Another fighter/mage thread.

[VKhaun]

I'm really bored. I'm interested in pale master and the favored soul, and neither are coming any time soon. I want to play something at max level in the style of a caster/fighter just to see how it works out, because I'm bored and have no character that really interests me.

I realized that scorching ray is just really awesome for that. Sorc12 will be the second level of the fire prestige class. You can get almost all of the enhancements for fire/cold, and since you're sticking to fire you can take the critical chance enhancements too. It has no save, max rays at sorc11, and everything helps firewall too! Throw in prismatic ray and enervate for lulz and that's a good enough setup to hold my interest on a theme/fun character. You can even get greater arcane lore and superior combustion on lots of items other then weapons so I wouldn't have to swap out.

So the wide open question, is what to do with the other eight levels. What's the strongest overall melee character you can do with 8 levels of any two classes? Needs offense worth using but should lean defensive, since I"ll have my own firewalls. I like shields anyway, just a personal preference, but tower shields might not work with spell failure. I don't want to swap items every ten seconds, the idea is to stay fluid casting and melee at the same time.

32pts open. Human greatly preferred.

Where can we go with this?

[Monkey_Archer]

Well the highest dps for 6 levels has to be tempest... leaving 2 for monk/rogue/fighter depending on preference.

Only problem is it takes alot of feats and you will need 17 dex for GTWF, and on a feat starved, stat starved build this could be difficult.

Fighter 6 would probably be my choice.. not quite as strong as tempest but you get lots of feats, and dont need to go TWF

Evasion is typically prefered for these types of builds, but depending on playstyle you might get away without it.

I have heard good things about tukaws 16sorc/2pali/2rogue or monk build.... may want to look into that.

I currently have a 8wiz/6ranger/6fighter and a 17wiz/2rogue/1barb that i enyoy playing alot. Nothing against sorcs, but i personally like the extra feats to play around with and dont mind drinking a pot or 2 if neccesary.

A few more obscure builds i can think of are 12 sorc/8monk possibly using staff
and 12 sorc/4fighter/4rogue (good mix of feats and skills)

[Gnorbert]

What about a 12 sorc / 6 fighter / 2 bard Kensai?

Some innate healing, a few songs, couple spell slots for things like Otto's. How does Otto's do at later levels when heightened? Start with a level of bard to get UMD going better. Would save you gear options later I should think.


if not bard then I probably go with 2 rogue levels... because I prefer rogue to Monk style wise.

[Noctus]

What about a 12 sorc / 6 fighter / 2 bard Kensai?

Bad split.
2 Monk (Evasion + 2 feats) or 2 Rogue (Evasion + UMD + 1d6+3 extra sneak attack damage) are way better.

Human greatly preferred.

Warforged are a much better race for the Battle Arcane. Insta-Selfheal (quickened Recionstruct) is extremly nice for this kind of character.

It can be done with Humans, but they dont come really close to the synergies of the Warforged race with this kind of build.

[VKhaun]

What about a 12 sorc / 6 fighter / 2 bard Kensai?

Some innate healing, a few songs, couple spell slots for things like Otto's. How does Otto's do at later levels when heightened? Start with a level of bard to get UMD going better. Would save you gear options later I should think.


if not bard then I probably go with 2 rogue levels... because I prefer rogue to Monk style wise.

The bard spells wouldn't get the sorc levels, would they?
I would think not, but have never mixed two spell casters to know for certain.

[Noctus]

The bard spells wouldn't get the sorc levels, would they?
I would think not, but have never mixed two spell casters to know for certain.

Besides the bigger SP pool and the higher base CHA through being at a higher level the 2 bard levels cast for all purposes like a level 2 caster.

Heighten is useless in this case. It brings the spell to the highest level of the casting class you can cast (1 is raised to ..... ---->1 [Wuut!])

They do not stack for anything besides SP.

[hu-flung-pu]

A human would be harder to pull off but still do-able.

Typically Elf/Warforged are the preferred route, but as a human, you can't sneeze at the extra feat and skill points.

I'd go 6 Paladin, 14 Sorceror. This gives you Sovereign host instaheal with a few LoH's and two first level paladin spells. Sorceror casting and spell points, and you can run around in a robe with the boost to saves and AC, with a little bit of extra healing.

[Greydeath]

Couple ways to look at this, since it seems you want to primarily emphasize arcane power:

Ranger6+ gives great bang for the buck in melee
-with gTWF you would need DEX17, but you could dump dex completely and just use the free Rng feats
-2 free levels for more Rng (2nd lvl spell = Barkskin ;-) or Sorc
-2 lvls for Monk or Rog for Evasion (Monk would be better if you want Tempest due to feats, but otherwise UMD is nice on a high CHA char)

Pal2+
-Divine Grace (awesome on high CHA char)
-Pal3 Fear/Disease Immune
-Pal6 is nice PrE tier Is (+2 Divine Favor)
-Pal8 2nd lvl spell
-option for Evasion (Rog or Monk)

Bard7+
-Bard Buffs, CHA SP
-Bard8 Inspire Courage +2
-Makes use of those Metamagic Feats you have anyway
-off loads some spells


Ultimately something like this is workable - take gTWF at lvl18 if you get a +3 DEX tome...
Level 16 Lawful Good Human Male
(2 Monk / 6 Ranger / 8 Sorcerer)
Hit Points: 182
Spell Points: 638

BAB: 11/11/16/21
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 13
Will: 10

Starting Ending Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 16) (Level 16)
Strength 16 18 18
Dexterity 14 16 16
Constitution 14 16 16
Intelligence 8 8 8
Wisdom 8 8 8
Charisma 16 18 18

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 16
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 16
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 16
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 16

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Feat: (Human Bonus) Toughness

Level 2 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge

Level 3 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell

Level 4 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Mobility

Level 5 (Ranger)

Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack

Level 7 (Ranger)

Level 8 (Ranger)

Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell

Level 10 (Sorcerer)

Level 11 (Sorcerer)

Level 12 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons

Level 13 (Sorcerer)

Level 14 (Sorcerer)

Level 15 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell

Level 16 (Sorcerer)

[Lucian_Navarro]

Being a big fan of the Eldritch Knights I have been running this build since the days of beta and it works for me.

