I have a wizard NPC that runs with the party in my campaign and they’ve all reached 4th level. Now I’m unsure which path I should pick for the wizard.
I love the extra spell slot he gets with a +4 INT, but the Alert Feat looks really good too. Also the idea of getting him access to some curing spells through Artificer Initiate is nice.
Since he’s an NPC, Im not looking at him like I would a playable character even though he technically is… I’m torn.
What are your thoughts on fear vs ability score increase?
I generally think that it's good to treat an NPC more as what provides support for the party instead of what would make them an efficient character in their own right. I wouldn't even consider the Alert feat for an NPC... the players should be the stars of the game, so going out of your way to make sure the NPC has better odds of going first in combat and avoiding surprise takes some of that away. I think the idea of adding in a level of artificer for more support is the most appropriate for an NPC
That’s the best explanation I’ve read so far. Thank you. I definitely don't want him to steal the show, but support the party so healing is definitely a better choice.
Is there a better feat that would give him better healing options? I saw healer and cook were a couple of options that gave boosts to health.
I would take something that helps the party without putting any more attention on them. An ASI fits into that, an extra spell prepared gives another option but the PCs would just see her cast a spell, an increase in Save DC / to hit means the spells are more effective but again not it a noticable way.
I would't go alert for the reasons Transmorpher said.
Another option would be resiliant Con, it imporves the reliability of concentration (very useful if she is casting something like haste on a PC). Warcaster is a bit more attention seeking with the ability to cast spells as an op attack.
I would take something that helps the party without putting any more attention on them. An ASI fits into that, an extra spell prepared gives another option but the PCs would just see her cast a spell, an increase in Save DC / to hit means the spells are more effective but again not it a noticable way.
I would't go alert for the reasons Transmorpher said.
Another option would be resiliant Con, it imporves the reliability of concentration (very useful if she is casting something like haste on a PC). Warcaster is a bit more attention seeking with the ability to cast spells as an op attack.
What do you think about taking the Magic Initiate (Cleric) feat? I chose Guidance, Spare the Dying and Cure Wounds as spells.
I figured those are great for support, and with Guidance, I can even help the players with ability checks… plus spare the dying is great for the warlock in the party that’s always going down in a fight. of course cure wounds is always helpful.
I’d also go with the asi, just for simplicity. It’s much easier to track a little bump in save dc and extra spell prepared then it is to track a whole new set of class abilities. If your the DM, you already have enough to keep track of. And if you want him to be a good healer, just let him have an herbalism proficiency and make make potions during downtime. Just give it to him. NPCs don’t have to follow PC rules.
I would totally go for the Chef feat because it's one of those feats that has some fun roleplay potential but most players wouldn't take because it's usually sub-optimal compared to getting something more exciting like Sharpshooter or Warcaster. It's a nice way to reinforce your NPC's support position, but also gives them something to actively be doing during short rests. You can also use it as a means to encourage exploration or survival skills from your players... if the players know that finding food can help them with temp HP, you can encourage them to look for food to provide to the NPC to prepare meals for them.
I would take something that helps the party without putting any more attention on them. An ASI fits into that, an extra spell prepared gives another option but the PCs would just see her cast a spell, an increase in Save DC / to hit means the spells are more effective but again not it a noticable way.
I would't go alert for the reasons Transmorpher said.
Another option would be resiliant Con, it imporves the reliability of concentration (very useful if she is casting something like haste on a PC). Warcaster is a bit more attention seeking with the ability to cast spells as an op attack.
What do you think about taking the Magic Initiate (Cleric) feat? I chose Guidance, Spare the Dying and Cure Wounds as spells.
I figured those are great for support, and with Guidance, I can even help the players with ability checks… plus spare the dying is great for the warlock in the party that’s always going down in a fight. of course cure wounds is always helpful.
