Building the Ultimate Blue Mage

[TravelLog]

The build is almost complete (see below). I'd love some opinions and thoughts.

Haliax


CN Unseelie Fey Magic-Blooded Lesser Cansin Blue Mage 5/Shade 1

Description: Clothed in a black vest and trousers, Haliax does not, on first appearances, look like a typical mage. Indeed, after years studying as a Magi, Haliax, now in his mid-thirties, has taken great care to create and shape such an image, cultivating as one would a delicate garden, knowing that some day, a mistaken first impression could mean a life or death advantage. Haliax's clothes themselves are of fine make, but their true use is in their functionality. Cut loosely around the chest and legs, Haliax's outfit fits his lean form well, allowing him full mobility when the situation requires it. He wears black boots and a grey undershirt, and all of his garments contain innumerable pockets, containing useful items in the event such a thing might be required. His features are well defined, though stubble is often found upon his face after long days of study. His skin, though somewhat pale around the face, is swarthy and well-tanned. Another surprise in a magus. But like so much else about Haliax, it too has been carefully cultivated. His eyes, while at first glance a startling ice-blue grey, are edged by black sclera, and the tips of his nails are black as well. At night, when he walks, the shadows seem to follow and twine about him, almost as if it were a caress.

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Racial adjustments:  +2 Int, +2 Cha
Template adjustments: -2 Str, +2 Dex, -2 Con, +2 Int, -2 Wis, +4 Cha
Array: 10, 12, 14, 16, 16, 18

Str 10 – 2 (Template) = 8
Dex 14 + 2 (Template)= 16
Con 16 – 2 (Template) + 1 (Level) + 1 (Shade) = 16
Int 16 + 2 (Racial) = 18
Wis 12 – 2 (Template) = 10
Cha 18 + 2 (Racial) + 4 (Template) + 2 (Item)= 26

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HD: 6d8 + 18
HP: 66
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +6
AC: 20 (+3 Dex, +8 Deflection, -1 Trait), 20 touch, 18 flat-footed
Initiative: +5 (+3 Dex, +2 Trait)
Senses: Darkvision 60’
Speed: 50 ft, 100 ft. fly (average)
BAB/Grapple: +2 (melee)/+6 (ranged)
Defenses: Fast Healing 3, Resistance 5 Fire/Acid, DR 5/Cold Iron
Conditions: +2 bonus to saves vs. spells I know, +1 to Knowledge rolls to examine creatures, enemies within 5 feet take a penalty to saves equal to my Cha mod
Attacks:

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Lesser Cansin (MM II)
   +2 Int, +2 Cha
   Medium Size
Humanoid (Planetouched)
   Acid/Fire Resistance 5
   +2 Racial Bonus to Bluff and Search
   Speed: 30’
   Automatic Languages: Common. Bonus language: Any

Unseelie Fey
   -2 Str, +2 Dex, -2 Con, +2 Cha
   Bat-wings with Average Fly Speed at twice land speed
   Winter Chill (Su): An unseelie fey with winter chill has a presence that disquiets nonfey. The       
        more beautiful the creature is, the more uncomfortable other beings feel. Living, nonfey
        creatures within 5 feet of her feel uneasy and suffer a morale penalty on saves equal to the
        unseelie fey's Charisma bonus (minimum 1).
        DR 5/Cold Iron
        Iron Vulnerability and Darkvision 60'
        +4 racial to Intimidate

Magic-Blooded (Dragon #306)
   +2 Cha, -2 Wis
   Low-light vision
   +2 bonus to Knowledge (Arcana) and Spellcraft checks)
1/day SLAs: Detect Magic, Read Magic Nystul’s Magic Aura, and Nystul’s Undetectable Aura

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Blue Mage 5
   Skill Points: 4+Int
   Class Skills: Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (dungeoneering) (Int), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Knowledge (the Planes) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Use Magic Device (Cha).

   Hit Die: d8
   BAB: +2
   Saves: Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +4
   Weapon/Armor Proficiency: All Simple Weapons   

        Blue Magic
        Bonus Feats (1, 7, 13, 19)
        Indigo Infusion
        Been There, Done That (+2)
        Creature Magic (+1)
        Azure Awareness

Shade 1
   Skll Points: 4+Int
   Class Skills: Bluff (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Listen (Wis), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Move Silently (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Spot (Wis)

   Hit Die: d8
   BAB: +0
   Saves: Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +2

   Shade Body (Darkvision 60’)
   Light Unpowering
   Shadow Speed (+20 to all movement)
   Night Field
   Control Light
   Dark Healing
   Shadow Magic (Lesser)
   +1 Con

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Feats:
  -Flexible Mind^F
  -Enlarge Spell^F
  -Darkstalker ^1st
  -Extend Spell ^{1st, Bonus}
  -Invisible Spell ^3rd
  -Disruptive Spell ^6th

  -Apprentice (Spellcaster) ^Affiliation

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Selective Spell
Dazing Spell
Misleading Spell

