Post/Author/DateTime	Post
justanartist 08-21-07, 07:32 PM	Hi, I'm not sure if this is posted in the correct place, but it is a question about skills. I am the arcane caster in a new game. I am going towards a gray elf Wizard/ Beguiler/ Ulitmate Mage. I will only have 2-3 levels of Beguiler, and wanted to see what skills everyone thought would be good to pick up at low ranks. I will probably start with Wizard to pick up the Collegiate Wizard feat (and I need to be 1st level for that). However, if there is a good arguement to start with Beguiler, I can be swayed. I considered going slightly social and taking Bluff, Sense Motive, and Diplomacy. However, Search, Spot, and Listen are always useful. Hide & Move Silently? I appreciate any advice. Just an artist
Piell 08-21-07, 07:43 PM	Knowledge Skills, Spot and Listen, Climb, Jump, and Swim are good choices to drop a couple of ranks in.
ShanxAlot 08-22-07, 12:35 AM	I will probably start with Wizard to pick up the Collegiate Wizard feat (and I need to be 1st level for that). However, if there is a good arguement to start with Beguiler, I can be swayed. I considered going slightly social and taking Bluff, Sense Motive, and Diplomacy. These three aren't really the best choices for few ranks as any situation requiring them will probably be above something a few ranks can handle. However, Search, Spot, and Listen are always useful. Hide & Move Silently? I appreciate any advice. Spot and Listen can't hurt I wouldn't expect to find alot but it's better then nothing. I'd focus on skills the party as a whole lacks, Survival, Knowledge(Any), Decipher Script(yes it can actually be useful...), Use Rope. They all typically cap their normal use at relatively low Challenge DCs so they're pretty good choices in general, though not very relevant to your build.
tarkin 08-22-07, 11:00 AM	Typical spellcaster skills are: Spellcraft Knowledge (Arcana) Language: If you can't talk to them you can't use language dependent spells. Also, it helps with summoning spells. But MOST important is the question: Does your Character want to become a Prestige Class. If so, take skills that are neccessary for that class before you take anything else. --------- Spot and Listen are ALWAYS good skills to get, even if they are cross-class skills. -------- Other skills to consider include: Craft skills. Works well with Fabricate and similar spells. UMD. Generally one of the best skills around, even if it is a cross-class skill. Wand of healing would be nice to use.... Sense Motive. Always worth while to know if someone is LYING to you. Balance and Climb can also be a surprisingly worthwhile skills. 5 ranks of Balance can save you from a nasty Flat-footed attack. A couple of ranks in climb can let you get up a tree and away from the monster. Or let you get out of a hole you fell into. I had a wizard once that at low levels did not take Levitation. Twice he was trapped untill rescued. Very embarrassing. ---------------------------------- Bluff/Diplomacy can also be a bit helpfull, but as a beguiler you have spells to do that kind of thing for you. Hide/Move Silently are really for Rogues. I doubt you will get much use out of them because you will never be good enough to beat the best opponent's spot/listen checks.
FLAvatar 08-22-07, 11:18 AM	sleight of hand, so you can qualify for the Conceal Spellcasting skill trick. Handy for any caster, easier to get for a Beguiler than most and a fun way to add +1 DC to your spells.
Puca 08-22-07, 11:33 AM	If you are going Ultimate Magus, you probably want only one level of Beguiler. Untrained skills are good to consider: UMD, Tumble, Knowledges, you might not be great at them, but its nice to be allowed to try. The other thing casters should consider is their familiar, if they are going to get one. You might not want to tumble through melee, but your pet might. If you want him to be a scout or spy, you need to get the skills for him to use, Search, Spot, Listen, Hide, Move Silently.
Kaladon7779 08-22-07, 11:36 AM	Wow I'm suprised nobody even mentioned concentrate. Buddy I would say Concentrate is your most important skill. You need to roll that skill if your casting defensively and if you provoke an AoO you need to roll it, if you can't make your concentration check then you just wasted the spell and can't get it back until you rest next. That skill regardless of build, if your Primary Mage then that skill should be maxed.
jaelis 08-22-07, 11:42 AM	Regarding what to take at first level, you probably realize that you'll net a lot (=12) more skill points if you go beguiler (in addition to an extra hp or so). You'll probably be maxing out spellcraft, concentration, and know (arcana), and wizard gets you the knowlegdes anyway. Of the beguiler specific skills, I'd look at spot, listen, UMD, and speak language first. Then balance, escape artist, sense motive, swim, and tumble. But of course it depends a bit on the rest of your party.
justanartist 08-24-07, 11:52 PM	The post by Jaelis kind of clarifies what I meant. I WILL be maxing out Concentration, and all other mage standard skills. Mostly, I was questioning the Beguiler specific skills. UMD is a definite, and I think that I will drop some points into Spot, Listen, and Speak Lang too. I've always been a bit wary of a familiar for a traveling/adventuring caster. I don't have Comp. Scoundrel, so I haven't looked into the skill tricks. But, I'll check with my DM because it sounds cool. My group consists of a rogue, swashbuckler, psionic warrior, cleric, druid, and me. So, many skills are covered. However, I'll have some extra skill points and thought I'd try to support some of the other characters with them. Thanks everyone!
Longarms 08-25-07, 12:23 AM	I would say tumble. Five ranks gives you an extra +2 AC in total defense.
Puca 08-25-07, 01:35 PM	I've always been a bit wary of a familiar for a traveling/adventuring caster.As well you should be. But, I find they are nice when you have a high-skills class. With your multi-classing and Pcr, you wont really be high-skills, but the beguiler gives you a great skill list and youre going to have a good Int, so you can probably pull that concept off. I think youll probably be looking at an Int of 18+, so with Concentration, Spellcraft, Arcana kept maxed, you can still keep skills like Listen, Search, Spot boosted fairly high for a good scout/spy familiar. If you are looking at being a specialist wizard (dropping illusion and enchantment, thats pretty common for beguiler/UMs) you can drop the familiar for a variant special ability like those in UA or PHBII.
imakuni67 08-26-07, 12:31 PM	I would say tumble. Five ranks gives you an extra +2 AC in total defense. Tumble is a great skill, gives a lot of synergies, reduces falling damage and defends agains AoO's too!