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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2007 - 11:13AM
#1
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Counterspelling
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Warning : in general it is easier for a sorcerer to be a good counterspeller, but an optimized counterspelling wizard can leave the sorcerer in the dust.
[LIST=1]
Learn the Dispel line.
Contrary to sorcerers, you won't take Improved Counterspell. Instead, you will use :
- Dispel Magic [sup]PHB, 3[/sup] - max CL 10
- Greater Dispel Magic [sup]PHB, 6[/sup] - max CL 20
- Reaving Dispel [sup]SC, 9[/sup] - max CL 20
Reaving Dispel [sup]CA, 9[/sup] has been updated in the SC and now caps at CL 20. It can still be worth learning for a Dispel-oriented wizard.
Get some spells that help.
- Battlemagic Perception [sup]HoB, 3[/sup] - 10 min/level
- Duelward [sup]CA, 5[/sup] - 1 round/level
Both of them grant a Spellcraft bonus (to recognize spells) and allow you to counterspell once as an free action not on your turn*, which ends the spell.
Battlemagic Perception is superior in every way to Duelward : lower level, longer duration, allows you to recognize spell-like abilities too.
*(the only other occurrence of this is speech - don't be surprised if your DM houserule it to be an immediate action)
Optimize your dispel check.
- Minor School Esoterica (Abjuration) [Master Specialist(Abjurer) [sup]CM[/sup]] : competence bonus of half your class level to dispel checks
- Caster Level Increase [Master Specialist(Abjurer) [sup]CM[/sup]] : +1 then +2 CL to abjuration spells
- Unanswerable Strike [Iot7V [sup]CA[/sup]] : +2 then +4 CL for dispel checks against abjuration spells
- Arcane Mastery [Feat [sup]CA[/sup]] : lets you take 10 on CL checks
- Arcane Thesis(GDM) [Feat [sup]CA[/sup]] : interesting if you also plan on often chaining Greater Dispel Magic to disable many magical items at once. Overkill otherwise.
- Elven Spell Lore [Feat [sup]PHB2[/sup]] : +2 to dispel checks
- Magic Disruption [Feat [sup]CM[/sup]] : +1 competence bonus to CL for abjuration spells
- Mystic Backlash [Feat [sup]CM[/sup]] : +1 competence bonus to CL for abjuration spells
- Inquisition Domain Power : +4 bonus to dispel checks
- Planar Touchstone(Catalogues of Enlightenment) [Feat [sup]PlH[/sup]] : to obtain the above domain power
- Domain Granted Power [Alternate Class Feature [sup]CC[/sup]] : also to obtain the above domain power. Requires you to get 5 levels in Wizard.
- Spellcaster's Bane [sup]CM, 3[/sup] : +2 insight bonus to dispel checks. Cast as a swift action, automatic recognition of spell if Spellcraft >= 5, learn CL of the spell if Spellcraft >= 15
- all effects/feats/items that increase the CL
Recommended :
if you have gone this far, you should get the Mastery of Counterspelling high arcana [Archmage] and watch the enemy spellcasters cringe as their spells rebound on them.
Typical builds
- Wizard 3/Master Specialist(abjurer) 4/Iot7V 7/MS +6
- Wizard 3/Master Specialist(abjurer) 4/Iot7V 7/Archmage 1/MS +5
(unfortunately you have to choose between Mastery of Counterspelling and the Iot7V and MS capstones)
How your familiar can help :
- Use Imbue Familiar with Spell Ability to grant him spells (dispels)
- You can share Battlemagic Perception/Duelward with him ! When it runs out, he can cast it again on both of you.
- If you don't want to use the above spells, have him ready an action to counterspell.
The goal is to counterspell without using any action yourself !
Cons :
- Every Battlemagic Perception spell allows you to counter only one spell.
- The maximum CL of each Dispel spell is reached quickly.
Counterspelling items
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If you would rather not spend levels/feats on the above, consider the following items :
- Ring of Counterspells [sup]DMG[/sup] - 4000gp : too cheap to pass by, especially if you can make them unslotted.
- Ring of Greater Counterspells [sup]DMG2[/sup] - 16000gp
- Ring of Spell-Battle [/sup]CA[sup] - 67600gp : updated in the MIC, it is now a lot cheaper (12000gp) but less efficient.
- Spellblade [sup]PGtF[/sup] - 6000gp
[/SBLOCK]
[/SBLOCK]Dispelling
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See the above on how to optimize the dispel checks.
In addition to the counterspell-enabling dispels listed above, the following allow active dispelling :
- Dispel Ward (SC, 1) : only for low-level abjurations
- Dispelling Touch (PHB2)
- Spelltheft (CS, 5) - max CL 15
- Dispelling Breath (SC, 5) : excellent if you already have a breath weapon (Dragonborn, for instance). All creatures in the breath area are subject to a targeted dispel (max CL 15).
- Chain Dispel (PHB2, 8) - max CL 25
Passive dispelling :
- Dispelling Screen (SC, 4) : targeted dispel on whoever crosses it (max CL 10). Its best feature is however unrelated to dispelling : it stops line of effects for all spells not operating on a creature or object, making it a mini-antimagic field.
- Dispelling Screen, Greater (SC, 7) : as above, caps at CL 20
[/SBLOCK]
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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2007 - 3:12PM
#2
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This section is devoted to links to threads that help various aspects of wizards not discussed here, like polymorph, summoning, etc. General:SchoolsPolymorph:Summoning:Crafting:Spellcasting:Note: The above links are from a great resource thread, Some handy links for CO work. Thanks Surreal.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2007 - 3:13PM
#3
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reserved #12
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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2007 - 3:58PM
#4
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Interesting start. Where's the rest?
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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2007 - 4:04PM
#5
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Interesting start. Where's the rest?
i'm writing it xP
be patient :D
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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2007 - 6:59PM
#6
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Seems like you're looking at specialist wizards.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2007 - 7:08PM
#7
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I do appreciate your work. Just to let you know.
k.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 07, 2007 - 8:33PM
#8
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Dude, I admire your work, but now I admire your guts more. Good luck, cause this is a CR20 Challenge.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 08, 2007 - 4:43PM
#9
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You've already suggested that wizards usually fill several niches. Why not break up the feat listing as such?
Also, I would consider changing the name of Trickster to something like Illusionist, to avoid confusion with the Arcane Trickster prestige class. Gish may also be a viable addition to your list.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 08, 2007 - 4:58PM
#10
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You've already suggested that wizards usually fill several niches. Why not break up the feat listing as such?
Also, I would consider changing the name of Trickster to something like Illusionist, to avoid confusion with the Arcane Trickster prestige class. Gish may also be a viable addition to your list.
The "gish" archetype has long ago taken on a life of its own and to do so would be to totally undercut the work that has been done already. Sorta like how this doesn't reference "The Logic Ninja's Guide to Being Batman".
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