NeverWinter Nights 2 - Wizard

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*Neverwinter Nights 2: Wizard/Sorceror Guide* by ShinesmanOffWhiteLast Updated 2007-04-18 View/Download Original File

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Wizard, Sorceror, and Related Classes FAQ-ShinesmanOffWhite, April 17, 2007

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Table of Contents

I. Introduction [I]II. Arcane Casters [II]

A. Section Introduction [IIA]B. Wizard [IIB]a. The Specialists [IIBa]

C. Sorceror [IIC]D. Bard [IID]E. Prestige Classes [IIE]

1. Eldritch Knight [IIE1]2. Arcane Trickster [IIE2]3. Pale Master [IIE3]4. Arcane Archer [IIE4]5. Dragon Disciple [IIE5]6. Harper Agent [IIE6]

F. Other Classes [IIF]

III. General character building tips [III]A. Section Introduction [IIIA]B. Attributes [IIIB]D. Skills of note [IIIC]C. Feats of note [IIID]

a. General Feats [IIIDA]b. Proficiency Feats [IIIDB]c. Spellcasting Feats [IIIDC]d. Metamagic Feats [IIID]e. Item Creation Feats [IIIDE]f. Skills and Save Feats [IIIDF]g. Background Traits [IIIDG]

E. Calculating spell DCs [IIIE]

F. Familiars [IIIF]IV. Discussion of spells [IV]

A. Section Introduction [IVA]B. Abjuration [IVB]C. Conjuration [IVC]D. Divination [IVD]E. Enchantment [IVE]F. Evocation [IVF]G. Illusion [IVG]H. Necromancy [IVH]


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I. Transmutation [IVI]J. Recommended Sorceror Spells [IVJ]

V. Spellcasters and the AI [V]A. Section Introduction [VA]B. Managing Sand (and wizard NPCs) [VB]C. Managing Qara (and sorceror NPCs) [VC]

VI. Example builds [VI]A. Spicy Vanilla Sorceror [VIA]B. Durable Wizard [VIB]C. Dual Wielding Eldritch Knight [VIC]D. Arcane Trickster [VID]

VII. Change History and Credits [VII]MDCCLXXVI. Legal stuff [MDCCLXXVI]

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I. Introduction [I]

This guide is intended to cover all varieties of arcane spellcastersfor the game Neverwinter Nights 2, and all of this was tested usingversion 1.04 (870).

The author has played through the OC as a Wizard/Eldritch Knight, allother information was generated in a skeleton module using information

provided by game text. The manual is flat out wrong in many cases,notably in the requirements for Eldritch Knight.

To navigate this guide, simply use your browser's search functionto look for the outline section heading (including the brackets).For example, to jump to the section on Conjuration spells, searchfor [IVc] which will hit twice: once in the table of contents andonce in the section on Conjuration magic.

The arcane casters section discusses information specific to each ofthe classes. The general character building tips covers informationthat is relevant to all of the classes. The discussion of spells bysection explains what all the spells actually do and gives some ideas

on what spells to select at each level up. The final section givessome pointers on how to make Sand and Qara less stupid in combat.

Refer to the section introductions for greater detail.

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----------------Arcane Casters---------------- [II]

Section Introduction [IIA]

There are three "basic" classes which have arcane spells: the Wizard,

the Sorceror, and the Bard, and four prestige classes which involvearcane magic: the Arcane Archer, the Arcane Trickster, the EldritchKnight, and the Pale Master. This guide covers the two main classes,Wizard and Sorceror, as well as three of the prestige classes indetail. Arcane Archers and Bards are discussed only in passingbecause arcane magic is not the primary focus of either class. DragonDisciples are covered simply because both possible prerequisites arearcane casting classes.

The majority of bard abilities are not covered in this FAQ, as there


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are already good FAQs on the topic. This guide only addresses thespellcasting abilities and their use as a base for prestige classes.This guide does not address warlocks or divine spellcasters.

Each of the classes is given the following format:

Short Description: (A one line description of what the class does)Prerequisites: (What you must have to get 1st level in the class)

-This only really matters for prestige classesCasting Stat: (INT or CHA)

-(10-stat) is your maximum spell level.(i.e. A wizard with a 17 INT cannot cast 8th level spells)-The bonus on this stat is added to the DC of your spells-This stat determines how many bonus spells you get-This stat is modified by the "Spellcasting Prodigy" feat

Spell Progresssion: (How fast the class gains spells)Recommended Races: (What races have bonuses to the casting stat)

-Races marked with a negative number have a level penalty-Human is always a good choice, Strongheart Halfling is decent-Drow have a bonus to both CHA and INT, but the -2 is nasty

Perks: (Why pick this class?)

Unless otherwise noted, the class suffers from arcane spell failurewhen wearing armor, has low hit points, has low attack bonuses, and

is doomed to use a crossbow.

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Wizard [IIB]

Short Description: The basic arcane caster, gains spells the fastestPrerequisites: 11 INT (only if selected as starting class)Casting Stat: INTSpell Progression: New spell level every odd character level until 17.Recommended Races: Sun Elf, Tiefling (-1)Perks:

-Fastest spell progression of any of the arcane casters.

-High INT also gives bonus skill points.-Bonus feats: gets one free feat for every 5 levels-Bonus feat: can scribe scrolls automatically-All craft skills are class skills and are INT based-Can sacrifice versatility for more spells by specializing

Wizards are the default choice for most players looking to switch toa prestige class that requires a certain level of casting ability. Awizard can switch to Eldritch Knight, Pale Master, or Arcane Tricksterat 5th level.

The scribe scroll feat is handy if the Wizard is not your craftingcharacter, since most characters with a rank in Use Magic Device can

use any scroll. That wizards get bonus feats and have access to allof the crafting skills means that they're a natural choice for acrafting character anyway.

>>>The Specialists [IIBa]

The most difficult choice in creating a Wizard character is choosinga specialty. Generalist wizards receive less spells each day, butget access to all of the spells. Each specialist class gets anopposition school that they cannot cast spells from. Note that there


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are no stat requirements for any specialization, and specializing ina school doesn't make you better at that school (unless you pick thefeats or don't customize your character at creation).

In short, specialization is all about the opposition school and bonusspells.

Table 1: Specialists and opposition schools

Specialty: Opposition: Important spells missed:Abjuration Conjuration Mage Armor, Improved Mage ArmorEvocation ConjurationTransmutation Conjuration

Conjuration Transmutation Statistic boosting spells, Knock

Divination Illusion Invisibility, GreaterEnchantment Illusion Invisibility, Mirror Image

Illusion Enchantment Heroism, Greater Heroism

Necromancy Divination Identify, Premonition

For the Official Campaign, Illusion is probably the best choice for a

specialist, since Enchantment as a school is a little too subtle fora computer game.

there are three other characters (Grobnar, Qara, and Sand) that cancast the spells that matter. None of the enchantment spells areused in enchanting, ironically.

See the lists in section IV of this FAQ for more details of what spellsare in a school.

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Sorceror [IIC]

Short Description: Less selection than a wizard, more flexibilityPrerequisites: 11 CHA (only if selected as starting class)Casting Stat: CHASpell Progression: New spell level every even character level until 18.Recommended Races: Aasimar (-1)Perks:

-Doesn't memorize spells, chooses when casting-High CHA gives bonus to social skills-More spells each day than a generalist Wizard

The lack of a race without an experience point penalty makes Human thedefault choice for a Sorceror at low levels, though the bonus to DCs

from a Charisma bonus is very helpful at high level.

Sorcerors have a very limited number of spells to choose from anddecide which they want to cast as they cast them. This limitationis relatively minor, there aren't that many spells you want anyway,but it makes a Sorceror a poor choice for a crafting character.

The flexibility of choosing spells when cast is very handy for a fulltime caster, but isn't as great if the primary purpose of thecharacter is magical enhancement of a melee heavy party.


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Bard [IID]

Short Description: Jack of most trades, including arcane castingPrerequisites: 11 CHA (only if selected as starting class)Casting Stat: CHASpell Progression: Slower, highest spell is level 6Recommended Races: Aasimar (-1)Perks:

-Doesn't memorize spells, chooses when casting-Lots of skill points-High CHA gives bonus to social skills-Some healing and clerical spells-Bard abilities-Better base attack bonus, can wear some armor without penalty

A bard isn't primarily an arcane caster, but their spellcasting doesqualify them for prestige classes which require arcane magic.

This FAQ will only address the use of bards as a starting point forprestige classes. Note that a bard must be level 2 to have level 1arcane spells for Arcane Archer and level 7 to have level 3 spells

for Eldritch Knight, Arcane Trickster, and Pale Master.

Note that the prestige classes do not give bonuses to the bard's otherabilities, just spellcasting.

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Prestige Classes [IIE]

Note that you cannot take more than 10 levels of any prestige class,so you cannot be a 5 wizard/15 eldritch knight.

---Eldritch Knight [IIE1]

Short Description: Multi-classed fighter and mage.Prerequisites: Martial weapons feat, 3rd level arcane spellcastingCasting Stat: Same as casting classSpell Progression: Same as casting class except nothing at 1st level.Recommended Races: Same as casting classPerks:

-High base attack bonus-Free feats at 1st level (Combat Casting, Skill Focus)

The main benefit to taking levels of Eldritch Knight instead of anormal casting class is that you receive +1 to hit every level insteadof every other level. This means you might actually hit an enemy

with a high AC. The investment for this class is actually relativelyminor, more or less switching the Martial Weapon feat for CombatCasting and then picking up Combat Casting from the class bonus. Youlose one casting level at the switch. Taking a level of fighter orpaladin or ranger will give you the required martial weapons feat, aswell as the armor feats. Note that a mithril large shield andseveral of the exotic material small shields have no arcane castingpenalty, and the OC has a chain shirt (bought from Deekin inNeverwinter) that gives no arcane casting penalty, so armor featsare worth having. The Practiced Spellcaster feat can compensate for


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the lost casting levels somewhat.

