Wizard/Archmage- what am I doing wrong?

[CleverUsername123]

Okay, I'm reading things, and apparently casters are really powerful and everything.
Problem: My Wiz 13/Archmage 5 dies in two seconds when he's fully warded and has three meat shields.
What am I doing wrong?

Build specifics, as good as I can remember at least:
Specialized school: Transmutation
Barred school: Divination
Feats: Spell focus Evocation, Greater Spell Focus Evocation, Spell Focus Conjuration, Storm Bolt, Extra Languages 1, more I can't remember
Intelligence ATM: 24 (with items)
Caster Level: 18
Character Level: 18

What do I do and is RCRing to fix it worth the XP loss?

[Steve]

Maybe avoid direct melee combat?

[Sokolsky]

Where does he go to die so quickly?

[CleverUsername123]

Where does he go to die so quickly?

Hobgoblin camp mostly at this point, but it also happened at the xvart den during earlier levels.

Maybe avoid direct melee combat?

The enemies don't really give a choice on outdoor maps, they run up, ignore the meat shields, and hit me. I either take five AoOs to the face or fail my concentration roll from damage if I try casting invisibility or meteor swarm.

So it's not a problem with the build, it's a problem with how I'm playing?

[mrm3ntalist]

So it's not a problem with the build, it's a problem with how I'm playing?

The build can be improved. I think the problem is that wizards need a lot of practice. You need to learn how the spells work, how and when they should be used. If you like the wizard class and you are new to it, i suggest practise with it. Ask help from others - you can do it even in character.

A wizard at your level should be able to survive the areas you mentioned. Not only that, but he should be able to farm easily with AoE spells by gathering all mobs and nuking them.

[Glowfire]

What is your buff sequence?

Do you use Mirror Image, Premonition(or Shades in your case)/Stoneskin (Gr or reg.), Shield, Improved Mage Armor...?


Keep a wand of invisibility. It lasts 3 mins but activates very quickly and nice for emergencies. Not too expensive either. Can't fail to cast it unless your character is disabled somehow.

Ethereal/Sanctuary is also nice. Can be found on scrolls but you'll trigger an AoE. More pricy but works against those foes who see through Invis.

Teleport or Dimension Door are good getaway spells.

[CleverUsername123]

I use Mirror Image, Cat's Grace, Imp. Mage Armor, Stoneskin, and all five Energy Immunities for buffs. I can't use Shades because I was stupid and picked Arcane Fire as a high arcana.

[Aspect of Sorrow]

The build can be improved. I think the problem is that wizards need a lot of practice. You need to learn how the spells work, how and when they should be used. If you like the wizard class and you are new to it, i suggest practise with it. Ask help from others - you can do it even in character.

This.

At 8 CON, my DC abjurist at level 21 has 78 HP and stays alive in places like Avernus solely out of practiced play experience with the class, combining strategy like maximized acid fog on top of a displaced ice wall and using programmed image to lure creatures to fight, while she remains at a safe distance out of visible range to the creatures.

[Glowfire]

I use Mirror Image, Cat's Grace, Imp. Mage Armor, Stoneskin, and all five Energy Immunities for buffs. I can't use Shades because I was stupid and picked Arcane Fire as a high arcana.

That 30 DR is vital for when you get caught in melee. Not sure how you can't get it. Ask another wizard to scribe it for you (you don't need it as an AM feat). In the meanwhile, Use Greater Stoneskin. Shield or Deez' Repulsive Shadow barrier is good too, as well as Spiderskin/Barkskin. You won't get your AC up to high heaves but it helps a little.

Not sure why monsters go for you. I haven't experienced this issue. Stay in the back and not front lines. If you're grinding, 5 energy immunities is more or less a waste. Use something like Prot from Energy or Energy Buffer for traps. But, your meat shields should always walk first and trigger them (and any on chests).


Storm Bolt is not very useful at all in higher levels, and I have no idea why you would pick extra language as a wizard! They get a lot already.

[Steve]

The AI is the biggest known cheater.

For example, it will always try and attack the highest Level PC in a group. Also, it will try and attack the PC that does the most damage. It will also only cast spells that it "knows" will harm the PC in question, but not waste those spells if you have, for example more SR than it can overcome (most times).

When you realize that the AI on this engine actually reads your Toon's character sheet first before and while it attacks your PC, you realize that you are always in a losing position. Which...maybe for some, is fun to try and game the game, by being actually more powerful mechanically than the AI/engine can handle in the relative CR. That however does sometimes run the fun of playing those labeled "rp builds."

[CleverUsername123]

I use Mirror Image, Cat's Grace, Imp. Mage Armor, Stoneskin, and all five Energy Immunities for buffs. I can't use Shades because I was stupid and picked Arcane Fire as a high arcana.

That 30 DR is vital for when you get caught in melee. Not sure how you can't get it. Ask another wizard to scribe it for you (you don't need it as an AM feat). In the meanwhile, Use Greater Stoneskin. Shield or Deez' Repulsive Shadow barrier is good too, as well as Spiderskin/Barkskin. You won't get your AC up to high heaves but it helps a little.

Not sure why monsters go for you. I haven't experienced this issue. Stay in the back and not front lines. If you're grinding, 5 energy immunities is more or less a waste. Use something like Prot from Energy or Energy Buffer for traps. But, your meat shields should always walk first and trigger them (and any on chests).


Storm Bolt is not very useful at all in higher levels, and I have no idea why you would pick extra language as a wizard! They get a lot already.

Oh, I said I couldn't use it because Arcane Fire uses up a 9th level spell slot, leaving me with two that I use for Gate and Meteor Swarm.

I picked Extra Language because I needed to pick up Illuskan, which I'd forgotten at character creation and other opportunities.

So, the AI cheats and I need Shades or Premonition to survive better? Okay, thanks, I'll try that.

[metaquad4]

Mirror Images+Displacement+Premonition (or 2) should soak up most of your damage.

As mentioned before, don't use 5 energy immunities. Use those slots for something else.

Round up mobs, and AoE them to death, or buff each of your summons. That is what I would advise. Stoneskin, Mass Bull/Bear/Cat and Greater Heroism do nicely. If it has weapons, then greater magic weapon and keen weapon as well.

Arcane casters in general are better played with parties though (everything is good with a party!). The very best thing to do is find someone your level, buff them, and save your spells for the mobs they struggle with or for mass crowd control.

[matelener]

My most important damage mitigation spell beside DR/Mirror Images is extended Expeditious Retreat / Haste that I try to keep up 24/7. With that you can outrun almost any melee monster and let aggro fade or just cast a spell once you've made enough distance.

[Glowfire]

Oh, I said I couldn't use it because Arcane Fire uses up a 9th level spell slot, leaving me with two that I use for Gate and Meteor Swarm.

Personal protection always goes before damage spells. Your character is no use if dead. Swap out one of those spells.

You can't learn Premonition, because its Divination. You need to learn Shades.

[Invoker]

You have a problem of positioning.

It's not a matter of build. Nor spells.

In NWN1, there are no Energy Immunities, DR30 is unreliable (past +5 doesn't work), no mirror images...and a good wizard still never dies.

Don't get me wrong: as Mentalist said, everything is improvable, and in this case, easily.

But you will keep dying regardless, if you don't position yourself correctly.

Positioning is the most important part of playing wizard, especially for linear and cloud spells.

If you want to know anything specific, feel free to PM me.

Good luck!