Suggest defenses for a wizard

In article <ericp06-2A69E1.08541813012007.DeleteThis@newsclstr02.news.prodigy.com>,
ericp06.DeleteThis@sbcglobal.net says...

> > I just noticed that Shimrod, my wizard in our AoW game, is rather short
> > on defensive spells.
> >
> > Interestingly enough, I haven't had problems with that yes, since
> > there's 7 PCs and I stay back like most reasonable wizards, so enemies
> > rarely get to me. But 2nd level of prevetion is worth 4th level of cure,
> > so I think it's time to expand my repertoire.
> >
> > So far, all I have is mage armour, alter self (and a hat of disguise
> > self to overlay my own shape over that of a troglodyte so I don't look
> > like an idiot ) and shield (which I never cast, since I have a +1
> > mithral buckler, so another +2 doesn't feel like it's worth the bother).
> >
> > What defensive spells are good for an 8th-level wizard? Blink is
> > currently at the top of my list, since it's multi-purpose, and multi-
> > purpose is what Shimrod the Sharp is all about! It protects against
> > physical attacks, targeted spells, area attacks, it gives you a chance
> > to walk through walls... and the 20% miss chance isn't that bad when
> > you've got magic missiles to fall back on.
> >
> > Any suggestions?
>
> If you're not expecting to get up close and personal with your foes,
> Globe of Invulnerability is good.

I have that, and considering how rarely I've seen it used, I was
surprised how useful it proved against a mind flayer sorcerer.

But it's stationary and doesn't stop swords and arrows.

> Magic Circles will help you and your
> buddies. Protection from Energy...Displacement...Blink...Blur...Mirror
> Image...Obscuring Mist. Some of these are especially good when used
> together, so mix and match!

Well, I've played enough D&D to know about all those. I was hoping for
some sort of "advanced" advice: particularly interesting ways to mix and
match, non-obvious advantages and disadvantages of specific spells,
advice on how much resources to devote to defense (blur or improved
invisibility?)...


--
Jasin Zujovic
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest defenses for a wizard 

In article <MPG.201361062f05414c989eec RemoveThis @news.iskon.hr>,
Jasin Zujovic <jzujovic RemoveThis @inet.hr> wrote:

> In article <ericp06-2A69E1.08541813012007 RemoveThis @newsclstr02.news.prodigy.com>,
> ericp06 RemoveThis @sbcglobal.net says...
>
> > > I just noticed that Shimrod, my wizard in our AoW game, is rather short
> > > on defensive spells.
> > >
> > > Interestingly enough, I haven't had problems with that yes, since
> > > there's 7 PCs and I stay back like most reasonable wizards, so enemies
> > > rarely get to me. But 2nd level of prevetion is worth 4th level of cure,
> > > so I think it's time to expand my repertoire.
> > >
> > > So far, all I have is mage armour, alter self (and a hat of disguise
> > > self to overlay my own shape over that of a troglodyte so I don't look
> > > like an idiot ) and shield (which I never cast, since I have a +1
> > > mithral buckler, so another +2 doesn't feel like it's worth the bother).
> > >
> > > What defensive spells are good for an 8th-level wizard? Blink is
> > > currently at the top of my list, since it's multi-purpose, and multi-
> > > purpose is what Shimrod the Sharp is all about! It protects against
> > > physical attacks, targeted spells, area attacks, it gives you a chance
> > > to walk through walls... and the 20% miss chance isn't that bad when
> > > you've got magic missiles to fall back on.
> > >
> > > Any suggestions?
> >
> > If you're not expecting to get up close and personal with your foes,
> > Globe of Invulnerability is good.
>
> I have that, and considering how rarely I've seen it used, I was
> surprised how useful it proved against a mind flayer sorcerer.
>
> But it's stationary and doesn't stop swords and arrows.
>
> > Magic Circles will help you and your
> > buddies. Protection from Energy...Displacement...Blink...Blur...Mirror
> > Image...Obscuring Mist. Some of these are especially good when used
> > together, so mix and match!
>
> Well, I've played enough D&D to know about all those. I was hoping for
> some sort of "advanced" advice: particularly interesting ways to mix and
> match, non-obvious advantages and disadvantages of specific spells,
> advice on how much resources to devote to defense (blur or improved
> invisibility?)...