Just for the record, a Paladin/Sorceror Eldritch Knight will not have9th level spells by 20th with 2 levels of Paladin for the save bonus.

---Arcane Trickster [IIE2]

Short Description: Multi-classed thief and mage.Prerequisites: 3rd level arcane, +2d6 sneak attack (level 3 rogue)

Lore 7, Disable Device 7, Tumble 7, Spellcraft 4Casting Stat: Same as casting classSpell Progression: Same as casting classRecommended Races: Same as casting classPerks:

-Sneak attack continues to improve-Impromptu Sneak Attack ability-4+INT skill points per level, access to most rogue skills

An arcane trickster can have 9th level spells by character level 20only if the casting class is wizard. Like the Eldritch Knight, theTrickster benefits from the Practiced Spellcaster feat to recoup someof the loss of levels from multiclassing. Note that the tricksterdoes *not* get the Use Magic Device skill as a class skill.

---Pale Master [IIE3]

Short Description: Mage with defensive bonuses and wacky tricksPrerequisites: 3rd level arcane spells, non-good alignmentCasting Stat: Same as casting classSpell Progression: As casting class, but only on odd levelsRecommended Races: Same as casting classPerks:

-AC bonuses at 1st, 4th, and 8th-+3 hp/level at 5th (retroactive to all character levels)-Immune to Stun, Hold, and Paralyze at 7th-Immune to Critical Hits at 10th-Can summon undead

-Paralyze/Slay touch attack

Note that the first level of Pale Master is essentially "free" inthat you don't lose any casting levels to take it. This makes takingone level of Pale Master appealing to Eldritch Knights in particular,though mages in general want AC wherever they can find it. The onlycost is that you cannot be Good, and in the case of wizards you maymiss out on bonus feats.

The main benefit to taking levels of Pale Master is survivability.Mages are fragile things, and +60 hp at 20th level is not laughable.The problem is that a 10 Wizard/10 Pale Master will not get 9th levelspells (effective casting level of 15). 15 Wizard/5 Pale Master

might be a better plan.

---Arcane Archer [IIE4]

Short Description: Archer that requires some spell casting abilityPrerequisites: 1st level arcane spells, +6 BAB, Elf or Half-Elf

Weapon Focus: Longbow or Shortbow, Point Blank ShotCasting Stat: Same as casting classSpell Progression: NoneRecommended Races: Elf (any) or Half-Elf


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Perks:-Free magical arrows-Special arrow abilities

The only reason this class is discussed here is because it requiresone level of arcane casting. Most people who use the class play itas a dedicated archer.

While two levels of Bard are required for the level 1 casting, theadditional abilities probably make that a better choice than a levelof wizard or sorceror, neither of which provides any real bonus towhat is, in essence, a fighter class. Two levels of bard also givesthe same base attack bonus improvement as one level of wizard andone level of fighter anyway. Be careful of multiclassing penaltieswhen qualifying for this class.

---Dragon Disciple [IIE5]

Short Description: High hit points, stat bonuses, and immunitiesPrerequisites: Bard or Sorceror, 8 ranks in LoreCasting Stat: CHASpell Progression: NoneRecommended Races: AnyPerks:

-High (d12) hit dice-Stat bonuses at even levels

This class is slightly different from the version in the originalNeverwinter Nights in that the hit die starts at d12. Since itprovides no spellcasting bonuses whatsoever other than minor statbonuses, the only point of interest is the extra hit points and AC.Pale Master provides these abilities without completely sacrificingspellcasting abilities.

---Harper Agent [IIE6]

Short Description: Quasi-bard class

Prerequisites: A spellcasting class, Alertness, Iron Will8 Diplomacy, 4 Lore, 2 Survival, cannot be evil.Casting Stat: as base classSpell Progression: as base class, but no progress at 1st levelRecommended Races: as base classPerks:

-Extra skill points-Higher hit die than mage classes-Some rogue skills (not Use Magic Device, Open Lock, Disable)-A variety of wacky and dubiously useful abilities

This class is pretty steep on requirements. It provides a few extrahp and a slightly better base attack bonus over a wizard or sorceror,

as well as quite a few skills. Overall, unless there's a reasonwithin a campaign or it's just in character, this class offers nothingof interest.

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Other Classes [IIF]

Most of the other classes offer little to a practitioner of arcanemagic. Notably, the Duelist could have been useful, but the AC bonus


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is limited to the character's Duelist level.

Divine and arcane caster combinations have been proposed for "ultimatecrafter" builds, but these are of dubious value in the officialcampaign.

The old trick of taking a Paladin level as a Sorceror for the savingthrow bonus no longer works as well (you have to take two levels). Asimilar trick is to use the Warlock ability "Dark One's Own Luck" whichhas the same effect, although you have to turn it on again after resting.

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----------------General character building tips---------------- [III]

Section Introduction [IIIA]

This section gives descriptions of some of the nuts and bolts of thesystem, including recommended feats and skills. Many of theseabilities work the same for any class, and their utility to thevarious arcane classes is discussed.

For examples of actual builds and specific recommendations, seesection VI.

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Attributes [IIIB]

When buying attributes, note that raising attributes increases in costas you increase the attribute according to the following table:

Racial Bonus or penalty:Stat- -4 -2 0 +24 0 n/a n/a n/a5 1 n/a n/a n/a6 2 0 n/a n/a

7 3 1 n/a n/a8 4 2 0 n/a9 5 3 1 n/a10 6 4 2 011 8 5 3 112 10 6 4 213 13 8 5 314 16 10 6 415 n/a 13 8 516 n/a 16 10 617 n/a n/a 13 818 n/a n/a 16 1019 n/a n/a n/a 13

20 n/a n/a n/a 16

You start with 32 points and all stats at the "0" level in the table.

You may add +1 to any stat at character level 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20.The Dragon Disciple class is the only other way to permanently modifyyour statistics. Items and spells can give temporary bonuses, butonly the highest temporary bonus applies (i.e. if you have an itemthat gives +3 charisma and cast Eagle's Splendor, which gives +4,you would only receive the +4 bonus and not +7 total).


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Note that odd stats do not provide any bonus, so a 33 CHA is the sameas a 32 CHA for purposes of mechanics.

-Strength

Unless the character intends to engage in melee (i.e. an EldritchKnight), this stat is of dubious value. Strength affects weightcarried and provides a bonus to hit and a bonus to damage with meleeweapons equal to the modifier (i.e. +1 at 12 strength).

Strength does not affect any skills.

-Dexterity

Dexterity provides a bonus to attack (not damage) with ranged weapons,gives a dodge bonus to AC (limited by armor), and a bonus to reflexsaves. This stat is very useful at low levels for mages, but oncethe character learns spells like stoneskin and has enough spells toavoid falling back on physical attacks it becomes irrelevant exceptfor Reflex saves.

Dexterity gives a bonus to Hide, Move Silently, Open Lock, Parry, SetTrap, Sleight of Hand, and Tumble skill rolls.

-Constitution

This stat affects hit points gained each level and fortitude saves.Since mages don't get many hit points, this is important at all times.

Constitution affects only one skill, concentration, but this is acritical skill to any spellcaster because it determines if a spellwill be interrupted.

-Intelligence

Affects the number of skill points you get. There aren't that many

critical skills, so this isn't that crucial in general but it neverhurts. This stat sometimes affects dialogue options, depending onthe campaign.

This is a Wizard's primary spellcasting stat, so it affects DCs ofspells (see E of this section), maximum spell level, and bonus spells.A wizard should start with as high of an INT as reasonably possible.

Intelligence gives a bonus to Appraise, Craft Alchemy, Craft Armor,Craft Trap, Craft Weapon, Disable Device, Lore, Search, andSpellcraft.

-Wisdom

Wisdom affects divine spellcasting and will saves. It isn't thatuseful to arcane casters, since all of them receive Will as a highhigh save except for Eldritch Knights and Arcane Archers. It alsomay affect dialogue options, depending on the campaign.

Heal, Listen, Spot and Survival gain bonuses based on Wisdom.

-Charisma


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Charisma only affects skills and may also affect dialogue options,depending on the campaign.

This is a Sorceror's (and a Bard's) primary spellcasting stat, so itaffects DCs of spells (see E of this section), maximum spell level,and bonus spells. A sorceror should start with as high of a CHA asreasonably possible.

Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Perform, Taunt, and Use Magic Devicegain bonuses based on Charisma.

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Skills of note [IIIC]

-Appraise (Int): Affects your ability to buy and sell goods. Cash ispretty easy to find late in the game, so this isn't a critical skill,but it's worth boosting your Int and your skill for big purchases.

-Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate (Cha): Used in dialogue. In the officialcampaign, you can often use any one of the three to get the sameresult, so having all three is probably overkill.

-Concentration (Con): The only skill that is truly critical to a

spellcaster, Concentration is what determines if your spells aredisrupted when you take damage and is also used to avoid getting hitin the first place if you have Combat Casting. This skill shouldalways be maxed on any full time spellcaster.

-Heal (Wis): This skill isn't very important in the official campaign(you can just rest), but it's handy for removing poison and disease.

-Lore (Int): Generally not that important, you can just cast Identifyand ignore this skill. It comes up once or twice in conversations inthe official campaign. In settings where resting is more obnoxious,this can be convenient to have. Bards and Harper Agents get a bonusequal to their level to this skill.

-Spellcraft (Int): If you have this skill and the right spell inmemory, you can attempt to counterspell if you succeed at the roll.This is not that important in the official campaign, it's usuallyeasier to just kill the enemy instead of waiting to counterspell, butthe skill also gives +1 to saves against spells for each 5 points,which is handy.

