Magic Missile Optimization

[Mixster]

Ok, so I'm updating again: I haven't got a lot of time recently. But here's the update at last:


EDIT: Edited the build to make sure one rod is not applied multiple times to the same spell.
EDIT: Changed the build to take care of the dual action choker trick. Now the damage is even higher.
EDIT: Will remove the belt of battle/celerity trick once I'm sure those don't grant extra swift actions, I read it as extra full round actions also grant extra swift actions.

*DISCLAIMER* This build is not a super powerful build (Heck even viable, since you win anyway with shapechange), even the slightest bit of energy resistance reduces the damage vastly. *DISCLAIMER*

*IMPORTANT:* Due to me not wanting to write everything out, my Magic Missile Spells will be counted with a letter, E for those that are empowered but not maximized (most of them repeating and twinned are calculated in other categories) M for those that are both empowered and maximized. Spells with an A after are also energy admixtured 1 time (so MA or EA respectively).

Build:

Sorcerer 6/ Incantatrix 10/ Arcane Spellcaster 4
Cha is maxed, everything else doesn't matter, but keep con high.
Feats:
(gets Iron Will ASAP from Otyugh hole)
(Flaw): Empower Spell
(Flaw): Knowledge Devotion
Human: Quickdraw
Level 1: Quicken Spell
Level 3: Twin Spell
Level 6: Arcane Thesis Magic Missile
Incantatrix 3: Repeat Spell
Level 9: Practical Metamagic Twin Spell
Incantatrix 7: Maximize spell
Level 12: Easy Metamagic Repeat Spell
Incantatrix 10: Easy Metamagic Twin Spell
Level 15: Arcane Thesis Greater Arcane Fusion
Level 18: Easy Metamagic Quicken

The familiar has the same feats.

Equipment: (760,000 gold)

Otyugh Hole (3,000)
Cloak of Charisma + 6 (36,000)
Intelligent +1 Mithral Buckler of battle (Buckler with the belt of battle effect as per magic item compendium and DMs guide, this allows us a legendary belt of battle effect that can activate itself)  (Within the price limit)
Intelligent +1 Mithral Buckler of battle, for familiar. (Buckler with the belt of battle effect as per magic item compendium and DMs guide, this allows us a legendary belt of battle effect that can activate itself)  (within the price limit)
18 Lesser Wands of Energy Admixture (Giving us 54 Energy admixtures to our missiles)
You've cast PAO into a kobold on yourself and your familiar years in advance.

Known Spells (only the important ones mentioned)

Shape Change, Magic Missile, Arcane Fusion, Greater Arcane Fusion, Dispel Magic, Greater Dispel Magic, Greater Celerity

Damage for each Missile:

Maximized Empowered Energy Admixtured Missile:
1 energy admixtures adds +100%, empower adds +50%, lets not assume they double eachother (that would be sick)
(5 + 5)*2.5 = 25
Maximized Empowered Missile:
(5+5)*1.5 = 15
Empowered Energy Admixtured Missile:
(3.5+5)*2.5=21.25
Empowered Missile:
(3.5+5)*1.5=12.75

Magic Missile spells per arcane fusion:

Each Twinned Repeating Arcane fusion: (remember M is maximised and empowered magic missiles, E is empowered but not maxmised)
2 Empowered, twinned repeating (+possibly energy admixtured by rods) Magic Missiles
2 Maximized, Empowered, Twinned, Repeating (+possibly energy admixtured by rods) Magic Missiles
So 4 of each from that (since twinned missiles).
(+ double that in the turn after (since both the arcane fusion repeats, and the missiles does as well))
Twinned, Repeating Greater arcane fusion:
2 Twinned Repeating Arcane Fusion, 2 Twinned Repeating Empowered Maximized Magic Missile
Twinned Arcane fusion gives 4E + 4M. (Double this as it is two castings (due to greater arcane fusion being twinned) gives us 8E + 8M.
Also in a twinned repeating greater arcane fusion, we get 2 twinned repeating Empowered Maximized Magic Missile spells, which is 4M.
This gives us 12M + 8E For each Greater arcane fusion.
(however in the turn after, we would have 12M+8E (greater arcane fusion repeats) + 8M + 8E (Arcane Fusion repeats) + 12M + 8E (Missiles repeating) = 32M+24E)

