Arcane Trickster vs Gestalt Rogue/Wizard [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arcane Trickster vs Gestalt Rogue/Wizard [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Morka
09-14-05, 11:53 AM A few months ago, the Arcane Trickster was quite popular. The problem is an arcane trickster is a few caster level behind a true wizard or sorcerer.

Now with the gestalt, we could have a true arcane trickster with full caster level and at least 10d6 sneack attack damage at 20th level. But I wonder why this gestalt build doesn't seem so popular...
Khan the Destroyer
09-14-05, 12:09 PM I can't know for sure, since I haven't played either, but I'll speculate.

Not everyone (or even many) use the gestalt rules.

Also, I don't think that the Wizard/Rogue/Arcane Trickster is that bad off compared to a gestalt version. Practiced Caster offsets the caster level hit, and a weapon of Deadly Precision and/or Nightstalker's Transformation increase sneak attack. You also get the goodies of the Arcane Trickster.

In the end though, the non-gestalt version does what it is supposed to. It creates an exceptionally sneaky character, that augments its skill with spells, and a powerful combatant, that can combine ray spells with sneak attack.

I think not much attention goes to gestalt because pretty much anything can be done with a gestalt build.

But again, just a guess :).
rilem
09-14-05, 12:41 PM You're comparing a standard Arcane Trickster to a Gestalt Rogue/Wizard? Gestalt is a different animal altogether, a variant, more powerful ruleset for players who like very powerful characters. There's nothing to compare there.

And as Khan noted, not a whole lot of people use gestalt rules.
reytheist
09-14-05, 12:54 PM Gestalt is a higher-powered set of variant rules, particularly useful for smaller parties, but it is an all or nothing thing. Either the whole party (and the NPCs they face) are gestalt, or they're not.

That said, the gestalt version will be more powerful, boasting constant d6 hit dice through the career, increased saving throws, and the full rogue special ability progression. It will not have ranged legedermain, however.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Morka 09-14-05, 11:53 AM	A few months ago, the Arcane Trickster was quite popular. The problem is an arcane trickster is a few caster level behind a true wizard or sorcerer. Now with the gestalt, we could have a true arcane trickster with full caster level and at least 10d6 sneack attack damage at 20th level. But I wonder why this gestalt build doesn't seem so popular...
Khan the Destroyer 09-14-05, 12:09 PM	I can't know for sure, since I haven't played either, but I'll speculate. Not everyone (or even many) use the gestalt rules. Also, I don't think that the Wizard/Rogue/Arcane Trickster is that bad off compared to a gestalt version. Practiced Caster offsets the caster level hit, and a weapon of Deadly Precision and/or Nightstalker's Transformation increase sneak attack. You also get the goodies of the Arcane Trickster. In the end though, the non-gestalt version does what it is supposed to. It creates an exceptionally sneaky character, that augments its skill with spells, and a powerful combatant, that can combine ray spells with sneak attack. I think not much attention goes to gestalt because pretty much anything can be done with a gestalt build. But again, just a guess :).
rilem 09-14-05, 12:41 PM	You're comparing a standard Arcane Trickster to a Gestalt Rogue/Wizard? Gestalt is a different animal altogether, a variant, more powerful ruleset for players who like very powerful characters. There's nothing to compare there. And as Khan noted, not a whole lot of people use gestalt rules.
reytheist 09-14-05, 12:54 PM	Gestalt is a higher-powered set of variant rules, particularly useful for smaller parties, but it is an all or nothing thing. Either the whole party (and the NPCs they face) are gestalt, or they're not. That said, the gestalt version will be more powerful, boasting constant d6 hit dice through the career, increased saving throws, and the full rogue special ability progression. It will not have ranged legedermain, however.