Post/Author/DateTime	Post
pbradley179 07-20-07, 10:39 PM	Hey all, A friend of mine is going to be running a gestalt campaign sometime in the near future, and I've been toying around with character concepts. My past couple of characters have been more beatsticks than the intelligentsia, but I also played pretty much nothing but bards when I first started, so I wanted to try something new. I'm thinking a rogue/wizard (enchanter), with a focus on my social skills (particularly Diplomacy) and spy-master skills (Open Lock, Forgery, that sort of thing). We're probably going to start around level 6-7. So here are my questions: 1) What are good races to boost my Intelligence and/or Charisma, that are worth what I get with them? 2) What sort of prestige classes should I be looking at? Spymaster's special abilities do nothing for me, frankly, but is there something that will help me talk people into and out of whatever I feel like? 3) Feat selection. I'm woefully out of touch with what's available to mages and rogues (and mage/rogues). 4) Better ideas. Would I be better off going bard/X? I'm not looking for optimum damage output, here; I rather expect her to be of the greatest use in town. On the other hand, I don't want her to die, either. I await your wisdom!
IdleAltruism 07-20-07, 10:55 PM	Beguiler/rogue is an interesting combo although it lacks many utility spells you might want. Beguiler/Wizard on the other hand is one hell of a combo for shear sneaky spell power(not much in the backstabbing department). Rogue/Assassin/wizard is a great combo Boost INT, have a good death attack with useful spells(things like backstabbing undead and constructs from the spell compendium). The possibilities with gestalt are astounding.
Need_A_Life 07-21-07, 01:22 PM	Psion5/Mind-Bender1/[x]14 | Wizard3/Master Specialist2/Wizard1/Master Specialist8/[x] 6 Both [x]'s simply mean: "whatever you want; full-spellcasting/manifesting preferred." :D
pbradley179 07-21-07, 04:51 PM	I'm betting psions are going to be disallowed; the DM isn't a fan of them. But I'll ask. If so, what do you suggest in its place?
Thanqol 07-21-07, 09:41 PM	I've always had a taste for Beguiler/Warmage.
Lawlicron 07-22-07, 01:03 AM	Since the class you gestalt is a single combination I don't suggest picking up a PrC. Go Straight Wizard/Rogue. If you really need a bump to int go with Grey Elf, I hate them because they are elves but love them for that int bonus.
Need_A_Life 07-23-07, 04:55 AM	Half-elf (+2 to diplomacy; useful only for these things) Sword Sage/Marshal20 I'm betting that neither Miniatures Handbook is allowed (my old DM, with the motto "anything goes" was surprised when I told him it had classes) nor Tome of Battle (triggers the "OMFG BR0KEN!!!11one"-reaction in many, though if you break down your capabilities to the DM, he'll see you're not actually that powerful). Though, in any case you'll end up with 3/4 BAB, Level 9 Maneuvers from the most useful schools (pick Shadow Hand for stealth, and Diamond Mind for pure style). Alternatively, go Warblade20 for White Raven maneuvers, which are based off the same concept as a Marshal, but has full BAB. --- Alternatively a Half-elf Ranger/Rogue (sneak attack, favoured enemy as diplomacy, bluff and sense motive as class skills) will allow you to gain your favoured enemy bonus on bluff and sense motive against your favoured enemy I suggest "Favoured Enemy: Human" followed up by "Favoured Enemy: Elf" if your DM is like my old was. Play it as a vengeance-driven Emo for extra credit. --- go with Grey Elf, I hate them because they are elves but love them for that int bonus. Seconded. In fact, I have only played ONE elf character, whereas I've played a lot who had that whole genocide thing versus the elves going on. Probably had a lot to do with the fact that they were always being portrayed like Tolkiens elves. [Immortal, kind, benevolent, pointy ears, and arrogance like you wouldn't believe]. They wouldn't harm elf party members (and there were many), but if the elven nation had problems they'd tell them to go clean up their mess while they enjoyed themself.
green_yawgmoth 07-23-07, 12:40 PM	Warlock/rogue. Wicked skill points, an incredibly powerful eldritch blast, and you can take an invoc that grants you +6 to bluff, diplomacy, and intimidate for 24 hours. I played one of these awhile back, and it was so fun. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v91/yawgmoth/kittyjig.gif
pbradley179 07-23-07, 01:43 PM	The Marshal is actually up on Wizards, so I can show it to the DM from there. Looking over it, it actually might work very well. I'm not sure how I'd incorporate it flavor-wise, but I bet I could come up with something fairly easily. The Swordsage also sounds interesting; I'll definitely look into it. My gaming group is at least less with the Tolkien fans, so I don't have negative elf experiences... nor many LOTR ones (except that one game where we were all elves save me [as a half-elf] with the NPC "Negolith" (ahem) who we finally just called Legolas until the DM gave up trying to pretend otherwise... But in no other way was it like LOTR, so it was all good. ;)) And the ranger/rogue character would have to be evil if I took humans and elves, no? Wouldn't work out, for me.
archerpwr 07-23-07, 03:46 PM	Why has no one suggested Wizard// factorum yet??? High skill points, all skills class skills, int to a bunch of stuff, extra standard actions... You could go: Wizard 5/ Mindbender 1/ fatespinner 1/ Abjurant Champion 5/ Fatespinner +3/ Unseen Seer 2/ Full casting PrC 3// factorum 20 Factorum is in dungeonscape.
bane_of_cuthbert 07-31-07, 02:51 PM	I'm quite fond of beguiler/rogues (yes I realize the how generic it is) as you get a treasure trove of sneaky spells including many from the enchantment school (as a spontaneous caster, you can afford to be a little more liberal with the use of charm spells). The only real downside to this combo is a nigh complete lack of ranged attack spells with which to sneak attack people from a distance.