Blur and Mirror Image go well together, but that might be too obvious.
Beyond that, I've got nothin'.

Good luck!
Eric
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest defenses for a wizard 

In article <oookq2lpo94ptckd3cc4ko973mpqcuunac.RemoveThis@4ax.com>,
jim.RemoveThis@aaargh.NoBleedinSpam.org says...

> >What defensive spells are good for an 8th-level wizard?
>
> Fireball. Offence is the best defence.

So far that has proven adequate, yes. (Although I prefer things like
Evard's black tentacles and web to straightforward offense.) Still, not
everything keels over on the first strike, and if it doesn't, having
demonstrated good offensive capability just makes you a more attractive
target.

> Failing that, Dimension Door.

For some reason, I've skipped it when picking my free spells, but I'll
correct that at first opportunity.


--
Jasin Zujovic
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest defenses for a wizard 

In article <MPG.201487fdbb5cc1b6989ef1.TakeThisOut@news.iskon.hr>,
Jasin Zujovic <jzujovic.TakeThisOut@inet.hr> wrote:

> In article <oookq2lpo94ptckd3cc4ko973mpqcuunac.TakeThisOut@4ax.com>,
> jim.TakeThisOut@aaargh.NoBleedinSpam.org says...
>
> > >What defensive spells are good for an 8th-level wizard?
> >
> > Fireball. Offence is the best defence.
>
> So far that has proven adequate, yes. (Although I prefer things like
> Evard's black tentacles and web to straightforward offense.) Still, not
> everything keels over on the first strike, and if it doesn't, having
> demonstrated good offensive capability just makes you a more attractive
> target.
>
> > Failing that, Dimension Door.
>
> For some reason, I've skipped it when picking my free spells, but I'll
> correct that at first opportunity.

There's your strategy: tie 'em up with EBT, roast 'em with a Fireball,
then exit stage right with Dimension Door *S* Brilliant!

- E
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest defenses for a wizard 

On the grave of Jasin Zujovic <jzujovic.TakeThisOut@inet.hr> is inscribed:

>What defensive spells are good for an 8th-level wizard?

Fireball. Offence is the best defence. Failing that, Dimension Door.

--
Jim or Sarah Davies, but probably Jim

D&D and Star Fleet Battles stuff on http://www.aaargh.org
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest defenses for a wizard 

Jasin Zujovic wrote:
> In article <ericp06-2A69E1.08541813012007 RemoveThis @newsclstr02.news.prodigy.com>,
> ericp06 RemoveThis @sbcglobal.net says...
>
> > > I just noticed that Shimrod, my wizard in our AoW game, is rather short
> > > on defensive spells.
> > >
> > > Interestingly enough, I haven't had problems with that yes, since
> > > there's 7 PCs and I stay back like most reasonable wizards, so enemies
> > > rarely get to me. But 2nd level of prevetion is worth 4th level of cure,
> > > so I think it's time to expand my repertoire.
> > >
> > > So far, all I have is mage armour, alter self (and a hat of disguise
> > > self to overlay my own shape over that of a troglodyte so I don't look
> > > like an idiot ) and shield (which I never cast, since I have a +1
> > > mithral buckler, so another +2 doesn't feel like it's worth the bother).
> > >
> > > What defensive spells are good for an 8th-level wizard? Blink is
> > > currently at the top of my list, since it's multi-purpose, and multi-
> > > purpose is what Shimrod the Sharp is all about! It protects against
> > > physical attacks, targeted spells, area attacks, it gives you a chance
> > > to walk through walls... and the 20% miss chance isn't that bad when
> > > you've got magic missiles to fall back on.
> > >
> > > Any suggestions?
> >
> > If you're not expecting to get up close and personal with your foes,
> > Globe of Invulnerability is good.
>
> I have that, and considering how rarely I've seen it used, I was
> surprised how useful it proved against a mind flayer sorcerer.
>
> But it's stationary and doesn't stop swords and arrows.
>
> > Magic Circles will help you and your
> > buddies. Protection from Energy...Displacement...Blink...Blur...Mirror
> > Image...Obscuring Mist. Some of these are especially good when used
> > together, so mix and match!
>
> Well, I've played enough D&D to know about all those. I was hoping for
> some sort of "advanced" advice: particularly interesting ways to mix and
> match, non-obvious advantages and disadvantages of specific spells,
> advice on how much resources to devote to defense (blur or improved
> invisibility?)...
>

