❌ Using armor. You lose Canny Defense (INT to AC). Wear robes or bracers. ❌ Not using Spell Combat. You can cast Shocking Grasp AND full attack. Do it every round. ❌ Taking Power Attack. Your damage comes from crits and spell dice, not STR. ❌ Ignoring metamagic. Intensified + Empowered + Maximized turns a level 1 spell into a nuke. ❌ Picking a 20/x2 weapon. Scimitar or dueling sword only. No rapiers (bad uniques).

Round 1:

Round 2+:

Defensive Mode:

Best: Human (flexibility) or Elf (estoc proficiency + spell penetration).

| Level | Arcana | Effect | |-------|--------|--------| | 3 | Arcane Accuracy | Spend arcane pool for +INT to hit. Use for bosses. | | 6 | Enduring Blade | Weapon enhancement lasts 1 min/level. Huge quality of life. | | 9 | Accurate Strike | Ignore armor/shield/natural armor for 1 round. Melt bosses. | | 12 | Bane Blade | +2d6 damage vs chosen enemy type. | | 15 | Devoted Blade | Add Holy or Anarchic to your weapon. | | 18 | Ghost Blade | Hit incorporeal enemies. |