-Tumble (Dex): This skill gives +1 to AC for every 10 real points inthe skill, so Dex bonuses don't help. It also gives you a (DC 15)chance of avoiding attacks of opportunity for moving in combat, whichis handy if you're a mage and you're trying to get out of the thickof a fight.

-Use Magic Device (Cha): Sometimes referred to as "Use Monk Device",this skill lets you use items which are normally restricted to otherclasses. Low level Monk robes give AC bonuses but don't cause arcanespell failure and Monk boots give dodge bonuses to AC. Being able touse clerical scrolls is also sometimes worthwhile, especially if youhave a cleric that can scribe scrolls.

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Feats of note [IIID]

Feats fall into a couple of broad categories. At first level, payspecial attention to the Background Trait feats, which can't be takenlater. Spellcasting Prodigy is an excellent choice for most casters.

This guide does not include a complete list of feats, just ones thatare likely to appeal to arcane spellcasters.

---General Feats [IIIDA]

-Improved Initiative: This feat is one of the few ways to affectyour initiative roll, and sometimes going first is critical to victory,but it's not necessary or important for the official campaign.

-Toughness: Mages of all kinds tend not to have very many hit points,so if you skimped on constitution when assigning stats, pick this featup.

---Proficiency Feats [IIIDB]

-Martial Weapons: Prerequisite for the Eldritch Knight class. Youactually have to have the feat, which means taking a class with thefeat or taking the feat itself. Single martial weapons (i.e. the Elf

bonus weapons) are not enough.

-Shield Proficiency: Mithril large shields do not give an arcanespell failure and can be enchanted to provide substantial defense.

---Spellcasting Feats [IIIDC]

These are the feats that can be chosen as bonus feats by Wizardsat every 5th level. Note that if you pick up a prestige class andare not gaining "real" Wizard levels, you do not get these bonus feats.

-Augment Summoning: Does not appear to actually exist in game.

-Combat Casting: This feat allows the caster to make a Concentrationcheck to avoid attacks of opportunity when casting in melee. It'salso a pain to keep turning it on. Do *not* take this feat if youplan to become an Eldritch Knight, the class gets it automatically.

-Practiced Spellcaster (requires 4 spellcraft): This feat is handyfor multi-classed mages who have class levels which do not increasetheir casting levels such as the first level of Eldritch Knight orthe rogue levels that an Arcane Trickster takes. The feat increasesyour casting level by 4 to a maximum of your character level. InEnglish, this means that a level 3 Rogue/5 Wizard/1 Arcane Tricksterwould learn and memorize spells as a level 6 wizard (5+1), but wouldcast a 9d6 Fireball (as a 9th level wizard) with this feat. On the

other hand, a level 6 Wizard with the feat would still be casting a6d6 (6th level) Fireball because his class level is the same as hischaracter level and the feat does nothing.

-Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus: These feats increase the DCs ofspells cast by the mage in the school of focus. Since so few thingsaffect spell DCs, these are excellent feats and are critical tooffensive spellcasters. Evocation, Necromancy, and Conjuration arethe usual choices for these feats, though Transmutation has a fewspells as well.


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-Spell Penetration, Greater Spell Penetration: These feats increasethe chance of a spell to defeat the spell resistance of a target.This isn't usually a big deal in the official campaign, but resistedspells make wizards useless, so it's not a bad feat to have. The basefor the spell resistance roll is the casting level of the mage, sothe Practiced Spellcaster feat may be a better first step for somecharacters.

---Metamagic Feats [IIIDD]

These are also available as Wizard bonus feats. They allow you tomodify the way a spell works, but they make it occupy a higher levelspell slot than normal. This can be used to make low level spellsbetter than high level spells. Not all spells can be used with allfeats. You cannot, for example, Extend a Fireball.

-Empower Spell: All dice in an empowered spell's effects are increasedby 50%. This feat is generally used with direct damage spells, andincreases the level of the spell by two.

-Extend Spell: The spell's duration is doubled. This effect is usefulat low levels for long duration spells such as Mage Armor so thatthey don't wear off halfway through a dungeon, and is also useful

at medium levels to increase the duration of short duration spellslike Haste. At high levels, most spells last long enough that thisspell is unnecessary. The spell is memorized as if one level higher.

-Maximize Spell: All dice in a maximized spell's effects automaticallyroll the highest number possible. This feat is used on the same spellsas Empower, and the two are similar in results. A 10d6 fireball thatis Empowered does 52.5 damage on average, a Maximized 10d6 fireballdoes 60 damage (assuming, in both cases, that the target doesn't save).A maximized spell takes up a slot three levels higher.

-Persistent Spell: This is Extend Spell's bigger brother, and requiresthe basic version as a prerequisite. By increasing the effective

level by 6, the spell will last 24 hours. Since this can only affect0-3rd level spells, it has limited use, but 24 hour duration Hasteis very worthwhile, even as a 9th level spell.

-Quicken Spell: This feat allows the mage to cast spells faster. Thedocumentation claims a "free" action, but in practice all this meansis that the character doesn't wait until the turn is up to cast thespell. By alternating quickened and unquickened spells, the charactercan cast twice as fast. The cost, though, is that the quickenedspells take up slots 4 levels higher than normal.

-Silent Spell: This feat is of dubious value in the official campaign,since not many enemies use silencing effects. Spells are cast as if

one level higher, and may be cast when silenced.

-Still Spell: Eldritch Knights who take levels of Fighter or suchmight consider this feat so that they can wear plate and cast spells.Since the official campaign includes armor that can be worn safelyand mages have so many other defensive tricks, this is generally notworth it. Spells are cast as if one level higher, arcane spellfailure is 0.

---Item Creation Feats [IIIDE]


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These are self-explanatory and are covered in great detail in otherFAQs. Notably, Wizards get one of them (Scribe Scroll) at 1st levelautomatically.

---Skills and Save Feats [IIIDF]

The skill feats are useless because there are easier ways to increaseskills. While some of these may become worthwhile for Fighters dueto their abundance of feats, mages tend to have many better choices.Alertness is required for Harper Agents.

The save feats (Iron Will, Great Fortitude, and Lightning Reflexes)may be useful in situations where saving throws are more critical, butthey generally aren't worth it in the official campaign. Iron Willis required for Harper Agents.

---Background Traits [IIIDG]

Most of the background trait feats provide similarly small bonusesand are of dubious value, but there are a few worth consideringspending a feat on:

-Blooded and Thug give a bonus to initiative (+2), which is difficult

to get almost anywhere else.-Luck of Heroes gives a +1 to all saves and a +1 luck bonus to AC.-Mind over Body gives a small bonus to hit points.-Spellcasting Prodigy gives +2 to your spellcasting stat, but onlyfor determining DCs and bonus spells.

Confusingly, you also choose a background trait during charactercreation. This is a separate process and does not use any of yourfeat choices. These are self-explanatory. Be careful of choosingones which reduce your saving throws.

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Calculating spell DCs [IIIE]

The DC of a spell is equal to 10 + the level of the spell + the bonusto the caster's primary stat + spell focus (if any).

For example, a level 1 Sorceress with a 16 CHA casts a Sleep spell.She doesn't have focus: enchantment, but does have the spellcastingprodigy feat, so her CHA is considered to be 18. The DC of the spellis 10 + 1 + 4 + 0 or 15.

Much later, the Sorceress has become much more powerful, but stilllikes to cast Sleep to deal with pesky apprentices. At level 18, shenow has a CHA of 20, a cloak that gives +6 CHA, and the spell focus

in enchantment, so the DC is 10 + 1 + 9 (20+6+2 CHA) + 0 or 19. Theapprentice, who has a +6 will save, needs a 13 to stay awake.

Trying again, the Sorceress uses a metamagic feat to cast an Extendedversion of the Sleep spell. The spell counts as a level 2 spell forthe number of spells she can cast today, but the saving throw is thesame since it's still innately a level 1 spell.

If the Sorceress were to cast Hold Person instead, she would note thateven though the spell is level 3 to a Sorceror, it is innately a level


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2 spell and the DC is determined as if it were a level 2 spell.

If she got sick of the kid stuff and just decided to cast Wail of theBanshee (a Necromancy spell) instead, the DC would be 10 + 9 + 9 + 2(she's got Greater Spell Focus in Necromancy) or 30. The apprentice,with a +2 fortitude save, can only survive on a natural 20.

The major benefit of being a race with a bonus to a casting stat, suchas an Aasimar Sorceror, is the additional +1 DC. This just isn'tworth it at low levels, but at high levels it's sometimes the onlything that matters.

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Familiars [IIIF]

Both Wizards and Sorcerors get a familiar. The actual beast itselfisn't particularly stunning (a level 15 cat still does less than 0damage with all three attacks) so the primary benefit of a familiaris the minor bonus, usually a skill or save bonus.

Beetles (+1 hp/level) are a good choice for combat mages, but rememberthat you only get the bonus while the familiar is out. The cat isa decent stealthy scout.

You can control familiars (click on their portrait), and they do makeuseful decoys to "disarm" traps. You take 1d6 damage when they die,so be careful with them at low levels.

Familiars level up along with you, though they don't really gain muchmore than a few hit points.

---======================================---

----------------Discussion of spells---------------- [IV]A. Section Introduction [IVA]

This is just a list of the spells in the game and my personal take onthem. Each spell is given a short description and a 1-5 rating.

1: The spell is almost totally useless.2: The spell has one or two uses, but is generally bad.3: The spell is worth learning, but not exceptional.4: The spell is a "must have" and is very useful.5: The spell is a reason to have a mage in the party.

#: This spell is safe to give to AI controlled characters.

*: The AI is too stupid to use this spell. Do not have an AIcontrolled character memorize it. If you can't unmemorize it, i.e.

it's a Sorceror, then just learn to live with them casting it everyfight or turn off their spellcasting.