Missiles per casting: 5

Damage for each Magic Missile spell:

Maximized Empowered Energy Admixtured Magic Missile Spell
MA=5*(5 + 5)*2.5 =125
Maximized Empowered Magic Missile Spell
M=5*(5+5)*1.5 = 75
Empowered Energy Admixtured Magic Missile Spell:
EA=5*(3.5+5)*2.5= 106.5
Empowered Magic Missile Spell:
E=5*(3.5+5)*1.5=63.75

Casting order:

1st Round:
Shapechange into a Chronotyryn (Fiend Folio 33), This gives you dual actions, share the shapechange spell with your familiar, who changes into a Dread Linnorm(MMII 141), this lets it cast as an 18th level sorcerer, and it can replenish it's spells known/per day as a free action.

2rd Round

You:
REMEMBER DUAL ACTIONS DUE TO CHRONOTYRYN:
Cast Quickened Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Swift Action Used)
Cast Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Standard Action used)
Cast Quickened Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Swift Action Used)
Cast Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Standard Action used)
Belt of Battle Activates (+1 Full round action)
Cast Quickened Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Swift Action Used)
Cast Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Standard Action used)
After round is over, but before anyone else gets to act, activate greater celerity:
Cast Quickened Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Swift Action Used)
Cast Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Standard Action used)
Familiar:
Cast Quickened Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Swift Action Used)
Cast Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Standard Action used)
Belt of Battle activates +1 full round action
Cast Quickened Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Swift Action Used)
Cast Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Standard Action used)
After round is over, but before anyone else gets to act, activate greater celerity:
Cast Quickened Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Swift Action Used)
Cast Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Standard Action used)

14 Castings of greater arcane fusion nets us 14*(12M + 8E)=168M+112E
But wait there is more, according to the OP, we will add the residual damage from these spells when they repeat as well.
Each repetition of greater arcane fusion has been told to give: 32M+24E (Calculated before).
So there is:
14*(32M+24E) = 448M + 336E
We have 54 uses of rod of energy admixture, we'll use them on our spells to make 54M into 54MA
In total this gives:
562M+448E+54MA
Damage for each of these castings is:
M=75
E= 63.75
MA= 125
Therefore we get:
562*75+448*63.75+54*125 = 77,460

So all in all 88,140 in one round, when we use this rule:
(from the OP)

- Multi-round effects that result from a single casting, such as with "repeat spell", will be counted with the round in which the original spell was cast ("repeat spell" is actually the only effect that does this that I can think of -- if I'm missing something, let me know).

This is just 9 Level 8 spells, and one level 9 spell. We should have well beyond that.
For the familiar it is 7 level 8 spells. A dread linnorm can do at least 8 level 8+ spells per day, and it can do more because it can replenish spells as a free action.

So, I've got it to 88,140 damage over two rounds. But from the castings of one round, next round could be used for teleport and move on.

Also, I've calculated this without gear too:

1st Round:

Shapechange into a Chronotyryn (Fiend Folio 33), This gives you dual actions, share the shapechange spell with your familiar, who changes into a Dread Linnorm(MMII 141), this lets it cast as an 18th level sorcerer, and it can replenish it's spells known/per day as a free action.

2rd Round

You:
REMEMBER DUAL ACTIONS DUE TO CHRONOTYRYN:
Cast Quickened Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Swift Action Used)
Cast Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Standard Action used)
Cast Quickened Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Swift Action Used)
Cast Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Standard Action used)
After round is over, but before anyone else gets to act, activate greater celerity:
Cast Quickened Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Swift Action Used)
Cast Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Standard Action used)
Familiar:
Cast Quickened Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Swift Action Used)
Cast Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Standard Action used)
After round is over, but before anyone else gets to act, activate greater celerity:
Cast Quickened Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Swift Action Used)
Cast Twinned Repeating Greater Arcane Fusion (Standard Action used)

Nets us 10 castings of greater arcane fusion, giving:
10*(12M+8E)+10*(32M+24E)=440M+320E=53,400 Damage

So 88,140 with gear, and 53,400 without it.

