Thoughts about Magical Trickster? (Complete Scoundrel) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Thoughts about Magical Trickster? (Complete Scoundrel) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kouk
07-12-07, 11:42 AM What are peoples' general opinions about the Prestige Class "Magical Trickster" from Complete Scoundrel (note: this is not the Arcane Trickster from the DMG). I will summarize the abilities for those without access to the book (I will try to be vague enough to not post exacts about the class).

I am coming at this as a Wizard/Rogue.

The entry requirements are mainly being able to cast 3rd level arcane spells.

This is a 3 level PrC, 4 skill points, fairly limited class skills (for me at least), with no increase in caster level at first, but +1 of existing class at 2nd and 3rd. Wizard's (bad) BAB and Save progression. They get a total of 2 bonus Skill Tricks spread around at first and third level.

One of their signature abilities granted at first level is "Spontaneous Trickster" which allows them to burn a spell slot (1st or higher) to get an extra use of a Skill Trick in a single encounter. This ability seems interesting to me, as some of the higher level Tricks might very well be worth it, such as "Spot the Weak Point". My thoughts are, at high enough level a 1st level spell slot might be a cheap trade? On the other hand, I could use the slot to do Sneak Attack damage. Are there other points I am missing with this ability?

2nd level they get a bonus Metamagic feat.

3rd level there is "Metamagic Trick" which basically grants you Sudden Metamagic for any Metamagic you know, but only once per day (up to a 4 slot increase, so you can Quicken but not Heighten by 5). This ability seems like it might be awesome, but on the other hand I might have been able to just take a particular Sudden Metamagic feat and get more utility if I continued Wizard?

There is also "Tricky Magic", which increases the save DC of a spell by 1 if you perform a Skill Trick in a round. This seems like almost a non-ability, as it only pertains to the same round you do the trick in. Then again, for certain spells this might be good, such as "Spot the Weak Point" used with the rare spell that actually makes normal attack rolls, like Icelance -- assuming you would use the Trick anyway this at least gets you a bonus.

Is the Magical Trickster considered a "good" class, or one that just looks good on paper but mechanically is weak?
Everdreaming
07-12-07, 01:13 PM I have never played one, but am familiar with the class.

I think that the Magical Trickster is only as good as your skill tricks are. You need to take skill tricks based on a theme, usually spellcasting, and stick with that for it to be any good.
So, if you really like the idea, yeah, go for it.
Kouk
07-14-07, 03:30 PM If nobody else has experience with this class, could anyone perhaps recommend certain skill tricks that go well with magical spellcasters? There must be ways that are not immediately obvious by the descriptions on how the tricks can be useful right?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kouk 07-12-07, 11:42 AM	What are peoples' general opinions about the Prestige Class "Magical Trickster" from Complete Scoundrel (note: this is not the Arcane Trickster from the DMG). I will summarize the abilities for those without access to the book (I will try to be vague enough to not post exacts about the class). I am coming at this as a Wizard/Rogue. The entry requirements are mainly being able to cast 3rd level arcane spells. This is a 3 level PrC, 4 skill points, fairly limited class skills (for me at least), with no increase in caster level at first, but +1 of existing class at 2nd and 3rd. Wizard's (bad) BAB and Save progression. They get a total of 2 bonus Skill Tricks spread around at first and third level. One of their signature abilities granted at first level is "Spontaneous Trickster" which allows them to burn a spell slot (1st or higher) to get an extra use of a Skill Trick in a single encounter. This ability seems interesting to me, as some of the higher level Tricks might very well be worth it, such as "Spot the Weak Point". My thoughts are, at high enough level a 1st level spell slot might be a cheap trade? On the other hand, I could use the slot to do Sneak Attack damage. Are there other points I am missing with this ability? 2nd level they get a bonus Metamagic feat. 3rd level there is "Metamagic Trick" which basically grants you Sudden Metamagic for any Metamagic you know, but only once per day (up to a 4 slot increase, so you can Quicken but not Heighten by 5). This ability seems like it might be awesome, but on the other hand I might have been able to just take a particular Sudden Metamagic feat and get more utility if I continued Wizard? There is also "Tricky Magic", which increases the save DC of a spell by 1 if you perform a Skill Trick in a round. This seems like almost a non-ability, as it only pertains to the same round you do the trick in. Then again, for certain spells this might be good, such as "Spot the Weak Point" used with the rare spell that actually makes normal attack rolls, like Icelance -- assuming you would use the Trick anyway this at least gets you a bonus. Is the Magical Trickster considered a "good" class, or one that just looks good on paper but mechanically is weak?
Everdreaming 07-12-07, 01:13 PM	I have never played one, but am familiar with the class. I think that the Magical Trickster is only as good as your skill tricks are. You need to take skill tricks based on a theme, usually spellcasting, and stick with that for it to be any good. So, if you really like the idea, yeah, go for it.
Kouk 07-14-07, 03:30 PM	If nobody else has experience with this class, could anyone perhaps recommend certain skill tricks that go well with magical spellcasters? There must be ways that are not immediately obvious by the descriptions on how the tricks can be useful right?