Warmage advice :)

[TheWixster]

hi there, my dm has informed me that he'll be running a shackled city campaign soon, and i've been considering playing a warmage. though we'll be starting out as level one, i was wondering what advice anyone had as to feat choice etc as i advance in levels. any advice would help :)

[pat512]

TheWixster wrote:

hi there, my dm has informed me that he'll be running a shackled city campaign soon, and i've been considering playing a warmage. though we'll be starting out as level one, i was wondering what advice anyone had as to feat choice etc as i advance in levels. any advice would help :)

Skill Focus: Concentration, Spell Focus: Evocation (or Conjuration), Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot.

Those are the ones I'd focus on (no pun intended). I *really* like Precise Shot for blasters.

[Aubrey the Malformed]

I think that's pretty good advice. Being able to fire into melee using Precise Shot is a key requirement.

[Kelvar Silvermace]

This won't be an option until third level (at the earliest), but I would take a look at Eclectic Learning, an alternative class feature from PHB2 (pg. 67).

It gives you the option of learning just a few utility type, non-evocation spells...which is really the only thing the Warmage lacks.

[Jeremy Mac Donald]

Kelvar Silvermace wrote:

This won't be an option until third level (at the earliest), but I would take a look at Eclectic Learning, an alternative class feature from PHB2 (pg. 67).

It gives you the option of learning just a few utility type, non-evocation spells...which is really the only thing the Warmage lacks.

Its a brutal lack though. I consider the class far underpowered compared to other arcane casters. An arcane caster incapable of helping the party out of a jam is basically just an archer.

That said if this is a back up mage then its a fine addition to the party. Warmages make excellent 2nd mages but if the war mage is your arcane support then the party will be lacking a lot of utility and problem solving type spells which are the real bread and butter of a mid to high level arcane caster (even a sorcerer) IMO.

[Dragonchess Player]

If you are really set on a warmage, consider expanding your capabilities by working toward a prestige class like Arcane Archer (if an elf or half-elf), Daggerspell Mage, Eldritch Knight, Mystic Theurge, or Spellsword. You will have few spell options other than dealing damage, so the party should probably have another arcane caster (bard, beguiler, sorcerer, or wizard).

[Lee Hanna]

I will echo the meta-game thought that you need to think of yourself as an archer, as you will have very little in support ability. I'm in a SCAP game, and we have a warmage in our group. The upside is that she has taken over the role of #1 damage-producer, and if someone can tell her which Orbs to use (someone needs to make those Knowledge checks!), she can really rack it up.
Sudden Maximize/Sudden Empower really kick butt in this regard.
The big downside to a warmage is that any opponent that survives the blasts will begin targetting the warmage, and you only have d4 hit dice. Anyone that watches one of our fights wil know to zap her first. Our group's warmage has taken over from our primary line-fighter in damage production, but she's also taking the lead in # of times gone into negative hit points.
Hope for good Reflex-save rolls, and hide a lot.

[Ryan Seither]

One answer for this might be to go into Paizo's Dragon Disciple Prestige class. The requirements are minimal: ability to spontaneously cast Level 1 arcane spells, 5 ranks arcana and speak Draconic. You can still advance in warmage caster level and spells, keep your light armor, and accrue benefits to your stats. Plus you'll now be rolling a d12 for hit points.

[Abraham spalding]

I would suggest a different base class...maybe beguiler? (probably not, it's a *bit* over the top for some people).

Go with one of the small races if you are using the 3.5 races. The small size helps with ac, hitting, and if you go halfling you get that luck bonus on saves. The size doesn't hurt your damage since you are relying on spell damage instead of weapon damage.

[Joey Virtue]

I would suggest the War Serpent Prestige class from Complete Divine as its read not as its in the chart it is a caster at every level and gives you cleric spells with your Warmage
This might help
http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=2816.0.