Arcane Trickster Feat Tree [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arcane Trickster Feat Tree [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
capella
10-14-06, 03:16 PM Planning to create an arcane trickster and would like to hear peoples ideas on the feats he could take to maximise his spell and sneak attack abilities. Cheers Guys.
Phoenix00
10-14-06, 03:22 PM First do you have the build planned out? Are we allowed to modify it?

What race are you?

And what books do you have access to?

If you have access to Tome of Battle, assassin stance is great for it allows you to get 2d6 of sneak attack, with the use of two feats, or through a 1 level dip into swordsage.

Craven is always a great feat for sneak attack.

We can't really help you without more information.
MerlintheTuna
10-14-06, 03:36 PM Most importantly, what class are you using for your spellcasting? Wizard? Sorcerer? Bard? Other?
capella
10-14-06, 03:38 PM Thanks for the reply Phoenix00

I must admit that I had submitted a similar thread to the DnD board today giving a level 9 build but I had no takers.

I changed it for this board as a new character so as to elicit a few responses. Below is the original information for you to look at. Apologies for the minor deception.

My rogue/wizard is now at 9th level (4/5) and has the prerequisites to join the Arcane Trickster prestige class from the DMG. He has to choose 2 new feats at this level one general and one arcane based. I wish to maximise his ability to cast spells that enable the use of sneak attack and ask that more knowledgeable players suggest a route of possible feats to enhance this. Playing 3.5 rules.

Stats
STR 12 DEX 12 CON 12 INT 20 WIS 12 CHA 10

Known feats
Investigator (+2 gather information & search checks)
Lightning reflexes (+2 on reflex saves) from weasel familiar
Nimble Fingers (+2 disable device & open locks)
Magical aptitude (+2 spellcraft & UMD)

key skills(with all bonuses and magical items added)
Search 23, Disable device 16, open locks 12, concentration 7, Know arcana 10, Spellcraft 20, UMD 16, spot & listen 10.

Sneak att +2D6, +1 Speed light crossbow, +2 short sword, +1 rapier, +1 resistance cloak, +1 protection ring, bracers of defence 2, goggles of minute seeing, just aquired Boccobs Blessed Book.

Hit points = 50 AC = 14

Many Thanks
Capella
Phoenix00
10-14-06, 03:48 PM Books?

It appears you are playing a core game, but we still need to know what books you have access to
capella
10-14-06, 04:02 PM My character is human.
I have immediate access to DMG, PHB, PHB2,CW, CAd, FRCS, MofF, RofF. Have access to other books through the other players in my group but cannot list them.

Hope this helps.
Thanks again for persevereing.
Lord_of_Omnipotence
10-14-06, 06:41 PM Well, able learner would be a nice start if you're human, to ensure that you can buy all of your skills for a single point (i think its in one of the books you've listed, but i could be wrong).
Slyver
10-14-06, 06:49 PM Known feats
Investigator (+2 gather information & search checks)
Lightning reflexes (+2 on reflex saves) from weasel familiar
Nimble Fingers (+2 disable device & open locks)
Magical aptitude (+2 spellcraft & UMD)

Ouch, just ouch. Are you allowed to retrain your feats?

If not, your ninth level feat, without any doubt whatsoever should be practiced spellcaster. It is the single most effective feat you can possibly take with your current build. For the 5th level wizard feat it is tough to say. You can think ahead and take a metamagic feat, or you can take an item creation feat (craft wondrous item is best for your character most likely).

Slyver
Hanniball
10-14-06, 07:41 PM If not, your ninth level feat, without any doubt whatsoever should be practiced spellcaster.

Most definitely; assuming one of players has access to Complete Arcane or Divine. If so, you're golden. CA has Split Ray, Twin spell and Repeat Spell. All of which can be used to devastating effect with an Arcane Trickster.
Unfortunately, each of those require that you already have a metamagic feat. I'd suggest Empower Spell if you're looking for an immediate effect, otherwise Quicken Spell is a must for any high level AT. Grabbing it as your Wiz 5 feat in preparation for those higher levels isn't a bad idea.

