'lo, folks!
I'm a bit torn on which statistic block to bestow upon my wizard character. Yes, I've read Treantmonk's guide, and quite thoroughly, too, and I'm still a bit torn. ;)
The basic facts are like this:
-It is a very high level character from the get-go (built at level 17).
-The game will likely last to level 20 and even beyond (though capped at 20).
-The character is human. Racial and leveling bonuses all in Int (obviously).
-The character is a pure Wizard.
-The generation system is pointbuy (default PF pointbuy).
-I've milked a total of 25 points for use in Dex, Con and Int. I would not like Con to be lower than 14.
-I'm going for pure optimization under those limitations.
Thus, I'm torn between the following (base, no bonuses applied) setups:
16 Dex, 14 Con, 16 Int
14 Dex, 16 Con, 16 Int
13 Dex, 14 Con, 18 Int
15 Dex, 15 Con, 16 Int (with a hanging point in another stat - odd numbers are for Inherent bonus fiddling)
Which would you go for and why?
Thanks in advance for all your help!
The third. Spells are just about everything to a wiz, and the higher int score will net you more bonus spells, and also give them higher DCs.
Str 8
Dex 12 (This only affects range touch spells.)
Con 16 (This is the difrence in taking one hit or two.)
Int 17 +1(4)level4,8,12,&16 +2 Human = 23 Level 20 = 24
Wis 10
Cha 12
Quite good, although i more of a dex over con guy but that's just me and i haven't played a tabletop game at these levels.
Make sure that you tell your GM that you used Planar binding to get a succubus to give you a +2 profane to your Int. Shouldn't be too hard at 17th level. :)
13 Dex, 14 Con, 18 Int
+2 racial,+5 level, +5 wish, +6 item, +2 profane gives you a 38.
If you really want to tweek it, take the -3 str/dex/con to get the +2 int, wis, and cha for being old to cap at a 40int. :)
If you are a transmuter, you get free physical stat enhancements, so con isn't a problem. If you are worried about hitting, well, a quickened true strike is only a 5th level spell.
Seriously, you don't need a bazillion Int. In fact, it's possible to do a very effective wizard with very little Int at all if you use the right spells!
Con is way more important then Dex at this level. Your AC is never high enough to matter you need the HP.
At all levels realy. And wasting 1/2 your spells for buffing dose not count of haven a good AC.
Definitely the the way to go with Con if starting at high level. You're BAB will be high enough touch attacks so you really don't need that DEX as much. Nothing you do will get you AC high enough to matter at this level anyways. You're better off with miss chances and DR.