Arcane Trickster combo [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arcane Trickster combo [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
felwred
01-11-06, 10:50 AM Greetings,

I am planning to build an arcane trickster. Likely class combo is Rogue 3/Wizard 5, then AT from there. The requirements are Mage Hand in spell list, 3rd lvl arcane spells and +2D6 sneak (as well as some skill requirements that are pretty simple).

I am looking at playing a concept that won't be human and is almost certainly a half-breed (half-orc is what I was thinking) for role playing reasons. Half-orc is rough because of the INT and CHR penalties and that +2 Str is somewhat useless. The character will be involved in combat but not be a front line fighter too often. His primary duties are roguish.

Allowed books are book of vile darkness, complete books, races books, and core books.

I'd like help with the following:
Races that make sense (half bloods, etc)
Spells selection that takes advantages of the rogue/wizard combo
Feat selections
How to compensate for low stats in some areas (28 point build, likely taking 8 wisdom and 10 con). Especially, how to compensate for low CHR if the half-orc is the choice.
Interesting Builds

Thanks.
Save-vs-DM
01-11-06, 11:01 AM Well, I'd recommend a Half-Elf myself. You won't be taking a hit to your primary casting ability and you have a few decent Abilities. I might go with the following abilities.

Str 12
Dex 14
Con 12
Int 16
Wis 10
Cha 10

For feats I'd recommend both Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot as they help boost both normal ranged attacks and ray spells. Keep in mind that you can sneak attack with any ray spell that requires an attack roll. For this reason I'd really recommend picking up quite a few ray spells to cash in on the sneak attack damage.

Another good feat to take would be Practiced Spellcaster to keep your caster level up to par.

I'd also pick up invisbility and improved invisibility post haste, as they'll be key.

If you don't mind a +1 LA Half-Fey might not be a bad choice at all.

That's about all I have.

Cheers,
Save vs DM
rilem
01-11-06, 11:25 AM With those books a straight AT build is subpar unless you're starting at level 10+. The trickster is murder to play at levels 5-10 (at level 7, you've got 2nd level spells when an equal CR caster would be getting polymorph.)

Going half-orc just makes it worse. I'd go human, possibly Illumian.

With complete books, Rog1/Wizard4/Daggerspellmage10/AT5 is considerably better. Grab able learner to keep up your skills.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
felwred 01-11-06, 10:50 AM	Greetings, I am planning to build an arcane trickster. Likely class combo is Rogue 3/Wizard 5, then AT from there. The requirements are Mage Hand in spell list, 3rd lvl arcane spells and +2D6 sneak (as well as some skill requirements that are pretty simple). I am looking at playing a concept that won't be human and is almost certainly a half-breed (half-orc is what I was thinking) for role playing reasons. Half-orc is rough because of the INT and CHR penalties and that +2 Str is somewhat useless. The character will be involved in combat but not be a front line fighter too often. His primary duties are roguish. Allowed books are book of vile darkness, complete books, races books, and core books. I'd like help with the following: Races that make sense (half bloods, etc) Spells selection that takes advantages of the rogue/wizard combo Feat selections How to compensate for low stats in some areas (28 point build, likely taking 8 wisdom and 10 con). Especially, how to compensate for low CHR if the half-orc is the choice. Interesting Builds Thanks.
Save-vs-DM 01-11-06, 11:01 AM	Well, I'd recommend a Half-Elf myself. You won't be taking a hit to your primary casting ability and you have a few decent Abilities. I might go with the following abilities. Str 12 Dex 14 Con 12 Int 16 Wis 10 Cha 10 For feats I'd recommend both Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot as they help boost both normal ranged attacks and ray spells. Keep in mind that you can sneak attack with any ray spell that requires an attack roll. For this reason I'd really recommend picking up quite a few ray spells to cash in on the sneak attack damage. Another good feat to take would be Practiced Spellcaster to keep your caster level up to par. I'd also pick up invisbility and improved invisibility post haste, as they'll be key. If you don't mind a +1 LA Half-Fey might not be a bad choice at all. That's about all I have. Cheers, Save vs DM
rilem 01-11-06, 11:25 AM	With those books a straight AT build is subpar unless you're starting at level 10+. The trickster is murder to play at levels 5-10 (at level 7, you've got 2nd level spells when an equal CR caster would be getting polymorph.) Going half-orc just makes it worse. I'd go human, possibly Illumian. With complete books, Rog1/Wizard4/Daggerspellmage10/AT5 is considerably better. Grab able learner to keep up your skills.