Easy Bake Wizard Handbook

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Easy Bake Wizard Handbook

Easy Bake Wizard Handbook: Discussion
The Easy Bake Wizard is a build that utilizes several ACFs, feats, racial substitutions and other options to create a Wizard that can function without a spellbook, can cast some spells spontaneously, and that can sometimes pass for a sorcerer.

Easy Bake in my initial posting of the build some time ago refers to it being a slimmed down (no spellbook, familiar, or scribe scroll) version of an arcane spellcaster; similar to how an Easy Bake Oven produces snacks that are basically reduced down versions of desserts.

The Easy Bake Wizard gains lots of spell known. It does not have a familiar, it does not have a spellbook, and it does not have Scribe Scroll. However, it can gain additional spells by burning magic incense instead of using magic ink. Kind of like Gandalf.
Magic Incense ~ Magic Pipeweed


Pros of playing an Easy Bake Wizard:
No Spellbook – DM can't have the spellbook stolen for RP reasons anymore
No Familiar – No little ball of XP liability
Lots of spells known for free

Cons of playing an Easy Bake Wizard:
No Familiar - no ACF options like Abrupt Jaunt
No Scribe Scroll - nothing to trade at first level for a bonus Fighter feat or other ACF
No additional spell slots from being a Specialist Wizard
You have to be an Elf (unless you can get by with 20 less free spells known and one less spell slot)

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Building an Easy Bake Wizard: The Basics

Races:
Elf: Gray (MM) or Fire (UA) – No LA, best Elf option because of Int bonus
Drow (MM) – LA +2, if you can buyoff the LA then it is an okay option, not the most optimal though - Savage progression may work however
Celadrin (DragMag #350, can possibly be combined with Lesser Planetouched option PgtF) – LA +1, counts as an Elf, mediocre option at best

Wizard Alternate Class Features:
Elf Wizard Racial Substitution Level (RotW)
Eidetic Spellcaster ACF (DragMag #357) – No Familiar, No Spellbook, No Scribe Scroll – spells stored in your mind, burn magical incense to learn more for same price as writing more into a spellbook
Domain Wizard ACF (UA) – free spells known for not being a specialist wizard (Transmutation and Conjuration are awesome, Divination could be interesting when combined with Spontaneous Divination)

Feats:
Collegiate Wizard (CArc) – not compatible with prestige classes unfortunately, gives you lots of spells known for free

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Some Additional Resources

Other Useful Class Features:
Spontaneous Divination ACF (CC) – give up 5th level bonus feat to spontaneously cast divination spells, not too shabby

Feats to give you more spells known:
Greyhawk Method (DragMag #315) – can be used with prestige classes advancing spellcasting, gets four spells known per level instead of the normal Wizard 2, does not stack with Collegiate Wizard - though there is some debate
Aerenal Arcanist (PGtE) – gain one additional spell known when gaining a level of wizard
Nexus Method (DragMagazine #319) – spontaneously cast Summon Monster I – IX, very nice
Arcane Disciple (CD) – need a decent Wis score to be useful
Bloodline feats – varies depending on the Bloodline

Other Feats:
Reserve Feats: Acidic Splatter, Invisible Needle, Winter's Blast, or Fiery Burst (CM) – gives you a damaging option every turn in combat if you start to run low on spells, sometimes better than using a weapon
Summon Elemental (CM) - reserve feat that gives you a pet elemental, can be useful for in and out of combat
Eschew Materials (PHB) – no need for spell components if you choose the right spells
Vow of Poverty (BoED) – Easy Bake combined with Eschew Materials and other feats can make a spellcaster that can be mostly gear independent. That said, I would only suggest this option in a campaign with little access to magic items
Obtain Familiar (CArc) / Improved Familiar (MM) – gain a familiar with double the benefits thanks to Elf Wizard racial sub or gain a tougher familiar that scales with your level even if you take a prestige class (as long as it advances your caster level)
Alacritous Cogitation (CM) – This gives you the ability to leave one slot open when preparing spells so that you can cast any spell you know of the slot's level or lower
Uncanny Forethought (EoE) – requires Spell Mastery which is next to useless for Easy Bake. Basically Alacritous Cogitation except Int mod number of slots instead of only one with a small penalty to CL when casting them or standard action cast a spell from the spells chosen with Spell Mastery
Faerie Mysteries Initiate (DrgMag #319) – if going with Gray Elf you might as well have decent HP and an excuse to take Nymph's Kiss (BoED)