[wotmaniac]

You've cast PAO into a kobold on yourself and your familiar years in advance.

I did not seriously just read that.  I couldn't have; it's just not possible. 

On a more serious note -- I'll review everything later.  I just got home from work, and am feeling past my bedtime.

[Mixster]

You've cast PAO into a kobold on yourself and your familiar years in advance.

I did not seriously just read that.  I couldn't have; it's just not possible. 

On a more serious note -- I'll review everything later.  I just got home from work, and am feeling past my bedtime.

Actually it doesn't matter, I'm a feat up, I could just go kobold, and skip the human extra feat.
At the very least I'm in a fancy shapechange spell, I could just change as I like to get that dragonblood, I think.

[McPoyo]

You've cast PAO into a kobold on yourself and your familiar years in advance.

I did not seriously just read that.  I couldn't have; it's just not possible. 

On a more serious note -- I'll review everything later.  I just got home from work, and am feeling past my bedtime.

Actually it doesn't matter, I'm a feat up, I could just go kobold, and skip the human extra feat.
At the very least I'm in a fancy shapechange spell, I could just change as I like to get that dragonblood, I think.

Or you could be a silverbrow human, and take the dragonblood sorc sub levels for extra feats to reform out.

[wotmaniac]

You've cast PAO into a kobold on yourself and your familiar years in advance.

I did not seriously just read that.  I couldn't have; it's just not possible. 

On a more serious note -- I'll review everything later.  I just got home from work, and am feeling past my bedtime.

Actually it doesn't matter, I'm a feat up, I could just go kobold, and skip the human extra feat.
At the very least I'm in a fancy shapechange spell, I could just change as I like to get that dragonblood, I think.

I was just being facetious, anyway -- just couldn't find an appropriate emoticon.

[wotmaniac]

okay, got a 15th-level triple-threat.
(actually just a little something I threw together for a very specific encounter for very specific purposes -- so you'll have to excuse the lack of awesomeness):

Human Focused Evoker 6/FMM 5/Argent Savant 4  (I've been through several different combos and such; but this is the one I've settled on for the encounter)
banned schools: illusion, enchantment, necromancy
AFC's : arcane reabsorbtion , overcome resistance
feats:
(b) Combat Casting
1 Lingering Spell
1 Metamagic School Focus
3 Entangling Spell
5 Fell Drain
6 Arcane Thesis - magic missile
9(b) Extend Spell (force spells only)
9 Maximize Spell
12 Repeat Spell
15 Twin Spell

equipped at least a Quicken Rod.
Can make this a quadruple-threat by taking Bloodthirsty for your last feat (or drop one of the existing ones) to add the Bloodleaching spell template (drag.mag. 311) for up to 24 HP returned to you every time you cast (assuming Twin, Repeat, and Maximize ... otherwise, just 1d6).

[wotmaniac]

1st: @ Mixster:  
I think that Belt of Battle doesn't work the way you think it does.  Try again.



2nd:
I think I have a new Record for Single Missile
Note: I'm not 100% sure on some of this, so if I got something wrong, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Without Magic/Treasure
Venerable Human Cloistered Cleric 5/Icanitrix 10/Contemplative 1/Force Missile Mage 2/Hierophant 2
Domains: Force, Knowledge, Planning, Meditation (no god -- follows "ideal" ... fluff as needed) (forth domain from 1st level of Contemplative)
Rebukes Undead.
Abilities (including level and age increases): 3 ; 2 ; 4 ; 17 ; 19 ; 22  
Skills: as needed.
Feats:
  F -- Combat Casting
  F -- Iron Will
  B -- Extend Spell (Planning Domain)
  B -- Knowledge Devotion (Knowledge Domain)
  B -- Empower Spell (1/day ; no LA) (Meditation Domain)
  1 -- Southern Magician
  1 -- Heighten Spell
  3 --  Blistering Spell
  6 -- Arcane Thesis (magic missile)
 6b -- Energy Substitution (fire)
  9 -- Energy Admixture (fire)
 9b -- Energy Substitution (acid)
 12 -- Energy Admixture (acid)
12b -- Energy Substitution (cold)
15b -- Energy Admixture (cold)
 15 -- DMM - heighten
 18 -- Enervate Spell
19b -- Lingering Spell
20b -- Maximize Spell

