Char Creation - Scout with some magic [Archive] - Wizards Community

Char Creation - Scout with some magic [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MikeT
10-08-06, 10:08 AM Greetings! :)
I've just subscribed to this message board, and I need a suggestion for my new character. I hope this is the right section to submit my question... :embarrass

I'm going to start playing once again with my group in November, v3.5 and sarting from 6° level. So far, there will be:
-a Human Psion;
-a Human Cleric;
-a tank of some sort, maybe Barbarian, race still undefined;
-another tank, possibly a Dragon Shaman (PHBII).
And then me.
I had an idea for a Scout who could make use of some magic, but I'm not a spellcasting expert. When I saw the Tome of Magic, I fell in love for the Shadow Magic, and started thinking of a Human Scout/Shadowcaster, some kind of "lone wolf" who uses shadow magic to improve his camouflaging, hunting and survival skills.
Do you think it's a good multiclass idea, or I am just crazy? I'd like to hear your suggestions. :)
Thank you very much!
Tarvok
10-08-06, 04:13 PM Though I know nothing about Tome of Magic (my only 3.5 book is the PHB), it sounds decent enough to me. In your place, having only a PHB on hand, I'd go with a Ranger/Sorcer or Ranger/Illusionist, or maybe with an Illusionist/Rogue.

They all sound good, and the Ranger/Caster option opens up not only the potential for mage/thief type prestige classes, but also ones which combine divine with arcane casting, if you decide to go that way.
MikeT
10-09-06, 12:53 PM Though I know nothing about Tome of Magic (my only 3.5 book is the PHB), it sounds decent enough to me. In your place, having only a PHB on hand, I'd go with a Ranger/Sorcer or Ranger/Illusionist, or maybe with an Illusionist/Rogue.
I don't find Rangers too fit for the concept behind my character; I'd like him to be more focused on the stealthy part, when the Ranger is more focused on pure combat, in my opinion. That's why I chose the Scout: it's a nice mix of wild- and stealth-based skills and features that I find very useful. :)
For the spellcasting options, I don't like Illusionists too much, but I have to admit that an Illusionist could be a fitting option. Though, if I were to choose between PHB classes only, I'd choose a Sorcerer, more than a Wizard.

They all sound good, and the Ranger/Caster option opens up not only the potential for mage/thief type prestige classes, but also ones which combine divine with arcane casting, if you decide to go that way.
Uhm... more than divine+arcane casting, I'd prefer a simple Shadowdancer, I find it more attuned to my character concept.

Thank you for your suggestions!

-MikeT
Board_Rider
10-09-06, 01:02 PM I offer a Whisper Gnome (Races of Stone) Swordsage/Shadowcaster. The swordsage has access to the shadow stances. Any race works though.

A Scout/Shadowcaster is a nice option if you get good ability scores though. You may want to look at Warlock too. Sounds off, but the ability to turn invisible, see invisible creatures and even see in magical darkness are always good for the party point man.
MikeT
10-09-06, 02:04 PM I offer a Whisper Gnome (Races of Stone) Swordsage/Shadowcaster. The swordsage has access to the shadow stances. Any race works though.
Would you kill me if I say that I don't like gnomes? :D
But the Swordsage could be an interesting option, thank you, I'll give a look to it later. :)

A Scout/Shadowcaster is a nice option if you get good ability scores though.
High Charisma, high Intelligence and high Dexterity would be needed... a particularly heavy requirement for such a character, yes. :(

You may want to look at Warlock too. Sounds off, but the ability to turn invisible, see invisible creatures and even see in magical darkness are always good for the party point man.
Warlock... yes, I played a Warlock, once. A pretty concept, yes. Do you mean a full Warlock, or a multiclass like Scout/Warlock or Warlock/Shadowcaster?