Affiliations and Magical Locations:
The One and the Five (PHBII) - Affiliation score of 11-20 (Of the Mind) nets you three spells instead of two when you gain a level of Wizard
Blackstaff Academy (CoS:W) - nets you three spells instead of two when you gain a level of Wizard, requires Favored in the Guild feat.

I have heard that there might possibly some more guilds, organizations, or magical locations that can give you spells known. If anyone finds any please post a comment in the Easy Bake Wizard Handbook: Discussion page.

Symbiont
Spellwurm (MoE) - grants you the ability to prepare the spells Mage Armor, Ancient Knowledge, and Blur without the aid of a spellbook.

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Prestige Classes

One thing to note is that prestige classes may not advance the additional spells known that the Easy Bake Wizard normally receives. Collegiate Wizard, Aerenal Arcanist, and the Elf Wizard racial sub specifically mention that the additional spells known are only added when gaining a Wizard level. The Greyhawk Method however, does leave you some leeway when it comes to prestige classes. It says “You gain four new spells of your choice to add to your spellbook each time you gain a level in a class that allows you to prepare and cast arcane spells (such as wizard).” If you have a lenient DM they may allow you to get around this prestige class issue. That said there are some prestige classes that can give you some options.

Prestige Classes that give you more spells known:
Sand Shaper (SandS) – for the loss of 1 caster level you gain 43 spells known, nice
Mage of the Arcane Order (CArc) – Spellpool can potentially give you access to any wizard spell
Exalted Arcanist (BoED) - requires Spontaneous Divination or other spontaneous casting option, gets you access to some interesting cleric spells as well as the Exalted spell list.

Other Prestige Classes:
Incantatrix (PGtF) – Awesome as usual for a metamagic focused caster
Ultimate Magus (CM) – advances a spontaneous arcane caster along with Wizard. Beguiler (PHBII), Knight of the Weave (CoV), Nar Demonbinder (UE), and Sublime Chord (CArc) can make interesting options for the spontaneous side.
Mystic Theurge (DMG) – advance divine casting with Wizard. Usually lackluster. Interesting options for the divine side would include Archivist (HoH), Cloistered Cleric (UA), and Ur-Priest (CD)

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Spells Known Per Level:
Spells know per level with basic Easy Bake Wizard set up (Elf Racial Sub + Collegiate Wizard + Domain Wizard)

Level. Spells known
1. 7+Int mod 1st level spells, 1 1st level spell from domain, all cantrips
2. 5 1st level spells
3. 5 2nd level spells, 1 2nd level spell from domain
4. 5 2nd level spells
5. 5 3rd level spells, 1 3rd level spell from domain
6. 5 3rd level spells
7. 5 4th level spells, 1 4th level spell from domain
8. 5 4th level spells
9. 5 5th level spells, 1 5th level spell from domain
10. 5 5th level spells
11. 5 6th level spells, 1 6th level spell from domain
12. 5 6th level spells
13. 5 7th level spells, 1 7th level spell from domain
14. 5 7th level spells
15. 5 8th level spells, 1 8th level spell from domain
16. 5 8th level spells
17. 5 9th level spells, 1 9th level spell from domain
18. 5 spells of any level
19. 5 spells of any level
20. 5 spells of any level

Total: 111+Int mod spells known, all cantrips

Spells Per Day:
Spells per day with basic Easy Bake Wizard set up (Elf Racial Sub + Collegiate Wizard + Domain Wizard)

Spells per day = Normal Wizard + 1 slot per level able to cast usable for Domain spells only (Domain Wizard ACF) + 1 additional spell slot of highest level able to cast (Elf Racial Sub)

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Spells:
In Progress

For the most part you'll probably want to choose spells that have multiple uses (like Summon Monster) and focus on buffing and battlefield control.

Easy Bake Wizard Spellbook