Help with WF Archmage build

[soulpiper]

Hey, I was planning on build a 32pt 2rog/18wiz WF archmage focused on force/lightning and able to disable traps, with 1st lvl as rogue, and 9th lvl as rogue
Figured it would be something like this

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.9.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Good Warforged Male
(2 Rogue \ 18 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 226
Spell Points: 1488 
BAB: 10\10\15\20
Fortitude: 10
Reflex: 18
Will: 9

                  Starting          
Abilities        Base Stats         
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          
Strength             14             
Dexterity             8             
Constitution         18             
Intelligence         18             
Wisdom                6             
Charisma              6             

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Mental Toughness


Level 3 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 4 (Wizard)


Level 5 (Wizard)


Level 6 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 7 (Wizard)


Level 8 (Wizard)


Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Insightful Reflexes


Level 10 (Wizard)


Level 11 (Wizard)


Level 12 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Empower Spell
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 13 (Wizard)


Level 14 (Wizard)


Level 15 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Heighten Spell


Level 16 (Wizard)


Level 17 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Quicken Spell


Level 18 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Penetration


Level 19 (Wizard)


Level 20 (Wizard)

Does this look okay? Also, up to what archmage should I be going, and when putting in skills, I plan on keeping dd and concentration maxed but I dont know what the 3rd one to max should be.
Any advice would be appreciated.

[Kriogen]

Looks OK.

In my experience Evoc is very nice for leveling, but weak at high levels.

Skills: Concentration, Search+Disable, UMD, some Open Lock (some, doesn't have to be max). If some points left, Balance.

Oh, +1 (at lvl 3) and +2 INT (at lvl 7) tome is very recommended. Its so you get extra skill points.

[unbongwah]

I would definitely add SF & GSF in another school so you can have two masteries. Enchantment / Evocation is a popular combo for a CC / nuker, but really it's up to your personal preferences, IMHO. Here's my approach:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.9.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Warforged Female
(2 Rogue \ 18 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 226
Spell Points: 1293 
BAB: 10\10\15\20
Fortitude: 10
Reflex: 18
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             14                    14
Dexterity             8                     8
Constitution         18                    18
Intelligence         18                    28
Wisdom                6                     6
Charisma              6                     6

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               3                     3
Bluff                 2                     2
Concentration         6                    31
Diplomacy             2                     2
Disable Device        8                    32
Haggle                2                     2
Heal                 -2                    -2
Hide                 -1                    -1
Intimidate           -2                    -2
Jump                  6                     6
Listen               -2                    -2
Move Silently        -1                    -1
Open Lock             3                     3
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                4                     9
Search                8                    32
Spot                  2                    17
Swim                  2                     2
Tumble                3                     3
Use Magic Device      2                    21

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Bluff (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Diplomacy (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+3)
Skill: Disable Device (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Spell Focus: Enchantment


Level 3 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Insightful Reflexes


Level 4 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 5 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 6 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Mental Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 7 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 8 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 9 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 10 (Rogue)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+7)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+5)


Level 11 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 12 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Heighten Spell


Level 13 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 15 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+0.5)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 16 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 17 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Quicken Spell


Level 18 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell


Level 19 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Improved Concentration I
Enhancement: Improved Concentration II
Enhancement: Improved Concentration III
Enhancement: Improved Concentration IV
Enhancement: Kinetic Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Kinetic Spellcasting II
Enhancement: Kinetic Spellcasting III
Enhancement: Kinetic Spellcasting IV
Enhancement: Kinetic Spellcasting V
Enhancement: Kinetic Spellcasting VI
Enhancement: Reconstructive Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Deadly Kinetics I
Enhancement: Deadly Kinetics II
Enhancement: Deadly Kinetics III
Enhancement: Deadly Kinetics IV
Enhancement: Deadly Kinetics V
Enhancement: Mighty Reconstruction I
Enhancement: Force Manipulation I
Enhancement: Force Manipulation II
Enhancement: Force Manipulation III
Enhancement: Force Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Force Manipulation V
Enhancement: Force Manipulation VI
Enhancement: Force Manipulation VII
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation I
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation II
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation III
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation V
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation VI
Enhancement: Repair Manipulation VII
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar II
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar III
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar IV
Enhancement: Wizard Subtle Spellcasting I
Enhancement: Wizard Subtle Spellcasting II
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence II
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence III
Enhancement: Warforged Healer's Friend I
Enhancement: Arcane Blast
Enhancement: Arcane Bolt
Enhancement: Wizard Archmage I
Enhancement: Wizard Archmage II
Enhancement: Wizard Archmage III
Enhancement: Wizard Archmage IV
Enhancement: Wizard Archmage V
Enhancement: Archmage Secondary Spell Mastery I: Evocation
Enhancement: Archmage Spell Mastery I: Enchantment
Enhancement: Archmage Spell Mastery II: Enchantment
Enhancement: Enchantment I - Hypnotism
Enhancement: Enchantment II - Otto's Resistible Dance
Enhancement: Enchantment III - Hold Person
Enhancement: Evocation I - Magic Missle
Enhancement: Evocation II - Gust of Wind
Enhancement: Evocation III - Chain Missles

