Fighter/Mage (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

Introduction

A basic Fighter/Mage that uses feats to make up the difference.

References

PHB & Complete Arcane

Game Rule Components

Core books only. Should be viable in any campain.

Progression

Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): In order:

Int(13+), Con, Dex(13+), Str

Race (Templates): Human (not required).

Starting Racial Traits:

ECL	Class/HD/LA	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Feats	Class Features	Special
			Fort	Ref	Will
1st	Wizard-1	+0	+0	+0	+2	Dodge, Practised Spellcaster, Combat Expertise	Familiar, Scribe Scroll	4 Ranks of Spellcraft
2nd	Fighter-1	+1	+2	+0	+2	Weapon Focus(any),	All Armour Proficiency, Martial Weapon Proficiency, Bonus Fighter Feat
3rd	Fighter-2	+2	+3	+0	+2	Mobility, +Feat,	Bonus Fighter Feat	3rd-lvl feat
4th	Wizard-2	+3	+3	+0	+3
5th	Wizard-3	+3	+4	+1	+3		2nd lvl Spells
6th	Fighter-3	+4	+4	+2	+4	Spring Attack		6th-lvl feat
7th	Fighter-4	+5	+5	+2	+4	Weapon Specialization	Bonus Fighter Feat
8th	Wizard-4	+6	+5	+2	+5
9th	Wizard-5	+6	+5	+2	+5	+2 Bonus Feats	3rd lvl Spells & Bonus Feat	9th-lvl feat
10th	Wizard-6	+7/+1	+6	+3	+6
11th	Wizard-7	+7/+1	+6	+3	+6		4th lvl Spells
12th	Wizard-8	+8/+2	+6	+3	+7	Bonus Feat		12th-lvl feat
13th	Wizard-9	+8/+2	+7	+4	+7		5th lvl Spells
14th	Wizard-10	+9/+3	+7	+4	+8	Bonus Feat	Bonus Feat
15th	Wizard-11	+9/+3	+7	+4	+8	Bonus Feat	6th lvl Spells	15th-lvl feat

Other Components

4 Ranks of Spellcraft for Practised Spellcaster; Concentration should also be taken to help defuse spell missfires in combat (Spring Attack helps this too).

I left the Bonus Feat open at 3rd level (the rest don't qualify yet), so as to leave the Metamagic option open. If your DM will let you, take Battle Caster at 3rd level (or sooner if possible).

Highlights

This is a basic fighter/mage setup intended to be built as a 1st or 2nd level character. (Most campaigns I've been in start players at 1st-4th level). The starting level, as just a 1st level Wizard, has a good survival rate due to Dodge & Combat Expertise. With Spring Attack, you can jump in, attack, and jump back out... So: Cast, Spring Attack (with spell), jump back out. If stats are not good enough, skip Str and focus on Dex. This works defensively with Combat Expertise and offensively with bonuses to-hit with range attacks (like spells). This gives your mage decent (very good for a mage) combat abilities, and a good chunk of HPs to help in the toughening. Yes, you miss out on 4 levels of spellcasting, so your spells are slightly lower level vs a pure mage; however, Practiced Spellcaster allows you to keep your 'caster level' for range/damage/targets etc. (Surpassing your wizard level as soon as you take the 1st level in fighter).

Munchkin-Size Me

There are lots of ways to power-up this build, more Fighter levels would do that. OR a level in cleric/druid (or Paladin instead of fighter) for some Divine Metamagic...

But I Hate Munchkins :p

Side Notes

I've left most of the feats free for a player to customize to style.

If you give up Cleave then drop Power Attack too (perhaps go into the Whirlwind feat instead, since you're not far off...)

Limitations

Low reflex save. Spell failure is an issue if you wear armour (and you CAN wear Full Plate). Battle Caster is the answer if allowed (you might be forced to take a level in Spellsword to get it).

DM Counters

Shouldn't be needed. As a mutilclassed character, this will never be as strong as a straight fighter would, and will lag behind a pure wizard in spells (although not caster level). With Battle Caster, the AC jumps making this a very tough wizard, but still behind the others.

Miscellaneous

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