How it works:

1st, the basics:
- Southern Magician takes care of the prereqs of "able to cast arcane spells" (also, note the specific advancement verbiage of the PrCs used)
- DMM-heighten = mm is a 2nd lvl spell for force domain, so it's only a 7-lvl increase.
- Variables (important for maximize):
  -- d4 - magic missile
  -- d6 - lingering spell
- Other damage sources:
  -- +18 = blistering spell = +2/spell level
  -- +5 = Knowledge Devotion
  -- +1 = base magic missile (duh )
- MM feats of note:
  -- Thanks to Arcane Thesis and Icanatrix (and a little help from DMM), I can apply all of my MM feats on to one spell, filling a 9th-level spell slot (and counting as a 9th level spell)
  -- maximize all those variables
  -- empower .... to be discussed later.  Same goes for Enervate spell.
  -- extend (from the planning domain):
    --- Lingering Spell gives this a duration of 1 round, allowing this spell to be extended (as it happens, that's now 2 rounds for this effect)
  -- x3 energy admixture = 4 elemental damage types = quadruple damage each missile
    --- since Lingering Spell template does elemental damage of the same type as the base spell, this damage is also tripled

DAMAGE 1 SINGE MISSILE (simplified the equation for ease of math ... if I need to, I can break it out for you)

- Missile = 4+1 + 18 + 5 = 28 ; 28 + empower + enervate = 56 ; 56 x admixture = 224
- Lingering Spell = 6 + 18 + 5 = 29 ; 29 + empower + enervate = 58 ; 58 x admixture = 232 ; 232 x 2 rounds = 464

Grand Total = 688 per missile


SPECIAL NOTES:

1) I know that there is some controversy over this interpretation of empower -- I simply direct you to the specific example in the feat description.
2)removed the OGL elemalefic spell template ... OGL =/= "official"

disregard this for the moment

With Items
This one is real similar .... only a couple of modifications:

Human Cloistered Cleric 5/Icanitrix 10/Contemplative 1/Force Missile Mage 2/Hierophant 2
Domains: Force, Knowledge, Planning, Meditation (no god -- follows "ideal" ... fluff as needed) (forth domain from 1st level of Contemplative)
Abilities (including level increases): 8 ; 8 ; 8 ; 18 (16 base)('cause I need the skill points) ; 19 (16 base) ; 20+ (13 base + tome + item)  
Skills: as needed.
Feats:
  F -- Combat Casting
  F -- Iron Will
  B -- Extend Spell (Planning Domain)
  B -- Knowledge Devotion (Knowledge Domain)
  B -- Empower Spell (1/day ; no spell LA) (Meditation Domain)
  1 -- Southern Magician
  1 -- Heighten Spell
  3 -- Energy Substitution (cold)
  6 -- Arcane Thesis
 6b -- Energy Admixture (cold)
  9 -- DMM - Heighten
10b -- Energy Substitution (fire)
 12 -- Energy Admixture (fire)
15b -- Energy Substitution (acid)
 15 -- Elemalefic Spellcaster*
 18 -- Energy Admixture (acid)
19b -- Lingering Spell
20b -- Blistering Spell

Pick up a Greater Maximize Rod.

DAMAGE 1 SINGE MISSILE (simplified the equation for ease of math ... if I need to, I can break it out for you)

- Missile = 4+1 + 18 + 5 = 28 ; 28 + empower 42 ; 42 x admixture = 168
- Lingering Spell = 6 + 18 + 5 = 29 ; 29 + empower = 43 ; 43 x admixture = 172 ; 172 x 2 rounds = 344
- Elemalefic spell template = 4 + 18 + 5 = 27 ; 27 + empower = 40 ; 40 x admixture = 160 ; 160 x 9 rounds = 1440

Grand Total = 1952 per missile



EDIT: corrected an illegality.