As an alternative to that you could give her a level of artificer. This could give you guidance,spare the dying cure wounds plus another spell and allow your NPC to wear medium armor and carry a shield giving them a major boost to AC and effectively giving them an extra spell slot (as they don't need to cast mage armor every day). Building such a character from scratch you could also give them con saves.
To be honest I wouldn't go with Guidance on an NPC having the NPC pop up to cast guidance whenever a PC tries to do something just puts to much of a spotlight on them. I would go with Light (if the party will need it), or something like mending which wont come up often but he party might be glad of the NPC when it does.
I would totally go for the Chef feat because it's one of those feats that has some fun roleplay potential but most players wouldn't take because it's usually sub-optimal compared to getting something more exciting like Sharpshooter or Warcaster. It's a nice way to reinforce your NPC's support position, but also gives them something to actively be doing during short rests. You can also use it as a means to encourage exploration or survival skills from your players... if the players know that finding food can help them with temp HP, you can encourage them to look for food to provide to the NPC to prepare meals for them.
As soon as OP said they were looking to make the NPC a healer/support-type character, the Chef feat was the first thing that popped into my head. Extra HP for the party when using Hit Dice on short rests, plus temp HP after long rests, plus fun role-play opportunities. Win-win-win
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
I think anything that will give flavour and make the NPC memorable and distinguishable especially in RP. Keen mind, observant, linguist, telepathic, telekinetic, fey touched, ritual caster, magic initiate, metamagic adept, skilled, skill expert, poisoner, chef and actor could all work,
I have a wizard NPC that runs with the party in my campaign and they’ve all reached 4th level. Now I’m unsure which path I should pick for the wizard.
I love the extra spell slot he gets with a +4 INT, but the Alert Feat looks really good too. Also the idea of getting him access to some curing spells through Artificer Initiate is nice.
Since he’s an NPC, Im not looking at him like I would a playable character even though he technically is… I’m torn.
What are your thoughts on fear vs ability score increase?
They don't get another spell slot with +4 intelligence. You'll get one more spell prepared, but your spell slots are strictly based on level.
I would take something that helps the party without putting any more attention on them. An ASI fits into that, an extra spell prepared gives another option but the PCs would just see her cast a spell, an increase in Save DC / to hit means the spells are more effective but again not it a noticable way.
I would't go alert for the reasons Transmorpher said.
Another option would be resiliant Con, it imporves the reliability of concentration (very useful if she is casting something like haste on a PC). Warcaster is a bit more attention seeking with the ability to cast spells as an op attack.
What do you think about taking the Magic Initiate (Cleric) feat? I chose Guidance, Spare the Dying and Cure Wounds as spells.
I figured those are great for support, and with Guidance, I can even help the players with ability checks… plus spare the dying is great for the warlock in the party that’s always going down in a fight. of course cure wounds is always helpful.
As an alternative to that you could give her a level of artificer. This could give you guidance,spare the dying cure wounds plus another spell and allow your NPC to wear medium armor and carry a shield giving them a major boost to AC and effectively giving them an extra spell slot (as they don't need to cast mage armor every day). Building such a character from scratch you could also give them con saves.
To be honest I wouldn't go with Guidance on an NPC having the NPC pop up to cast guidance whenever a PC tries to do something just puts to much of a spotlight on them. I would go with Light (if the party will need it), or something like mending which wont come up often but he party might be glad of the NPC when it does.
To the OP. Does the party have any healers? Party should rely on them as opposed to some patronizing figure who shows up with magical resources beyond the party's usual ability out of the kindness of the figure's heart.
That said, among one of my current party's current make up, healing magic from 1-4 had been provided by two bards, who get stretched a little thin. Party Wizard did dip into Artificer adept to take Cure wounds, also that magic bullet cantrip, and took tinkerer tools (I tried to encourage alchemy, but there's a sort of MacGuyver vibe to this wizard so tinker makes sense).
