Hey all, i haven't played many caster classes so i am only semi versed in their abilities and quirks. That being said it looks as though most damage focused spells on the wizard/sorcerer spell list appear to be of elemental energy types with a few exceptions. Our DM has informed us that the campaign we will be playing in will be an outsider focused campaign. Most outsiders i have looked at, especially at higher CRs tend to be immune to at least 1 if not 2 elemental energy types as well as resistant to 1 or more energy types in addition. With that in mind, can anyone help me figure out how to be an effective DPS caster at higher levels and not get left behind in terms of damage by every front-line class with any means of overcoming damage reduction?
Easy. First off, ditch the idea that a wizard/sorcerer is a nice combo. It isn't.
I suggest an aasimar variant called Azata-blooded (Musetouched) or a tiefling variant called Div-Spawn (Spitespawn) for race, if everyone has to be an outsider. Do you want character trait recommendations?
Second, if you multiclass with a sorcerer, refrain from Wizard, go for an Oracle, because they use Charisma for their primary stat. You want is as few primary attributes as possible. You want a nice Dexterity score so you can actually hit touch attacks, even with the firing into melee penalty.
Third, you have to figure out what bloodline you prefer. I can't really do that for you. Personally I think the Shadow bloodline rocks, since you get Stealth as a class skill, and that's wonderful for a character that doesn't wear armor and has a high dexterity.
Fourth, for the love of all that's Gygax, do your level best to acquire the following feats: Combat Casting, Spell Penetration, Greater Spell Penetration, Improved Counterspell, Great Fortitude, Lightning Reflexes, Improved Initiative, and finally Craft Wondrous Item.
All of those feats are nice general things, meant to improve you overall.
Sorry that i wasn't to clear in the previous post, i was simply referring to the sorcerer and wizard spell lists, not that i wanted to multi-class. Also while the campaign is outsider based, the players do not necessarily have to be outsiders. Lastly while the rest of what you said was good advice, the problem I'm currently facing is that even if i get past a creatures spell resistance I'm faced with the strong possibility of an immunity towards the energy type I'm dealing or else a heavy resistance. I'm looking for a method of overcoming, or bypassing these immunities and resistances. Failing that I'm looking for spell or feat alternatives that allow me to keep pace with the damage of my fellow players.
No sweat! Try an elf Wizard, Evoker, with the Admixture subschool. It's in the Advanced Players Guide.
Do yourself a favor, and be certain to take those feats I mentioned. If you examine them, you will note that most of them will really help spellcasting. Now, you can also take Point Blank Shot & Precise Shot so you can fire into melee with ranged touch and thus not take the penalty.
A neato trick with multiclassing into Fighter:
Once you hit 3rd level Wizard, put a level into Fighter. For your bonus feat, take Arcane Armor Training (mithral chain shirt). This prevents you from using Quickened Spell, but is MUCH MUCH cheaper to get AC than Bracers. This also qualifies you for the Eldritch Knight prestige class. I can also suggest a 2nd level of Fighter to take Imp Init so you can get your spells off before you get hit.