Either way...just my 2 cp
dabrowns
10-14-06, 07:48 PM Definately Practised Spellcaster. I'm suprised no one has mentioned Improved Initiative yet. Also this may be the one case where Smiting Spell could be usefull. Remember that you can sneak attack with rays within 30 ft, I believe a previous poster advised split ray/ocular ray?
Garfield
10-15-06, 08:23 AM i also play with an arcane trikster, and belive me, choose praticed spellcaster and precise shot, altoug you make touch attacks, theyll till miss if you have like 2 fighters in front of you and the monster is half in a corner.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
capella 10-14-06, 03:16 PM	Planning to create an arcane trickster and would like to hear peoples ideas on the feats he could take to maximise his spell and sneak attack abilities. Cheers Guys.
Phoenix00 10-14-06, 03:22 PM	First do you have the build planned out? Are we allowed to modify it? What race are you? And what books do you have access to? If you have access to Tome of Battle, assassin stance is great for it allows you to get 2d6 of sneak attack, with the use of two feats, or through a 1 level dip into swordsage. Craven is always a great feat for sneak attack. We can't really help you without more information.
MerlintheTuna 10-14-06, 03:36 PM	Most importantly, what class are you using for your spellcasting? Wizard? Sorcerer? Bard? Other?
capella 10-14-06, 03:38 PM	Thanks for the reply Phoenix00 I must admit that I had submitted a similar thread to the DnD board today giving a level 9 build but I had no takers. I changed it for this board as a new character so as to elicit a few responses. Below is the original information for you to look at. Apologies for the minor deception. My rogue/wizard is now at 9th level (4/5) and has the prerequisites to join the Arcane Trickster prestige class from the DMG. He has to choose 2 new feats at this level one general and one arcane based. I wish to maximise his ability to cast spells that enable the use of sneak attack and ask that more knowledgeable players suggest a route of possible feats to enhance this. Playing 3.5 rules. Stats STR 12 DEX 12 CON 12 INT 20 WIS 12 CHA 10 Known feats Investigator (+2 gather information & search checks) Lightning reflexes (+2 on reflex saves) from weasel familiar Nimble Fingers (+2 disable device & open locks) Magical aptitude (+2 spellcraft & UMD) key skills(with all bonuses and magical items added) Search 23, Disable device 16, open locks 12, concentration 7, Know arcana 10, Spellcraft 20, UMD 16, spot & listen 10. Sneak att +2D6, +1 Speed light crossbow, +2 short sword, +1 rapier, +1 resistance cloak, +1 protection ring, bracers of defence 2, goggles of minute seeing, just aquired Boccobs Blessed Book. Hit points = 50 AC = 14 Many Thanks Capella
Phoenix00 10-14-06, 03:48 PM	Books? It appears you are playing a core game, but we still need to know what books you have access to
capella 10-14-06, 04:02 PM	My character is human. I have immediate access to DMG, PHB, PHB2,CW, CAd, FRCS, MofF, RofF. Have access to other books through the other players in my group but cannot list them. Hope this helps. Thanks again for persevereing.
Lord_of_Omnipotence 10-14-06, 06:41 PM	Well, able learner would be a nice start if you're human, to ensure that you can buy all of your skills for a single point (i think its in one of the books you've listed, but i could be wrong).
Slyver 10-14-06, 06:49 PM	Known feats Investigator (+2 gather information & search checks) Lightning reflexes (+2 on reflex saves) from weasel familiar Nimble Fingers (+2 disable device & open locks) Magical aptitude (+2 spellcraft & UMD) Ouch, just ouch. Are you allowed to retrain your feats? If not, your ninth level feat, without any doubt whatsoever should be practiced spellcaster. It is the single most effective feat you can possibly take with your current build. For the 5th level wizard feat it is tough to say. You can think ahead and take a metamagic feat, or you can take an item creation feat (craft wondrous item is best for your character most likely). Slyver
Hanniball 10-14-06, 07:41 PM	If not, your ninth level feat, without any doubt whatsoever should be practiced spellcaster. Most definitely; assuming one of players has access to Complete Arcane or Divine. If so, you're golden. CA has Split Ray, Twin spell and Repeat Spell. All of which can be used to devastating effect with an Arcane Trickster. Unfortunately, each of those require that you already have a metamagic feat. I'd suggest Empower Spell if you're looking for an immediate effect, otherwise Quicken Spell is a must for any high level AT. Grabbing it as your Wiz 5 feat in preparation for those higher levels isn't a bad idea. Either way...just my 2 cp
dabrowns 10-14-06, 07:48 PM	Definately Practised Spellcaster. I'm suprised no one has mentioned Improved Initiative yet. Also this may be the one case where Smiting Spell could be usefull. Remember that you can sneak attack with rays within 30 ft, I believe a previous poster advised split ray/ocular ray?
Garfield 10-15-06, 08:23 AM	i also play with an arcane trikster, and belive me, choose praticed spellcaster and precise shot, altoug you make touch attacks, theyll till miss if you have like 2 fighters in front of you and the monster is half in a corner.