Blur... blink... displacement... all great to put on the party rogue,
that whole concealment and sneak attack thing.

I personally prefer other forms of 'defense' also don't forget
protection from evil, or Magic Circle.

Just saved the party a ton of bad stuff last game I had as the
fighter/cleric had it up when he failed a dominate, and 2 confusion
saves, he wasn't affected since it suppresses those effects. 2 other
affected by the confusion happened to be close enough to have the magic
circle protect them at the same time. It also prevents summoned
creatures from attacking you directly, as well as that handy dandy +2
AC & Saves.

Don't neglect movement powers for defense either. Fly - if they can't
reach you they can't hurt you. Most monsters don't have any ranged
weapons, and a Fly for the time when the opposite happens is a life
saver. Spider Climb can give almost the same effect while inside.
Expeditious Retreat - great for keeping out of range.

Grease - if the enemy is ground bound, really ruins thier day, and can
effectively block a corridor or approach. Almost no one ever has 5
ranks of balance, and the rogues will have a field day on all those
prone/balancing enemies. Also fun combined with gust of wind. And a
great defense against grapplers with that +20 escape artist check.

Darkness - well this really depends on DM's interpretation, but if done
by RAW is effectively a blur the entire area.

Summon Monster - Very versatile, great for soaking up damage and
blocking things from getting to you, also able to provide flanking for
your rogues/fighters

- Justisaur
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest defenses for a wizard 

Jasin Zujovic wrote:
> In article <1168887957.798286.237730.RemoveThis@s34g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
> justisaur.RemoveThis@gmail.com says...

> > Just saved the party a ton of bad stuff last game I had as the
> > fighter/cleric had it up when he failed a dominate, and 2 confusion
> > saves, he wasn't affected since it suppresses those effects.
>
> I don't think protection from evil stop confusion...?

I posted about this, but I don't see it yet, I hope google didn't throw
it up, especially since I didn't save it anywhere.

Anyway according to the description it says it suppresses enchantment
(compulsion) which confusion is.

>
> > Don't neglect movement powers for defense either. Fly - if they can't
> > reach you they can't hurt you. Most monsters don't have any ranged
> > weapons, and a Fly for the time when the opposite happens is a life
> > saver.
>
> I do try to have a fly prepared at all times.

Even a levitate can come in handy, although not as much.

> > Summon Monster - Very versatile, great for soaking up damage and
> > blocking things from getting to you, also able to provide flanking for
> > your rogues/fighters
>
> Summon monsters mostly seem pretty weak to me. They seem like they can
> barely hit anything, and barely avoid getting hit. Useful for blocking
> the way perhaps, but we have 7 PCs, one of which is a druid, so there's
> already plenty of blocking going on, and not all of it the good kind.

Ah yeah if you've already got a druid, and no rogue not quite so
useful. The lower level ones aren't so good (I-II), and you pretty
much have to use the ones near your max spell level to get much use out
of them - at least until you get air elementals (see Werebat's post
about that.)

- Justisaur
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest defenses for a wizard 

In article <1168887957.798286.237730 RemoveThis @s34g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
justisaur RemoveThis @gmail.com says...

> Blur... blink... displacement... all great to put on the party rogue,
> that whole concealment and sneak attack thing.

