Build Challenge: Arcane Blaster (image)?

[Steve]

Okay, take this image, and what kinda build/character do you see?

I thin some kind of arcane blaster, maybe with Arch Mage with Mastery of Shaping, so that he could throw an arsenal of fireballs without hurting the friendlies. Would be an armored mage, so Still Spell + Automatic Still Spell 0-9.

How would you build it? Have something in NWN2db already? Can a mage with mithral breastplate plus +5 DEX get AC at 50 or higher? There really aren't that many RTA spells of merit for a mage, are there?

[mrm3ntalist]

Many possibilities.

- First of all unless going for FM and using cold spells, Mastery of elements is a must.
- Second, you need to decide which class will provide the "Armored". Fighter, BG, Dragonslayer, Cleric ( Of Istithia/Auril for evasion ) or you can even buy the armor feats.

There are many multiclass possibilities, but i have found that these kind of casters work well at PvP. With the many mobs and the High HP they have, the underperform in PvE however it is doable with a skilled player and a complete spell selection.

[matelener]

6 wizard / 10 archmage / 10 asoc / 4 fighter = GG.

[Steve]

Yeah, it's tough: cleric or Fighter, which is free Feats (3, really) or Evasion (simply bad ass).

Sorcerer would be fun, but stretches things out, meaning, less feat slots.

Is there any good way to get Automatic Still Spell AND Hellball? I've never had Hellball before, nor Automatics, so...it's kinda tempting!

And, I kinda think Rogue 4 is better, getting full Tumble, plus Evasion and Uncanny Dodge.

[mrm3ntalist]

Yeah, it's tough: cleric or Fighter, which is free Feats (3, really) or Evasion (simply bad ass).

Sorcerer would be fun, but stretches things out, meaning, less feat slots.

Is there any good way to get Automatic Still Spell AND Hellball? I've never had Hellball before, nor Automatics, so...it's kinda tempting!

Unless you do Divine Champion and waste a feat for Weapon focus, you get 5 epic feats. 3 for the autostill and 2 more for an epic spell and or Ability point.

Its a very tight on feats kind of build, that is for certain.

The good thing with BG is that it lowers the saves of your oponent so that is +2DC on spells against mobs near you.

The target for such builds is 25CHA +3Item. With BG is like having 32CHA. Archmage allows you to reach 32CL for another DC. All these together will allow for respectable DCs on spells such as dominate and Wail that make soloing areas much easier. ASoC will provide the increased metamagic for increased blasting abilities. Personally i would look into something Such as Sorcerer6/BG4/ASOC10/AM10

EDIT: By the way, are you certain he is not a Palemaster in disguise?

[Wyatt]

Armored blast? Looks like a warlock with battle caster to me. What about a bard/warlock/stormsinger? Something along these lines tweaked for your liking?

http://nwn2db.com/build/?129040

[Steve]

I would believe warlock if his hands glowed! Lol. Besides, you're killing me with a build called a Feylock and NOT taking Fey Heritage!!

@M3nt: based on the image, I interpret this guy as Goodly, so no Blackguard (though I like the idea). Also, Hellball requires Spellcraft 27 which you cannot get until level 25, same as the Automatics. Hence the problem I see in building an armored blaster with Hellball!!

After seeing the options, a Cleric of Ishtishia dip would grant Evasion and Uncanny Dodge, as well, allow for Mithral Full plate (which replacing rogue 3 and mith breastplate is only +1 AC).

[mrm3ntalist]

@M3nt: based on the image, I interpret this guy as Goodly, so no Blackguard (though I like the idea). Also, Hellball requires Spellcraft 27 which you cannot get until level 25, same as the Automatics. Hence the problem I see in building an armored blaster with Hellball!!

If hellball is what you want the the only way is to take divine champion. You burn one feat for weapon focus and you take the second bonus feat at high epics in order to get autostill. Divine chanpions can choose Autostill as bonus spells.

He does look like a good guy, doesnt him? * rolls spot and sense motive *

[Steve]

I'll see if JEGs is working well enough to try out a Sorc 7 / Cleric 3 / ASoC 10 / ArchM 10. It will be tight on Feats, maybe can't fit it all.

My power goal is to be nigh-untouchable with AC, nigh un-dispelable, and just flinging out meta magics and empowered by ASoC.

But I could easily go for Wizard, because the Skills that build affords is much nicer. We'll see, we'll see.

[chad878262]

Could always make him a Fey-lock...

[Steve]

I have played a blaster warlock before. The one blast per round play puts me straight to sleep!

I guess if I could find some decent Lore to work around—and I've looked—I might be able to swing a non-devil packed Warlock. But I always come back to a dirty feeling about it....

[mrm3ntalist]

I have played a blaster warlock before. The one blast per round play puts me straight to sleep!

I guess if I could find some decent Lore to work around—and I've looked—I might be able to swing a non-devil packed Warlock. But I always come back to a dirty feeling about it....

High CHA warlocks are not that boring... And are great blasters /

[Garn Greymoon]

I'm going to go out and say:

17 Sorc | 3 Paladin | 10 Archmage

Feats:
* still spell
* auto still spell 0 - 9
* skill focus: spellcraft
* spell focus: evocation
* spell focus: enhancement
* practiced spell caster

I don't see a weapon, so hard to say, same with shield.

[Garn Greymoon]

@M3nt: based on the image, I interpret this guy as Goodly, so no Blackguard (though I like the idea). Also, Hellball requires Spellcraft 27 which you cannot get until level 25, same as the Automatics. Hence the problem I see in building an armored blaster with Hellball!!

If hellball is what you want the the only way is to take divine champion. You burn one feat for weapon focus and you take the second bonus feat at high epics in order to get autostill. Divine chanpions can choose Autostill as bonus spells.

He does look like a good guy, doesnt him? * rolls spot and sense motive *

I just saw this, i'll revise to: any caster + 10 pale-master wielding a tower shield and auto still and that'll accomplish it. You'll easily hit 60+ AC. On the other hand you're a one trick pony with necromancy spells.

Go wizard for extra skill points, splash dragonslayer or eldritch knight for armor feats.

[Steve]

I'm going to go out and say:

17 Sorc | 3 Paladin | 10 Archmage

Feats:
* still spell
* auto still spell 0 - 9
* skill focus: spellcraft
* spell focus: evocation
* spell focus: enhancement
* practiced spell caster

I don't see a weapon, so hard to say, same with shield.

Going 17 Sorc instead of 6 Sorc + 10 AsoC is...not a good idea!