Note that bards do not learn many of these spells and learn some ofthese spells at different levels! This is only a spell list forWizards and Sorcerors.

-----B. Abjuration [IVB]


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---Level 0:

2*: Resistance: Gives +1 to all saves for 2 turns.//This spell would be more useful it lasted a little longer.

---Level 1:

3*: Endure Elements: 10/- elemental damage resistance, absorbs 20.//Lasts a long time, saves you from traps early on.

4*: Protection from Alignment: +2 AC (Def), +2 saves, immunity tomind affecting spells cast by evil enemies.//Protection from mind spells is great. AI casting protection from//Good on the entire party during a fight is mind-affecting.

4: Shield: Gives a +4 shield AC bonus.//If you have a shield, this will not stack with the magical bonus//of that shield, but will stack with the base AC. Otherwise, it's//a +4 AC bonus that works with anything. Duration is short at low//levels, but gets better.

---Level 2:

2: Lesser Dispel: Dispels all effects on target or top effect on group.

DC is 11 + Spell level, add your caster level (max 5) to roll.//This is primarily used for counterspells. Use the Spell Breaches//to disrupt enemy mage defenses. It can also be used to remove//hostile spells from your party. This spell is used in an early//quest.

3*: Protection From Arrows: Absorbs 10/magic ranged damage.//Not too many enemies with ranged attacks in the Official Campaign.

1*: Resist Energy: 20/- elemental damage resistance, absorbs 30.//The duration of this spell is too short to make it useful.

---Level 3:

3: Dispel Magic: Dispels all effects on target or top effect on group.DC is 11 + Spell level, add your caster level (max 10) to roll.//This is primarily used for counterspells. Use the Spell Breaches//to disrupt enemy mage defenses. It can also be used to remove//hostile spells from your party.

3*: Magic Circle Against Alignment: Same effect as Prot. Align above,but in a 10' radius around the caster.//Unlike the level 1 version, this spell doesn't last as long.

3: Protection From Energy: 30/- elemental damage resistance, takes 40.//Like the level 1 version of this spell, this lasts 24 hours.

---Level 4:

2*: Least Spell Mantle: Absorbs d4+4 levels of spells.//In mage-on-mage duels, this spell would be great. Unfortunately,//the only duel in the official campaign isn't exactly against a mage.//Duration is very short.

3*: Lesser Globe of Invulnerability: Level 3 and lower spells blocked.//In a mage-heavy party, one character (an Eldritch Knight) can cast


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//this and safely be a "decoy" while the other mages pound the area//with fireballs. Not necessary on lower difficulty levels. Also//provides some protection against low level mages.

4: Lesser Spell Breach: Removes two protections, reduces SR by 3.//This is a better way of handling mage defenses than Dispel, since//it always works and drops their spell resistance (if any) as well.

2#: Remove Curse: Removes a curse.//I didn't find any curses in the official campaign, and the bestow//curse spell isn't exactly devastating.

5#: Stoneskin: 10/Adamantine damage resistance, absorbs 10/level.//This is it, the spell that makes the Abjuration school worthwhile.//Bizarre that Greater Stoneskin is Transmutation, but it's worth//noting that no mage has Abjuration as an opposition school, so this//may be intentional.

---Level 5:

3#: Dismissal: Unsummons enemy summoned creatures.//Not too many enemies use summons, so not a big deal, but those that//do tend to be very annoying.

2*: Lesser Mind Blank: Immunity to mind spells.//Protection from Alignment has a much longer duration, and most of//the enemies in the game are evil. Why use a level 5 spell when a//level 1 spell does it better?

2*: Lesser Spell Mantle: Absorbs d6+6 levels of spells.//It's probably worth having one of this line of spells, and level 5//doesn't have that many great spells, so I tend to take this one.//Don't teach it to an AI controlled Sorceror.

---Level 6:

3*: Globe of Invulnerability: Level 4 and lower spells blocked.

//Like the Lesser Globe, this spell can be used to protect the caster//not just from enemies, but from allies.

3: Greater Dispel Magic: Dispels all effects on target or top effecton group. DC is 11 + Spell level, add your caster level (max 15) toroll.//This is primarily used for counterspells. Use the Spell Breaches//to disrupt enemy mage defenses. It can also be used to remove//hostile spells from your party.

4: Greater Spell Breach: Removes four protections, reduces SR by 5.//This is a better way of handling mage defenses than Dispel, since//it always works and drops their spell resistance (if any) as well.

---Level 7:

3: Banishment: Kills summoned creatures and outsiders//Like Dismissal, except that it works on outsiders (Demons, Devils,//Archons, Celestials, etc...) as well. One area in the official//campaign has a fair number of these.

3*: Energy Immunity: Gives 100% immunity to one elemental type.//This spell makes fighting dragons and fire elementals a lot easier.


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2*: Spell Mantle: Absorbs d8+8 levels of spells.//See comments on other spells of this line. If you have nothing else//to get, it isn't bad, but don't expect to use it much in the//official campaign.

---Level 8:

3*: Mind Blank: Protects all allies from mind-affecting spells.//Again, since almost all enemies are evil, the level 1 spell does//this relatively well. This does have the convenience of protecting//the whole party with one spell, though, and by the time you get//this, the 1 minute/level duration is plenty.

3*: Protection From Spells: +8 to all saves on spells for 1/4 levels.//Big saving throw bonus, which would be great if your party is going//up against things that cast Wail of the Banshee or other spells of//mass destruction, but the official campaign doesn't call for it.

---Level 9:

2*: Greater Spell Mantle: Absorbs d12+10 levels of spells.//If you're really into dueling mages, this is your spell. The rest//of the world has better things to do with their 9th level slots.

3*: Mordenkainen's Disjunction: Dispels all effects on target or topeffect on group. DC is 11 + Spell level, add your caster level (max20) to roll. Reduces SR of all targets in area of effect by 10.//The main benefit to this is that it reduces the spell resistance//of a group of targets, which could be great for fighting groups of//drow or other resistant targets. Otherwise, it's just a big dispel//magic.

-----C. Conjuration [IVC]

---Level 0:

3: Acid Splash: does 1d3 acid damage to target//Ray of frost does better damage, but this is perfect for finishing//off trolls and has better range.3: Ray of Frost: does 1d4+1 cold damage to target.//The best damage for the level.

---Level 1:

3*: Grease: Targets in area fall down or move at reduced speed.//This spell does something even if opponents make their save, which//makes it handy for slowing down the charge of enemies. A low level//spell that retains its utility for the long haul, though usually

//you're better off just killing your enemies instead of playing with//them.

4#: Mage Armor: +4 armor bonus//This spell essentially adds a +4 enchantment to whatever armor the//character is wearing (if any). If the character already had a suit//of Leather Armor +2, this spell would only add 2 AC. With a 1hr/lvl//duration, this spell is great for defending every party member.

3: Summon Creature I: Summons a wolf.


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//This spell doesn't last as long as it did in the original NWN, but//you don't take xp penalties for summoned pets anymore either.

---Level 2:

4#: Melf's Acid Arrow: Deals 3d6 acid damage +1d6/round//Staple attack spell for level 2. Nothing special, but solid.

3: Summon Creature II: Summons a dire badger.//This spell doesn't last as long as it did in the original NWN, but//you don't take xp penalties for summoned pets anymore either.

3*: Web: Targets are held or move at reduced speed.//Like Grease, this spell works even against enemies that make their//saves. Note that there is a cloak in the game that makes the wearer//immune to this spell, which makes it easier to use. Again, you're//probably better killing your enemies than playing with them, but//this spell is great for archer or mage heavy parties.

---Level 3:

4#: Flame Arrow: Deals 4d6 fire damage per 4 levels.//Unlike fireball, safe to use with parties at higher difficulty//settings. The damage does not cap at 10d6, which is nice.

5#: Improved Mage Armor: +6 armor bonus//Works exactly like the level 1 Mage Armor spell, except +6 instead//of +4. Cast it on the whole party and run around in nonmagic armor.

3: Mestil's Acid Breath: 1d6/level acid damage to cone area//It's not as good as fireball, but may be safer to use in parties.

3*: Stinking Cloud: Targets are dazed and stay dazed after they leave.//Doesn't keep the enemy from moving, and doesn't have any effect if//they save. Web and grease are better, though notably you can make//your own party immune to mind-affecting and let them walk in the//cloud safely.

3: Summon Creature III: Summons a dire wolf.//This spell doesn't last as long as it did in the original NWN, but//you don't take xp penalties for summoned pets anymore either.

---Level 4:

3*: Evard's Black Tentacles: Summons a field of tentacles that damageand paralyze their targets.//This spell is vaguely disturbing to watch, but it deals damage and//paralyzes a small area of targets. The tentacles don't attack your//allies, which makes it useful for long, drawn out melee fights.//The tentacles don't allow a spell resistance roll, just a save.

3: Summon Creature IV: Summons a Dire Boar//This spell doesn't last as long as it did in the original NWN, but//you don't take xp penalties for summoned pets anymore either.

---Level 5:

3: Lesser Planar Binding: Paralyzes an outsider or summons a creature.//Used as a summoning spell, this lasts a lot longer than the vanilla//"Summon Creature N" spells. The paralyzing option does not allow


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//for spell resistance.

2: Summon Creature V: Summons a Shadow Mastiff//This spell doesn't last as long as it did in the original NWN, but//you don't take xp penalties for summoned pets anymore either. The//Planar Binding creatures are weaker, but last ten times as long.

4: Vitriolic Sphere: Explosion that deals 1d4/level acid damage, toa maximum of 15d4. if targets fail reflex save they take half damagethe next round, if they fail save then they take 1/4 damage the third.//While this spell doesn't initially do as much damage as Firebrand,//the initial damage does not allow a saving throw, which makes it//useful against enemies with high reflex saves.