We don't have a rogue. We have a scout, and he's both pretty good with
traps, and a decent combatant, but denying Dex doesn't benefit him much.

> Just saved the party a ton of bad stuff last game I had as the
> fighter/cleric had it up when he failed a dominate, and 2 confusion
> saves, he wasn't affected since it suppresses those effects.

I don't think protection from evil stop confusion...?

> Don't neglect movement powers for defense either. Fly - if they can't
> reach you they can't hurt you. Most monsters don't have any ranged
> weapons, and a Fly for the time when the opposite happens is a life
> saver.

I do try to have a fly prepared at all times.

> Grease - if the enemy is ground bound, really ruins thier day, and can
> effectively block a corridor or approach. Almost no one ever has 5
> ranks of balance, and the rogues will have a field day on all those
> prone/balancing enemies. Also fun combined with gust of wind. And a
> great defense against grapplers with that +20 escape artist check.

Ah, good point! At lower levels, I commonly used grease offensively, but
lately I haven't been preparing it. But these are the levels where big
monster are getting more common, so a grease again becomes handy...

> Summon Monster - Very versatile, great for soaking up damage and
> blocking things from getting to you, also able to provide flanking for
> your rogues/fighters

Summon monsters mostly seem pretty weak to me. They seem like they can
barely hit anything, and barely avoid getting hit. Useful for blocking
the way perhaps, but we have 7 PCs, one of which is a druid, so there's
already plenty of blocking going on, and not all of it the good kind.


--
Jasin Zujovic
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest defenses for a wizard 

"Justisaur" <justisaur.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1168900530.832986.197240@11g2000cwr.googlegroups.com...
>
> Jasin Zujovic wrote:
>> In article <1168887957.798286.237730.TakeThisOut@s34g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
>> justisaur.TakeThisOut@gmail.com says...
>
>> > Just saved the party a ton of bad stuff last game I had as the
>> > fighter/cleric had it up when he failed a dominate, and 2 confusion
>> > saves, he wasn't affected since it suppresses those effects.
>>
>> I don't think protection from evil stop confusion...?
>
> I posted about this, but I don't see it yet, I hope google didn't throw
> it up, especially since I didn't save it anywhere.
>
> Anyway according to the description it says it suppresses enchantment
> (compulsion) which confusion is.
>
>>
>> > Don't neglect movement powers for defense either. Fly - if they can't
>> > reach you they can't hurt you. Most monsters don't have any ranged
>> > weapons, and a Fly for the time when the opposite happens is a life
>> > saver.
>>
>> I do try to have a fly prepared at all times.
>
> Even a levitate can come in handy, although not as much.
>
>> > Summon Monster - Very versatile, great for soaking up damage and
>> > blocking things from getting to you, also able to provide flanking for
>> > your rogues/fighters
>>
>> Summon monsters mostly seem pretty weak to me. They seem like they can
>> barely hit anything, and barely avoid getting hit. Useful for blocking
>> the way perhaps, but we have 7 PCs, one of which is a druid, so there's
>> already plenty of blocking going on, and not all of it the good kind.
>
> Ah yeah if you've already got a druid, and no rogue not quite so
> useful. The lower level ones aren't so good (I-II), and you pretty
> much have to use the ones near your max spell level to get much use out
> of them - at least until you get air elementals (see Werebat's post
> about that.)
>
Buy pearls of power for the cleric/druid and look over the cleric/druid
spell list for buffs.
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest defenses for a wizard 

On Jan 13, 8:06 am, Jasin Zujovic <jzujo....DeleteThis@inet.hr> wrote:
> So far, all I have is mage armour, alter self (and a hat of disguise
> self to overlay my own shape over that of a troglodyte so I don't look
> like an idiot ) and shield (which I never cast, since I have a +1
> mithral buckler, so another +2 doesn't feel like it's worth the bother).
>
> What defensive spells are good for an 8th-level wizard? Blink is
> currently at the top of my list, since it's multi-purpose, and multi-
> purpose is what Shimrod the Sharp is all about! It protects against
> physical attacks, targeted spells, area attacks, it gives you a chance
> to walk through walls... and the 20% miss chance isn't that bad when
> you've got magic missiles to fall back on.
>
> Any suggestions?

