Spellsword build, 17 wiz/2 fighter/1 rogue. Need advice.

[InvadeNormandy]

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Level 20 Chaotic Neutral Elf Male
(2 Fighter \ 1 Rogue \ 17 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 272
Spell Points: 1208 
BAB: 10\10\15\20
Fortitude: 10
Reflex: 7
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             14                    15
Dexterity            10                    10
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence         18                    26
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               4                     8
Bluff                 3                     3
Concentration         3                    25
Diplomacy             3                     3
Disable Device        8                    30
Haggle                3                     3
Heal                  1                     1
Hide                  0                     0
Intimidate           -1                    -1
Jump                  2                     4.5
Listen               -1                     1
Move Silently         1                     1
Open Lock             4                     4
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                4                     9
Search                8                    23
Spot                  3                     5
Swim                  2                     2
Tumble                4                     4
Use Magic Device      3                    21

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 3 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 4 (Wizard)


Level 5 (Wizard)


Level 6 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 7 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Maximize Spell


Level 8 (Wizard)


Level 9 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 10 (Wizard)


Level 11 (Wizard)


Level 12 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Empower Spell
Feat: (Selected) Spell Penetration


Level 13 (Wizard)


Level 14 (Wizard)


Level 15 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 16 (Wizard)


Level 17 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 18 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Penetration
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Heighten Spell


Level 19 (Wizard)


Level 20 (Wizard)
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity III
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack II
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Elements I
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Elements II
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Elements III
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Deadly Elements I
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Deadly Elements II
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation I
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation II
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation III
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Wizard Spell Penetration I
Enhancement: Wizard Spell Penetration II
Enhancement: Wizard Spell Penetration III
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar II
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar III
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence II
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence III
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I

The 1 level of rogue is simply because I can't find anything more appropriate to put there, as 3 fighter doesn't really give me much of anything. And I'd like to think that the utility+the free piddly sneak die is a nicer bonus than just a single higher BAB. But feel free to reccomend other splashes. =) I did try splashing 1 monk for another free toughness... But splashing a whole class for -just- toughness, as much as I love it. Seemed excessive. But feel free to correct me on this!


I also thought of just going straight 4 fighter/16 wiz. But quite a few people have told me this is bad as 17 is the magic wizard number.. Though, deep down I couldn't care less about 9th level spells =p Buuut I do trust their advice somewhat.

Any suggestions to improve or otherwise alter this so I can be a good caster first and foremost, but have some offensive melee punch for taking down trash and conserving SP? I already have divine power clickies at the ready and whatnot. And I plan on eating tomes to boost STR CON and INT.

Be harsh and honest. It's the only way I'll learn :P

I currently have him as a 28 point elf 2 fighter/7 wiz, buuut if I can get this build hammered out to a satisfactory level it should be a vast improvement over what I'm currently playing enough to warrent a reroll. I mean I'm doing shockingly well and I'm geared and kitted out. Buuut I feel like I could do better and be more of a boon to the party than having them raise their eyebrows at me in between firewalls.

[DrNuegebauer]

Be harsh and honest. It's the only way I'll learn :P

If it's not Warforged, it's not worth it!!


Honestly, the fighter/wiz combo must must must be a WF so that you can tag yourself with a quickened reconstruct while fighting - AND the extra Con is essential to make up the shortfall in HP.

[InvadeNormandy]

If it's not Warforged, it's not worth it!!


Honestly, the fighter/wiz combo must must must be a WF so that you can tag yourself with a quickened reconstruct while fighting - AND the extra Con is essential to make up the shortfall in HP.

I was worried about that, lol. My logic for elf was the falchion bonus and arcane fluidity, that and I'm opposed to being a skinned animatronic ninja turtle =p. Though I am one for function over form so I could bite the bullet and do that for the greater good.

[Aurora1979]

my way to improve this is....

A. go WF as advised. the reconstruct is whats gonna keep you on your feat, forget about trying to use heal scrolls if you wana try and melee, you will spend the whole end game hopping in and out of fights...

B. Drop the fighter levels, go 2 rogue, for evasion and skills. Gt some divine power clickies and off you go.

C. lesser res out the 2 rogue when near cap and go pure WIZ

D. dont miss out on level 9 spells. Wail is FAR more potent, in the right situation, then any melee you will be putting out.

E. most important one this..... Ignore all of the above points, take what ever advise you choose and play whatever char you like Its YOUR game so play your character however you wish. I used to get slated for my drow cleric.... who was a gimp to be fair, but she is still the fav char i ever played..... Miss you tooli, we will be reunited again soon.

[InvadeNormandy]

Oh wow, now I see why everyone suggests warforged besides the obvious repair abilities.

in the character generator.. before and after.
Elf HP: 290
Warforged HP: 372

That's not even a close contest. Although, with similar CON the elf has 350 HP.... but still..... And the SP remains more or less the same as well.


Welp, looks like I'm getting WF unlocked soon.

[Aurora1979]

yea and the best stuff you wont even notice.....

Fighting casters.... no more mental control.

fighting trogs.... no more getting stenced....

theres loads. the immunities..... i never rolled a WF, made one about 8 months ago and now whenever i roll ANY char i think to myself..... yea but im just not optimum unless i go WF

Bad habit i know but still. the wodden ones are awesome!!

[stormarcher]

2 Rogue > 2 fighter.

1 Fighter > 1 Rogue.

should be 17/2/1 wiz/rogue/figther

[InvadeNormandy]

2 Rogue > 2 fighter.

1 Fighter > 1 Rogue.

should be 17/2/1 wiz/rogue/figther

For evasion and a few other things correct? I'm actually trying to remember why I went with the two levels of fighter myself come to think of it now.

Any particular things I should focus on?

And bah. I gotta wait to unlock WF... So I might have to shelve the whole thing for now. As I'm sure 280 HP is gonna get me yelled at come raid time if I stay elf =p

[Shortwave]

For evasion and a few other things correct? I'm actually trying to remember why I went with the two levels of fighter myself come to think of it now.

Any particular things I should focus on?
...

The wizard capstone is one of the best in the game... if you give it up by multiclassing, you need to get something really good to replace it. Evasion, trap skills, and backstabbing is a pretty good alternate capstone.

If you want to be a good caster, you need at least 17 wiz and every last bit of int you can scrape together.

The movement speed and sprint boost from 1 barbarian is also worth considering - but the fighter bonus feat can be handy, too.

[Cernunan]

Another really good combo you can think about:

17 wiz/ 1 fighter/ 2 monk

This way you gain access to: evasion, 3 combat feats, more hit points, 2 different improved hp basic level lines (fighter toghness 1 for 10 hp and way of the tortoise 1 for 5 xtra hp), and stances ( although they are harder to work into an arcane caster build reliably).
The rogue benefits you would not have access to would be 1d6+3 sneak atatck and rogue skill points, which with your high intell you can max search/dd/umd.

Depends on how your concept of the character, both are a lot of fun

[InvadeNormandy]

What should be my very first class level if I remake in your opinions? Fighter for the two feats out of the gate or rogue for the mass skill points at the start?

[Phidius]

What should be my very first class level if I remake in your opinions? Fighter for the two feats out of the gate or rogue for the mass skill points at the start?

Rogue first.

[InvadeNormandy]

Rogue first.

Got it, much thanks everyone. =)