« Reply #1 on: December 28, 2008, 05:48:20 PM » |
Advancing into another dual class swiftly.
Getting into another dual-spellcaster class early has been discussed well in the articles above from Iaimeki (Fochlucan Lyrist) and Pyromantic (Arcane Hierophant) so I shan’t go over them here. I have deliberately left out psionic / warlock advancing classes, as I just don’t have the experience with them to make an informed judgement. To boost your main caster class.
Let’s be honest. Sorcerors get nothing after level one, so the sooner they get into a Prestige Class, the better. Wizards get four feats (levels 5, 10, 15, and 20), but that’s about it. If you can get to a Prestige Class, then you should. The same is true for clerics, although turning is a very useful skill, and advancing it is extremely useful, both for Metamagic, as well as the actual turning of undead.
Early Entry Methods.
The following statements are strictly my opinion. I know that they will chafe on some readers.
1. The Illumian Method. Completely legal, but requires you to be a bald person with neon signs flashing around your head. I don’t use Illumians myself, but hey, go for it. In essence, you take Improved Sigil: Krau, and you can then choose 2 spells that are affected as if they were prepared with Heighten spell, therefore they are 2nd level for all level dependant effects. Oh, and there is a feat that allows you to hide your sigil.
2. The Earth Spell Method. I don’t use this method, because (a) It requires three feats; (2) I don’t believe that it is Rules as Intended to have, for example, a 1st level wizard (albeit one with three feats, say a human with a Flaw) be able to cast spells with that high an equivalent level of power; and (3) I believe that if you use a Fly spell (for example) and leave the ground, you no longer qualify for Earth Spell, thus no longer qualifying as a Mystic Theurge, which creates a paradox, which I don’t like. All I can say is fly this past your DM so there's no misunderstanding.
3. The Sanctum Spell Method. Similar in principle to the Earth Spell Method, if you leave your Sanctum, you lose the ability, so another paradox, which is why I don’t use it. Same caveat as above.
4. The Alternate Source Spell Method. I am an advocate of this method, as it is explicitly legal in terms of requirements for entry into Mystic Theurge. The downside to this method is that it comes from a Dragon Magazine (#325), and some campaigns / DMs have an issue with Dragon. In short, you can convert Divine spells into Arcane, and Arcane spells into Divine. You only have the prerequisite of being able to cast both types of spell. This allows for fast entry via a Cleric 3 / Wizard 1, or a Wizard 3 / Cleric 1. Note that the perquisite of Mystic Theurge is being able to cast 2nd level Arcane and Divine spells, which many take to mean 2+ Arcane spells and 2+ Divine spells. This means, in turn, that you must cast 4+ spells of 2nd Level per day. For this, Wizard 3 / Cleric 1 is easiest, because at Wizard 3 you can have 1 x 2nd (Level); 1 x 2nd (Intelligence Bonus) and 2 x 2nd Focused Specialist Wizard. There are other options. See Feats, below. The downside is, of course, that not everyone allows, nor has access to, Dragon Magazine.
5. The Southern Magician Method. Very similar to the Alternate Source Spell, above. This feat is Forgotten Realms specific, and so some campaign settings will prohibit this. Also note that the Mystic Theurge explicitly advances a Divine spellcasting class;, and reading by RAW, an arcane class that can cast some divine spells, to me, isn't a divine spellcasting class. To me, it requires flying past your DM before you begin. Please note that WotC have said no to this method.
6. The Precocious Apprentice Method. This is perhaps the most contentious method of early entry into any Prestige Class in the history of the Character Optimisation Boards. In short, you get access to a 2nd level spell. Some argue that as soon as you gain 2nd level spellcasting in any class, it prohibits the use of the feat, essentially. My opinion only here, but I don’t have an issue with it. To me, if you can find an early way into a Prestige Class that is reputedly so weak, what harm? So, I allow it, but others do not. As with all things, ask your DM. I believe that one of the designers involved with the sourcebook invalidated its use. Does anyone have a link for this?
7. The Metamagic Method. Essentially, you use Easy Metamagic to increase the effective level of Metamagic by one. Then, you use it in conjunction with Heighten Spell, such that each time you increase the effective level of a spell by one, it is increased by two, therefore you can heighten a spell two level two. I don’t personally use this method, simply because I am not in favour of the idea of being able to Heighten a spell to a level that you could not actually cast. However, as always, consult your DM.
8. The Anyspell Method. Discussed here, the Anyspell method method uses the spell Anyspell to emulate an Arcane Spell from a Divine spell. Customer Service were asked to validate the legality here, and it was shot down. However, it must be said that Customer Service do not always enjoy a great amount of internal consistency, so discretion allows me to include it here. Back hereat post 12, Bill Bisco presents a pretty valid argument. Take from that what you will.
So is there a better way? There certainly is. Read Post #5 for what I shall egotistically call The Caedrus Method. | [/size]« Last Edit: December 28, 2008, 06:53:30 PM by Caedrus »[/t][/color] |
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