The Evoker: Part 3 of a Treantmonk Build Guide

[@SharanjitPaddam]

Summary 1: Forest Gnome. SA 8/15/13/14/12/10. Wizard 1: Arcana, History/Investigation, Fire Bolt, Frostbite, Mage hand, Mage Armor*, Shield*, Absorb Elements*, Thunder wave*, Detect Magic, Find Familiar. Sage: Perception, Stealth. Dagger, Component Pouch, Explorer’s Pack. 2: Wizard 2: Evoker, Alarm, Magic Missile* 3: Wizard 3: Shatter*, Levitate*, Thunder wave(*) 4: Wizard 4: Resilient Constitution, Ray of Frost, Misty Step*, Web 5: Wizard 5: Fireball*, Melf’s Minute Meteors*, Magic Missile(*) 6: Wizard 6: Counterspell*, Leomund’s tiny hut 7: Wizard 7: Polymorph*, Storm Sphere*, Shatter(*) 8: Wizard 8: ASI INT x2, Vitriolic Sphere*, Fire Shield* 9: Wizard 9: Cone of Cold*, Wall of Force*, Fire Shield(*) 10: Wizard 10: Light, Rary’s Telepathic Bond, Telekinesis* 11: Wizard 11: Ottoluke’s Freezing Sphere*, Contingency 12: Wizard 12: ASI INT x2, Wall of Ice*, Mass Suggestion* 14: Wizard 14: Crown of Stars*, Forcecage*, Simulacrum, Teleport*, Polymorph(*) 16: Wizard 16: Alert/Lucky, Demi plane, Maze*, Maddening Darkness*, Sunburst*, Melf’s Minute Meteors(*) 18: Wizard 18: Spell Mastery: Shield, Misty Step. Wish, True Polymorph, Invulnerability*, Meteor Swarm* 20: Wizard 20: Lucky/Alert, Water breathing, Bigby’s Hand, Plane Shift, Dimension Door, Create Homunculus, Fire Shield*, Demiplane*, Signature Spells: Fireball, Counterspell.

[@dusk10b89]

Just wanted to say that I really appreciate this video series of yours. I've always been interested in playing Wizard, but I've held off because I just had no idea about which spells I should take. These build guides have really opened up the class to me, and it feels a lot less intimidating now.

[@robt9790]

you deserve more exposure

[@YellowCable]

As the first 6th level blast spell, I would take SunBeam for spell slot conservation over the 1 minute duration for long fights

[@brianromano9330]

Just wanted to say that a Draconic Sorcerer can be insanely effective with this type of build. Specifically if your DM allows you to change the damage of spells permanently when you choose them, which I see as a fairly common house rule and one that is personally allowed at the table I play at. But even if he doesn't, specializing in Fire gets you most of what you want. Basically you take Draconic Sorcerer to start, then you multiclass into Evocation Wizard after 6th level. You could also multiclass right away at 1st level, or at 5th right when you get Fireball. 2 levels of Wizard, even with only a 13 Intelligence, gives you 8 spells in your spellbook and the ability to prepare 3 of them. So, you get Mage Armor "for free" from Draconic Ancestry. You prepare Shield and Absorb Elements with your Wizard levels, because they don't rely on Intelligence at all. And you can prepare something like Feather Fall or Magic Missile also. This is really really nice because these 3 spells in particular feel almost mandatory when playing a Sorc/Wizard, and it really clogs up your Spells Known as a Sorcerer normally. Plus you get 5 more spells in your spellbook for Rituals! So, Detect Magic, Comprehend Languages, Identify, Find Familiar, etc. And obviously you get Sculpt Spells, which doesn't rely on your Wizard level or Intelligence at all! Then you go the rest of the way with Sorcerer, ending at 18 Sorcerer/2 Wizard. In terms of a pure blaster, this is more effective, but obviously the pure Wizard has its strengths. You get proficiency in Con Saves from Sorcerer, you get +1 HP per level, and the big ones - Font of Magic and Metamagic! Anytime you roll below average damage on a Fireball, Empower it. Once you get 3rd level spells, you can convert your lower level spell slots into 3rd level for more Empowered, Sculpted, Subtle Fireballs.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Today we discuss the Wizard Evoker. This video is Part 3 of a 3 part series. In Part 1 there is an overview of the build and discussions of levels 1-4. In part 2 we discussed the mid levels. If you haven't seen part 1 of this series, I suggest watching it first: Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGXcpWOvZ52hoLs For Part 2 of the series, where we discuss levels 5-10, you can watch here: Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joTdimx-ZtCdpMk If you want to see the final build, you can view it here: ddb.ac/characters/16360828/FK0OI7

[@rodmills9567]

I really like the format you use to do your videos, I watched through most of them and some of them twice.I wanted to request a build but wasn't sure where to post that request at . I started playing in the mid 80's while stationed in Germany but fell out after I left have been watching everything I can about playing so I can get back in , just haven't found a group yet. Anyway just wanted to say GJ keep them coming.

