So.. I've recently played a level 10 illusionist, and am about to start a new campaign and considering making basically the same character again because it was a lot of fun. The reason I'm not fed up with it yet is because it was made at level 10 and played at level 10 in the end of another campaign that doesn't continue and we will start over.
Original character is forest gnome, wizard, illusionist school at level 10. I got to try out a few of the higher level illusion spells available, but the campaign wasn't particullarily friendly towards illusionist. Still had fun though.
The original had some things I want to work towards, including the feat fade away and telekinetic. Fade away in combination with the level 10 illusionist ability both add some survivability + feed on the same type of theme, like the illusionist ability is just an evolved version of Fade away, I like that. I had minimal combat abilities and plan to stick that way, though a few illusions work incredibly well in combat if you manage them the right way so I'm not worried.
Also, I went with forest gnome not because it's optimal for an illusionist but because of the speak with animals ability which just fit perfectly with that version, especially his familiar + extra pet (7th in a long line of pets who ended up as food duo to an unfortunate situation spent in a dungeon for several years). Basically I really like the idea of being able to talk with animals (I've frequently made good use of the speak with animals spell earlier as well, it's more useful than people think).
Now, Since we are starting from level 1 now I'm considering my other options as well. I figured it might be actually more fitting to start out as a druid, because of the current backstory and general character feel. I know druid and wizard aren't generaly the best multiclass but I'm sure it can be made to work well.
Currently I'm considering level 2 druid, for wildshape and some direction... Considering either Dreams, thematically they could work out well + get some healing and such out of it, or I'd go with Shepherds because of the ability to evolve the speech ability even more to any beast not just tiny beasts. While I like the idea of upgrading the ability like this it's also a bit of a waste I guess since it's at level 2 so pretty much very early on. This makes me ponder about perhaps going halfling, though that would change the theme a bit (and prevent me from getting fade away feat)
Anyways, anyone have any thoughts about it? How would you swap the races around considering the options? Would you instead just go with a feat that lets you pick some druid spells? As far as I can tell multiclassing this way mostly just makes me get a few abilities and spells a bit later, if at all considering it seems you can still get the higher level wizard spells at level up, you just gotta pay for them instead of free upgrades so some more work there.
I already have the outlander background to provide some food and outdoors feel either way, so going pure wizard could be an option. It would stop me from using my wildshape to turn into a cat for a short rest though. decisions :(
Edit; Btw: we rolled stats for the first time and my stats are 17, 15, 15, 14, 14, 10 (in any order). I presume it's a decent roll but normally use regular point buy so not sure. Either way it's more than enough to have decent spellcasting abilities for the two classes, some dex and some con as well. Figured it might be worth mentioning.
In addition this will be a long campaign, very long, so I can expect high levels if I just survive.
I'm playing a druid/wizard right now, and it can be made to work, but it's challenging because you need high scores in a variety of different abilities. You have the abilities scores to pull it off. A couple of things to think about... 1) Pick a class where your *offensive* spells will be focused, and put your highest ability score there. In my case, virtually all of my offense is from the druid class and I am also the party's main healer, so my high score is in wisdom; for the wizard side, I have a ton of support spells (mage armor, shield, absorb elements, various ritual spells) which don't care about the ability score. In your case, you will likely reverse that and put your high score in intelligence. This will likely be reflected in the number of levels you take in the classes too. 2) Decide where you want your lower score (the 10). Unless your DM uses encumbrance rules, you could safely put it in Strength. I'm sure many would say put it in Charisma (one of my pet peeves is people who put a dump stat in charisma and then play their character as strong and assertive and charismatic). 3) Decide how you want to use wild shape. Will it be in combat? Or will it be utility (sneaking around as a cat, burrowing as a giant badger, climbing as a giant spider, flying as a little spider sitting on the back of a flying familiar)? Both are viable, but will affect your spell selection (if you plan to be wild shaped in combat, you aren't casting as many spells). 4) Make sure you have at least one healing spell. 5) In my case, I knew that I will use *all* of my spell slots for healing spells, at least early on. So... I learned 6 ritual spells at first level, and prepared 2 more from the druid side. Ritual spells are your friend, especially at lower level. This will apply differently, depending on your role in the party, but it is still generally a useful approach. 6) Think about your cantrips. You will get a good variety of options between the two classes. And choose for *style*, not just stats.
This isn’t going to address your question. I just want to say that Illusionist is my favorite class and I want to remind you that, if you like Fade Away and the 10th level Illusionist ability, then you might enjoy taking Mislead + Contingency.
