Post/Author/DateTime	Post
NHdjinn 01-24-04, 09:55 PM	Here I am again asking for help with a new PC. I started his career the other night. 3.5 game. Rogue3 stats as follows. Ravir Oulthone 11hp, AC 17 Grey elf, Rogue3 (greyhawk campaign) str. 10 con. 10 dex. 18 wis. 9 int. 17 cha. 8 Maxed out in search, tumble, spot, disable device, escape artist, open lock, jump, move silently,decipher script, knowledge arcana. Feats of TWF, weapon finesse. Clearly I have all the rogue side covered for the PrC, adn will follow with five levels of Wizard. Dumping all stat increases to Int and con/dex (we get them every even level..25 pt buy). Equiped the standard gear. Masterwork Studded armor, pair of Masterwork shortswords, Masterwork Thieves tools, alchemists fire, tanglefoot bags, thundestones.etc. No magic gear, scroles, or potions, hadn crossbow. My question is what feats should I be concentrating on after this to progress towards the Arcane Trickster? What spells should I be looking at to maximize my rogue skills, and still be able to deal serious damage in a melee/ranged fight? We have another wiz/fighter working towards a EK, two tanks (dwarf pally, dwarf fighter working to Dwarven Defender), a Druid, and a Cleric (healer cleric, ranged fighter). I will need to still be able to perform my Rogue duties (traps, Locks etc), and contribute damage, and battlefield control spells to the party. Should I specialize in a a school of magic? Which one? What feats should I be looking at down the pike? Any help would be greatly appreciated. NHdjinn Yes I did a search. Found lots of builds, but most had 3 or so other PrC's in there. Not gonna fly in my campaign. So straight rogue/wiz/AT.
Cantrip 01-24-04, 10:55 PM	Why go TWF when you intend to go into Arcane Archer? You're speading yourself kind of thin that way, especially when you only have 10 Str behind your melee attacks anyway. Sure Weapon Finesse allows you to hit, but there's not Str bonus to give those hits "oomph." Feats are few and far between for non-Fighters. I recommend Taking Point Blank Shot and either Rapid Shot or Precise Shot (good foundations of any archer). I also strongly recommend staying out of melee altogether low Str & Con coupled with the d6 & d4 hit dice you'll be taking in early levels do not mix with frontline life expectancy. ....Ok just reread your post and now I assume the title was in error and I glossed over Arcane Trickster when I read it the first time. My advice still stands, however. Stay out of melee, especially since you already have tanks. Make your sneak attacks with ranged weapons. Spell recommendations: True Strike, Expeditious Retreat, Glitterdust, Invisibility, Knock, Rope Trick, Blink, Fly...that's about it off the top of my head. You'll probably prove more useful as a utility magic user in such a magic heavy group.
paradoxmage 01-25-04, 12:26 AM	Ok if you are going AT and not an archer. Feats= point blank shot(for ray spells) improved sneak attack(sword and sorcery traps and trechery) improved feint still spell silent spell empower spell quicken spell(when you get up there in level) arcane strike(complete warrior/when you get spell levels) other than that any other feat would be obviousely useful like improved initiative, combat expertise(when u are in melee), stealthy, magical aptitude, close quarter fighting(if you get grappled), arterial strike it all depends on what type of trickster you want to be, but I agree that haveing a 10 str and con makes you want to stay out of melee spells that are good to take are orb spells(lesser orbs and regular in tomb and blood) ranged touch attack spells(like scorching ray and disintegrate) as long as you use these type of spells and are within 30 feet of target you get to add sneak attack damage. If you take empower spell and quicken spell you will destroy almost everything if you catch it flat footed.when you can cast 8th level spells empowered disintegrate 48d6+7d6 and an empowered quickened scorching ray 18d6(no save) +7d6 and after these you can still move 30 feet(or 60 if you are hasted):angel: average of 240 damage in one round if they miss there disintegrate save :D