Sorcerer/Frost Mage/Archmage/Something?

[Sun Wukong]

Sorcerer 6/Frost Mage 10/Archmage 6/Arcane Scholar 8?

Could I take something else instead of Arcane Scholar? The Improved Maximize and Empower are strong abilities, especially combined with Piercing Cold and Mastery of Shaping if you have something to tank for you.

I was thinking about Evocation and Illusion Spell Focuses.

Thoughts? Better build ideas?

[Rinzler]

I know this doesn't answer your question but you should definitely work in Paladin or Blackguard (Good or Evil PC) in any sorcerer build.

[Deathgrowl]

Not sure if frost mage + archmage is really worth it. Might as well pick up mastery of elements with archmage instead.

[Sun Wukong]

Ah... Yes, I know, Divine Shield on a high charisma build does give quite a lot of AC. Not to mention thet blackguard Aura would be +2 to my spell DCs.

Another lesser known alternative would be 4 levels of Divine Champion, especially if you are going for Automatic: Quick Spell feats. Divine Champion bonus feats can be used to pick those up. Thus a multiclassed Sorcerer can get Automatic: Quick Spell III, and a wizard could get Automatic: Quick Spell IV. Yeah, you can get Automatic: Quick Spell IV in NWN2. Not beyond it though, even if you have the feats.

[Sun Wukong]

Not sure if frost mage + archmage is really worth it. Might as well pick up mastery of elements with archmage instead.

That would free 10 levels and a PRC slot for something else.

[Deathgrowl]

Sorcerer6/asoc10/archmage10 and blackguard4 or paladin4. Archmage SLAs can also be used to expand the versatility of sorcerer, so archmage is all-around a good idea for sorcerer. Might be a bit feat heavy though.

Sorcerer6/asoc8/archmage10/blood magus6 can get pretty high DCs if you want to go for a DC build.

Harper mage is also something to look into, as it synergises well with both asoc and archmage ("free" skill focus spellcraft, one spell focus and extend spell) as well as getting a decent skillset. Sorcerer7/harper mage5/asoc8/archmage10 for instance. Or asoc10/archmage8, depending on preference.

[AlfarinIcebreaker]

Sorcerer 6/Paladin or BG 4/ASoC 10. That would be my base for every Sorcerer build. 10 levels of your own choosing in between one of the arcane PrCs like Frost Mage, Archmage, Blood Magus or Pale Master.

[Babuguuscooties]

This just occurred to me, but since actually choosing a specialization only nets you the few extra spell slots why are sorcerers not better DC casters than wizards? Is there some feat wizards get that they don't, or am I missing something here?

[Sun Wukong]

Wizards get more feats. One every every 5 levels pre-epic, which can be spent during epic levels to get epic stuff. Sorcerers do not have this possibility and thus wizards just get more feats.

Actually, years ago I made this build just to have an armored caster that could not be silenced: http://nwn2db.com/build/?149519 for PvP. You know, when that one bard or cleric threw quickened Silence spell on the ground, I would just make them eat Orbs of Cold in return...

These days though, you can have the Automatic: Still Spells earlier, so I might be going for Automatic: Quicken Spell III or something else, like two Great Intelligence feats and an epic spell.

[AlfarinIcebreaker]

Wizards have 1 less spell less per circle, and they have to prepare their spells. That's the only disadvantage compared to Sorcerers. On the other hand, they get tons of skills due to better casting ability, they have +4 Intelligence item readily available in shops, extra feats, better gear available in loot/shops and are more flexible regarding multiclassing.

[AlfarinIcebreaker]

Actually, the more I think about it, Blackguard seems like "the" PrC for a Sorcerer. Access to Divine Shield and Dark Blessing, coupled with Aura of Despair makes it almost too good to pass up.

Cleric would also make for an interesting choice. Get's access to Divine Shield, but no Dark Blessing. Instead, you get some interesting domain options, like Water which gives Evasion. I think that Karond used to play a character like this.

[Sun Wukong]

Also Heavy Armor and Shield Proficiencies, along with Martial or Sneak Attack dice if you need such.

[Babuguuscooties]

So is there no PrC a sorc can take to get access to those DC-boosting feats?

[Sun Wukong]

You could go for Sorcerer 30, and get three epic bonus feats. But other than that, no, not really. Not to mention that as a Sorcerer your spell selection is just so limited. Buffs will eat most of your selection, and then you risk being defeated by a single wrong immunity or high save.

Well, there is the possibility of using Divine Champion bonus feat to get one of the Automatic Spell, Epic Spell Focus, or Epic Spell Penetrations feats - but you are really just trading two pre-epic feats for one epic one. (Practised Spellcaster and Weapon Focus.)

However, there is nothing wrong with a Sorcerer 6/Archmage 8/Bloodmagus 6/Shadow Adept 10 going for spell DCs, but you will need DM approval for it first though. All hail Shar and all that.

Thus for now, the best chance for sorcerer to increase spell DCs is to go for a build such as Sorcerer 6/Arcane Scholar 10/Bloodmagus 6/Archmage 8. It would net +5 Epic caster levels, and +2 to spell DCs.

[Rinzler]

So is there no PrC a sorc can take to get access to those DC-boosting feats?

In my opinion, sorcerer is more efficient as a evocation blaster. You're a Bigby's and Maximized IGMS machine - that should be your bread and butter.

If you want to be a DC caster go wizard.