-MikeT
Board_Rider
10-09-06, 02:26 PM Scout/Warlock.
MikeT
10-09-06, 02:53 PM Scout/Warlock.
I'm going to check it very soon.
I've went through the Swordsage, as you suggested, and... hey, a Swordsage/Shadowcaster is the end of it all! :eek: Very intriguing strikes and stances, mostly into the Shadow Hand "school," will fit my character. The only downside is: it doesn't have trapfinding, while the Scout has it. I've got to think of it, because it's a very cool idea.
Thank you!

-MikeT
moriarty13
10-09-06, 02:55 PM The problem with any scout/spellcaster is that your BAB will be in the toilet most likely. You could avoid it to some extent with a scout/warlock, and go in sets of 4 to avoid any extra BAB skips, but no matter what it's going to hurt.

Also, hit points will really suffer.

Neither of which is necessarily a huge deal as long as you plan ahead and just cast spells/make touch attacks all the time.

Has anyone mentioned Duskblade? A good full BAB class with some spells.
Board_Rider
10-09-06, 03:09 PM Has anyone mentioned Duskblade? A good full BAB class with some spells.
A good idea too...especially with Expeditous Retreat. I also agree with your insights too.

When I ran a Scout/Warlock I upped my Hide and Move Silently as high as possible as well as the UMD skill.

I freely admit that the character was a shell of a fighter. However I excelled with feats such as Spring Attack. I think the crutch of the build is how a DM views the Darkness spell. My PC was a Tiefling Scout/Warlock who would drop darkness and with the ability to see in it just move within it using his hide/move silenty skill to get that skirmish damage.

Some DMs may not alow that. It is kinda munchkiny.
MikeT
10-09-06, 04:59 PM The problem with any scout/spellcaster is that your BAB will be in the toilet most likely. You could avoid it to some extent with a scout/warlock, and go in sets of 4 to avoid any extra BAB skips, but no matter what it's going to hurt.
Honestly, I won't care too much for my BAB, with this character. We will already have two (or three, if you consider the Cleric) other fighting characters, and I'm not too fond of adding another fighter to the group.

Also, hit points will really suffer.
Uhm, yes, I agree that this would be a significant downside, but I've usually played characters with low HPs, so I'm kind of used to it. :D

Neither of which is necessarily a huge deal as long as you plan ahead and just cast spells/make touch attacks all the time.
Or try to hide and cover. ;)

Has anyone mentioned Duskblade? A good full BAB class with some spells.
A nice class, but too combat-oriented for me. I know, I liked the Swordsage and not the Duskblade, it might sound strange, since the Swordsage comes from the "Tome of Battle" (what could sound more combat-oriented than a manual with such a name? :D ); but some stances and strikes I've found will be more useful to me than the Duskblade spells.
Thank you, anyway!

When I ran a Scout/Warlock I upped my Hide and Move Silently as high as possible as well as the UMD skill.
If I'll choose a Warlock, I'm surely going to do the same.

I freely admit that the character was a shell of a fighter. However I excelled with feats such as Spring Attack. I think the crutch of the build is how a DM views the Darkness spell. My PC was a Tiefling Scout/Warlock who would drop darkness and with the ability to see in it just move within it using his hide/move silenty skill to get that skirmish damage.

Some DMs may not alow that. It is kinda munchkiny.
Indeed, a very nasty trick. ;)

-MikeT
MikeT
10-10-06, 04:25 PM Beguilers might have interesting points for my character. They can cast spells - some of which very fitting to the concept I like - and have trapfinding, which I need.
What would you choose:
-Beguiler/Scout;
-Beguiler/Shadowcaster;
-Beguiler/Warlock;
-Beguiler/Swordsage;
-Beguiler/Swordsage/Shadowcaster/Warlock/Scout (five classes, six levels, one of the most useless character ever :D )? Okay, don't consider this one, it was a joke.
Thank you in advance!

-MikeT
Board_Rider
10-10-06, 07:44 PM I think that the Beguiler/Scout could be interesting as a lone wolf type character who takes down guards so that others may follow.

The Warlock/Beguiler would be interesting as a dark, manipulator type.
MikeT
10-11-06, 11:51 AM I've found it: Beguiler/Swordsage. A "special forces" unit soldier that has been compelled to leave his unity for not having respected the authority of his leader during their last mission. He still retains his former training and inner powers.
Does it sound too strange?

