Invisible needle

[KhyberKruel]

Just wondering how hard it would be to change the hit effect from something that looks like a bunch of acid hitting a foes to something more like orb of force or magic missile? I don't use the feat atm, but I would if it didn't look so wrong.

Invisible needle being the reserve feat that is powered by force spells, for those that don't play casters

(and yes I'm back after a long time for those that remember me)

[CommanderKrieg]

Invisible needle is the most powerful spell ever created.

[Ahku]

Really?

I currently have a stealthy wizard with hips who uses it and I find it lacking due to:

1) very short range
2) small damage
3) never does sneak attack damage as advertised

Are there other feats / skills that I can take to improve this 'powerful' spell?

~A

[V'rass]

Invisible needle is the most powerful spell ever created.

Erm not really... it does inferior damage compared to the other reserve feats. Clap of Thunder is prob the best of them. It offers no save and sonic damage is rarely resisted. Much better imho.

[chad878262]

Really?

I currently have a stealthy wizard with hips who uses it and I find it lacking due to:

1) very short range
2) small damage
3) never does sneak attack damage as advertised

Are there other feats / skills that I can take to improve this 'powerful' spell?

~A

Don't you need AT for rta sneak?

[Ahku]

So the 'clap of thunder' reserve feat is the best option for these types of feats?

I did notice that invisible needle does do critical hits (on a 20)...not like I'm a monster spamming 20's though...

what would be the best reserve feat (invisible needle, clap of thunder, etc...) and supporting feats / skills to take for a stealthy wizard type with hips?

this is my first attempt at such a mix of classes...

Rogue (3)
Wizard (sky's the limit)
Shadow Dancer (3)

~A

[Steve]

Invisible Needle plus Arcane Trickster is the combination you want if you wish to get Sneak Attack damage via Invisible Needle.

The range is set to Short, currently, because in tests made long ago with the range increased, it was possible to SA attack mobs from a distance without them turning hostile, and attacking back.

[Aelcar]

what would be the best reserve feat (invisible needle, clap of thunder, etc...) and supporting feats / skills to take for a stealthy wizard type with hips?

this is my first attempt at such a mix of classes...

Rogue (3)
Wizard (sky's the limit)
Shadow Dancer (3)

~A

None. A HiPS Wizard definitely doesn't need a Reserve Feat (well...nobody does, really...). Taking a better Feat is your best option. If you are dead set on a Reserve Feat, they are all equally useless the moment you become able to actually do meaningful things with your Rounds.

As for classes, ditch that split for Wizard26/SD4, and grab Spellcasting Prodigy and Practiced Spellcaster. Max hide/ms, get tumble to 20 or 30, base INT 28+ if possible, three Metamagic Feats (Extend, Empower and Quicken for instance) and at least a Greater Spell Focus in your favourite school. Keep Extended Fox's Cunning up, and pick an Epic Spell you like.

[Ahku]

thanks all,

Too bad the range on invisible needle was nurf'd.

I basically wanted the feat for RP purposes...but I guess I will go with a power build instead.

I'll do a RCR and try your suggested build....

w26/sd4

thanks!
~A

[Aelcar]

thanks all,

Too bad the range on invisible needle was nurf'd.

I basically wanted the feat for RP purposes...but I guess I will go with a power build instead.

seems to be a common theme here...

I'll do a RCR and try your suggested build....

w26/sd4

thanks!
~A

That's not a power build, btw.

Wizard/Shadowdancer is far from a power build. It's a good character, it has flavor, but it's a tier 2 as far as power is concerned.

If you wanted power, you'd build full caster, and with Blood Magus and/or Shadow Adept in the mix at the very least. Also, you'd probably want to pick Sorcerer over Wizard. A Sorc6/BM6/AM8/ASoC10 is a PB.

And no, PB is not a "common theme here", so go ahead and give your Wiz/SD a try

[Storm Munin]

Ah, but the reserve feats do bring flavour, if not power.

What would a stormsinger build be without the Sithish power of the Storm bolt after all?


See the reserve feats including invisible needle more as rounding out your toon rather then something to build power.

Though the feat does add a bit more umph with a flanking strike and plenty of sneak attack dices supporting it.
In particular since it offers no save.


Someone crazy enough to try bard4 rogue13 stormsinger10 AT3 for 10d6 lightning damage + 8d6 sneak attack from Storm bolt?

[Aelcar]

Someone crazy enough to try bard4 rogue13 stormsinger10 AT3 for 10d6 lightning damage + 8d6 sneak attack from Storm bolt?

That's what I mean.

Dealing 50-60 dmg/round on average would be considered horrible for one of the vituperated "non-caster melee crap builds", and not without reason .

If one really wants to pass the round, he can alway reposition...drink a coffee...alt+tab...you know...

[Storm Munin]

50-60 counting high on average since some mobs are immune to lightning damage, yeah.

On a pure bard storm bolt actually isnt so bad, good for blasting weak opponents aside when you just cant be bothered with drawing your weapon or wasting a true spell.

[Ahku]

It's really hard to run a non-fighter/healer type here...hence the 'Hips' angle...

I'll try the Wiz/SD build with the feats, etc...you recommended and see how it goes.

I suspect I will be dying ALOT before I get to the SD levels...

~A

[chad878262]

It's really hard to run a non-fighter/healer type here...hence the 'Hips' angle...

I'll try the Wiz/SD build with the feats, etc...you recommended and see how it goes.

I suspect I will be dying ALOT before I get to the SD levels...

~A

Prior to 18 when you can take your first level of SD you are playing as a DC wizard. So you should have several casts of solid spells from your chosen school with (greater) spell focus. I recommend either necromancy or illusion, though I suppose you might be ok with enchantment though the duration makes that suspect and I don't think you'd get XP for kills registered by charmed enemies... Never tried enchantment so not sure, but I can say a Wiz/SD focused on illusion I have is pretty strong (thanks Aelcar! ) Weird can cause some serious damage as even with two saves, the DC is high enough to still cause a lot of death. necromancy would almost certainly be better, though death ward doesn't protect against illusions and you have more cool spells in illusion (IMO).

You will really be better off grouping up, but any wizard is still ok on his own by simply summoning, buffing the summon and going invisible. Up until you reach ~level 12 or so you can buy scrolls at high hedge, buff the summons from the scrolls and earn strong XP from dire bears in the area... Wizards really aren't all that difficult to level, they are just EXPENSIVE to level (though everything about wizards is expensive... )