---Level 6:

1*: Acid Fog: 4d6 damage, save or slow move, 2d6 each round after.//The damage on this spell is pathetic, and the slow effect allows//a saving throw? Avoid this spell.

3: Planar Binding: Paralyzes an outsider or summons a creature.//Used as a summoning spell, this lasts a lot longer than the vanilla//"Summon Creature N" spells. The paralyzing option does not allow//for spell resistance and gives a -2 penalty to the save.

2: Summon Creature VI: Summons a Dire Bear//This spell doesn't last as long as it did in the original NWN, but//you don't take xp penalties for summoned pets anymore either. The//Planar binding creatures are weaker, but last ten times as long.

---Level 7:

3: Summon Creature VII: Summons a huge elemental//This spell doesn't last as long as it did in the original NWN, but//you don't take xp penalties for summoned pets anymore either.

---Level 8:

3: Greater Planar Binding: Paralyzes an outsider or summons a creature.//Used as a summoning spell, this lasts a lot longer than the vanilla//"Summon Creature N" spells. The paralyzing option does not allow//for spell resistance and gives a -5 penalty to the save.

3: Summon Creature VIII: Summons a greater elemental//This spell doesn't last as long as it did in the original NWN, but//you don't take xp penalties for summoned pets anymore either.

---Level 9:

3: Gate: Summons a Horned Devil, which is hostile if you don't have

protection from evil up.//The two level 9 summons are pretty similar in strength, but the//Devil is the more predictable of the two.

3: Summon Creature IX: Summons an elder elemental//This spell doesn't last as long as it did in the original NWN, but//you don't take xp penalties for summoned pets anymore either.

-----D. Divination [IVD]


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---Level 0:

---Level 1:

2*: Detect Undead: This spell tells you where nearby undead are.//60 feet is a pathetically short range. You can probably see them//just fine without the spell telling you where to look.

4#: Identify: Identifies an item.//While identifying things through the Lore skill is more convenient,//sometimes you actually have to cast the spell, especially if you//didn't bother with increasing someone's Lore.

2: True Strike: Gives caster +20 to attack for 9 seconds.//Gives you a huge attack bonus for one round. This is decent to//cast as an Eldritch Knight or Arcane Trickster right before you//drop invisibility or against enemies you just can't seem to hit,//but it's rare to run into enemies that have a high enough AC to//justify it.

---Level 2:

3: See Invisibility: Caster can see through invisibility.

//Not many enemies in the official campaign use invisibility, and//there's an item that gives permanent True Sight (so long as you//don't mind the AC penalty), so it's not a big deal there, but in//other settings it's an important defense.

---Level 3:

1*: Clairaudience/Clairvoyance: Target gains +10 to Spot/Listen.//This spell is totally useless in the official campaign. Other//modules that make greater use of stealthy enemies or these skills//might call for this spell, but even there it's dubious.

---Level 4:

2*: Assay Resistance: Decreases a target's spell resistance by 10.//Not very useful in the official campaign, but in campaigns with//lots of enemies with heavy spell resistance it might be worthwhile.

---Level 5:

1*: Feeblemind: Deals INT and CHA damage to a target with a rangedtouch attack.//For an attack that's not guaranteed to cripple a spellcaster, it//allows a chance to miss (touch attack), a chance to resist, a chance//to make a will save (the ones casters are good at), and a short//duration? Since the spells that they can't cast are forgotten until

//they rest, it's not *that* bad, but this spell is pretty weak. It//might be useful to try and drop saving throws on Paladins and//Blackguards.

---Level 6:

2: Legend Lore: Gives a bonus to lore skill.//The only purpose of this spell is to give a bonus to Lore skill for//purposes other than identifying items such as the book in Ammon//Jerro's dungeon. Otherwise, get a bard or that level 1 identify


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//spell.

4: True Seeing: Character can see hidden enemies.//See Invisibility's bigger and better version. Works against hide,//sanctuary, and invisibility, but not against etherealness.

---Level 7:

---Level 8:

3: Power Word: Stun: Stuns target based on hit points. No save.//PW: Stun's only real selling point is that it has no save. With no//obvious way of knowing how many hit points an enemy has, it isn't//very reliable, as it does nothing against a target with 150 or more//hit points left. It's mostly a spell to use against high level//mages and wounded major enemies.

4#: Premonition: 30/Adamantine damage reduction, absorbs 10/level.//Super-stoneskin. This spell makes you almost invincible against//non-adamantine physical attacks until it goes down.

---Level 9:

3: Power Word: Kill: Kills one target with less than 100 hp. No save.

//Like PW: Stun, PW: Kill's is all about the lack of a saving throw.//By level 17, 100 hp isn't a huge number, so the target will likely//have to be already wounded. A decent spell for finishing off major//enemies, assuming they're not immune to instant kill effects.

-----E. Enchantment [IVE]

---Level 0:

3*: Daze: Dazes a target if they fail their save.//A decent effect at 1st level, but not very good in the long run.

---Level 1:

2: Charm Person: Target humanoid becomes a (very) temporary ally.//Base duration on this spell is two rounds, so don't expect your//newfound friend to accomplish much. At level 20, it lasts 8 rounds.

4: Sleep: 4+1d4 HD of creatures with


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//Not only does this spell have useful effects, it also has a fairly//long (10 min/level) duration. The skill bonus is really valuable//for crafting as well.

3: Hold Person: Target is held if they fail save, new save each round.//Unfortunately, this spell has an innate level of 2, which means//the saves they're constantly attempting aren't as high as they//should be. There are better 3rd level spells.

2: Rage: The entire party enters a barbarian rage, but is not winded.//That's a temporary +4 STR, +4 CON, +2 will saves, and -2 AC for//1 round per caster level.

---Level 4:

3: Charm Monster: Target becomes friendly for a short duration.//The duration of this spell is slightly better than the first level//version, and it can be used on targets other than humanoids.

3*: Confusion: Targets wander randomly, attack randomly, or stand still.//This spell is useful against enemies that hit hard but don't have a lot//of hit points, since they'll end up killing each other.

2*: Crushing Despair: A cone of enemies takes a -2 penalty to all rolls.

//Since this spell allows a saving throw, it's not very useful for//reducing enemy saving throws.

---Level 5:

2: Dominate Person: Gain control of target person for a short time.//The duration on this spell is exactly the same as Charm Person,//but it does have a higher DC and it gives control rather than making//them an ally. Still of dubious value.

3: Hold Monster: Works like Hold Person, but affects any target.//Again, like Hold Person it's actually 1 level lower for purposes of//saving throws, and they still get a save every round to break free.

3: Mind Fog: -10 to will saves while in cloud and 2d6 rounds after.//While the fog allows a will saving throw, once (and if) the targets//fail that save they will have a lot harder time resisting other mind//affecting spells.

---Level 6:

4: Greater Heroism: Like Heroism, but +4 instead.//This spell only lasts 1/10th as long as the third level version, but//that's still plenty if you're just using it for the skill bonus or one//big fight.

---Level 7:

3: Mass Hold Person: Exactly like the 3rd level spell, but 30' radius.//Pairing this with Mind Fog makes a lot of sense.

---Level 8:

1: Blackstaff: Target quarterstaff becomes +4 and dispels magic.//That is, assuming someone can hit with the quarterstaff. There are//many far easier ways to dispel magical effects, and considering that


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//this spell lasts for 6 seconds/level and that a 3rd level spell can//make a weapon +5 for hours, this spell is a waste of time unless you//have a fighter friend with a quarterstaff and a hundred enchantments//to dispel.

3: Mass Charm Monster: Charm up to twice your hit dice in creatures.//Turning half of an enemy group against the other half is amusing, and//a little Mind Fog sets the stage pretty well. This spell also has a//long (15 rounds when you can first cast it) duration, which makes it//much more likely the monsters will finish beating on their friends//before they turn on you again.

---Level 9:

3: Mass Hold Monster: Exactly like the 5th level spell, but 30' radius.//Once again, Mind Fog is your friend.

-----F. Evocation [IVF]

---Level 0:

1: Flare: Target has -1 to hit if they fail save.//If you cast this spell and notice a difference, something is horribly

//wrong.

3#: Light: Target glows for 1 hour/level.//Good long duration and no hand needed for a torch makes this spell//worth casting when you need light. It also happens to be used in//a lot of crafting recipes.

---Level 1:

5#: Magic Missile: Attacks the darkness//The staple of all staple attack spells. Don't leave home without it.//Note that it's really not that useful until fifth level or so.

2: Shocking Grasp: Touch attack deals 1d6/lvl (up to 5d6)//A fairly high damage spell by level 5, but getting close enough//to touch the enemy as a low level mage isn't so wise.

---Level 2:

4*: Cloud of Bewilderment: Stuns and blinds enemies in cloud.//A shockingly good spell that has a chance to stun and blind any enemy//that walks into it. Why it's an Evocation I'm not sure, but since it//is it takes advantage of a relatively common Spell Focus. If you're//playing at higher difficulty levels, it may be somewhat dangerous to//use near your party.

2: Combust: Touch attack deals fire damage until target makes save.//Against an enemy with a bad reflex save, this could do a substantial//amount of damage over time. Shocking Grasp is similar, and it's a//lower level spell. In both cases, touch attacks make for weak spells.

2*: Darkness: Darkens area, only ultravision works.//Can be effective to blind groups of archers, but tends to hinder the//party as much as it hinders the enemy.

3: Fireburst: Deals 1d8/level (5d8 max) to adjacent targets.


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//Very short range makes this spell of dubious value, but could be//useful to Eldritch Knights and other close combat mages. Damage//is relatively high for the level (reflex for half).

3: Gedlee's Electric Loop: Deals 1d6/2 levels (5d6 max) and stuns target,reflex saves for half damage and prevent stun. Small area of effect//This spell would have been better if the range had been longer or the//stun lasted a little while.