[bearsarebrown]

-- x2 energy admixture = 3 elemental damage types = triple damage each missile
    --- since elemalefic spell template does elemental damage of the same type as the base spell, this damage is also tripled
    --- same for Lingering Spell

Why?

[wotmaniac]

-- x2 energy admixture = 3 elemental damage types = triple damage each missile
    --- since elemalefic spell template does elemental damage of the same type as the base spell, this damage is also tripled
    --- same for Lingering Spell

Why?

Why not?
tripling damage is awesome .... and so is repeating damage.  it was the way to really whore-out the damage.

[Mixster]

1st: @ Mixster:  
I think that Belt of Battle doesn't work the way you think it does.  Try again.

I disagree, but ok, since it's your thread.

I still hit 54k without gear, but would probably benefit from revisiting the build and changing it into an StP Erudite, manifesting multiple Schisms in a Shapechange induced timestop could be useful, or at very least a Dragonwrought Kobold.

Another option is to be a kobold sorcerer 8/incantatrix 10/Druid 1/Psion 1 (casting as a level 21 caster) Cast that Shapechange, share it with your psi-crystal, your animal companion and your familiar, and go to town on the action economy.

The StP Erudite build would be:
Erudite 20, Greater Metamorphosis into a Chronotyryn, Cast Timestop from ChronoTyryn as many times you need, (so you have enough rounds to buff up), Cast Schism till you have as many copies as possible (I think 2^80 Would be possible since you have dual actions and it has up to a 21 round duration), Share everything with your Psi-Crystal that is now a dread linnorm.
Then you just need to find something to give you enough power points to do this.
Enter Greater Metamorphosis into a Dread Linnorm, use it's ability to cast Shapechange, then use shapechange to become something with power points whenever you need it (any Psionic creature with enough power points to manifest Schism would work).
But while we are fiddling around with shapechange, schism and greater metamorphosis, the easiest thing to do would just be to transform your Psi-Crystal into a Saahruuk, yourself into a scaled one and go to town with any ability ever written.
Then you could go to town with the Chokers Quickness, the Chronotyryns Dual Actions, and OFC your very own mass schism spam.

EDIT: With Residual Metamagic, you could punch this even further up.

But why do that? You've won as soon as Shapechange and Familiar entered the same game.

[bearsarebrown]

-- x2 energy admixture = 3 elemental damage types = triple damage each missile
    --- since elemalefic spell template does elemental damage of the same type as the base spell, this damage is also tripled
    --- same for Lingering Spell

Why?

Why not?
tripling damage is awesome .... and so is repeating damage.  it was the way to really whore-out the damage.

Why does it triple the elemalefic and lingering damage? Lingering Spell says it does 1d6 damage of the appropriate energy type. Knowledge Devotion applies, and I understand Extending it. But that only makes the duration 2 rounds. How did you make it 58? Why is Blistering affecting Lingering and Elemalefic? Also I disagree that Elemalefic can be extended because it doesn't begin until the original spell duration ends.

[Mixster]

Also, the Elemalefic Template can't be added to a force spell if I understand it correctly.

[wotmaniac]

-- x2 energy admixture = 3 elemental damage types = triple damage each missile
    --- since elemalefic spell template does elemental damage of the same type as the base spell, this damage is also tripled
    --- same for Lingering Spell

Why?

Why not?
tripling damage is awesome .... and so is repeating damage.  it was the way to really whore-out the damage.

Why does it triple the elemalefic and lingering damage? Lingering Spell says it does 1d6 damage of the appropriate energy type. Knowledge Devotion applies, and I understand Extending it. But that only makes the duration 2 rounds. How did you make it 58? Why is Blistering affecting Lingering and Elemalefic? Also I disagree that Elemalefic can be extended because it doesn't begin until the original spell duration ends.