-MikeT
Board_Rider
10-11-06, 03:15 PM Not too bad. But If I were going with that storyline I would go with the Scout/Swordsage or Scout/Warblade looking towards Dread Commando (Heroes of Battle)
X-Codes
10-11-06, 07:01 PM Complete Mage has a PrC coming out called the Unseen Seer. It's a full casting class that also advances one of either Skirmish, SA, or SS damage, depending on what you have. So...

Scout 1/Wizard 5/Unseen Seer 10

Will end up with 5d6 Skirmish damage, greatly enhancing the effectiveness of touch and ranged touch spells.

Basically, it's exactly what you asked for.
MikeT
10-12-06, 03:02 AM Not too bad. But If I were going with that storyline I would go with the Scout/Swordsage or Scout/Warblade looking towards Dread Commando (Heroes of Battle)
I don't own "Heroes of Battle," but I've found that one of the set of manoeuvers (sp?) set (the Shadow Hand) lets me do almost the same things a Scout could do...

Complete Mage has a PrC coming out called the Unseen Seer. It's a full casting class that also advances one of either Skirmish, SA, or SS damage, depending on what you have. So...
I'm not going to buy the "Complete Mage" (I don't find it interesting, and I've ran out of money for manuals :D ), but thank you for your suggestion.

-MikeT
X-Codes
10-12-06, 07:31 AM I'm not going to buy the "Complete Mage" (I don't find it interesting, and I've ran out of money for manuals :D ), but thank you for your suggestion.
Whats a couple days without food? Oh well, your loss. :rolleyes:
Board_Rider
10-12-06, 10:50 AM I don't own "Heroes of Battle," but I've found that one of the set of manoeuvers (sp?) set (the Shadow Hand) lets me do almost the same things a Scout could do...
Well, just take a looksee, but whatever you choose will most likely work.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20050407b&page=6
MikeT
10-13-06, 02:48 PM Well, just take a looksee, but whatever you choose will most likely work.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20050407b&page=6
Thank you. :)