I've played several wizards and the #1 defensive goal is to simply not
be targeted. You just don't have many hit pioints and even with a
really good AC for a wizard you are still going to be easy to hit and
very breakable thanks to low HP.

For 4th level your best defenisve spells are Greater Invis and Resist
Energy Mass. The first because you can't be seen and can still cast
offensive spells. The second because even while invisible you can
still be caught in area effects. Of course resist is only useful if
you know what you are up against but is great if you are hunting
something or something in particular. There are a couple of flight
spells from Spell Conpendium (Flight of the Dragon and Greater Winds of
Air) but I am not familiar with them. Flying + Greater Inivis keeps
you well out of harm's way. If you know you are going against someone
using magic get Lesser Globe of Invulnerability.

For 3rd level blinks looks OK but there's that spell chance failure.
Displacement is better. Frankly, Greater Mirror Image probably works
better than either of them (workes longer, greater miss change at the
start) unless you are going to be attacked a LOT in which case you are
screwed anyway. And none of them is useful if you are greater inivis.
Fly is here and that is alway good on defense. I think you are better
off mostly using 3rd level for attack spells as it has all the good 'ol
classics.

For second level you have Mirror Image, Invis, and the various buff
spells (e.g., Cat's Grace). Wall of Gloom might work well.

The classic 1st level spells give you better AC but really aren't that
useful because of the brittleness of wizards anyway. You are better
off not being in a position to be hit or having a solid miss chance
than relying on AC. Still, Mage Armor lasts so long it is always good.
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest defenses for a wizard 

Jasin Zujovic wrote:
> I just noticed that Shimrod, my wizard in our AoW game, is rather short
> on defensive spells.
>
> Interestingly enough, I haven't had problems with that yes, since
> there's 7 PCs and I stay back like most reasonable wizards, so enemies
> rarely get to me. But 2nd level of prevetion is worth 4th level of cure,
> so I think it's time to expand my repertoire.
>
> So far, all I have is mage armour, alter self (and a hat of disguise
> self to overlay my own shape over that of a troglodyte so I don't look
> like an idiot ) and shield (which I never cast, since I have a +1
> mithral buckler, so another +2 doesn't feel like it's worth the bother).
>
> What defensive spells are good for an 8th-level wizard? Blink is
> currently at the top of my list, since it's multi-purpose, and multi-
> purpose is what Shimrod the Sharp is all about! It protects against
> physical attacks, targeted spells, area attacks, it gives you a chance
> to walk through walls... and the 20% miss chance isn't that bad when
> you've got magic missiles to fall back on.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
>

psionics.
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest defenses for a wizard 

Jim Davies wrote:
> On the grave of Jasin Zujovic <jzujovic.TakeThisOut@inet.hr> is inscribed:
>
>> What defensive spells are good for an 8th-level wizard?
>
> Fireball. Offence is the best defence. Failing that, Dimension Door.
>
> --
> Jim or Sarah Davies, but probably Jim
>
> D&D and Star Fleet Battles stuff on http://www.aaargh.org

stoneskin of course. just prepare a lots and lots of powdered diamonds

--
Vempire u144241

Games that I like to play

Multiplayer Online Games <http://www.gamestotal.com/>
Strategy Games <http://www.gamestotal.com/>
Unification Wars <http://uc.gamestotal.com/>
Massive Multiplayer Online Games <http://uc.gamestotal.com/>
Galactic Conquest <http://gc.gamestotal.com/>
Strategy Games <http://gc.gamestotal.com/>
Runescape <http://www.stephenyong.com/runescape.htm>
Kings of chaos <http://www.stephenyong.com/kingsofchaos.htm>
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest defenses for a wizard