2*: Gust of Wind: Knocks down anyone who fails fort save, dispels clouds.//The primary use for this spell is to get rid of effects like Cloudkill,//but the enemies in the official campaign don't use many of these types//of spells. Also usable for cleaning up after fights where you have//used these spells.

---Level 3:

5: Fireball: The old standby. 1d6/level, max 10d6 to an area.//Just don't nuke your party members.

4#: Lightning Bolt: 1d6/level, max 10d6 to a line.//Sometimes harder to set up than a fireball, but usually safer for//the party.

4: Scintillating Sphere: Fireball, but lightning instead of fire.//Also has a slightly shorter range.

---Level 4:

3*: Elemental Shield: 50% Fire/Cold immunity, d6+level damage on attack.//The slightly suicidal option with this spell is to walk up and let//the enemy attack you and damage themselves, which will damage enemies//with extremely high spell resistance. The 50% cold/fire resist has//some uses as well.

5: Ice Storm: 3d6 bludgeoning, 2d6 +1d6/3 levels cold, no save//For comparison, ice storm at level 10 deals 8d6 damage to fireball's

//10d6, but ice storm allows no save, making it the ideal spell to use//on those pesky rogues and their evasion tricks.

4#: Isaac's Lesser Missile Storm: 1d6/level to 10x1d6 to random targets.//This spell is primarily useful against single large targets such that//all of the missiles will randomly hit the only valid target. That it//deals nonelemental damage with no save makes it ideal for harder foes.//Using it on groups will spread out the damage too much.

2*: Wall of Fire: 2d6+1/level to those who pass through, x2 to undead//The short range and tricky placement of this spell limit the utility,//and the damage (except against undead) isn't particularly stellar.

---Level 5:

3: Bigby's Interposing Hand: Target (no save) has -10 to attack rolls.//Since there's no save, this spell is primarily useful for weakening//extremely powerful melee type enemies (i.e. Lorne in the official//campaign).

3#: Cone of Cold: d6/lvl cold damage (to 15d6)//The old standard for 5th level attack spells, hampered somewhat by//short range. Still a decent spell, but there are better spells.


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5#: Firebrand: d6/lvl fire damage (to 15d6) to 1 target/level//Deals damage only to enemies, making it very party-friendly. Range//could be longer, but otherwise an extremly nice spell.

4*: Greater Fireburst: d8/lvl fire damage (to 15d8) within 10 feet.//Deals damage to an area around the caster, so be very careful using//it on difficulty settings where your party takes damage. Best damage//of all of the level 5 attack spells.

1: Shroud of Flame: 2d6/round damage to target, lasts 1rd/lvl//This spell is... odd. Possibly useful for harassing enemy mages who//are attempting to cast spells, but the damage is very low. Amusingly,//creatures near the target also take damage (1d4/round).

---Level 6:

3: Bigby's Forceful Hand: A hand attempts to knock down and daze target.//The daze lasts a fairly long time, and the mechanic of Bull Rushing//isn't explained in the game (I assume it's a contested strength check).//Probably designed to take enemy mages out of the fight, since they're//dazed for 1 round/level.

5#: Chain Lightning: Deals 1d6/lvl (max 20d6) to target, half to nearby

//A party-friendly spell that deals good damage to one target and some//damage to nearby enemies. The chain lightning can't affect you, so//firing it into melee is fine.

4#: Isaac's Greater Missile Storm: Like lesser storm, but missiles do 2d6.//A solid damage dealing spell. Like the 4th level version, it's most//effective against a single strong enemy, where 20d6 nonelemental damage//with no save is nothing to sneeze at. Not as good as it used to be,//but still a solid spell.

---Level 7:

3: Bigby's Grasping Hand: A hand attempts to grapple with target.

//Again, the exact mechanics of the grappling aren't explained.

5: Delayed Blast Fireball: 1d6/level (max 20d6)//Like the 3rd level version, but with a higher damage cap. The spell//can't actually be delayed in this version, the spell instead makes a//landmine of sorts that goes off when a creature touches it.

3: Prismatic Spray: Random effects including damage, death, poison//The exact mechanics aside, this spell is just too random to be//useful and the short range doesn't help.

---Level 8:

3: Bigby's Clenched Fist: Deals d8+11 damage/round, fort save or stun.//The important part of this spell is that it's an evocation spell//with a fortitude save (most evocation is reflex) making this spell//ideal for dealing with rogues and other evasion-based classes. It's//also effective against other mages.

1: Incendiary Cloud: Deals 4d6/round damage to area, save for half.//The damage on this spell is just too low to be relevant.

3: Polar Ray: Ranged touch attack does d6/level (max 25d6) cold, no save.


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//The "no save" is the primary benefit to this spell. Touch attacks tend//to be reliable against targets that don't have a lot of dodge AC (i.e.//Monks and Rogues).

3: Sunburst: Deals d6/level damage to undead, 6d6 to others. All mustmake reflex save or be blinded.//The blinding effect is the primary benefit to this spell, as it//cripples melee-based enemies. Also an effective way to kill undead,//since Horrid Wilting isn't exactly very effective there. Note that//this spell doesn't affect party members.

---Level 9:

3: Bigby's Crushing Hand: Target is held and suffers 2d6+12 damage/round.//Again, the text refers to "grappling." Clenched Fist is a very similar//spell, and it's lower level.

3: Meteor Swarm: Three forms: Either 24d6/12d6/6d6 to an area of effect,6d6 to everything not next to the caster, or 4 ranged touch attacks for2d6 bludgeoning and 6d6 fire to the same target (32d6 total).//The biggest attack spell in the game, but not necessarily the best.//Certainly decent, but empowered Delayed Blast Fireball and Maximized//Chain Lightning (or Greater Missile Storm) are more effective for//a 9th level slot.

-----G. Illusion [IVG]

---Level 0:

---Level 1:

3: Color Spray: Sleep, Blind, or Stun depending on hit dice.//Sleep is more effective against the lowest level of enemies, and//the short duration on the stun effect makes it of dubious value//even though it will affect larger foes. Only useful for illusion//specialists.

---Level 2:

3*: Blindness/Deafness: Blinds and deafens a target for 1 rd/level//Blind and deaf creatures that aren't attacked will generally just//stand there, so this takes an enemy out of the fight. Still, with//all of the excellent level 2 spells, it's hard to justify using this.

4*: Ghostly Visage: 5/magic damage reduction, level 1 spell immunity//Especially at low levels, 5/magic damage reduction will let you//shrug off a lot of damage. The spell doesn't last too long, but//it's not a bad defensive trick early on.

5*: Invisibility: Target is invisible until they take hostile action//Very, very useful for scouting or for charging at the guns. Unlike//the sneaking option, this doesn't slow the character down.

5: Mirror Image: Mirror images absorb attacks directed at the character.//Excellent defensive spell. At higher levels, it lasts quite a while//and can absorb up to 8 attacks before disappearing.

---Level 3:


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2*: Displacement: Target gains concealment (50% of attacks miss).//This spell would be better if it didn't have such a short duration.//Improved Invisibility lasts ten times as long, and makes you initially//invisible as well.

3*: Invisibility Sphere: Caster and characters nearby are invisible//This spell looks excellent on paper, since it makes the whole party//invisible. The problem is that getting your characters to follow the//caster closely enough to stay hidden takes a lot of micromanaging,//and if they leave the area of effect they don't recloak when they//come back in. Not a bad spell, just a headache to use.

---Level 4:

5*: Improved Invisibility: Target is invisible and concealed.//This spell combines Invisibility and Displacement into one neat, long//duration package. Once the character breaks the invisibility, they//keep the concealment bonus, which is one of the best defenses in the//game. Unfortunately, the AI constantly recasts this spell whenever//someone is not invisible even if the concealment is still active, so//it's generally wasted there.

4: Phantasmal Killer: Target is killed if they fail will and fort save.//One of the best spells in the inventory for an Illusion specialist,

//since it's essentially a low level Finger of Death. The problem is//that it gives two chances to save, so a low DC means the spell will//almost certainly fail.

2*: Shadow Conjuration: Armor, Darkness, or Magic Missile//A level 4 spell that allows you to cast a bunch of lower level spells//might seem useless, but since you choose when you cast it, it allows//some flexibility.

---Level 5:

---Level 6:

3*: Ethereal Visage: 20/magic damage reduction, level 2 immunity, conceal//Immunity to level 2 spells is immunity to Web and Cloud of Bewilderment//so this spell can be used instead of Globe of Invulnerability in some//cases. The 20/magic reduction is a potent defense, and unlike the/stoneskin type spells, this reduction can absorb any amount of damage.//Unfortunately, the spell's duration is pretty short (1 round/level).

---Level 7:

4#: Shadow Shield: +5 AC, 10/magic damage reduction, immune to necromancy//Other than the obvious benefit that it makes you immune to all of the//necromancy tricks (like Horrid Wilting and Finger of Death), this spell//also provides a substantial natural armor bonus and damage reduction.

//While the reduction isn't as reliable as stoneskin, it can absorb any//amount of damage and this spell has a good (1 minute/level) duration.

2*: Greater Shadow Conjuration: Can cast a variety of low level spells.//Specifically, Web, Ghostly Visage, Melf's Acid Arrow, Lesser Globe of//Invulnerability, or a summoned shadow (that's rather weaker than you//would expect for a level 7 spell). Like the level 4 version, the only//real benefit to this spell is versatility.

---Level 8:


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2*: Mass Blindness/Deafness: Like the level 2 spell, but 10' radius.//This spell can be used to separate a group of enemies into managable//pieces, but it should be noted that the spell Sunburst has the same//effect with a larger radius, some damage, and is also decent against//undead. This spell might be worthwhile to an illusion specialist.

