Arcane Theurge Foci?

[Yojimbo]

I recently reincarnated my Arcane Theurge as I got the Drow Noble subrace I am just wondering what schools would be best to focus in. I know this is mostly opinionated but just figured I would ask.

Some details the build fits 4 LSF as long as 1 is Divination so 3 choice LSF. The build is currently, and required for 4x LSF, 26 Wiz/13 Clr/1 Rng. I also chose Plant and Fire Domains less certain about Fire but might worry about it when new changes to domain spells come out but feel free to suggest domains. I can't see a way to drop Illusion Foci as it is such a massive defensive boost as well it allows Creeping Doom via Plant Domain to inflict nicely. Below are my current Foci and why I chose them.

#1 Divination: The subrace gets SF & GSF Divination so building on it means fewer feat investments and the Foci has some nice features such as Premo & PWK

#2 Illusion: It feels like a must for any Arcane as it boosts the #1 buff which on a splash Theurge is already lower then normal as well it has synergy with Creeping Doom on the Cleric Plant Domain.

#3 Necromancy: Instant killing spells along with debuffers and some damage w/ Energy Drain for building up some temp CLs.

#4 Evocation: Just a good all round Foci since beyond spell level immunity and spell mantles you tend to always do something. This also enables reliable ability to grabbed enemies with Bigby Hands.

My current outlook has only 2 optional Foci and it is hard to get rid of either for me so wouldn't mind hear some thoughts. I do plan to eventually post the build but it will be much like my Open Theurge Sage of the Deep.

[desocupado]

I really recommend Damage Theurge
Conjuration instead of Necromancy makes both Blade Barrier and Evaard's tentacles get enough AB to hit stuff pretty well...
Since you hava Ranger splash 4 LSF schools is pretty. (I took monk for skills, and dropped LSF Illusion). I use the +3 CL from Mystra's artifact to use the premonition with +16 soak (or +3 DC).

[Yojimbo]

Ranger has good skill dumps too

Discipline and Animal Empathy(For Creeping Doom) off hand are good options

[evilkittenofdoom]

My build is a 20/20 Stargazer, INT focused. It's a personal preference, and that's not the point of my statement. It's simply for the background on why I'd choose the following schools and the reasoning behind all of it. Not all of this may pertain to your type of build exactly, but I do hope that it helps you in some way.

[Not on my current build] Div : With a free 2 feats in it, as you said why not with it already half done for free? It empowers, PW:K, Augury and puts Premonition at the mystical +15 that your reduced CL will not normally attain.

Conj : Conjuration greatly benefits both schools, regardless of which stat I were to focus in. The clerical side gets some buffing bonuses (primarily the 2 regen spells) and True Rez at a Long Range. The upside is that typically the 2 primary damage dealing schools on the Arcane side are Evo and Conj - I personally find that Conj gives more benefits than Evo, especially having some nice utility spells such as Gate on top of the Orbs spells and a handful of others.

Illusion : Much like Div giving you that +15 soak, this offsets the CL penalty to your EV. Furthermore, the new spell "Vortex of Teeth" is an astounding Illusion cloud spell. On top of that you get Weird, and the damage vulnerability infliction from Creeping Doom. (Possibly the WIS drop from Circle of Doom, as I am uncertain of whether or not it has a save on the WIS drop portion from Illusion foci.)

[Depending on number of feats remaining, as I am going off of rough memory here]
{School of your own Preference - my current theurge is Enchantment, and I may or may not change it depending on how I like it. Viable options would likely be Evo or Necro for the obvious reasons, or possibly Abjuration for the further buffing benefits and for a more support-based version}

For domains, my current Theurge has Sun and Plant. Plant gives you the obvious Creeping Doom - Sun gives you access to a second version of Sunbeam, a CLd3 Divine damage with no save. By no means the best spell in the world, and being able to put Energy Buffer / Wall of Stone in your cleric book isn't to be discredited.

[Yojimbo]

I did think about Trickery Domain for a buff to Search which I also dump with my Ranger level as it is another useful skill.

[desocupado]

Since search is an int skill, don't worry spending a domain on it, you just need some gear to get 127.

About spells schools, since you are stuck with Illusion and Divination, I really find the Damage route (evoc+conj) pretty sweet. I consider Conjuration a must have as well, due synergy with the Creeping Doom.

The other options are Enchantment (consider mind fog and the new spells), Transmutation (at least it does damage now), Necromancy (Makes a reasonable combo if you don't have a Pm already).

[Yojimbo]

I don't see any synergy from Conjuration with Creeping Doom yes CD is a Conjuration spell but it has no DC and the Conj foci doesn't boost it's damage or duration. I already have foci selected but I may reinc and change foci after a demi iteration so thanks for all your input and anyone else who wishes to chime in on it.

[desocupado]

This is the synergy:
(maximized) Evaards's Tentacle (AB= 50 + int/2 +foci*3) + (maximized) Blade barrier (AB= 60 + wis/2 +foci*3) + Creeping doom (physical vulnerability) = Heavy physical damage soup.

Blade barrier nearly the same AB of evard's due the effect of conjuration spell focus (and they stack).
You could also throw a Karsus Avatar for even more damage. (I'll when I get 66)

So, did you end up with necromancy?

[gandoron]

Add some wrack(enervate) and flensing to key mobs in that soup. Relatively low packet damage so lowering resists helps a LOT.

-G

[Yojimbo]

Right now it has the 4 listed in my original post but I see the synergy you are talking about now.