Arcane Trickster questions... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arcane Trickster questions... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
SolkaTruesilver
02-06-07, 03:48 PM Hi there..

first of all, I would like to know how much would an Arcane Trisckter rock when using Tenser's Transformation? Ye know, with all the sneak attack bonuses, enhanced str, BAB, etc...

Also, I plan to make an Arcanse Trickster in my game. I am the party's rogue, but I have the highest int. The party's caster is a sorcerer who wants to specialize in necro spells.

I was planning on taking the specialist wizard, for Enchantment spells. In order not to step on my friend's toes, I though taking Necro as one of my banned school, any suggestions? (either for my other banned school, or for taking another school as my specialist).(I am pretty sure I wish to keep evocations&transmutations, lol)
smage
02-06-07, 03:59 PM You might also look into Daggerspell Mage (10 levels) from Complete Adventurer and Spellwarp Sniper (5 levels) from Complete Scoundrel.
the_redbeard
02-06-07, 05:22 PM I've looked around, and I think this thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=784137) is one of the best looks at the arcane trickster. Of course, as labeled it focuses on the "sneak attack mage" aspect so it might not be exactly what you're looking for.

Standard Arcane Trickster has Rogue3 (to get the second sneak)/Wizard 5 (3rd level spells)/Arcane Trickster. People say that in levels 4-9 you suck because your rogue skills aren't keeping up but you are also levels behind in spellcasting.
Taking the feat "Practiced SpellCaster" helps - at least when you're Rogue3/Wiz1 your casting level (for damage, duration) will be your character level if you're going that route.

I'm hoping to play this in a new campaign:
spellthief 1->wizard5->SpellWarp Sniper 3->Unseen Seer 2->Arcane Trickster 9 (if we get that far, heh).
That leaves me only 1 caster level behind a pure caster, but I'm not terribly sneaky in levels 2-6. I have a low BAB, but ranged sneak touch attack avoids both dex AND armor, so hitting isn't a problem. Taking the "master spellthief" lets my caster levels count towards spell thieving, and that rocks. A reserve spell feat (complete mage) also lets me make attacks without using spells, so I can use them for helping me sneak.
I have to clean up my notes but might post it tomorrow.
Blade2718
02-06-07, 08:24 PM A high Int and Able Learner will help make you sneakier. That, and liberal use of silent image and invisibility spells.

Regarding Tenser's transformation: I'd probably pass in favor of nightstalker's transformation which adds Sneak Attack dice and grants bonuses to Dex. Before you do that, find a way to get an Outsider form and polymorph into a kelvezu demon (MMII) for another +8d6 Sneak Attack.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
SolkaTruesilver 02-06-07, 03:48 PM	Hi there.. first of all, I would like to know how much would an Arcane Trisckter rock when using Tenser's Transformation? Ye know, with all the sneak attack bonuses, enhanced str, BAB, etc... Also, I plan to make an Arcanse Trickster in my game. I am the party's rogue, but I have the highest int. The party's caster is a sorcerer who wants to specialize in necro spells. I was planning on taking the specialist wizard, for Enchantment spells. In order not to step on my friend's toes, I though taking Necro as one of my banned school, any suggestions? (either for my other banned school, or for taking another school as my specialist).(I am pretty sure I wish to keep evocations&transmutations, lol)
smage 02-06-07, 03:59 PM	You might also look into Daggerspell Mage (10 levels) from Complete Adventurer and Spellwarp Sniper (5 levels) from Complete Scoundrel.
the_redbeard 02-06-07, 05:22 PM	I've looked around, and I think this thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=784137) is one of the best looks at the arcane trickster. Of course, as labeled it focuses on the "sneak attack mage" aspect so it might not be exactly what you're looking for. Standard Arcane Trickster has Rogue3 (to get the second sneak)/Wizard 5 (3rd level spells)/Arcane Trickster. People say that in levels 4-9 you suck because your rogue skills aren't keeping up but you are also levels behind in spellcasting. Taking the feat "Practiced SpellCaster" helps - at least when you're Rogue3/Wiz1 your casting level (for damage, duration) will be your character level if you're going that route. I'm hoping to play this in a new campaign: spellthief 1->wizard5->SpellWarp Sniper 3->Unseen Seer 2->Arcane Trickster 9 (if we get that far, heh). That leaves me only 1 caster level behind a pure caster, but I'm not terribly sneaky in levels 2-6. I have a low BAB, but ranged sneak touch attack avoids both dex AND armor, so hitting isn't a problem. Taking the "master spellthief" lets my caster levels count towards spell thieving, and that rocks. A reserve spell feat (complete mage) also lets me make attacks without using spells, so I can use them for helping me sneak. I have to clean up my notes but might post it tomorrow.
Blade2718 02-06-07, 08:24 PM	A high Int and Able Learner will help make you sneakier. That, and liberal use of silent image and invisibility spells. Regarding Tenser's transformation: I'd probably pass in favor of nightstalker's transformation which adds Sneak Attack dice and grants bonuses to Dex. Before you do that, find a way to get an Outsider form and polymorph into a kelvezu demon (MMII) for another +8d6 Sneak Attack.