Arcanosmith - Advice please?

[Lanzlo]

I have made a character that I want to advance into the crafting of magic items. I've seen this build online, and was starting to follow it. He's level 4 right now:

http://nwn2db.com/build/?102795

However, I realized the other night that this is an illegal build. Archmage cannot be taken if there are fighter levels. Also, the High Arcana abilities come slower. So, I'm going to need a new build.

Any suggestions on a decent build that I can level with? Especially those of you who tested out the crafting rules. Would be appreciated.

Either pure arcane, or can go Cleric with Mystic Theurge.

[Lanzlo]

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Come on, no one is willing to give me advice on this?

OK, how about this one? http://nwn2db.com/build/?240956

Levels taken in Frost Mage are actually levels of Master Alchemist. Also, looking at changing Epic Spell: Mass Foul into something else, not sure what yet. (Vapiric Feast, while powerful, comes with its own problems...)

[NegInfinity]

<bump>

Come on, no one is willing to give me advice on this?

OK, how about this one? http://nwn2db.com/build/?240956

Levels taken in Frost Mage are actually levels of Master Alchemist. Also, looking at changing Epic Spell: Mass Foul into something else, not sure what yet. (Vapiric Feast, while powerful, comes with its own problems...)

You have no practiced spellcaster.

You start off as a wizard, and get fighter level late. I would grab fighter on 2nd level, equip heaviest plate I can find and keep stabbing things till the next level. But that's a personal preference. Alternatively I could get higher dex, so the wizard will be able to fend for himself with a bow or crossbow. Sun elf will get longbow proficiency too, which allows composite longbow (if you can afford it) on early level which is mighty. Crossbow is a better deal on 1st level, because it has 1d10 damage. Meaning you can oneshot things if you're lucky. Alternatively, there's magic missile quarterstaff (if you can afford it).

BGTSCC has no persistent spell.

BGTSCC has no crafting for mundane weapons and armor. There's two or three places on the whole server where those skills are ever used. You will not be able to craft anything, and skills will be used for roleplaying purposes only.

You're getting craft wand feat late.
Getting to level 27 requires a lot of grinding. (a LOT of grindiing), or at least 6.. 12 months of playing. You'll not be getting craft wand any time soon.

You're losing skillpoints on fighter levels.

You'll not benefit from invisible needle much, they're only useful for sneakmages.

Weapon proficiency: exotic looks like a waste of a feat to me. Not sure if "improved critical" makes much sense on a wizard. It would make sense on a warlock.

I think you're making your life harder trying to qualify for asoc early, waste two fighter bonus feats, waste non-bonus feat on invisible needle, will have lower CL in the end, and lose wizard bonus feat as well due to fighter levels.

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What do you even need fighter levels for? You will not be able to use two fighter bonus feats for magic related abilities, and you're losing 1 wizard bonus feat because of them, they delay spell progression, wizards also already have access to all the crafting skills, and as a sun elf you have longsword and longbow available for you. http://nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/Weapon_Proficiency_(elf)

With this kind of setup by level 20 you'll have 1 level 9 spellslot. Not sure if it is worth it. You aren't a gish, aren't an armored caster (no still/autostill feats). Don't see much reason to bother with fighter levels, unless it is very RP-specific thing.

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Either way, don't know if Ii'll be watching the thread, but you wanted a review, so here it is.

[Hawke]

Did they change the requirement of having only arcane casting classes to take archmage?

[Lanzlo]

Thank you NegInfinity for your honesty. Brutal, but honest. This is why I'm asking for advice. The original build (check the first post) indicated that one needed the proficiency to craft. (Looking at it now, it's horridly out of date...)

Currently the character I want to make a crafter is level 5, and he has a Magic Missile Staff. I can drop the Fighter levels, if they'll do nothing for me. (In fact, after hearing your review, I just may want to.) Perhaps go to Wizard/Master Alchemist/Archmage.

This is why I posted in this forum in the first place.

[NegInfinity]

This is why I posted in this forum in the first place.

Sure thing.

Also, if you want maximum spellpower you would need to get someone like Invoker or Deathgrowl interested - they should be able to give better advice on boosting spells, spell choices, etc. I just listed the obvious issues I noticed and things that can possibly cause problems.

Have fun.