[@binolombardi]

The wording from sculpt spells is almost identical to spirit guardians. As long as you can see the party when you cast then you should be good. The messed up part is if you cast it without party in view. You only get to choose when you first cast. A similar issue arises with spirit guardians. If you’re in a town over run with zombies and are killing them with spirit guardians, and all of a sudden the town guard shows up to fight with you back to back... they could potentially rush in to fight alongside you and utterly destroy themselves on your spell unless you drop concentration. Sculpt spell turns almost every ongoing effect to a situation like that. Some people forget, others would coldly not want to “waste” the slot and keep concentrating. This can be a nice roleplaying moment since you can drop concentration at any time, even not on your turn. I could definitely see freezing sphere used as a “bomb” to be snuck into an area by an NPC to try and make political statements and overthrow local governments

[@psmithcrna]

I meant to look and see if someone addressed this with the last video. It’s a minor thing and I do enjoy all of your videos so don’t take this as too much of a criticism. I believe the word ‘minute’ should be pronounced differently as I think the intent was melf’s ‘small’ meteors and not a unit of time. It is a common mistake as they are both spelled the way way. Love the videos. I like using these for potential bosses. The enchanter build and spore Druid you did are great BBGs and can be used at various levels. Thanks for doing all of these videos. I wouldn’t be surprised if you hit 100k followers this year. Great work!

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Yes, I was alerted to the wrong use of "minute" - I don't know why I thought they were "minute"(60 sec) meteors rather than "minute"(small) meteors!

[@k2k4]

As someone who has played a form of god Wizard, this series was a nice departure. I can't wait to play my edgy vengeance driven evoker for that huge freezing sphere alone.

[@ben5056]

Love your builds, keep them coming 😀

[@borisdaanimal4014]

steel wind strike w/ overchannel - either amazing or meh depending on if all the attack rolls get maximized [and if you can attack multiple targets]. 6d10 for up to 5 targets is not something to sniff, even with meteor swarm on the table

[@daxdleader719]

I keep forgetting this character is a gnome. That's hilarious.

[@Gogeta1337]

At level 11, you missed one spell option: Sunbeam.

[@Iceblade269]

What are your thoughts on Mark of Healing Halfing to add a bit more survivability to your wizard?I like the idea of getting Mass Cure Wounds, Lesser Restoration (for free) and Greater Restoration. They fit too because they're all evocation

[@Sebadblacksun]

You could give the freezing sphere to your (flying) familiar and have it drop it like a bomb on the desired area. It would have to fly pretty high, so it might be a turn or 2, but it should work.

[@TheMichaellathrop]

I had the same idea, it would probably depend on if your DM wanted to be a dick about it because from a strict reading you can place it on the ground and then it goes off in one min or throw it or fire it from a sling and unless there is specific errata then dropping it would count as throwing it straight down in which case your familiar would be caught in the blast.

[@magnuspendragon1938]

I'm thinking here. If u have the keen mind feat would u be able to prepare more spells as a wizard? Or even have all your spellbook in your mind?

[@pogingbak]

I enjoyed this evoker build. Can you make videos optimizing on the classes in Sword Coast Adventures Guide. I rarely find players choose those subclasses (except Bladesingers)

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Maybe Arcane Domain at some point

[@ryanparks3413]

What do you think about a Mammon Tiefling Evoker with the Flames of Phlegethos and Elemental Adept (fire) feats? I was thinking of moving the +2 to INT and the +1 to DEX. The Mammon’s bonus spells don’t use an ability score modifier.

[@jcadence4761]

I'm curious if you would consider using Metamagic adept and Transmuted spell from Tasha's with this build. Could free up a few spell slots.

[@LordMorin]

I am currently playing a human evoker in Storm King's Thunder. I did multiclass 1 level into hexblade warlock (I have a 14 charisma). I did this so I can use my quarterstaff with charisma imstead of Strength (Str 8). I did go Thunderstep since I am a medium creature. So far I am 9th level (8th level wizard). I have pretty much gone as you suggested otherwise.

[@M0ebius]

Your Magic Missiles will be effectively Magic Nukes when you hit Wizard 10.

[@havasimark]

How many times have you actually used your quarterstaff? How many of those times couldn't you have used a cantrip?

