Combat Maneuver Wizard

[Casual Viking]

So, Knowledge is Power has given me an idea. A Combat Maneuver Wizard!

I'll go Wizard, Crab Familiar for +2 to grapple. Either Alteration for the stat boost or Earth for the to-hit bonus. Probably Alteration for the much, much better spell list.

I'm struggling with ways to get proficiency with mancatcher and a reach weapon for tripping. I also like the bolas (AFAICT, you use Str-based CMB to trip with those).

I think I'll stay straight Wizard, but if I have to dip, what's a good dip? I can't find any class or archetype to give me mancatcher proficiency.

[Azten]

I think transmutation spells(for turning into Humanoids/Monstrous Humanoids and keeping all your gear) and just taking the feat for Mancatcher proficiency should be good. Maybe quickened True Strike at later levels to ensure you beat the target's CMD.

[ChainsawSam]

HEY!

HEY!

KNOCK IT OFF!

Wizards can bend reality with the power of their minds. They can pull fully formed dimensions directly out of their b%%$ h#+~s. They can trivialize entire encounters with high level spells.

Maneuvers are like the one thing that Fighters, Monks, and Brawlers are halfway decent at. They're not even that good, but it's the one thing they can sort of do that other folks do even worse.

What kind of messed up school bully attitude is that? Doesn't matter how big and bad Wizards are and how much they've got going for them, they still want the poor, out of shape, dumb kid's nickle.

[RainyDayNinja]

A half-elf can get a free EWP in place of the bonus Skill Focus feat, and the Heirloom Weapon trait can give you proficiency with one specific martial weapon (or a +2 trait bonus to CMB on one maneuver for that specific weapon).

[Laiho Vanallo]

Casual Viking wrote:

So, Knowledge is Power has given me an idea. A Combat Maneuver Wizard!

I'll go Wizard, Crab Familiar for +2 to grapple. Either Alteration for the stat boost or Earth for the to-hit bonus. Probably Alteration for the much, much better spell list.

I'm struggling with ways to get proficiency with mancatcher and a reach weapon for tripping. I also like the bolas (AFAICT, you use Str-based CMB to trip with those).

I think I'll stay straight Wizard, but if I have to dip, what's a good dip? I can't find any class or archetype to give me mancatcher proficiency.

"Toppling spell" wizard focusing on magic missiles

get combat expertise, improved trip and greater trip.
Use spell focus evocation and greater spell focus evocation.

[avr]

Monstrous Physique II or higher allows you to get mimicry from the doppleganger form; aka yes, yes I am proficient in that. Very temporarily to be sure.

Obviously a fighter can spend their 1st level bonus feat on EWP.

Or you could just cast true strike (with the right traits quickened TS is a 3rd level spell), suck up the -4 non proficiency penalty and use the mancatcher or bolas anyway.

[Serisan]

A player in my area is playing a grappling witch using the hair as his grappling tool. All of the mustache hugs in all of the land.

[Casual Viking]

At a closer look, the Mancatcher might not be worth it. At level 1, I'll be looking at +10 to grapple...but only +3 to hit with a mancatcher, even with proficiency.

[KestrelZ]

It is an interesting thought experiment.

The half BAB is the serious problem as that will widen the disparity gap with full BAB classes at high levels.

It may be like fishing with high explosives, yet most wizards would likely use spells instead of magically buffing themselves to go hand to hand. Black tentacles, grease, color spray, summon monster, and others can allow wizards to entangle, trip, or disarm their opponents without having to use their own hands.

Granted, it may be useful to be prepared in case someone uses combat maneuvers against you, such builds would be more efficient with 3/4 BAB casters or "gish" multiclass PCs (monk / wizard, for example).