---Level 9:

3*: Shades: Casts a group of defense spells, Summon VIII, or a fireball.//Specifically, Premonition, Shield, and Protection from Spells for//the defenses. The fireball is of the delayed blast variety. Of//all of the Shadow Conjuration series of spells, this one is the only//decent one, since the spells that it casts are all at least of a//similar level to the combined spell. Again, the major benefit is that//you can choose when you cast the spell what effect it takes.

2: Weird: Kills all in area of effect that fail both saves.//This spell is essentially Phantasmal Killer that affects an entire//area. While potentially effective, it's not nearly as good as the//Necromancy version, Wail of the Banshee, which only allows one save.

-----H. Necromancy [IVH]

---Level 0:

---Level 1:

1*: Cause Fear: Target creature with 5 or less hit dice has -2 to rolls.//The only good part of this spell is that it still has a partial effect//if the target makes the saving throw, but the weak effect, the target//limitation, and the short duration make it a dubious spell.

3: Ray of Enfeeblement: Deals 1d6+1 (+1/2 levels, max +5) STR damage.//The best part of this spell is that there is no save, so it can be//used to reliably weaken major enemies. The spell's 1 round/level

//duration makes it useless at low level, but a spell that might be//useful to a higher level mage.

---Level 2:

2*: Death Armor: Deals minor damage to enemies that hit you.//The damage is unavoidable and unresistable, so there are times when//this spell will be useful to damage enemies that you can't touch//otherwise, but the damage is weak (maximum of 1d4+5) and the duration//is short, so you'd have to be pretty desperate.

3*: False Life: Grants 1d10+1/level (max 1d10+10) hit points to caster.//Unlike the cleric version (Aid), this spell lasts a full hour per

//caster level. While boosting your constitution with Bear's Endurance//will generally grant more hit points, this spell may be worthwhile in//major fights where you have plenty of time to prepare, since it can//be cast on top of a constitution bonus.

3: Ghoul Touch: Touch attack to stun target.//The spell also makes the target weaken creatures in the area around it.//The duration of this spell is fixed (d6+2 rounds), so it doesn't get//better at higher levels.


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1*: Scare: Casts "Cause Fear" on 1 target per 3 levels.//This spell does have a longer duration than the first level version,//but it still doesn't affect higher level monsters and the effect is//not exactly powerful.

---Level 3:

3#: Vampiric Touch: Absorbs 1d6/(2 lvl) damage from target. (Max 10d6)//There is no save to this spell, and it's one of the few arcane spells//that can heal damage, though it can only heal the caster. The extra//hit points are added to the caster's as temporary if they exceed base.

---Level 4:

2*: Animate Dead: Summons a weak undead creature.//This spell's main appeal is the long (1 hour/level) duration, but//the undead that it summons are painfully weak.

1*: Contagion: Gives the target a disease.//The English translation of the effects of this spell is that it will//eventually randomly reduce one of the target's stats. Unless you get//extremely lucky, you probably won't notice this spell during a fight.

2*: Enervation: Drains 1d4 levels. No save.

//Since this spell has no save, it can be used to weaken powerful//enemies. It's most likely to have a noticeable effect on a mage//who might lose their highest level of spells due to the drain, but//don't expect this to change a fight much.

3: Fear: Affected creatures run away in terror.//Note that this spell is innately level 3, so it has a slightly lower//saving throw than expected.

---Level 5:

2*: Cloudkill: Kills weak creatures, weakens stronger ones.//Like most of the cloud type attack spells, this spell's damage output

//is pretty weak. 1d4 constitution damage translates to 0-2 damage for//each hit die (or class level) of the target. The primary purpose of//this spell is killing off very weak enemies.

---Level 6:

3: Circle of Death: Kills d4/level creatures of up to 9 hit dice.//While this spell cannot be used against major enemies, it will kill//off weaker ones. Creatures get a fortitude save. I'm guessing that//the spell description should read "kills d4/level *HIT DICE*" of//creatures, since a restriction about killing the weakest first makes//no sense for a spell that can nominally kill 11-44 targets at the//lowest level you can cast it.

3: Create Undead: Summons an undead creature.//Like Animate Dead, the main perk on this spell is the long duration,//and the main drawback is that the creatures aren't as strong as those//that Conjuration magic summons.

4#: Undeath to Death: Kills d4/level hit dice of undead (max 20d4)//This spell has no hit die restriction, so it can be used to mop up//even the mightiest of undead creatures (it doesn't work on the Shadow//Reavers in the official campaign). This is one of the best spells


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//in a mage's arsenal for killing undead, and is a major help in the//official campaign.

---Level 7:

3: Control Undead: Take control of target undead creature.//Unlike the charm spells, this spell lasts 1 hour/level. It can only//affect a creature of less than twice the caster's level, and the//target gets a save.

5#: Finger of Death: Target dies. If save made, deals small damage.//One of the best spells in the game, a pity that so many things are//immune to it. Not very useful in the official campaign, sadly, since//so many of the enemies late in the game are undead.

---Level 8:

3#: Create Greater Undead: Summons an undead creature.//Summons a more powerful undead minion. Like the earlier spells,//the undead in question isn't as strong as some of the other creatures//from Conjuration magic, but it does last a long time.

4#: Horrid Wilting: Deals 1d6/level magic damage to an area.//The main benefit to this spell is that it deals magic damage, which

//isn't resisted by many enemies other than undead, and unlike all of//the other area of effect attack spells, it uses a fortitude save//instead of a reflex save, which means it's not affected by Evasion.//Note that this spell won't affect other party members.

---Level 9:

1*: Energy Drain: Drains 2d4 levels from target.//Unlike Enervation, this spell does allow a saving throw, so it's not//useful against otherwise untouchable enemies.

5#: Wail of the Banshee: Kills 1 enemy/level.//Unlike Weird, Wail of the Banshee only allows one saving throw (a

//fortitude save). Unfortunately, this spell is nearly useless in the//official campaign since almost all of the enemies you are fighting at//the end of the game are undead.

-----I. Transmutation [IVI]

---Level 0:

---Level 1:

4: Enlarge Person: Target grows, gets AC penalty and damage bonus//The magic damage on this is usually worth the AC penalty. Note that

//the attack penalty cancels out because of the bonus to Strength.

2*: Expeditious Retreat: Haste on caster, but for movement only.//With the short duration on this spell (1 round/level), the only real//use for it is cutting down on the drudge of running around town.

2: Low-light Vision: Party can see in the dark.//While it's only a first level spell and has a long duration, a similar//effect can be done with the 0th level spell, Light.


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3: Magic Weapon: Target weapon becomes +1 for 1 hour/level.//Not exactly a major bonus, but with a decent duration even at first//level, it's a handy spell for beefing up the party a little.

---Level 2:

1*: Balagarn's Iron Horn: Attempts to knock down a cone of enemies.//With a one round duration, don't expect this to turn a battle around.

4: Bear's Endurance: +4 Constitution for 1 hour/level//Note that this spell doesn't stack with other constitution bonuses.//Also note that when the spell wears off, the character could be at//negative hit points, so be careful when hitting "rest."

3: Blindsight: Target can see invisible creatures and can see in dark.//Very similar to the spell See Invisibility. Useful, if a bit//redundant.

5: Bull's Strength: +4 Strength for 1 hour/level//This spell doesn't stack with other strength bonuses. If nothing//else, this is handy to cast on the mages so that they can help carry//the loot.

5: Cat's Grace: +4 Dexterity for 1 hour/level

//This spell doesn't stack with other dexterity bonuses.

4: Eagle's Splendor: +4 Charisma for 1 hour/level//This spell doesn't stack with other charisma bonuses.

5: Fox's Cunning: +4 Intelligence for 1 hour/level//This spell doesn't stack with other intelligence bonuses. Note that//intelligence bonus also means a bonus to all of the skills that are//based on intelligence, so this spell is handy for crafting. If you//attempt to memorize spells in slots that you gained from temporary//stat bonuses, you lose them when you rest, so don't bother.

5#: Knock: Unlocks everything in the area.

//Since traps in the official campaign aren't that vicious, this is//really the only rogue you need in the party.

4: Owl's Wisdom: +4 Wisdom for 1 hour/level//This spell doesn't stack with other wisdom bonuses. Note that if//you attempt to memorize spells in slots that you gained from temporary//stat bonuses, you lose them when you rest, so don't bother.

---Level 3:

4: Greater Magic Weapon: Temporarily enchants a weapon (+1/4 levels).//This spell lasts a long time (1 hour/level). Notably, you can use it//to add a bonus to a weapon that already has the maximum three

//enchantments.

4: Keen Edge: Weapon gains the Keen effect (double critical range)//This spell lasts a while (10 minutes/level) and, like Greater Magic//Weapon, can be used to enhance a weapon that is already "full." Note//that it does not stack with the Improved Critical feat. Only works//on slashing weapons.

4: Spiderskin: +2 to AC/Hide/Poison saves, +3@6th, +4@9th, +5@12th//This is a natural armor bonus, the same bonus as Barkskin or amulets


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//of natural armor. Lasts 10 minutes/level.

4: Weapon of Impact: Weapon gains the Keen effect (2x critical range)//This spell lasts a while (10 minutes/level) and, like Greater Magic//Weapon, can be used to enhance a weapon that is already "full." Note//that it does not stack with the Improved Critical feat. It's exactly//the same as Keen Edge, just works on blunt weapons only.

---Level 4:

1:Bestow Curse: -2 to all stats//If they fail the will save, the target takes a penalty that lasts//until it is removed. The problem is that the incredibly long duration//of this spell is irrelevant when you're going to kill the target in//the next minute.

3: Polymorph Self: Polymorph into a variety of forms.//This spell can be useful for making a wizard into a fighting machine//of sorts, but remember that they still have a weak base attack bonus//unless they're also an eldritch knight. If nothing else, this spell//can be used to shift to troll form for regeneration.