But [SOAPBOX ALERT] in the end I wouldn't run a DMPC, which this sounds more like than a traditional NPC. Why is this character in the party? Are they otherwise low magic, or are these new players and this NPC is some sort of role model on how to run a character? The latter is arguably fine, but the work I'd say is as easily done without another character intruding on the party, and your running of the game. If it's the former, it's tempting to have a sort of class features swiss army knife along for the ride, but again that burdens you the DM with running the game and a party member who comes possibly indispensible.
In my. view NPCs should rarely be put on character sheets. They should be statblocks and are thereby free from the strictures of class and level features. They shouldn't be earning a cut of the party's XP, and or leveling up with the party. Rather, even a closely allied PC, should grow in features and abilities as the DM sees fits the game. You're the DM, that's your luxury. You don't have to have an NPC "play through" enough xp and levels to have resources the party can call upon. If the party wants to get out the measuring sticks and asks what level class Gandalf Jr. is, just tell them it's an NPC, and all the party can really know about them is based on what they've seen the NPC do, what the NPC claims, and any other info the DM's provided on the NPC in game. Which should be fine, because they're not competing with the NPC, unless you have the NPC arguing for cuts of party rewards.[SOAPBOX ALERT OVER, PLEASE ASSIST SPEAKER IN PUTTING SOAPBOX BACK IN THEIR CAR]
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
That’s the best explanation I’ve read so far. Thank you. I definitely don't want him to steal the show, but support the party so healing is definitely a better choice.
Is there a better feat that would give him better healing options? I saw healer and cook were a couple of options that gave boosts to health.
Healing isn't the be-all, end-all for support. When picking spells, maybe look at battlefield control spells the NPC can deploy strategically, not doing damage but funneling the enemy to advantageous positions. Web, levitate, and even mold earth can be useful when used strategically to support the party.
Back on the original topic though, can't go wrong with War Caster. Advantage on concentration saves is pretty dang valuable, especially given how most control spells are concentration.
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Hello,
I have a wizard NPC that runs with the party in my campaign and they’ve all reached 4th level. Now I’m unsure which path I should pick for the wizard.
I love the extra spell slot he gets with a +4 INT, but the Alert Feat looks really good too. Also the idea of getting him access to some curing spells through Artificer Initiate is nice.
Since he’s an NPC, Im not looking at him like I would a playable character even though he technically is… I’m torn.
What are your thoughts on fear vs ability score increase?
I generally think that it's good to treat an NPC more as what provides support for the party instead of what would make them an efficient character in their own right. I wouldn't even consider the Alert feat for an NPC... the players should be the stars of the game, so going out of your way to make sure the NPC has better odds of going first in combat and avoiding surprise takes some of that away. I think the idea of adding in a level of artificer for more support is the most appropriate for an NPC
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
That’s the best explanation I’ve read so far. Thank you. I definitely don't want him to steal the show, but support the party so healing is definitely a better choice.
Is there a better feat that would give him better healing options? I saw healer and cook were a couple of options that gave boosts to health.
I would take something that helps the party without putting any more attention on them. An ASI fits into that, an extra spell prepared gives another option but the PCs would just see her cast a spell, an increase in Save DC / to hit means the spells are more effective but again not it a noticable way.
I would't go alert for the reasons Transmorpher said.
Another option would be resiliant Con, it imporves the reliability of concentration (very useful if she is casting something like haste on a PC). Warcaster is a bit more attention seeking with the ability to cast spells as an op attack.
What do you think about taking the Magic Initiate (Cleric) feat? I chose Guidance, Spare the Dying and Cure Wounds as spells.
I figured those are great for support, and with Guidance, I can even help the players with ability checks… plus spare the dying is great for the warlock in the party that’s always going down in a fight. of course cure wounds is always helpful.
I’d also go with the asi, just for simplicity. It’s much easier to track a little bump in save dc and extra spell prepared then it is to track a whole new set of class abilities. If your the DM, you already have enough to keep track of.
And if you want him to be a good healer, just let him have an herbalism proficiency and make make potions during downtime. Just give it to him. NPCs don’t have to follow PC rules.
