Wizard PrC discussion

[Xavier319]

Alright, i've been looking into it recently, and I'm not convinced any of the wizard prestige classes are any good honestly. Loremaster is kinda meh because of the requirements. Pathfinder savant is pretty cool, but losing a caster level hurts, and you dont get any of the stuff you'd get for leveling in wizard, and most of it's class abilities are kinda lackluster with a few gems.

Do you like any of them, if so, why?

What do you think of the Pathfinder Savant in particular, it's the only standout i've seen.

[Steelfiredragon]

yeah all of the wizard prcs kind of suck.

loremaster is good for three levels....( namely if you can take the secrets that increase your baba and dodge ac.)
the pathfinder savant, well its better, spellcasting always hurts no matter what.

EK isnt too bad, its requirements are harsh imo, but then its a melee caster.

the cyphermage isnt that bad, I think its a little to focused on scrolls and glyphs... not really my cup of tea.

the bloatmage isnt too bad, its gross imo and I wouldnt use it.

tgh so far, imo the bests wizard prc out there is the harrower and the Daivrat.

Harrower is a fortuneteller style and the daivrat is the pathfinder version of the elemental savant/archon of 3.x

[The_Scourge]

The way Pathfinder has been designed, using Prestige Classes isn't really a good idea unless you're doing it for the flavour. Plus losing out on favoured class bonuses and your regular wizard kit is usually less than ideal as well

Savant is not terrible, but as you say losing a caster level is rough.

[Marthian]

Well going off core:

Dragon Disciple is my particular favorite because of the flavor, stat boosts, and form of dragon as a spell-like ability... (However, if I really wanted to make a true Dragon, probably just do Half-Dragon template, and get the spell-like ability houseruled... Maybe more powerful. I never said this was going to be a PC :P )

Mystic Theurge sounds so interesting with the casting two spells in one turn (three if you do Quicken Spell). I just wish it had more oomph (being able to do a arcane and divine spell simultaneously I mean. Possibly have some conditions such as they they take up X spell levels higher?)

Arcane Archer can get weapon enhancements on his bow for free, and has a variety of other crazy things... There is still, the fact that archers are kind of overpowered anyways...

Not sure on Pathfinder Savant. Getting spells not normally allowed to your class sounds very interesting.

[Xavier319]

yeah, pathfinder savant sounds REALLY tasty... getting non-wizard spells, six of 'em sounds really REALLY nice. losing out on my wizard abilities kinda sucks but.. six non wizard spells... i mean... paladin... ranger... anything like that. grab ranger barkskin as a second level spell, heal as a sixth level spell from adept.. but for me, losing out on the wizard bonus feats, nd having to take so much focus on UMD kinda hurts.. for an evoker BCer, what do you think, pathfinder savant would be good or bad?

[Xavier319]

here's something to illustrate my point about the pathfinder savant.. here's a pair of builds, same character. evoker, BC type. for the pathfinder savant build, he uses a bonded item, the other has an improved familiar. going off this, i cannot say if the savant build is good enough. do you get enough from giving up the familiar and the caster level and most importantly the feats. you have to delay several feats, not sure if the benefits are worth it. thoughts?

NG Human Male Shoanti

Wizard 20

Str 10
Dex 14
Con 16
Int 17+2
Wis 14
Cha 13

Trait: Focused Mind
Trait: Chance Savior
Trait: Lessons of Chaldira

School: Evocation (Generation)
Opposition Schools: Enchantment, Necromancy

1- Improved Initiative
R Spell Focus: Evocation
+ Scribe Scroll
3- Spell specialization
5- Greater Spell specialization
+ Inscribe Magical Tattoo
7- Lingering Spell
9- Improved Familiar: Faerie Dragon
10+ Intensify Spell
11- Spell Penetration
13- Dazing Spell
15- Spell Perfection
+ Quicken Spell
17- Craft Staff
19- greater Spell focus: evocation
20+ Immortality

and here's the build with savant

Wizard 5/ Pathfinder Savant 7/ Wizard 8

1- Improved Initiative
R Spell Focus: Evocation
+ Scribe Scroll
3- Spell Spec
5- Magical aptitude
+ Inscribe Magical Tattoo
7- Greater Spell Spec
9- Lingering Spell
11- Spell Penetration
13- Intensify Spell
15- Dazing Spell
17- Spell Perfection
+ Quicken Spell
19- greater Spell Focus: Evocation

[Gluttony]

I like Eldritch Knight, when used in a quirky way.

It works quite well to have a wizard (spellslinger) 5/gunslinger 1 start going into EK, or so I've found.

[Xavier319]

that's actually a really cool idea, and one i never thought of. keep the ideas coming guys! and post examples if you can

[Steelfiredragon]

wizard 7/loremaster 3/ daivat 10

[DoctorYesNinja]

Are there any PRCs that would be good for other spellcasters, that wouldn't really fit with wizards? I know it's sort of against the OP, but it's in the theme of it. :P

[Rasmus Wagner]

Eldritch Knight is super dork lame and oh so overrated. The capstone makes the class decent at character level 16, but until then, it blows.
Arcane Archer is more of a martial PrC that requires a caster dip.

[Drejk]

Diabolist, Demoniac and Souldrinker but last two require fiendish patronage and first is restricted to limited alignments.

[Xavier319]

pathfinder savant would be awesome for a casty cleric actually. allows you to grab six wizard spells at a level higher. as well as some umd and other stuff. if you grab other wizard spells through domains you can make a very interesting cleric.