D&D 3.5 - Complete Mage [OEF]

CHAPTER 1
FUNDAMENTALS
26
Widen Spell: When you want to target a large expanse of
enemies with a damaging area spell (and your allies have
safely retreated off the battlefield), this feat is ideal for cutting
down the maximum number of enemies.
Feats to Avoid: Although these feats retain some functionality
for the strategist, their application is limited at best.
Extend Spell: The duration of strategist spells is rarely a
factor unless you are dealing with combat on a large scale.
The normal durations are usually more than sufficient to
achieve the desired effect in limited engagements.
Repeat Spell (Complete Arcane): Due to the nature of strategist
spells, repeating the same spell in the same area only
increases the duration of any ongoing effect by an additional
round. Furthermore, targets usually leave the area of a persistent
effect after the first round.
Spell Focus (conjuration): Most of the conjuration spells that
control the battlefield do not allow saving throws, meaning
that the bonus granted by this feat and Greater Spell Focus
rarely serve any purpose. Moreover, a strategist casts spells
from several schools, so focusing on one rarely provides
much advantage.
Best Spells: As a strategist, you look for spells that affect
your targets by changing the environment around them.
As such, your spells cannot be directly resisted with saving
throws or overcome with spell resistance. Keep in mind,
however, that spells cast on an object in possession of a
creature that has spell resistance must still overcome that
resistance to take effect. Most of your spells come from the
conjuration school.
1st—Grease: A handy spell that can trip up to four Medium
or Small targets (more if they share the same space). Remember
that creatures standing up from prone provoke attacks of
opportunity. Held objects get no saving throw against this
spell, and a creature must succeed on a Reflex saving throw
or drop the object.
2nd—Web: The ultimate strategist spell. Targets who
successfully make their saving throw must still push their
way through the gluey fibers with Strength or Escape Artist
checks. Even better, spell resistance is completely ineffective
against the effect.
3rd—Stinking Cloud: This is really two spells in one. The
primary effect creates a bank of fog that nauseates everybody
within the spread while also simulating the effect of a fog cloud
spell. The nauseating fog can be resisted with a saving throw,
but the concealment cannot. Stinking cloud naturally gives way
to cloudkill when 5th-level spells become available.
4th—Evard's Black Tentacles: A devastating spell that crushes
the life out of your enemies. Greater invisibility also presents a
good choice at this level, effectively hiding your involvement
during any battle.
5th—Telekinesis: Despite the saving throws permitted by
this spell, no single transmutation can control a battlefield
more effectively. This spell has three possible applications
that can be used as needed, allowing the caster to choose
between a combat maneuver, a sustained force, or a violent
thrust.
6th—Globe of Invulnerability: A strategist's dream, this
abjuration prevents spells of 4th level or lower from affecting
you and anyone in a 10-foot radius around you, while
allowing spells of any level to be cast out of the globe without
difficulty.
7th—Waves of Exhaustion: All creatures caught within a
60-foot cone-shaped burst are rendered exhausted with no
saving throw. A strategist should be more than willing to
explore necromantic options to gain this kind of power.
8th—Field of Ice Razors (Spell Compendium): Razor-sharp ice
crystals rise out of the ground, selectively dealing cold and
piercing damage to any creature within long range that is no
more than 60 feet apart. In addition, all affected creatures
must reduce their speed by 20 feet for 1 round per level.
9th—Time Stop: A standard spell for any high-level strategist,
commonly used either to shore up his magical defenses
or to cast several area spells on his enemies that outlast the
apparent duration of this spell.
Least Invocation—Miasmic Cloud (Complete Arcane): This
invocation is great for protecting yourself, since it provides
concealment and also fatigues creatures other than you who
enter the area. Summon swarm is another good option.
Lesser Invocation—Wall of Gloom (Complete Arcane): The wall
provides total concealment for those more than 5 feet away,
effectively cutting the battlefield in half.
Greater Invocation—Nightmares Made Real*: Not only does
this invocation slow down and injure your enemies, it gives
you a chance to hide from their attacks.
Dark Invocation—Eldritch Doom (Complete Arcane): Cover
one of the warlock's shortcomings—the inability to deal
with groups of enemies effectively—by turning your eldritch
blast against all nearby targets.
Spells to Avoid: A strategist must always remain aware
of the larger tactics in play during a battle and choose his
spells accordingly. Your purpose is lost when choosing spells
that target single creatures, especially if you have a limited
number of spells known.
Control Weather: Although this spell certainly represents a
powerful option for a strategist, the 10-minute casting time
and 1- minute weather adjustment period make it impractical
for all but the most large-scale battles (when the time and
place are known in advance).
Power Word spells (Player's Handbook, Races of the Dragon):
Even though eliminating a single target can sometimes
change the course of events in a battle, any spell that begins
with the phrase “power word” is too narrow a focus for a
strategist.
Silent Image: Despite the fact that illusion spells, starting
with silent image and progressing up through the levels from
there, can help a strategist control events on the battlefield,
these spells' effects are always hit-or-miss, with one saving
throw that can negate the effect.
SUMMONER
Your will is supreme, and the creatures that serve you understand
that intuitively, throwing themselves at your opponents
with abandon and running interference so that you can cast
spells with impunity. You are the master, and they are your
minions. The clarity and simplicity of this relationship is
your personal addiction.