-MikeT

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MikeT 10-08-06, 10:08 AM	Greetings! :) I've just subscribed to this message board, and I need a suggestion for my new character. I hope this is the right section to submit my question... :embarrass I'm going to start playing once again with my group in November, v3.5 and sarting from 6° level. So far, there will be: -a Human Psion; -a Human Cleric; -a tank of some sort, maybe Barbarian, race still undefined; -another tank, possibly a Dragon Shaman (PHBII). And then me. I had an idea for a Scout who could make use of some magic, but I'm not a spellcasting expert. When I saw the Tome of Magic, I fell in love for the Shadow Magic, and started thinking of a Human Scout/Shadowcaster, some kind of "lone wolf" who uses shadow magic to improve his camouflaging, hunting and survival skills. Do you think it's a good multiclass idea, or I am just crazy? I'd like to hear your suggestions. :) Thank you very much!
Tarvok 10-08-06, 04:13 PM	Though I know nothing about Tome of Magic (my only 3.5 book is the PHB), it sounds decent enough to me. In your place, having only a PHB on hand, I'd go with a Ranger/Sorcer or Ranger/Illusionist, or maybe with an Illusionist/Rogue. They all sound good, and the Ranger/Caster option opens up not only the potential for mage/thief type prestige classes, but also ones which combine divine with arcane casting, if you decide to go that way.
MikeT 10-09-06, 12:53 PM	Though I know nothing about Tome of Magic (my only 3.5 book is the PHB), it sounds decent enough to me. In your place, having only a PHB on hand, I'd go with a Ranger/Sorcer or Ranger/Illusionist, or maybe with an Illusionist/Rogue. I don't find Rangers too fit for the concept behind my character; I'd like him to be more focused on the stealthy part, when the Ranger is more focused on pure combat, in my opinion. That's why I chose the Scout: it's a nice mix of wild- and stealth-based skills and features that I find very useful. :) For the spellcasting options, I don't like Illusionists too much, but I have to admit that an Illusionist could be a fitting option. Though, if I were to choose between PHB classes only, I'd choose a Sorcerer, more than a Wizard. They all sound good, and the Ranger/Caster option opens up not only the potential for mage/thief type prestige classes, but also ones which combine divine with arcane casting, if you decide to go that way. Uhm... more than divine+arcane casting, I'd prefer a simple Shadowdancer, I find it more attuned to my character concept. Thank you for your suggestions! -MikeT
Board_Rider 10-09-06, 01:02 PM	I offer a Whisper Gnome (Races of Stone) Swordsage/Shadowcaster. The swordsage has access to the shadow stances. Any race works though. A Scout/Shadowcaster is a nice option if you get good ability scores though. You may want to look at Warlock too. Sounds off, but the ability to turn invisible, see invisible creatures and even see in magical darkness are always good for the party point man.
MikeT 10-09-06, 02:04 PM	I offer a Whisper Gnome (Races of Stone) Swordsage/Shadowcaster. The swordsage has access to the shadow stances. Any race works though. Would you kill me if I say that I don't like gnomes? :D But the Swordsage could be an interesting option, thank you, I'll give a look to it later. :) A Scout/Shadowcaster is a nice option if you get good ability scores though. High Charisma, high Intelligence and high Dexterity would be needed... a particularly heavy requirement for such a character, yes. :( You may want to look at Warlock too. Sounds off, but the ability to turn invisible, see invisible creatures and even see in magical darkness are always good for the party point man. Warlock... yes, I played a Warlock, once. A pretty concept, yes. Do you mean a full Warlock, or a multiclass like Scout/Warlock or Warlock/Shadowcaster? -MikeT
Board_Rider 10-09-06, 02:26 PM	Scout/Warlock.
MikeT 10-09-06, 02:53 PM	Scout/Warlock. I'm going to check it very soon. I've went through the Swordsage, as you suggested, and... hey, a Swordsage/Shadowcaster is the end of it all! :eek: Very intriguing strikes and stances, mostly into the Shadow Hand "school," will fit my character. The only downside is: it doesn't have trapfinding, while the Scout has it. I've got to think of it, because it's a very cool idea. Thank you! -MikeT
moriarty13 10-09-06, 02:55 PM	The problem with any scout/spellcaster is that your BAB will be in the toilet most likely. You could avoid it to some extent with a scout/warlock, and go in sets of 4 to avoid any extra BAB skips, but no matter what it's going to hurt. Also, hit points will really suffer. Neither of which is necessarily a huge deal as long as you plan ahead and just cast spells/make touch attacks all the time. Has anyone mentioned Duskblade? A good full BAB class with some spells.
Board_Rider 10-09-06, 03:09 PM	Has anyone mentioned Duskblade? A good full BAB class with some spells. A good idea too...especially with Expeditous Retreat. I also agree with your insights too. When I ran a Scout/Warlock I upped my Hide and Move Silently as high as possible as well as the UMD skill. I freely admit that the character was a shell of a fighter. However I excelled with feats such as Spring Attack. I think the crutch of the build is how a DM views the Darkness spell. My PC was a Tiefling Scout/Warlock who would drop darkness and with the ability to see in it just move within it using his hide/move silenty skill to get that skirmish damage. Some DMs may not alow that. It is kinda munchkiny.
