Now, i know i see all over the place about how wizards should stay away from 'blaster' spells, i was curious to know: If i were to make a blaster-mage type character, what's my best options?
Probably the warmage. They can wear light armor, have d6 hit dice, cast like sorcerers but know nearly all the blasting spells, add Int bonus to damage, and can add spells to known list every few levels. Also get a bunch of bonus metamagic feats. They're definitely better at low levels, where even their 0 level spells are deadly to weak CR 1 critters.
|
I'm fond of the Warlock. Using core Monster Manual feats like Ability Focus and / or Empower Spell-like Ability help to beef up the Eldritch Blast (although the Mantle that adds to damage is also nice), it's a decent blast usable every round, and by taking Battlecaster (PHB2?) as soon as possible, the Warlock can wear Medium Armor, by which point he can afford to purchase as Mithril Fullplate. Combined with Fell Flight, which is pretty much a 'must take' Invocation, you've got a decent AC, great mobility and a good constant source of damage. Picking up a few other Invocations, like Baleful Utterance or the Summon Swarm one can help get past the lower levels, which aren't as fun, but by 6th to 8th, the character is seriously rocking.
I've played a couple warlocks, and they typically dish out 1/2 the damage a dedicated mage can dish out....however, they can do it all day long. It really depends on how many encounters per day you have to deal with. And since UMD is a class skill for them, and their Deceive Item ability allows them to Take 10 on UMD, you can also be a healer and more traditional blaster with the right selection of wands and staves. Also, since your eldritch blast is an un-named energy source, typical energy resistances and immunities don't apply to it, though SR does (until you take vitriolic blast).
If you want a decent blaster with some buff/debuff capability that can also act as a secondary melee combatant (or as a primary for short periods), then duskblade can be a viable choice. The spell selection is rather constrained, but the non-caster versatility is quite high. By taking at least four levels of the spellsword PrC, the duskblade can significantly increase the synergy of blaster and melee combatant roles.
I'm fond of the Warlock. Using core Monster Manual feats like Ability Focus and / or Empower Spell-like Ability help to beef up the Eldritch Blast (although the Mantle that adds to damage is also nice), it's a decent blast usable every round, and by taking Battlecaster (PHB2?) as soon as possible, the Warlock can wear Medium Armor, by which point he can afford to purchase as Mithril Fullplate. Combined with Fell Flight, which is pretty much a 'must take' Invocation, you've got a decent AC, great mobility and a good constant source of damage. Picking up a few other Invocations, like Baleful Utterance or the Summon Swarm one can help get past the lower levels, which aren't as fun, but by 6th to 8th, the character is seriously rocking.
A good build, but remember, mithril heavy armor counts as medium for restrictions to movement and armored casting, but it still requires heavy armor proficiency to avoid taking the armor check penalty to attack rolls. However it isn't very difficult to get an armor check penalty down to +0. Mithril full plate is -3, with the nimble special ability (+1 enhancement and +1 ability) it is -2, and with heavy armor optimization (Races of Stone) it is +0 (HAO also gives it +1 to AC) making it AC +10, max dex +4, armor check +0. It only takes one feat and a bunch of gold for the armor itself.
I'm fond of the Warlock. Using core Monster Manual feats like Ability Focus and / or Empower Spell-like Ability help to beef up the Eldritch Blast (although the Mantle that adds to damage is also nice), it's a decent blast usable every round, and by taking Battlecaster (PHB2?) as soon as possible, the Warlock can wear Medium Armor, by which point he can afford to purchase as Mithril Fullplate. Combined with Fell Flight, which is pretty much a 'must take' Invocation, you've got a decent AC, great mobility and a good constant source of damage. Picking up a few other Invocations, like Baleful Utterance or the Summon Swarm one can help get past the lower levels, which aren't as fun, but by 6th to 8th, the character is seriously rocking.
I will add, I think the warlock was one of the best new classes in 3.5, not just for the manageable power and limited-yet-cool powers it got (sorry, but I got tired of alll the new classes that seemed to get a zillion new powers and abilitites to keep track of) but for what it says about the character's background. Just who or what did you deal with to get all these neat tricks, and what do they ultimately want with you?
|
If you use Spell Compendium, I would do a conjuration focused Wizard. Conjurations do just as good a job as evocations and most overcome SR. If you decide to focus on an element there are a bunch of +1 spell slot metamagic feats that raise caster levels and help out damage-wise. Blistering spell, Searing spell, Fiery Burst, and arcane thesis are all great feats for a fire-mage. There are some really cool ones out there and it all depends on what you want to focus on. Empowered spellshards are nice to own also so you can empower a certain spell a few times a day. If that spell is also arcan thesis-ed, Blistering, searing, etc also then ouch. Damage galore. A PC in my game is tossing around fireballs and using flamewhips to amazing effect (13th level, he did 120ish damage with a fireball that can burn fire immune creatures for 1/2 damage and overcomes all fire resistance because of some feats, not sure exactly which ones but they are out there.) The flamewhips are brutal at 6d6+16 melee touch at reach. He gets a couple attacks a round with them also.
Best blaster? If you ask Han Solo, he'd probably suggest a DL-44, but he may be biased. :P
Lol, good one :)
|
a personal favorite:
Sorcerer, Straight Up.
High Cha, decent dex, good con.
Halfling for the save bonus, +2 dex, and small size.
Important spells:
Magic Missile
Scorching Ray
Fireball
Orb of Acid
Chain Lightning
etc...
5th lvl keep for utility magic (teleport) and empowered fireballs, or, if using Races of the Dragon Arcane Fusion. (5th lvl, lets you cast a 1st and up to a 3rd lvl spell as the same action)
Other spells to consider:
Raging Flame (Spell Compendium...large spread that adds damage to fire spells)
Dispel Magic (cuz, why not)
Teleport (see above)
you'll have good utility, good damage dealing, and the party will like the happy little hurty mage in the group.
-t
Thank you for that! I got a lot of options to chose from then, don't i? lol..
I second the warlock, but then again, my group has a warlock with one level of scout (ouch!) and a bard with the Dragonfire Inspiration feat, plus the human Bardic Music boosting feat, and the Bardic Music boosting spell. So at level 2, the warlock was capable, with bardic assistance, of making touch attacks for 2d6 eldritch + 2d6 electricity. That was crazy good, and it's never seemed to lack even as levels have gone up.
People who complain about Warlock damage compared to "normal" casters, I think aren't seeing the mega-picture. Granted, Spell Resistance is a problem, but feats can adress that. Chausubels of Fell Power boost damage, and a well placed couple of rings and Ioun Stones can boost caster level, which actually does boost damage if it hits the appropriate tier. Quicken and Empower Spell Like Ability are also great. Lets not forget Ranged Recall from Complete Mage. Combined with infinite resources, and you have steady, reliable damage of not insignificant amounts. Proper invocation selection makes the warlock perfect at the blaster role, or any variation therof, like sniper or area control.
Just my 2cp.
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned psions and wilders yet. Spontaneous casting + full caster + spells that can switch element type at whim + meta' feats = a pretty freakin' good blaster.
TS
|
|
Yes, hadn't really considered the possibility of a psionic blaster (although i really SHOULD have)
but
Kineticist, Shaper, and Seer all make for good blasters (the other disciplines, too, but these give you the best bang for your buck)
and a Wilder can keep the big hits coming, possibly all day, while being very hard to take down (yay, Vigor)
-t