Red Wizard Specialization

[bushwhacker2k]

I know mages suck since it's a really high magic campaign, but I dun care...

Anyways, I'm going to make a Wiz/RedWiz/ArcScholar and I'm not sure what specializations are good. I'm thinking about going with necromancy.

[Scottg]

Originally Posted by bushwhacker2k

I know mages suck since it's a really high magic campaign, but I dun care...

Anyways, I'm going to make a Wiz/RedWiz/ArcScholar and I'm not sure what specializations are good. I'm thinking about going with necromancy.

Only specialize because the Red Wizard class requires it. Otherwise its never a good idea to do it.

When looking at Specialization consider it on the basis of what you will loose.

In the case of Necromancy it is Divination.

Divination has 3 important spells in it:

True Strike at level 1, Assay Resistance at level 4, and Premonition at level 8.

However you may not need True Strike (though look and see what your "touch attack" spells are), and Premonition can be obtained through the 9th level Shades. Assay Resistance may not ever be a problem for you in the OC or MOTB.. and you do have Mordenkainen's Disjunction. Identify should not be a problem for you as long as Lore is one of you major skills.

[bushwhacker2k]

actually, not true. Being a specialist mage instead of a general mage makes it so that you can memorize an extra spell for each level... oh wait, was that Baldur's Gate?

By the way, the specialist type has a much higher DC than before with red wizard levels, so there isn't much reason not to use the type... that said, what would you recommend?

[Scottg]

Originally Posted by bushwhacker2k

actually, not true. Being a specialist mage instead of a general mage makes it so that you can memorize an extra spell for each level... oh wait, was that Baldur's Gate?

By the way, the specialist type has a much higher DC than before with red wizard levels, so there isn't much reason not to use the type... that said, what would you recommend?

It does allow for one extra spell slot at each level - thats what you GET. What you give up is the use of opposing school spells. Its kind of pointless with the scribe scroll ability.

In NWN's 2 I *think* there is NO bonus to DC's for specializing. Instead all of that is taken care of with meta-magic feats (and class specific bonus feats - like the Red Wizard's, but its a pitiful +1).

Much higher DC's are also pretty much pointless in the OC and MOTB. Saves don't seem to be the problem for purist spell casters in either game. Spell Penetration however is a problem.

I personally would never go with a red wizard unless I was in a campaign with opponents that had substantially higher levels than I had, the OC and MOTB don't really meet that exception.

That means that I would NOT pick a school to specialize in.

If I had to.. well, it depends on how you play the character.

Here is as good an analysis on the pro's and con's as you'll find:

NecroMaster - Wiz(26), ASC(3), PM(1) - NWN2Wiki, the Neverwinter Nights 2 wiki

[Fiberfar]

I've played a necromantic Red Wizard in the MOTB, and not being able to choose all spells forces you to change your tactics in some situations. That being said, throwing about Wail of the Banshees with DC 45 kinda made it easy.

I don't remember what school you lose if you pick evocation, but I'd rather focus in that school instead of necromancy.