MikeT 10-09-06, 04:59 PM	The problem with any scout/spellcaster is that your BAB will be in the toilet most likely. You could avoid it to some extent with a scout/warlock, and go in sets of 4 to avoid any extra BAB skips, but no matter what it's going to hurt. Honestly, I won't care too much for my BAB, with this character. We will already have two (or three, if you consider the Cleric) other fighting characters, and I'm not too fond of adding another fighter to the group. Also, hit points will really suffer. Uhm, yes, I agree that this would be a significant downside, but I've usually played characters with low HPs, so I'm kind of used to it. :D Neither of which is necessarily a huge deal as long as you plan ahead and just cast spells/make touch attacks all the time. Or try to hide and cover. ;) Has anyone mentioned Duskblade? A good full BAB class with some spells. A nice class, but too combat-oriented for me. I know, I liked the Swordsage and not the Duskblade, it might sound strange, since the Swordsage comes from the "Tome of Battle" (what could sound more combat-oriented than a manual with such a name? :D ); but some stances and strikes I've found will be more useful to me than the Duskblade spells. Thank you, anyway! When I ran a Scout/Warlock I upped my Hide and Move Silently as high as possible as well as the UMD skill. If I'll choose a Warlock, I'm surely going to do the same. I freely admit that the character was a shell of a fighter. However I excelled with feats such as Spring Attack. I think the crutch of the build is how a DM views the Darkness spell. My PC was a Tiefling Scout/Warlock who would drop darkness and with the ability to see in it just move within it using his hide/move silenty skill to get that skirmish damage. Some DMs may not alow that. It is kinda munchkiny. Indeed, a very nasty trick. ;) -MikeT
MikeT 10-10-06, 04:25 PM	Beguilers might have interesting points for my character. They can cast spells - some of which very fitting to the concept I like - and have trapfinding, which I need. What would you choose: -Beguiler/Scout; -Beguiler/Shadowcaster; -Beguiler/Warlock; -Beguiler/Swordsage; -Beguiler/Swordsage/Shadowcaster/Warlock/Scout (five classes, six levels, one of the most useless character ever :D )? Okay, don't consider this one, it was a joke. Thank you in advance! -MikeT
Board_Rider 10-10-06, 07:44 PM	I think that the Beguiler/Scout could be interesting as a lone wolf type character who takes down guards so that others may follow. The Warlock/Beguiler would be interesting as a dark, manipulator type.
MikeT 10-11-06, 11:51 AM	I've found it: Beguiler/Swordsage. A "special forces" unit soldier that has been compelled to leave his unity for not having respected the authority of his leader during their last mission. He still retains his former training and inner powers. Does it sound too strange? -MikeT
Board_Rider 10-11-06, 03:15 PM	Not too bad. But If I were going with that storyline I would go with the Scout/Swordsage or Scout/Warblade looking towards Dread Commando (Heroes of Battle)
X-Codes 10-11-06, 07:01 PM	Complete Mage has a PrC coming out called the Unseen Seer. It's a full casting class that also advances one of either Skirmish, SA, or SS damage, depending on what you have. So... Scout 1/Wizard 5/Unseen Seer 10 Will end up with 5d6 Skirmish damage, greatly enhancing the effectiveness of touch and ranged touch spells. Basically, it's exactly what you asked for.
MikeT 10-12-06, 03:02 AM	Not too bad. But If I were going with that storyline I would go with the Scout/Swordsage or Scout/Warblade looking towards Dread Commando (Heroes of Battle) I don't own "Heroes of Battle," but I've found that one of the set of manoeuvers (sp?) set (the Shadow Hand) lets me do almost the same things a Scout could do... Complete Mage has a PrC coming out called the Unseen Seer. It's a full casting class that also advances one of either Skirmish, SA, or SS damage, depending on what you have. So... I'm not going to buy the "Complete Mage" (I don't find it interesting, and I've ran out of money for manuals :D ), but thank you for your suggestion. -MikeT
X-Codes 10-12-06, 07:31 AM	I'm not going to buy the "Complete Mage" (I don't find it interesting, and I've ran out of money for manuals :D ), but thank you for your suggestion. Whats a couple days without food? Oh well, your loss. :rolleyes:
Board_Rider 10-12-06, 10:50 AM	I don't own "Heroes of Battle," but I've found that one of the set of manoeuvers (sp?) set (the Shadow Hand) lets me do almost the same things a Scout could do... Well, just take a looksee, but whatever you choose will most likely work. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20050407b&page=6
MikeT 10-13-06, 02:48 PM	Well, just take a looksee, but whatever you choose will most likely work. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20050407b&page=6 Thank you. :) -MikeT