Flaws:
  -Noncombatant (-2 Melee Attacks)
  -Feeble (-2 penalty on Strength-, Dexterity-, and Constitution-based checks)

Trait:
  -Aggressive (+2 Init, -1 AC)

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# of Skill Points: 72       Max Ranks: 9

Bluff: 8 (Cha) + 2 (Ranks) + 2 (Racial) + 2 (Tool)= 14
Concentration: 3 (Con) + 9 (Ranks) + 2 (Tool)= 14
Craft (Weaving): 4 (Int) + 3 (Ranks)= 7
Hide: 3 (Dex) + 5 (Ranks) + 6 (Shade) + 2 (Tool)= 16
Intimidate: 8 (Cha) + 4 (Racial)= 12
Kn. Arcana: 4 (Int) + 9 (Ranks) + 2 (Racial) + 2 (Affiliation) + 2 (Tool)= 19
Kn. Dungeoneering: 4 (Int) + 4 (Ranks) + 2 (Tool)= 10
Kn. Religion: 4 (Int) + 4 (Ranks) + 2 (Tool)= 10
Kn. The Planes: 4 (Int) + 4 (Ranks) + 2 (Tool)= 10
Move Silently: 3 (Dex) + 5 (Ranks) + 6 (Shade) + 2 (Tool)= 16
Listen: 4 (Int) + 3 (Ranks) + 3 (Shade)= 10
Spellcraft: 4 (Int) + 9 (Ranks) + 2 (Racial) + 2 (Apprentice) + 2 (Tool)= 19
Spot: 4 (Int) + 2 (Ranks) + 2 (Racial) + 3 (Shade)= 11
Use Magic Device: 8 (Cha) + 9 (Ranks) + 2 (Apprentice) + 2 (Tool)= 21

Skill Tricks:
--Swift Concentration (-2 skill points)
*Note: Houserules say CC skill ranks are 1:1, with normal CC maximums

Languages Known: Common, Infernal, Draconic, Elven, Celestial, Abyssal, Undercommon

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Spells per Day: 4/5/5/4
Spell Levels Knowable: 5x(Level+Cha)=70 (+2 cantrips and 1 1st)

Cantrips: Ghost Sound, Prestidigitation
1st Level: Mage Armor, Divine Favor, Conviction, Resurgence, Lesser Restoration, Fleeting Fortune, Entangle, Grease, Spell Flower, True Strike, Linked Perception, Haste*, See Invisibility***
2nd Level: Spectral Hand, Chain of Eyes, Scourge of Force, Blur, Guidance of the Avatar, Wings of Cover, Touch of Madness, Eagle's Splendor, Bear's Endurance, Displacement**, Nondetection**
3rd Level: Permeable Form, Displacement, Dragonskin, Alter Fortune, Shivering Touch, Great Thunderclap, Wall of Stone, Energy Aegis, Greater Magic Weapon, Scrying, Major Image, Greater Dispel Magic*

*Trapsmith
**Telfammar Shadowlord
***Runescarred Berserker

Used so far: 70 levels. 0 remaining (1 1st level spell not counted, coming from the Apprentice (Spellcaster) feat)

SLAs:
1/day: Detect Magic, Read Magic, Nystul’s Magic Aura, and Nystul’s Undetectable Aura
6/day: Invisibility

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WBL: 13,000gp      Remaining: 150 gp

-Handy Haversack (2,000gp)
-Shapesand (100 gp)
-Sculpt Rod (Lesser) (3,000 gp)
-Cloak of Charisma +2 (4,000 gp)
-Chronocharm of the Horizon Walker (500 gp)
-Ring of Silent Spells (2,000 gp)
-Healing Belt (750 gp)
-Masterwork Tools (500 gp)
 

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Forthcoming

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Imperium Affiliation: The Magi
Affiliation Score Modifier: 10 (Young Magus)
   1/2 Character Level  = +3
   Can cast 3rd level spells = +1
   5+ Ranks in Spellcraft = +1
   5+ Ranks in Kn. Arcana = +1
   Metamagic Feats (4) =  +4
   
Young Magus: You are given permission to study in the great Library of the Magi, granting you a +2 bonus to Knoweldge: Arcana checks and the Apprentice (spellcaster) feat as a bonus feat (except that it does not change to the Mentor feat until you become an Old Magus).
Master level: 5+Cha+Bonuses = 13

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Gloves of the Master Strategist (1,600 gp)
Headband of Conscious Effort (2,000 gp)
Amulet of Fortune Prevailing (5,000 gp)
Boots of Tremorsense (5,000 gp)
Ring of Spell Battle (15,000 gp)
Talisman of Undying Fortitude (8,000 gp)
Runestaff of Heart of X spells (11,500 gp; custom)

[phaedrusxy]

Is a Cansin of the giant type? If not, how are you legally applying the primordial giant template?

[TravelLog]

Well damn. That teaches me to build late at night. 

I guess I'll go with Unseelie Fey then. That'd leave my scores at Str 8, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 19, Wis 10, Cha 25 (swapped level bonus from Cha to Int, since house rules round odd ability scores UP)

[SorO_Lost]

Primordial Giant requires Giant, Lesser Cansin is Humanoid. So that's a problem.

