Best race for a beguiler? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best race for a beguiler? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sir_Chivalry
12-30-07, 11:36 PM My gf needs help designing a beguiler. Core only. She was thinking drow, but what do you wonderful people think?
rironin
12-31-07, 12:02 AM If you're looking for a strong build, I'd avoid the drow (or anything with LA) for a spellcasting class unless the advantages they provide are big enough to offset that painful loss of one level of spellcasting. As far as I know, the drow don't provide the kind of benefits I'd want to sacrifice my spellcasting for.

Though I've never played a beguiler, I think races that work well for wizards would also work well for beguilers. Therefore, I'd suggest human, possibly elf (although the Con hit is rough... she might like the extra weapon familiarity and the Dex), possibly dwarf (an unusual but very handy race for a spellcaster - Con bonus and darkvision), or maybe even halfling or gnome, since the small size will help and the lack of Strength shouldn't hinder a beguiler so much, and the extra Dex or Con respectively will definitely be helpful.
Sinfire Titan
12-31-07, 02:33 AM Human. If you have access to the MM3 or to any Eberron books, Changeling makes for a good, clean shenanigans when paired with anything even remotely roguish. But for Core only, Gnomes, Halflings, and Humans.
The_Shaman
12-31-07, 08:05 AM If she can get a whisper gnome from Races of Stone, she's set. From the core races only, human, followed by gnome or grey elf. If RoS is in, any gnome is a good choice because of the Shadowcraft Mage PrC.
RaivokasMagma
01-02-08, 01:24 PM I may sound stupid, but i go with half-elf. Diplomacy bonus (which is good for beguiler) and gather information(which is good for beguiler) and (s)he will not have con penalty like his(her) other parent.
Malicea
01-02-08, 01:48 PM I've played a changeling Beguiler till 10 so far, and from that experience I'd say that if I had to do it again, I'd go human or gnome. The changeling ability is too easily replaced with just the Beguiler's level 1 spells.

The extra skill points for humans go a LONG way towards a Beguiler's role in the party, even with the huge number of skill points they already get. It allows you to act as scout, trapmonkey, the knowledge guy (with Able Learner), max out Use Magic Device, and pick up almost every synergy bonus there is. Even avoiding Escape Artist, Open Lock, Hide and Move Silently (replace with spells), there's barely enough points to go around!

Picking up gnome would mainly be for the Shadowcraft Mage PrC, as already mentioned - This assumes you have access to classes from Races of Stone of course. It covers the usual gaps in a Beguiler's arsenal quite well, but even a straight Beguiler does VERY well out of the box.
Phelf_Der_Zemit
01-02-08, 04:33 PM I'd say human for the extra skill points and feat. USe your first two feats for Improved Intiative and Spell Foucs (Enchantment) so you can go first and hit them with the Charm effects.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sir_Chivalry 12-30-07, 11:36 PM	My gf needs help designing a beguiler. Core only. She was thinking drow, but what do you wonderful people think?
rironin 12-31-07, 12:02 AM	If you're looking for a strong build, I'd avoid the drow (or anything with LA) for a spellcasting class unless the advantages they provide are big enough to offset that painful loss of one level of spellcasting. As far as I know, the drow don't provide the kind of benefits I'd want to sacrifice my spellcasting for. Though I've never played a beguiler, I think races that work well for wizards would also work well for beguilers. Therefore, I'd suggest human, possibly elf (although the Con hit is rough... she might like the extra weapon familiarity and the Dex), possibly dwarf (an unusual but very handy race for a spellcaster - Con bonus and darkvision), or maybe even halfling or gnome, since the small size will help and the lack of Strength shouldn't hinder a beguiler so much, and the extra Dex or Con respectively will definitely be helpful.
Sinfire Titan 12-31-07, 02:33 AM	Human. If you have access to the MM3 or to any Eberron books, Changeling makes for a good, clean shenanigans when paired with anything even remotely roguish. But for Core only, Gnomes, Halflings, and Humans.
The_Shaman 12-31-07, 08:05 AM	If she can get a whisper gnome from Races of Stone, she's set. From the core races only, human, followed by gnome or grey elf. If RoS is in, any gnome is a good choice because of the Shadowcraft Mage PrC.
RaivokasMagma 01-02-08, 01:24 PM	I may sound stupid, but i go with half-elf. Diplomacy bonus (which is good for beguiler) and gather information(which is good for beguiler) and (s)he will not have con penalty like his(her) other parent.
Malicea 01-02-08, 01:48 PM	I've played a changeling Beguiler till 10 so far, and from that experience I'd say that if I had to do it again, I'd go human or gnome. The changeling ability is too easily replaced with just the Beguiler's level 1 spells. The extra skill points for humans go a LONG way towards a Beguiler's role in the party, even with the huge number of skill points they already get. It allows you to act as scout, trapmonkey, the knowledge guy (with Able Learner), max out Use Magic Device, and pick up almost every synergy bonus there is. Even avoiding Escape Artist, Open Lock, Hide and Move Silently (replace with spells), there's barely enough points to go around! Picking up gnome would mainly be for the Shadowcraft Mage PrC, as already mentioned - This assumes you have access to classes from Races of Stone of course. It covers the usual gaps in a Beguiler's arsenal quite well, but even a straight Beguiler does VERY well out of the box.
Phelf_Der_Zemit 01-02-08, 04:33 PM	I'd say human for the extra skill points and feat. USe your first two feats for Improved Intiative and Spell Foucs (Enchantment) so you can go first and hit them with the Charm effects.