I would totally go for the Chef feat because it's one of those feats that has some fun roleplay potential but most players wouldn't take because it's usually sub-optimal compared to getting something more exciting like Sharpshooter or Warcaster. It's a nice way to reinforce your NPC's support position, but also gives them something to actively be doing during short rests. You can also use it as a means to encourage exploration or survival skills from your players... if the players know that finding food can help them with temp HP, you can encourage them to look for food to provide to the NPC to prepare meals for them.
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
As an alternative to that you could give her a level of artificer. This could give you guidance,spare the dying cure wounds plus another spell and allow your NPC to wear medium armor and carry a shield giving them a major boost to AC and effectively giving them an extra spell slot (as they don't need to cast mage armor every day). Building such a character from scratch you could also give them con saves.
To be honest I wouldn't go with Guidance on an NPC having the NPC pop up to cast guidance whenever a PC tries to do something just puts to much of a spotlight on them. I would go with Light (if the party will need it), or something like mending which wont come up often but he party might be glad of the NPC when it does.
As soon as OP said they were looking to make the NPC a healer/support-type character, the Chef feat was the first thing that popped into my head. Extra HP for the party when using Hit Dice on short rests, plus temp HP after long rests, plus fun role-play opportunities. Win-win-win
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Alert is awesome, indeed. I use to go with feats prior than ASIs for Wizards.
War Caster is also quite good!
I think anything that will give flavour and make the NPC memorable and distinguishable especially in RP. Keen mind, observant, linguist, telepathic, telekinetic, fey touched, ritual caster, magic initiate, metamagic adept, skilled, skill expert, poisoner, chef and actor could all work,
They don't get another spell slot with +4 intelligence. You'll get one more spell prepared, but your spell slots are strictly based on level.
To the OP. Does the party have any healers? Party should rely on them as opposed to some patronizing figure who shows up with magical resources beyond the party's usual ability out of the kindness of the figure's heart.
That said, among one of my current party's current make up, healing magic from 1-4 had been provided by two bards, who get stretched a little thin. Party Wizard did dip into Artificer adept to take Cure wounds, also that magic bullet cantrip, and took tinkerer tools (I tried to encourage alchemy, but there's a sort of MacGuyver vibe to this wizard so tinker makes sense).
But [SOAPBOX ALERT] in the end I wouldn't run a DMPC, which this sounds more like than a traditional NPC. Why is this character in the party? Are they otherwise low magic, or are these new players and this NPC is some sort of role model on how to run a character? The latter is arguably fine, but the work I'd say is as easily done without another character intruding on the party, and your running of the game. If it's the former, it's tempting to have a sort of class features swiss army knife along for the ride, but again that burdens you the DM with running the game and a party member who comes possibly indispensible.
In my. view NPCs should rarely be put on character sheets. They should be statblocks and are thereby free from the strictures of class and level features. They shouldn't be earning a cut of the party's XP, and or leveling up with the party. Rather, even a closely allied PC, should grow in features and abilities as the DM sees fits the game. You're the DM, that's your luxury. You don't have to have an NPC "play through" enough xp and levels to have resources the party can call upon. If the party wants to get out the measuring sticks and asks what level class Gandalf Jr. is, just tell them it's an NPC, and all the party can really know about them is based on what they've seen the NPC do, what the NPC claims, and any other info the DM's provided on the NPC in game. Which should be fine, because they're not competing with the NPC, unless you have the NPC arguing for cuts of party rewards.[SOAPBOX ALERT OVER, PLEASE ASSIST SPEAKER IN PUTTING SOAPBOX BACK IN THEIR CAR]
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Healing isn't the be-all, end-all for support. When picking spells, maybe look at battlefield control spells the NPC can deploy strategically, not doing damage but funneling the enemy to advantageous positions. Web, levitate, and even mold earth can be useful when used strategically to support the party.
Back on the original topic though, can't go wrong with War Caster. Advantage on concentration saves is pretty dang valuable, especially given how most control spells are concentration.