Personally I never liked the Blue Mage class posted online. I love the concept of Blue Mages, and the class was well received but it's a subpar shitty Wizard failure that does Blue Mages no justice. ~Oh you cast a spell, let me dump a few known that I have and try to learn it vs reflavoring stealing their book or little planar ally up some learning tonight. And honestly an Erudite or any Wizard with Arcane Fusion does the flavor of Blue Mage better than the class dedicated to being a Blue Mage, and at no power loss. Maybe it's weaknesses is why it seems good, but I just can't get around it's failure to love up to the BM concept. Like the -SPELL ONLY- part sucks and is about five steps removed from the real Blue Mage concept where you learn melee attacks and such. So I never made one but wish I could play as one (did make my own as a solution but never did a full write up since I still have yet to get the chance to use).

Edit - ninja'ed on the Giant part, teach me to ramble in a post and watch youtube clips.

[TravelLog]

You, SorO, may be looking for this Blue Mage.

That said, and with all the giant-ness sorted out. Any suggestions for spells (which can be from ANY list) or feats? Should I go for War Weaver, some other PrC (homebrew is allowed)?

[SorO_Lost]

1. You, SorO, may be looking for this Blue Mage.

2. That said, and with all the giant-ness sorted out. Any suggestions for spells (which can be from ANY list) or feats? Should I go for War Weaver, some other PrC (homebrew is allowed)?

1.

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Yes/No.

Closer in concept, omfg game breaking in use. Seriously, free TWF and exploitable chance of IntMod+WisMod+ChaMod as a bonus to Str for uber melee. The ability to cast any spell as a friggin attack action is a holy crap what were they thinking ability too. Physical Spells / Monstrous Mutation / Azure Mutation require too much paperwork for a simple guy like me and I sort of just stared off into space afterwards.

I ended up with a revamped variant of the Arcane Swordsage for my version. Stances=Special Abilities, Spells Known caps at 2 per level, and a bunch of clauses to make it a lot less abusive. Because my goal isn't to break the every living crap out of a game, but to have fun playing the combination Gish/Blue_Mage I always wanted to play as. It has some dead level filler and a few reasons not to PrC out ASAP (DR/Evasion/Mettle/'stances' isn't part of spellcasting) that kind of play of the survivability of a BM, so in all it's not a kick to the crotch, plays into the flavor, and hopefully isn't yet another overpowered homebrew.

2. Bookmark this link or any updates you find of it. It comes in handy for Wands, certainly a Blue Mage needs to read it. Like Animate Dead as a 3rd level spell means you get your undead army a level or two sooner than everyone else (barring fell drain shenanigans). And don't forget you can optimize your known list and bypass some of it's limits. Like as the Wizard/Cleric casts their series of Persisted Buffs you can forget, learn, and cast their spells.

[sirpercival]

Notice that the save DCs for that other blue mage are FUBAR as well.

Since this guy seems to be pretty sneaky (what with Shade and all) you could take Darkstalker.  And Invisible Spell is always awesome.

In terms of spells... honestly, I'm not sure exactly what you're going for, your spell list is pretty weird.  You're essentially a chameleon in terms of selection... I might take a few of these:

Level 1 -- Lesser Restoration
Level 2 -- Wings of Cover, Kelpstrand, Glitterdust
Level 3 -- Wall of Stone, Magic Vestment, Greater Magic Weapon

In terms of equipment, I'd probably pick up a Sculpt rod.  But until I know more I can't help you much there.

[Tshern]

Divine insight or Guidance of the avatar could work too. Several applications and the bonuses are quite substantial.

[TravelLog]

The issue I'm running into with my spell-list is that so far I'm the only dedicated caster for the team, so before I actually make selections, I trying to compile a list of the most useful spells of that level and work things out from there. It's be a lot simpler with a fourth party member so I could focus on a combination of illusions and battlefield control, with some utility spells from other schools thrown in.

On the other hand though, I have the unique opportunity of being able to cast divine spells as a War weaver, which could be beyond magnificent in terms of buffs if I decide I go that route.


SorO, thanks for the link. It should definitely come in handy.

[TravelLog]

Alright, spells are selected, but hopefully we'll get another mage in the party so I can have a little more freedom in choosing them (focusing on Battlefield Control and Buffing from any spell list). I've decided to go War Weaver so Enlarge Spell was chosen as the 3rd level feat. I still need a 6th level feat and 5,500 gp worth of gear.

[TravelLog]

Picked feats and most of my spells. Any advice on the last 1,500 gp and overall spell selection?

[Sneaky_Sable]

Quall's Feather Tokens, especially TREE and ANCHOR
Masterwork equipment to bolster skill usage
Masterwork Beehive

[sirpercival]

Masterwork Beehive

Dude, you have to stop giving out this advice.  You'll blow your cover, and everyone will have one!

[SorO_Lost]

o.O

[TravelLog]

o.O

???