Epic Wizard- not feeling very epic, meta issue or me issue?

[Darkwind]

This build I've played up to Level 22:

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

I never had an issue with soloing content. 1/7 times I'd get dispelled, usually EXACTLY when I didn't need that to happen, lol, but I managed by having potions at the ready.

You can adjust that build or choose other PrCs and get to CL 26+ easy.

That is a really solid build. I may have to dive back into the RCR chamber -again- (lol!) to test it out.

One question though, why Clr 3? Just for a dip into cleric or to get the CL higher? You could add more wizard levels, is it just to use clerical items etc? Just curious. Other than that, I grok it 100% (Like for instance I think a Druid 3 would also be good there too Flame Weapon, etc)

[Steve]

I wanted to use a Bastard Sword, so Cleric with Helm worship grants that domain via War, and Law domain grants Iron Will which is a req. for Dragonslayer.

Taking Cleric also opens up using Divine scrolls!

If you drop cleric, you can easily do Wizard 10 / EK 10 / DS 10, which is CL 29 w/ Practised Caster. But the trade off is less free Feats, meaning you'll be dropping Able Learner + Hell Ball or IPK feats.

[Hawke]

There are a LOT of gish builds out there, to include bladedancer.

There is also Red dragon disciple with EK for sorcerers.

Tons of stuff.

[Darkwind]

This build I've played up to Level 22:

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

I never had an issue with soloing content. 1/7 times I'd get dispelled, usually EXACTLY when I didn't need that to happen, lol, but I managed by having potions at the ready.

You can adjust that build or choose other PrCs and get to CL 26+ easy.

I think I'm not understanding something here. I built a Wiz 10 / EK 10 / DS build.

I have 20 combined levels between just Wiz / EK alone but my spellcasting tops out at level 7? What's up with that? It is odd because as I'm adding the EK levels I can see 8th and higher spells being selected but in the book it stops at 7th and the other tabs on the book are not selectable except wizard.

My understanding was EK acts just like a regular wiz level after 1st but the spellbook says otherwise. Any assistance would be nice as I'm a bit confused (obviously)

p.s. The only thing I can think is you need 18 INT to cast 8th / 9th level spells, is that perhaps the issue? I wasn't sure if NWN implemented this or not.

[Tsidkenu]

p.s. The only thing I can think is you need 18 INT to cast 8th / 9th level spells, is that perhaps the issue? I wasn't sure if NWN implemented this or not.

100% this. You need an intelligence score of 10+ spell level to access a particular circle. It sounds like you have a base of 16 with maybe a +1 item (or perhaps 17 base). All you need to do is equip (and keep equipped) a +Intelligence item to bump it up to 19 and you'll access 0-9th spell circles. There's a +4 INT helm in the Thayan Enclave and many, many +3 helms/other items available.

[Invoker]

You won't be very effective in PvE as a blaster or DC wizard.

That kind of statement always makes me giggle. It's a widespread opinion, so probably there is some valid ground for it.

By my side, I can tell you my Wizard Archmage clears the Frost Keep, boss included, faster than any other character you can come up with, and it destroys the Vault of the Dead more or less as well, killing the Dracolich with ease. The Graypeaks are also fine, excluding the Balor which obviously cannot be soloed without a sizeable investment in consumables, since he's immune to almost everything an arcane caster can throw at him (artificially made inefficient for certain builds, which is perfectly fine).

Allow me to leave this screenshot here, taken by a good old friend of mine while he watched me in disbelief as I one-shot the Dracolich on the above mentioned wizard:

To think, back then some felt (and wrote) soloing the Vault was "not possible" on a caster wizard.

Go figure...

That isn't to say you can't pull it off. It'll just take a bit of finesse and the end result won't be nearly as efficient as the alternative.

More than "efficient" I would say "comfortable". I agree on the finesse, and I would add, rather steady nerves. Caster wizard gameplay (especially when at least 20 levels are invested in Wizard/Archmage) doesn't work well with panic.

[electric mayhem]

I'd hazard a guess a healthy does of "I've died to these mobs and killed these mobs hundreds of times so i know their weaknesses and strengths" certainly goes a long way towards a 'comfortable' outcome.
Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

[Invoker]

I'd hazard a guess a healthy does of "I've died to these mobs and killed these mobs hundreds of times so i know their weaknesses and strengths" certainly goes a long way towards a 'comfortable' outcome.
Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

On my Wizard main, I died 2 times on my original build (about 1 year). 2 Times on the RCRed build (2 years, both in events: once vs a demigod, the other time was a heal potion with Mastery of Elements ). 0 times on his latest build (2,5 years).

You are absolutely right. Experience with the class and knowledge of the enemies are key to efficiency. It is so for every class, and especially true for paper casters.

[azermas]

Can someone forge a golden cup for Invoker here? He needs one.

[Invoker]

Can someone forge a golden cup for Invoker here? He needs one.

That good? I thought a simple "ah, ok, cool" would have sufficed...

But yeah, sure, no objection.

[enginseer-42]

Uh. How did you damage an undead with Negative energy?

[izzul]

Uh. How did you damage an undead with Negative energy?

dispell his death ward with mord first?

[enginseer-42]

But Negative energy heals undead?

[The Whistler]

Vamp Feast

[Deathgrowl]

Shouldn't work. It does, but it really shouldn't work on undeads at all.