Building the Perfect Illusionist

[chad878262]

I think it's 2609.

[Steve]

So, one can make a Human Sorcerer 6 / Shadowdancer 4 / Arcane Scholar 10 / Shadow Adept 10, and get CL 33, DC of 27 + Spell Level, max skills of Concentration, Hide, Move Silently, Spellcraft and Tumble.

It would decent against the mobs on BGTSCC, but questionable against some Epic Bosses. But the DCs would probably struggle in PvP—I know a few FSs and/or Arcane Caster builds with a base of 35 Will/Fortitude, and with Steadfast!

Substitute Sorc with Wizard and you bump up to 28 DC + spell level. If you switch Human Wizard for Air Genasi Wizard, you gain 29 DC + spell level. Not so bad, but no matter what, there are some fundamental weaknesses in the build that, even though you can throw out a few awesome Illusions, any smart player could easily take you out in PvP. Good thing the Engine AI is dumb as shit...so your PC will survive just fine.

[Zahlfire]

Could someone take a look at this build for me? It built fine in JEGS, but it would be the first that I make without NWN2DB and on my own, as far as feat selection goes. Is my ability spread decent?

Hidden: show

So, one can make a Human Sorcerer 6 / Shadowdancer 4 / Arcane Scholar 10 / Shadow Adept 10, and get CL 33, DC of 27 + Spell Level, max skills of Concentration, Hide, Move Silently, Spellcraft and Tumble.

Well I guess that just put my build to shame hahaha. Would it have enough skill points to get Lore Arcana up to 8 for Shadow Adept?

[chad878262]

How does it put yours to shame?

10 + 11 (cha with eagles) + 5 (cl36) + 2 (SA) + 3 (ESF) =31 + Spell level for illusion spells. 28+spell level for enchantment sms necromancy.

[Zahlfire]

I completely did the math wrong on mine hahaha. Glad to know I didn't make something that would be useless. I'll have to give her a shot then.

[Babuguuscooties]

I know a few FSs and/or Arcane Caster builds with a base of 35 Will/Fortitude, and with Steadfast!

There aren't really any reflex save or die spells, right?

So how does one beat a 35 will/fort with steadfast build as a mage? Would it just be a case of immobilize + bombard with damage, I guess? Immobilize with reflex spell or a spell that gives no save and slows or something, or maybe a Bigby's followed by a barrage of high damage like Maximized Isaac's, or -something- lol.

Just curious how any mage would topple a 35 will/fort with steadfast build even after a mord's. Especially if they are a FS bc they can likely heal right up with no problem.

[Steve]

Lowering Saves can come from: Blackguard's Aura, Bard's Curse, spells that have no save but SR check that lower Abilities (or Saves directly), Poisons (Hi Calodan! ), etc.

Saves are crucial. If you don't build with good Saves in mind, you then have to play a PC with special care, else it'll get smacked down by a smart Player or a cheating Game Engine AI!!

[Babuguuscooties]

spells that have no save but SR check that lower Abilities (or Saves directly)

What would be a good spell that doesn't require a save and lowers abilities?

[Valefort]

You can try bigby 6/9 to lock them in one place then grease to try to keep them in an helpless state. Then raw damage or energy drain/enervate until their saves are low enough. Silence wand to prevent most of their casting possibilities and they'll probably be reduced to chugging as many potions as they can to survive.

[Pimple]

What would be a good spell that doesn't require a save and lowers abilities?

Touch of Idiocy. The wiki says it doesn't stack. It does stack.

And grease and web work wonders together.

[Babuguuscooties]

What would be a good spell that doesn't require a save and lowers abilities?

Touch of Idiocy. The wiki says it doesn't stack. It does stack.

And grease and web work wonders together.

Holy crud that spell has no save? That's scary lol.

[Pimple]

It can be empowered. Probably maximized too.

[Babuguuscooties]

It can be empowered. Probably maximized too.

I didn't realize it stacked or else I would have already learned it. Nedrin is a transmuter, but he has at least one feat into Spell Focus: Enchantment as a pre-req for Archmage. So it couldn't hurt to have it on hand.

[Steve]

Yes, cast a round of Quickened Touch of Idiocy + Maximized Touch of Idiocy.

If you're a fraction of a second faster than your opponent, especially if they are a Caster, you'll ruin them.

This is why a HiPS mage with ASoC can be so destructive—it allows you to get in this round of double ToI without getting touched by your opponent.