1. The VMC rules do not bother to define whether you count as your secondary class in any way, shape, or form, so good luck getting a consistent answer on wand use.
2. Normally, if you want to VMC, you have to choose to do so at 1st level. If your GM allows retraining, you may be able to retrain into the secondary class. Technically, there's nothing to retrain away, only toward, so they may just allow you to proceed as if you had chosen to VMC in the first place.
3. Once you start down the VMC path, forever will it dominate your destiny (unless you retrain the whole thing away later).
I have to ask: Why fighter/VMC wizard?
Alternately, pump UMD. It's not so hard; you have feats to spare as a fighter.
Also, if you stick it out a few levels, enlarge person potions won't seem quite so expensive. 50 gp is a lot at levels 1-2 but pocket change by 6.
If it's access to wands you want, there's a half elf variant that gives up it's multicasting feature for the ability to count your CL for a spellcasting class as 1 higher, if you take wizard then you can use wands without making a check.
Hi Everyone,
I am seriously considering adding the secondary class of wizard to my 2nd level fighter. I have three questions: 1. Can I use a wand for any spell on the wizard spell list? (first and second level spells in particular). I understand that I can't cast spells when variant multiclassing in the first secondary class feature of wizard, so wands would be the next best thing.
Also, can I choose to have a secondary class when my main class (fighter) is at second level, or did I have to make that decision when my character was still at first level? Do I need to do some kind of retraining to make this possible?
Last question; Am I obligated to keep going with the variant multiclassing, ie trading in feats every four levels for aspects of the wizard class, or can I stop after the first class feature? All I want to do is use wands to cast spells without having to use the Use Magic Device skill, and without having to take a level in a class other than fighter.
Thanks in advance,
Captain Picard.
1. Nope. You don't have the spells class feature, nor do you have an associated spell list, so you can't automatically utilize a wand without a UMD check. That being said, I don't see why you couldn't just rely on the party spellcaster to buff you, unless he's a jerk or a moron who doesn't value his personal protectors.
2. While there is no RAW ruling on this, I imagine it's similar to archetypes, where you have to specify that you're taking that archetype at the levels where changes are made (some are as late at 8th level, while others start at 1st level). In this case, any levels that specify a change or addition in features (in this case, the Wizard's School at 1st level) requires you to take them at that level.
This is mostly relevant for things like VMC Oracle or Monk, where there are immediate consequences for taking them (Curses and Restrictions, respectively), but in this case I wouldn't personally have a problem with someone adhoc'ing the VMC Wizard since the 1st level statement has no in-game effect until you get 7th level.
3. Yes, you have to substitute all of the features with the relevant feats at the listed level intervals. It's part of the reason why VMC isn't all that great to begin with, since if people could cherry-pick what class features they'd want, it'd be both infinitely more useful, but also break the game in unintended ways.
Some VMCs are worthwhile, but giving up half of your feats for it isn't particularly appealing unless you get bonus feats to compensate, and/or what you gain cannot be replicated with 5 different feats.
There is a fighter archetype that gives spell casting. Child of something and something
Then the VMC is much more relevant. But that's only if he has the archetype. Personally, I doubt that he does.
If the loss of BAB is what is worrying you look at taking a level in Bloodrager. They have booth enlarge person and bulls strength on their spell list as well as some other useful spells. It also gives you a few rounds of rage per day and a useful special ability.
I have to ask: Why fighter/VMC wizard?
Hi Blahpers,
To answer your question, I have a polearms master who likes to drink potions of enlarge person to double his reach. Wands are a lot cheaper than potions, so it would be more cost effective to get an enlarge person wand. I want to use a wand without having to use Use Magic Device, or take a full level as a wizard. A wand of Bulls Strength would be very handy as well.
If you are OK with trading out your favored class bonus, a half-elf with the Arcane Training alternate racial trait "can use spell trigger and spell completion items for their favored class* as if one level higher (or as a 1st-level character if they have no levels in that class)." Choose your favored class as wizard and you can use wands of sorcerer/wizard spells without UMD checks; although if you can do without a wand of bull's strength, witch may be a more useful choice of arcane caster to use wands of cure light wounds without UMD checks, as well.
*- which must be an arcane spell-casting class