---Level 5:

---Level 6:

4#: Disintegrate: Deals 2d6/level damage on touch attack, 5d6 on save.//Since this spell requires both a touch attack and a saving throw, it's//not quite the terror it used to be, but it can be used to deal quite//a bit of damage. Note that disintegrating does not appear to destroy//what the target was carrying.

1: Stone to Flesh: Reverses Flesh to Stone.//Not needed in the official campaign. Note that resting fixes this//anyway.

3#: Flesh to Stone: Turns target into a statue.

//Note that this doesn't kill them in any way, they're just held solid//until the spell is reversed. If you want the xp, you have to finish//them off.

4#: Greater Stoneskin: 20/Adamantine, absorbs 10/level, self only//Unlike the 4th level version, this spell only affects the caster.

2: Stone Body: 10/Adamantine, +4 STR, -4 DEX, 50% spell failure//And a boat load of immunities too numerous to list here. This spell//is of dubious value to anyone but an Eldritch Knight, since it keeps//the caster from reliable casting anything else and doesn't deal with//a mage's inability to hit anything.

4*: Tenser's Transformation: Turns the caster into a fighter.//This spell gives the caster a bonus to attack so that he or she would//be equal to a fighter of the same level and polymorphs him or her//into an iron golem-ish monster with a +2 two handed sword, stat//bonuses, and other perks. The caster can't cast anything or use//any items while transformed, but fights reasonably well.

---Level 7:

4*: Ethereal Jaunt: Makes the caster ethereal.


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//This is basically a super-invisibility that's impossible to see//through, which means that the caster is totally safe from any threat//so long as he or she doesn't take an offensive action (or rest). This//is handy if the caster needs time to cast defensive spells, heal up,//or just scout around in safety.

3: Mordenkainen's Sword: Summons a magical sword.//The sword isn't much different from the Summon Monster VII spell//so use whatever suits your fancy.

---Level 8:

---Level 9:

3*: Etherealness: Makes the caster and all allies in 10' ethereal.//Like the 3rd level Invisibility, 10' radius spell, this can have//extreme tactical value, but is annoying to use.

2: Shapechange: Caster can change into a variety of forms.//Like the level 4 Polymorph Self spell, this doesn't deal with the//main problem of meleeing wizards: base attack bonus. While many of//the forms have better damage and better defense than Tenser's//Transformation, that spell is generally a better choice for mages//who want to slug it out on the front line.

-----J. Recommended Sorceror Spells [IVJ]

You only get 5 of each level at maximum, and less of the high levelones, so here are the picks I would go with. Do not give a characterthat the AI will control any spell marked with a *, they will cast itat all the wrong times and in all the wrong places. An alternate spellis listed in those cases.

Spells that are marked (party friendly) should be used if you have thedifficulty set such that your spells affect party members.

---Level 1:

1. Magic Missile2. Mage Armor3. Identify4. *Protection From Alignment *OR* Enlarge Person5. Shield

---Level 2:

1. Melf's Acid Arrow2. Knock (or Cat's Grace if you have a full time thief)3. *Invisibility *OR* Bull's Strength

4. Mirror Image5. *Cloud of Bewilderment *OR* Cat's Grace (or Bear's Endurance)

---Level 3:

1. Fireball (or Scintillating Sphere if you're tired of Fireball)2. Haste3. Heroism4. Improved Mage Armor5. Greater Magic Weapon or Spiderskin or Flame Arrow


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For #5, take GMW if you want to overenchant your weapons, Spiderskinif you don't have a druid to cast Barkskin (or you don't want to bother)and Flame Arrow in all other cases, especially if you specialize inConjuration.

---Level 4:

1. Stoneskin2. *Greater Invisibility *OR* Ice Storm3. Isaac's Lesser Missile Storm or Ice Storm4. *Lesser Spell Breach *OR* Confusion

---Level 5:

1. Greater Fireburst or Firebrand (party friendly)2. Vitriolic Sphere or Cone of Cold (party friendly)3. Bigby's Interposing Hand4. Lesser Spell Mantle

---Level 6:

1. Isaac's Greater Missile Storm2. Tenser's Transformation or Chain Lightning

3. Undeath to Death (official campaign) *OR* Chain Lightning

I'm very partial to Tenser's Transformation, as it simplifies a lot offights where I'd rather just have another fighter and don't want torain electric death. Undeath to Death is a specialized spell, but itsees a lot of mileage in the official campaign.

---Level 7:

1. Delayed Blast Fireball2. Finger of Death3. *Energy Immunity *OR* Banishment

---Level 8:

1. Premonition2. Horrid Wilting or Sunburst (in the official campaign)3. Greater Planar Binding

---Level 9:

1. Wail of the Banshee*2. *Gate *OR* Summon Monster IX3. Meteor Swarm

*Wail is of dubious value in the official campaign because of the

undead-heavy ending.

---======================================---

----------------Spellcasters and the AI----------------[V]

A. Section Introduction [VA]

If you've played the game with higher level AI-controlled spellcasters,


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you've probably noticed that they do some things that aren't all thatsmart. This section attempts to explain methods for keeping themuseful without having to manually cast everything.

-----B. Managing Sand (and wizard NPCs) [VB]

Wizards (and Clerics) are easier to manage for the AI because they can'tcast anything they don't have memorized, and you have control therewhether you want it or not.

In general, avoid:

-Long duration buffing spells that you aren't going to cast beforecombat starts (and before the AI does anything).

-Short duration buffing spells.

-Extremely low level attack spells, especially if the character has agood weapon.

-Any cloud-based spell (the AI will cast it repeatedly until it runsout).

If necessary, just leave some levels with nothing memorized. Spellslike Light, Identify and Knock the AI won't cast at all, so they'resafe to memorize if you feel weird about leaving things empty.

-----C. Managing Qara (and sorceror NPCs) [VC]

Sorceror AI is even more problematic, since they always have all oftheir spells available. The key is to be careful when having them learnspells. When in doubt, just give them straight attack spells.

---======================================---

----------------Example Builds---------------- [VI]

+ indicates a cross-class skill

-Human Sorceror 19/Pale Master 1 [VIA]

A fireball-slinging sorceror.

Lawful Neutral

Stats: Skills:STR 9 Bluff/Craft Alchemy (split points)DEX 14 Concentration (always max)

CON 14 Spellcraft (always max)INT 14 +Tumble (always max)WIS 8 +Use Magic Device (always max)CHA 17 (22 at 20)

No background trait.

Level, Stat, FeatsS1, Spellcasting Prodigy, Extend SpellS2


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S3, Spell Focus: EvocationS4, +1 CHA (18)S5S6, Greater Spell Focus: EvocationS6PM1S7PM1, +1 CHA (19)S8PM1, Empower SpellS9PM1S10PM1S11PM1, +1 CHA (20), Spell PenetrationS12PM1S13PM1S14PM1, Greater Spell PenetrationS15PM1, +1 CHA (21)S16PM1S17PM1, Persistent SpellS18PM1S19PM1, +1 CHA (22)

---===---

-Gnome Wizard (Illusion) 15/Pale Master 5 [VIB]

Designed to focus on survival above all else. This character would

get +8 on each hit die. With +8 constitution boots he would have 320 hpat level 20.

Any non-good

Stats: Skills:STR 9 Lore (always max)DEX 14 Concentration (always max)CON 16 (18 at 20) Spellcraft (always max)INT 17 (20 at 20) +Tumble (always max)WIS 8 Diplomacy/Craft Alchemy (split)CHA 8


Level, Stat, FeatsW1, Spellcasting ProdigyW2W3, Spell Focus: NecromancyW4, +1 INT (18)

W5, Extend SpellW5PM1, Greater Spell Focus: NecromancyW5PM2W5PM3, +1 INT (19)

W5PM4, Empower SpellW5PM5W6PM5W7PM5, +1 INT (20), Toughness

W8PM5W9PM5W10PM5, Spell Penetration, Shield ProficiencyW11PM5, +1 CON (19)


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W12PM5W13PM5, Persistent SpellW14PM5W15PM5, +1 CON (20) Quicken Spell

---===---

-Sun Elf Eldritch Knight 10/Wizard 8/Pale Master 1/Fighter 1 [VIC]

A typical Eldritch Knight. Takes the fighter level at 1st and playsthe first few levels as a fighter with long duration spells (MageArmor, Magic Weapon, etc...). Hot key the armor and take it off whenyou want to cast, just remember that you can't switch armor in combat.

Later, the character will rely mostly on spells like Mirror Image fordefense and just wear whatever armor won't give spell failure.

Any non-good

Stats: Skills:STR 14 Lore (always max)DEX 16 (17 at 20) Concentration (always max)CON 12 Spellcraft (always max)INT 18 (22 at 20) +Tumble (always max)

WIS 8 +Use Magic Device (always max)CHA 8 Intimidate 4


Level, Stat, FeatsF1, Two-Weapon Fighting, Luck of HeroesF1W1F1W2, Practiced Spellcaster (Wizard)F1W3, +1 INT (19, for Imp. Two Weapon Fighting)F1W4F1W5, Extend Spell, Two Weapon DefenseF1W5K1

F1W5K2, +1 INT (20)F1W5K3, Improved Critical (Short Sword)F1W5K4F1W5K5F1W5K6, +1 DEX (17), Improved Two-Weapon FightingF1W5K7F1W5K8F1W5K9, Improved Two-Weapon DefenseF1W5K10, +1 INT (21)F1W5K10PM1F1W6K10PM1, Persistent SpellF1W7K10PM1F1W8K10PM1, +1 INT (22)

---===---

-Tiefling Arcane Trickster 10/Wizard 6/Pale Master 1/Rogue 3 [VID]

A typical trickster. Note that this character only just barely squeaksout the casting level 17 to be able to get 9th level spells. Using aSorceror instead of a Wizard you would not

NeverWinter Nights 2 - Wizard

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