- the missile has the fire descriptor (amongst others) -- it does fire damage.  I have it heightened to 9th level.  Blistering Spell gives +2 fire damage per level of the spell to any spell that does fire damage.  2x9=18. (the 58 was an order-of-operations math error -- fixed.)
- yes, extending the Lingering does only make it 2 rounds -- 2 rounds of a lot of damage.
- Lingering is of the appropriate energy type -- that damage should also benefit from Blistering spell.  The Lingering damage isn't from the missile itself, per sa -- it is separate damage from a different effect; though it is an effect of the spell -- but the spell has 3 separate effects.  Same goes for Elemalefic.
- Elemalefic has a duration.  That duration is 1 round per level of the spell.  if it has a duration, it should be able to be extended.  Right?
- Energy Admixture modifies energy damage.  just like the missile itself, Lingering and Elemalefic are also energy damage that is an effect of the spell. 

Did I miss something?

Also, the Elemalefic Template can't be added to a force spell if I understand it correctly.

Is applied to a spell with an energy descriptor that does damage -- 2nd level of FMM takes care of that.

[bearsarebrown]

- the missile has the fire descriptor (amongst others) -- it does fire damage.  I have it heightened to 9th level.  Blistering Spell gives +2 fire damage per level of the spell to any spell that does fire damage.  2x9=18. (the 58 was an order-of-operations math error -- fixed.)
- yes, extending the Lingering does only make it 2 rounds -- 2 rounds of a lot of damage.
- Lingering is of the appropriate energy type -- that damage should also benefit from Blistering spell.  The Lingering damage isn't from the missile itself, per sa -- it is separate damage from a different effect; though it is an effect of the spell -- but the spell has 3 separate effects.  Same goes for Elemalefic.
- Elemalefic has a duration.  That duration is 1 round per level of the spell.  if it has a duration, it should be able to be extended.  Right?
- Energy Admixture modifies energy damage.  just like the missile itself, Lingering and Elemalefic are also energy damage that is an effect of the spell. 

-Why does the Lingering damage benefit from Blistering spell? Most importantly, why does it benefit from Asmixture?
-Elemalefic's duration begins when the spell ends. Extending a spell should delay it.

[wotmaniac]

- the missile has the fire descriptor (amongst others) -- it does fire damage.  I have it heightened to 9th level.  Blistering Spell gives +2 fire damage per level of the spell to any spell that does fire damage.  2x9=18. (the 58 was an order-of-operations math error -- fixed.)
- yes, extending the Lingering does only make it 2 rounds -- 2 rounds of a lot of damage.
- Lingering is of the appropriate energy type -- that damage should also benefit from Blistering spell.  The Lingering damage isn't from the missile itself, per sa -- it is separate damage from a different effect; though it is an effect of the spell -- but the spell has 3 separate effects.  Same goes for Elemalefic.
- Elemalefic has a duration.  That duration is 1 round per level of the spell.  if it has a duration, it should be able to be extended.  Right?
- Energy Admixture modifies energy damage.  just like the missile itself, Lingering and Elemalefic are also energy damage that is an effect of the spell. 

-Why does the Lingering damage benefit from Blistering spell? Most importantly, why does it benefit from Asmixture?
-Elemalefic's duration begins when the spell ends. Extending a spell should delay it.

- I don't understand why it wouldn't.  It's an effect of the spell, right?
- right, it would be delayed by 1 round while the effect of Lingering finishes.  and then it would start, with it's own duration being equal to the level of spell used.  and since it's an effect of the spell, why wouldn't it also be extended?

I mean .... if I got something wrong, then I got something wrong -- I'm just not seeing it. 


Oh, and I almost forgot:

1st: @ Mixster: 
I think that Belt of Battle doesn't work the way you think it does.  Try again.

I disagree, but ok, since it's your thread.

well, it's not quite like that.
that's why I included that link -- if you disagree, then jump in on that link and be heard.

[wotmaniac]

I just wanted to add a little something that might make a difference in adjudicating Elemalefic spell template ....
it's not a MM feat -- it's a spell template.  shouldn't that make the effects be considered as being an inherent part of the spell?

does that make a difference?