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So.. I've recently played a level 10 illusionist, and am about to start a new campaign and considering making basically the same character again because it was a lot of fun. The reason I'm not fed up with it yet is because it was made at level 10 and played at level 10 in the end of another campaign that doesn't continue and we will start over.
Original character is forest gnome, wizard, illusionist school at level 10. I got to try out a few of the higher level illusion spells available, but the campaign wasn't particullarily friendly towards illusionist. Still had fun though.
The original had some things I want to work towards, including the feat fade away and telekinetic. Fade away in combination with the level 10 illusionist ability both add some survivability + feed on the same type of theme, like the illusionist ability is just an evolved version of Fade away, I like that. I had minimal combat abilities and plan to stick that way, though a few illusions work incredibly well in combat if you manage them the right way so I'm not worried.
Also, I went with forest gnome not because it's optimal for an illusionist but because of the speak with animals ability which just fit perfectly with that version, especially his familiar + extra pet (7th in a long line of pets who ended up as food duo to an unfortunate situation spent in a dungeon for several years). Basically I really like the idea of being able to talk with animals (I've frequently made good use of the speak with animals spell earlier as well, it's more useful than people think).
Now, Since we are starting from level 1 now I'm considering my other options as well. I figured it might be actually more fitting to start out as a druid, because of the current backstory and general character feel. I know druid and wizard aren't generaly the best multiclass but I'm sure it can be made to work well.
Currently I'm considering level 2 druid, for wildshape and some direction... Considering either Dreams, thematically they could work out well + get some healing and such out of it, or I'd go with Shepherds because of the ability to evolve the speech ability even more to any beast not just tiny beasts. While I like the idea of upgrading the ability like this it's also a bit of a waste I guess since it's at level 2 so pretty much very early on. This makes me ponder about perhaps going halfling, though that would change the theme a bit (and prevent me from getting fade away feat)
Anyways, anyone have any thoughts about it? How would you swap the races around considering the options? Would you instead just go with a feat that lets you pick some druid spells? As far as I can tell multiclassing this way mostly just makes me get a few abilities and spells a bit later, if at all considering it seems you can still get the higher level wizard spells at level up, you just gotta pay for them instead of free upgrades so some more work there.
I already have the outlander background to provide some food and outdoors feel either way, so going pure wizard could be an option. It would stop me from using my wildshape to turn into a cat for a short rest though. decisions :(
Edit; Btw: we rolled stats for the first time and my stats are 17, 15, 15, 14, 14, 10 (in any order). I presume it's a decent roll but normally use regular point buy so not sure. Either way it's more than enough to have decent spellcasting abilities for the two classes, some dex and some con as well. Figured it might be worth mentioning.
In addition this will be a long campaign, very long, so I can expect high levels if I just survive.
I'm playing a druid/wizard right now, and it can be made to work, but it's challenging because you need high scores in a variety of different abilities. You have the abilities scores to pull it off. A couple of things to think about...
1) Pick a class where your *offensive* spells will be focused, and put your highest ability score there. In my case, virtually all of my offense is from the druid class and I am also the party's main healer, so my high score is in wisdom; for the wizard side, I have a ton of support spells (mage armor, shield, absorb elements, various ritual spells) which don't care about the ability score. In your case, you will likely reverse that and put your high score in intelligence. This will likely be reflected in the number of levels you take in the classes too.
2) Decide where you want your lower score (the 10). Unless your DM uses encumbrance rules, you could safely put it in Strength. I'm sure many would say put it in Charisma (one of my pet peeves is people who put a dump stat in charisma and then play their character as strong and assertive and charismatic).
3) Decide how you want to use wild shape. Will it be in combat? Or will it be utility (sneaking around as a cat, burrowing as a giant badger, climbing as a giant spider, flying as a little spider sitting on the back of a flying familiar)? Both are viable, but will affect your spell selection (if you plan to be wild shaped in combat, you aren't casting as many spells).
4) Make sure you have at least one healing spell.
5) In my case, I knew that I will use *all* of my spell slots for healing spells, at least early on. So... I learned 6 ritual spells at first level, and prepared 2 more from the druid side. Ritual spells are your friend, especially at lower level. This will apply differently, depending on your role in the party, but it is still generally a useful approach.
6) Think about your cantrips. You will get a good variety of options between the two classes. And choose for *style*, not just stats.
This isn’t going to address your question. I just want to say that Illusionist is my favorite class and I want to remind you that, if you like Fade Away and the 10th level Illusionist ability, then you might enjoy taking Mislead + Contingency.