[DaSawks]

Archmage 5 even if you take none of the SLA. Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus so you can get the AM spell school bonus to that schools DC (+2). I would pick Necromancy or Enchantment. Mental toughness is not a must. Your will save is extreamly low. Do not forget Construct Thinking and Warforged Hardiness to help your Fort and Will saves. You have Reflex covered with IR. A +1 INT tome will net you 3 more skill points between level 4 and 7. Very important to run Deleras 2 times for Voice of the Master and for the Golden Cartouche (+3 to UMD (BTA)) if you are not a TR. Just a few ideas.

[unbongwah]

Mental toughness is not a must.

Archmage I pre-req - so, yeah, kind of a must-have.

[DaSawks]

Archmage I pre-req - so, yeah, kind of a must-have.

Ah IC. That is why I have it. nice catch.

[soulpiper]

@unbongwah
Is it really fine to not have extend?

[GreatOwl]

@unbongwah
Is it really fine to not have extend?

Imo extend is a must have at low levels; is more mana efficient to cast an extended buff then to cast said buff twice and at low lvls you don't have many SPs. However once your buffs start to last long enough (15+ minutes) it's totally fine to drop extend for something else using the free feat exchange.

Having said that I kept extend on my mage for haste, rage, displacement and fire shield; it's nice, but I would be "fine" with out it.

[unbongwah]

Is it really fine to not have extend?

It's not so much a question of whether or not it's useful; it's what do you drop to make room for it? You need Mental Toughness, Spell Focus, & GSF to take Archmage; a second set of SF & GSF lets you add a 2nd mastery (+ to DC and SLAs). Empower & Maximize boost your DPS & Repair output; Heighten boosts the DCs of your lower-lvl spells; Quicken makes your spells uninterruptable. Everybody should have Toughness; and Insightful Reflexes is a really good idea on a wiz w/Evasion because it gives a big boost to Reflex saves. [Can't cast nuthin' if you're dead.] Congratulations, you've now used up all of your feats; now that Extend no longer affects offensive spells, are you willing to sacrifice anything for longer buffs?

A human R 2 / W 18 or a pure wizard would get one more feat, but there again: is Extend more important than, say, Spell Penetration? There are always tradeoffs in any build; and I decided that Extend is nice, but not essential.

[GreatOwl]

... a second set of SF & GSF lets you add a 2nd mastery (+ to DC and SLAs) ...

Just a note to clarify; you only need a second SF for the AM secondary mastery school.

[AZgreentea]

What type of Archmage should you take? That depends on what type of spells you intend to cast, so it depends on your playstyle.

I would look here: http://ddowiki.com/page/Category:Sor..._Wizard_spells. Look at the spells for the different schools and decide what spells you will be spending most of your time casting. Then pick the Archmage focus that most of those spells are in.

While you are at it, you can also check out the list of spells by damage type to see what damage focus you want to get (like fire, acid, force, ect).

[unbongwah]

Just a note to clarify; you only need a second SF for the AM secondary mastery school.

You only need SF for 2nd mastery; but you need GSF if you also want the tier-3 SLA. I would argue the SLAs are as useful (if not more so) than the +1 DC from 2nd mastery, esp. if you're going Evocation (cheap Chain Missiles FTW! ). But that is a distinction worth making.

[soulpiper]

What type of Archmage should you take? That depends on what type of spells you intend to cast, so it depends on your playstyle.

I would look here: http://ddowiki.com/page/Category:Sor..._Wizard_spells. Look at the spells for the different schools and decide what spells you will be spending most of your time casting. Then pick the Archmage focus that most of those spells are in.

While you are at it, you can also check out the list of spells by damage type to see what damage focus you want to get (like fire, acid, force, ect).

Already said in first post, lightning/force, and they are mostly evocation. Which is why I had SF for evocation in mine