cast pretty much whatever the hell they want as long as they can come up with a song for it).
Well I think Ive decided to go with an Initiate of the Seven Fold Veil PrC from Complete Arcane followed by Archmage out of the DMG. Can I take two PrCs? If not, tough choice.
Anyway, thanks for the responses.
Can I take two PrCs?
Yes.
I really dig the artificer. Great for creating useful things on the fly. They also get trapfinding and disable device.
If what you're looking for is flavor more than power, the Alienist (Complete Arcane) is a good choice. The prestige class requires you to be a specialist in conjuration, but it does that well. Also, why just be a gnarled old man reading dusty tomes when you can be an insane gnarled old man reading dusty tomes?