Barbarian / wizard

[DarkxInitiative]

So I had a interesting ideas while thinking about an intelligent barbarian what if i took moment of clarity and cast spells mid rage and took levels as a transmuter wizard could this work and if so what would probably be better schools I'm thinking transmuter for the free strength buff

Edit: p.s. I'm generally going for canibalistic type barbarian I think my general backstory is im from a noble family but you only get your fortune after you only become accepted after you hunt/eat 100 different types of animals/species but my person is gonna take it up a notch with mine becoming a cannible who eats humanoids (because of the bite rage power and the unarmed damage rage power to tear flesh and bone) so any ideas on this background as well?

[LazarX]

And you're going to forgo armor to do this?

[DarkxInitiative]

LazarX wrote:

And you're going to forgo armor to do this?

Hmmm hadn't crossed my mind but probably not until I get levels in wizard maybe have something that I can put on very quickly idk really just spitballing

[LazarX]

DarkxInitiative wrote:

LazarX wrote:

And you're going to forgo armor to do this?

Hmmm hadn't crossed my mind

It's always the little details that get in the way of grand plans.

[My Self]

Barbarian/Wizard is generally a bad idea. The Barbarian archetype that focuses on not wearing armor is actually worse than a naked Invulnerable Rager, which can wear armor.

That said, you might consider looking at Bloodrager.

[Dragonchess Player]

Barbarian 2 to pick up Moment of Clarity, wizard 3 for 2nd level spells, sorcerer 1 (Draconic bloodline) for spells without preparation (true strike as one of the 1st level spells, since it has no somatic component and can be cast in armor without failure), dragon disciple 4 (advance wizard spellcasting) for +4 Str and a total of +3 natural armor, eldritch knight 10 for the BAB. You end up with +16 BAB and spells as a 15th level wizard (8th level spells) at 20th level.

[Kayerloth]

Tossing some spitballs back :p

1) No Somatic component, no arcane spell failure.
2) Mithral armors are at -10% arcane spell failure.
3) Still Spell metamagic is at +1 spell level and eliminates any arcane spell failure chance.
4) Cleric/Divine caster doesn't need to worry about ASF and get a number of very nice buffs (Divine Favor, Divine Power etc.). They get Bull Strength but I'm going to guess by the time you can cast it you're likely to be able to afford it (or at least it'll be a small window before that's true).

[LazarX]

Dragonchess Player wrote:

Barbarian 2 to pick up Moment of Clarity, wizard 3 for 2nd level spells, sorcerer 1 (Draconic bloodline) for spells without preparation (true strike as one of the 1st level spells, since it has no somatic component and can be cast in armor without failure), dragon disciple 4 (advance wizard spellcasting) for +4 Str and a total of +3 natural armor, eldritch knight 10 for the BAB. You end up with +16 BAB and spells as a 15th level wizard (8th level spells) at 20th level

I would not allow dragon disciple to advance a non spontaneous caster class. Yes I know what RAW would allow, but RAI is clearly otherwise.

[Dragonchess Player]

LazarX wrote:

I would not allow dragon disciple to advance a non spontaneous caster class. Yes I know what RAW would allow, but RAI is clearly otherwise.

That's your opinion. Which is the more thematically "appropriate" class to advance spellcasting as a dragon disciple (red dragon bloodline): bard or fire elementalist wizard?

[SmiloDan]

I DMed a half-orc barbarian 1/wizard (conjurer) X in 3.5.

He was ridiculous! Just a really talented player.

They built a casino.

And hijinx. They ensued. Like a Mr. Falcon!

[BadBird]

A Barbarian 1 or 2 -> Witch 6 -> Eldritch Knight X can still capture much of the Barbarian flavor with Extra Rage while getting some solid spellcasting and perks. The Witch is actually a very good arcane class for an Eldritch Knight if they use the Strength Patron to get access to Divine Favor; Heroism + Divine Favor + the Fate's Favored trait means that by the time you're into EK levels your attack bonus from spells is stomping on your BAB penalty.

It's frustrating that they don't get Mirror Image or Scorching Ray, but then again they get Ironskin and Stone Discus. Besides, Barbarian/Witch just seems really right...

Note that the ability buff from Transmuter doesn't stack with spells or items, so it's a small secondary buff at best.

LazarX wrote:

And you're going to forgo armor to do this?

Arcane Armor Training + Mithril Kikko. Also, Quick Draw + Quickdraw Light Shield. Cross both with Ironskin and other melee gets a little jealous.

[blackbloodtroll]

Bloodrager?

How much Wizard, and how much Barbarian?

[Tangaroa]

Witch sounds like a good option -seconded!

One cool archetype - synergist. Give his familiar the mauler archetype.

[Kaboogy]

If I were to mix barbarian and wizard, I'd focus on polymorphing with the wizard, and combat maneuvers for combat, since you'll have an easier time upping your cmb then your to-hit (knowledge is power is great for that). I also think this is one of the rare opportunities when prestige classes would be better then straight wizard. Eldritch knight is okay, and lore master can help you cover some of your weakness with toughness etc. A great option would be a hell knight enforcer, since it helps with the armor issue and has medium bab progression. There are a lot of prestige classes that could would.

[Blackvial]

LazarX wrote:

And you're going to forgo armor to do this?

there are 2 feats that allow casters to forgo a percentage of the arcane spell failure chance as a swift action

[LazarX]

Dragonchess Player wrote:

LazarX wrote:

I would not allow dragon disciple to advance a non spontaneous caster class. Yes I know what RAW would allow, but RAI is clearly otherwise.

That's your opinion. Which is the more thematically "appropriate" class to advance spellcasting as a dragon disciple (red dragon bloodline): bard or fire elementalist wizard?

Bard, because like a dragon, it's magic isn't learned by book study, but comes from within.

[DarkxInitiative]

How about an barb/arcanist

[Cap. Darling]

My Inv rager retrained to wizard(diviner) but togeather the classes have no synergy. It May work ok in a game but looking at options it is close the worst.

[Dragonchess Player]

LazarX wrote:

Dragonchess Player wrote:

LazarX wrote:

I would not allow dragon disciple to advance a non spontaneous caster class. Yes I know what RAW would allow, but RAI is clearly otherwise.

That's your opinion. Which is the more thematically "appropriate" class to advance spellcasting as a dragon disciple (red dragon bloodline): bard or fire elementalist wizard?

Bard, because like a dragon, it's magic isn't learned by book study, but comes from within.

So a wizard learning how to channel their innate power (the dragon bloodline) into their normal casting mode makes absolutely no sense? Shenanigans. It's an artificial restriction, especially considering the Evocation/Admixture sub-school and the Volatile Conduit magic trait.