Your Favorite Gish

[chad878262]

Is a gish build a good starter for playing an arcane class. I was not a good wizard player. Or is it better to just keep practicing with a wizxy build.

In my opinion a good trainer for caster wizards is a HiPS Wizard. Either W26/SD4 (DC) or W/R/SD/AT (RTA). While HiPS is not needed to play a Caster it is a really good defensive ability when you aren't sure how to use positioning and timing your spells cast. Gish doesn't really teach you how to play a caster since you really only use spells to buff.

[Lockonnow]

VillageGreenWitch well it is my idea to bash Harry poter i think the best think about harry poter is the wizard school we could have do the same but all those guilds tha tsand emtys is goine nowhere then only thing taht is go some where is teh red wizard but who need to be a red wizard to be evil and about you use to play a wizard can take time but hey who care dnd is about to get over the wall what i have read but many have know that i have tal kabout wmage school for tha tday i start here for 7 years a go so and look where it gos it goine no where couse you people dont know how to play

[Steve]

So, I had the idea, based on the recent promotion of the few dispels that are on the Server, that it is actually true that CL 25 caster can be successful. And I came up with this build, and for a number of RP background reasons—plus existing Character and almost similar structure, it has to remain more or less like this:

http://nwn2db.com/build/?265217

I'm looking for feedback, then, on this CL 25 issue. I think the stats are pretty good, overall, the AC/AB/DMG portion is decent...when buffed. But if and when dispelled, it loses 10 AC, 4–9 AB and 5–10 dmg.

My goal with such a build would be to utilize Duelward quite extensively, when approaching what may be a end of dungeon fight. But with Counterspelling not working properly, I simply feel have nervous feet about going from CL 28 down to CL 25.

Thoughts?

[chad878262]

Really not understanding the addition of Cleric since the Weapon Focus Feat essentially nullifies the -1 AB you lose from taking Cleric 3 and gives nothing in return, but you said it was for RP so I'll assume Cleric has to be there, even though you need an item to cast any cleric spells and don't have divine shield or divine might (and low CHA anyway).

Regarding CL25, I have such a character and have had minimal issues with being dispelled (though admittedly the Underdark has far fewer area's where dispel is a concern). My opinion is you simply need a backup plan for dispels, in my case HiPS, in your case, Counterspell. Though as you mention Counterspell is a bit unreliable so you may want an Ethereal Jaunt and a Wand of Invisibility ready for emergency use.

Even if you are dispelled you won't lose all your buffs, in my experience 25% chance of dispel (the chance against each buff from a CL20 or higher Greater Dispel) will strip somewhere around 1/2 or less of your wards. So if you start with 12 wards up you will probably lose at least 3, but up to 6 of them. In general this should not be enough to turn you in to fugue bait.

I would want to have +3/+4 armor/dodge/deflection/natural AC items as well as a +3/+4 Shield to use for emergencies and when I get stripped which would avoid having a full 10 AC ward reliant. At worst if you have full +4 gear you will lose 3 AC if stripped which will make it much less a big deal. Quickened Displacement can generally allow you to fully rebuff without worrying over getting hit after a dispel.

[Steve]

The Cleric levels are for RP background and also grant Exotic weapon feat. Bastard sword allows exactly what your promoting: Hvy Shield +4 backup if spells fail, as well, 2-handed fighting. I have some nice bastard swords to use.

I could also rearrange the leveling so that the CL is as high as possible in the earlier leveling structure, with Dragonslayer mostly in the Epics. That might help some.

Thanks Chad!

[chad878262]

Anytime Steve... I would think in this case Fighter would be better since it gives two Feats which could be Exotic Proficiency and Iron Will with the same AB with all Weapons that you will have from Cleric with Bastard Sword. In any case I suppose it's a near wash...

[Steve]

Anytime Steve... I would think in this case Fighter would be better since it gives two Feats which could be Exotic Proficiency and Iron Will with the same AB with all Weapons that you will have from Cleric with Bastard Sword. In any case I suppose it's a near wash...

3 levels of Cleric also allows divine scrolls!

[chad878262]

Good point, another reason for CL25 scrolls to be useful.