[@LordMorin]

Márk Havasi More than once, but the main reason was for the short rest spell slot for casting Mage armour .

[@PowderKeg3838]

How did you not speak about over-channel on Meteor Storm?

[@floweroflifecollective1247]

Nice Build, but I would trade levitate, for mirror image, take two levels of Tempest Cleric for Destructive Wraith, and go Goblin for Fury of the Small.

[@RavenWolfStarcraft2]

I can't wait for the summoner! I had a short question, in general, if you weren't allowed feats, what would you use your ASI for?

[@FelineElaj]

While Treantmonk takes his time, I'll add my two cents: personally, I'd go for Dex and Con increases, in that order. A wizard can never have too much of AC, initiative bonus and Hit Points. Besides, Dex is god stat in 5E, it governs not only AC, init bonus and attack/damage with certain weapons, it also governs some neat skills, like Stealth, one of the most often used skills in the game. Aside from that, I'd go for Wis to strengthen my Wisdom saves.

[@LordMorin]

ICEFANG13 First I'd max Int, then Con then alternate Wis & Dex.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Generally, I would go Int>dex>con

[@RavenWolfStarcraft2]

Thanks everyone, I was curious since Treantmonk seems to (logically) prioritize his CON save if he would go CON vs. DEX (a classic debate). With shield and mage armor I agree that DEX up is probably the overall most solid way to go.

[@MrKyel17]

Great series of videos. Do you feel the blaster wizard is in need of any buffs or do you think the drawbacks of low spell slots and fewer good higher-level blast spells are proper offsets? I've considered allowing the Admixture ability from 3.5E and Pathfinder in some capacity to allow damage type changes, which would also make Elemental Adept a more attractive option. I also feel like Overchannel having such a huge drawback practically makes it "Use it one time and no more", which at that point it defeats the purpose of even having the possibility there at all; would buffing it to only 1d12 extra necrotic damage per spell level be too much? Lot of questions but as someone that has played RPG casters my entire life because I love fantasy magic so much and that is getting very into D&D, I love to speak to and learn from those that know more than I do and that may have unique and better insights. Thanks for making so much great content.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

I don't think the subclass needs boosts, but I do think the level 4-8 blasts do. There should be a more even progression from fireball to meteor swarm IMO.

[@chrisw3024]

Not that it matters much (since who really plays T4 where you can cast 9th level spells), but you sort of misspoke about Meteor Swarm. It's actually FOUR meteors (I think you just mentioned one), each of which has a 40' radius. EDIT-Ignore this part, I’m dumb: also, evoker can Overchannel that.

[@vadaritis]

Thats cool, but doesnt work unfortunately. Overchannel only works on spells 1st through 5th lvl spells. Meteor Swarm is 9th lvl, and in addition Meteor Swarm specifically states a creature in the area of more than one meteor is only effected by one.

[@WexMajor82]

- Forcecage, just like Forcewall, only good. - What are you talking about, dude? Forcewall is a great spell. - Yep... you are right...

[@Temujin.Thinketh.]

Just wondering: Can evokers empower bigbys hand to do max damage for yhe whole duration or just one turn? Because 32 damage with a bonus action for ten rounds sounds too good to be true

[@TheAdditionalPylons]

By 'empower' I'm assuming you mean overchannel? The way I interpret overchannel is that you do maximum when you cast the spell, not that a concentration deals maximum damage round after round. Using bonus actions or actions on subsequent turns while maintaining concentration doesn't count as casting the spell. Casting the spell counts as using a spell slot and meeting the material, verbal and somatic casting requirements. If I was the DM, I would rule that the evoker could deal max damage round after round with a concentration if the wizard also chose to suffer the necrotic damage per the rules of subsequent overchannel casting.

[@44tuck3r]

Temujin M twitter.com/jeremyecrawford/status/798281206622060544?s=21 By RAW yes, but not the RAI.

[@binolombardi]

Dude I’m telling you, Barbarian zealot 3 with rest wizard for overchannel lol. Hell, party up with a grave cleric that saves your life every time you down yourself. At least for a funny one shot. Also, invulnerability spell shores up the one weakness of your sculpt spells. It may even work double duty to make you a good tank for a bit, everyone wants to beat up on the wizard.

[@jag519]

I can't see a lvl 20 wizard not taking wish

[@leifedmondson2813]

yes it is the atomic hand grenade. :)

[@jamesfuckingunge9182]

Für die deutschen Zuschauer, habe endlich einen einigermaßen guten Deutschen dnd Ytber gefunden: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2Wpo3-IeK97sJY

[@Hookahbeastface]

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