There are many builds out there and all are great, it just has to suit your playing style.

Recently I have seen a 8th Wizard/ 6th Ranger/ 2nd Rogue build that was an excellent melee type but lacked the higher end arcane capabilities. Not my style, but it was extreamly affective.

My build was designed to keep near all arcane potency with the benefit's of melee interaction so I chose.

2nd Fighter/ 18th Wizard - Drow, Elf

This allows me to get 9th level spells.
A high Armor Class from wearing DT Armor and Shield. Arcane Spell Failure is at 5%.
With Combat Spells a +42 Attack
450+ Hit Points depending on the situation.
1950+ Spell Points
With all of the normal Spell Pen and Crit Modifiers that other casters have.

This build is not the best, but it can hold it's own in every situation and enhance the party with spells.

ZEIRA

[sigtrent]

The best of breed tend to be...

Sorcerer/Paladin/Rogue(or monk) = Evasion, strong saves, UMD

Pure Sorcerer or Wizard but with Stats scewed to combat, sometimes with a splash martial level.

Wizard with a combat class splash, generally dex driven using finesse, typically elf or drow. With more fighter its a spellsword type build.

The first is likely the best. I have one in the third camp which I really really like playing, but I think I'll splash 2 rogue once I get 9th level spells as the evasion really helps on this kind of character and UMD is really handy if you aren't a WF.

[rimble]

I know you said Sorcerer 12, however Wizard 11/Ranger 9 might be neat. Don't think I'll ever play it, but been thinking about theorycrafting that one out.

[kingfisher]

imo,

if wiz, go 12/6ranger/2monk (for the feats more than the ac) rogue if you really want traps but it will hurt both your casting and melee. with monk you can get both quick and max, in addition to ex and emp, all by lvl 16 - thanks mm70!

if sorc, go for the tukaw or the 12/6pally/2monk or rogue. see above.

either way str based

if you dont go WF on a battlecaster it is a waste of a good idea imho. do-able sure, but leaving the instant full self healing on the table is a waste.

[Trillea]

I know you said Sorcerer 12, however Wizard 11/Ranger 9 might be neat. Don't think I'll ever play it, but been thinking about theorycrafting that one out.

Ooh neat idea, hadn't thought of that one, has some distinct advantages that I see here, especially with Divine Power clickies being so easy to find.

[Greydeath]

I know you said Sorcerer 12, however Wizard 11/Ranger 9 might be neat. Don't think I'll ever play it, but been thinking about theorycrafting that one out.

Ranger6 with Rog/Monk2 gets you basically the same boni AND frees up a level... hard to compete with that.

Now, Rng11/Wiz9 has some advantages - especially if you dump DEX and go Insightful Reflexes... but you are really no longer an Arcane at that stage...

[EoZ]

12sor 2pal 2rog -> WF






.

[GunboatDiplomat]

Drow 12 Fighter/8 Wizzie

Wait, wait, hear me out.

Pros:

• 6 feats, 7 combat feats, 2 metamagic feats = lots of flexibility.
• Good dps.
• Go kensai for power surge to overcome -4 BAB
• Minimal reliance on divine power clickies (I hate them)
• Constant Displacement, Fireshield, Haste and stoneskin.
• Firewall, solid fog and dimension door on demand.
• 75% chance to use GH/True Seeing scrolls with no umd
• Can wear armour and look cool
• Enough feats/enhancements to get 500 hp.

Cons:

• No evasion - with high relfex save, self buffed resist/protection and fireshield this isn't so important.
• Drow, not WF means no self healing - good damage mitigation with displacement/stoneskin. More importantly however is theres no point in going WF with this class split as you only have a 75% chance of using reconstruct scrolls - far too unreliable for combat.
• Low mana pool: Pots, torc, green steel.
• No decent dc/high level spells. So what, take the tank/dps spot.

[Monkey_Archer]

Drow 12 Fighter/8 Wizzie

Wait, wait, hear me out.

Pros:

• 6 feats, 7 combat feats, 2 metamagic feats = lots of flexibility.
• Good dps.
• Go kensai for power surge to overcome -4 BAB
• Minimal reliance on divine power clickies (I hate them)
• Constant Displacement, Fireshield, Haste and stoneskin.
• Firewall, solid fog and dimension door on demand.
• 75% chance to use GH/True Seeing scrolls with no umd
• Can wear armour and look cool
• Enough feats/enhancements to get 500 hp.

Cons:

• No evasion - with high relfex save, self buffed resist/protection and fireshield this isn't so important.
• Drow, not WF means no self healing - good damage mitigation with displacement/stoneskin. More importantly however is theres no point in going WF with this class split as you only have a 75% chance of using reconstruct scrolls - far too unreliable for combat.
• Low mana pool: Pots, torc, green steel.
• No decent dc/high level spells. So what, take the tank/dps spot.

Like it, very similar to what i did.... Except its gotta be WF
No amout of hype will convince some people that its a good idea... The "But I can just UMD fireshield scrolls or make a displacement clicky" crowd

But after playing my WF 8wiz/6fighter/2ranger (tempest in mod 9) to cap I can testify to the power of the build. Not only does it do some decent DPS, (high dps when i get tempest) but I fit in intimidate and he is a perfect VOD build. Intim orthons, possibly tank sulu, throw on a fire shield and ice storm the bats