Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 anonymoose May 29, 2008 22:12:34	I thought of an interesting character concept but I'm not sure how to go about building it, as I'm not especially familiar with arcane casters. Anyway, my idea was for a conjurer/transmutationist // rogue-ninja-assassin-type. The basic tactic in combat would be to summon a creature, transform into the same type of creature, drop some type of spell that allows for the caster and creature to move about confusing the enemy as to which is the real caster (darkness?), so that the summoned creature attacks the enemy from the front and acts as a flanker while the caster pulls off a sneak attack from behind. Not sure if this idea will work as it requires focusing on several areas. I realize that it might not be the most-optimized character and is perhaps a little overly-complicated, but I like the concept. To get things started I was thinking maybe: Swashbuckler 3/ Rogue X // Wizard 5/ Master Transmogrifist 10/ Warshaper 4 / ? 1 Stats would probably be an array of 18, 18, 16, 16, 14, 14. (works pretty well for gestalt) One problem I foresee is that the Master Transmogrifist loses 4 caster lvls (practiced spellcaster?). I was thinking of Changeling to qualify for warshaper but it's not essential, mostly for flavor reasons (although it's kind of cheesy). This is a bit of a departure from my usual type of character so I'm fairly sure I've overlooked some things. I have access to most books. Any ideas would be appreciated.
#2 kurashu May 29, 2008 22:29:07	Do Rouge 3/Swashbuckler 17 instead of the other way around for more BAB (19). As for your transmuter/conjurer *scratches head* dunno on that one.
#3 phoenix00 May 29, 2008 23:33:02	from what you describe I think this better does what you want. Scout 4/Ranger 14/Sorcerer 2// Sorcerer 5/Unseen Seer 10/Dragon Devotee 5 Full Sorcerer Casting 5d6 (Ranger Scout Levels through Swift Hunter)+2d6 (Improved Skirmish) +4d6 (Unseen Seer) +2d6 (Dragon Devotee) =13d6 Skirmish Damage per attack BAB of 17+ 6+Skills at all levels I think you get the idea.
#4 kurashu May 30, 2008 0:13:20	Except Unseen Seer's skirmish advancement and the swift ambusher's advancement are the same thing and therefore he only recieves one. Sneak attack is easier to activate that skirmish in terms of full-attacks. Plus, swashbuckler gets to add Int to attacks, insanely useful for wizards. I'd even say go: Rogue 4/Swordsage 3/Swashbuckler 13 and pick up assassin's stance and shadow blade along with some other fun stuffs. As for the wizard side: read the conjuration and transmutation handbooks (is there a transmuter handbook?). In any case wizard 20 is a completely solid build. Maybe pick up JPM for some extra BAB.
#5 phoenix00 May 30, 2008 0:47:45	Except Unseen Seer's skirmish advancement and the swift ambusher's advancement are the same thing and therefore he only recieves one. Sneak attack is easier to activate that skirmish in terms of full-attacks. nope swift hunter is an advancement. Dragon Devotee and Unseen Seer add bonus damage to an already existing damage source.
#6 kurashu May 30, 2008 1:04:06	Touche.
#7 tdsaw111 May 30, 2008 12:24:04	Sice you say that you want to summon an animal, then turn into said animal and wreak havok, try Druid instead of Wizard. Wild Shape is insane, no really. Wild Shape into something with a large number of attacks, go nuts. You would have good summoning ability, Wild Shaping, and full casting. Importantly, you can also memorize utility spells, only to drop them for the SNA spells as needed. And you have an animal companion to help you further wreak havok. Pretty sure I misspelled Havok 3x now... oh well. Oh and as for the Rogueish side, go for a Daring Outlaw build. Better HPs, HD, BAB, and full SA. Also, sub out Trap Sense for Death's Ruin, to be able to SA Undead. I am pretty sure there is also a ACF for Contructs but don't have the time to dig. Hope this was at least a little helpful.
#8 operation_shoestring May 30, 2008 17:01:39	Factotum20//Wizard5/Divine Oracle10/Unseen Seer5 Advanced Learning: Hunter's Eye Advanced Learning: Guidance of the Avatar/Gravestrike/Find the Gap/Healer's Vision ACF: Spontaneous Divination at Wiz 5 ACF: Spell Sense (if allowed) instead of Trap Sense ACF: Improved Init. instead of Scribe scroll at Wiz 1 Feats: 1) Lucky Start/Martial Study: Shadow Blade Technique 3) Skill Focus (Knowledge: Religion) 6) Extend Spell 9) Persist spell 12) Survivor's Luck/Martial Stance: Assassin's stance 15) Unbelivable Luck/Shadow Trickster 18) Invisible Spell Flaws?) Reach Spell? Knowledge devotion? The feats can be taken for Luck Rerolls or Sneak Attack boosters. You get Evasion, uncanny dodge, Spell/trap sense, up to at least 9d6 Sneak Attack (potentially 12d6 or more). You lose a CL, but big deal.
#9 anonymoose May 30, 2008 17:08:43	Sice you say that you want to summon an animal, then turn into said animal and wreak havok, try Druid instead of Wizard. Wild Shape is insane, no really. Wild Shape into something with a large number of attacks, go nuts. You would have good summoning ability, Wild Shaping, and full casting. Importantly, you can also memorize utility spells, only to drop them for the SNA spells as needed. And you have an animal companion to help you further wreak havok. Pretty sure I misspelled Havok 3x now... oh well. Oh and as for the Rogueish side, go for a Daring Outlaw build. Better HPs, HD, BAB, and full SA. Also, sub out Trap Sense for Death's Ruin, to be able to SA Undead. I am pretty sure there is also a ACF for Contructs but don't have the time to dig. Hope this was at least a little helpful. Thanks! I might have to go with druid as trying to focus on two specializations as an arcane caster would require me to be mediocre at best in those two schools. I suppose if I go with druid I'll probably drop changeling as a race and go with something else. There is much to ponder...
#10 operation_shoestring May 30, 2008 17:29:45	I've been working on a druid Peltast myself. (Strongheart) Hafling Druid11/Prestige Ranger2/Sacred Excorcist1/Divine Oracle2/Druid+4 ACFs: all Halfling druid sub levels from Races of the Wild Feats: Bonus or Flaw) Track 1) Point blank shot 3) Rapid shot 6) Extend Spell 9) Endurance 12) Improved Weapon Familiarity 15) Persist Spell 18) Greater Manyshot Flaws?) Woodland Sniper? Yondalla Sense? Assuming a DM ruling that Warslings can do what bows do, Persisted Arrowmind + Persisted Hunter's Eye + G-Manyshot + various other spells that boost range attack rolls = Very threatening ranged attacker. Tiny/Diminuitive Wildshape makes for a very good scout, more so when you throw in Camoflauge. Harassing hit and run attacks are very possible.
#11 tdsaw111 May 30, 2008 18:49:41	If you go fo the Druid, you have a few options, Master of Many forms can give you some useful stuff, I believe at level 1 you get the ability to speak in any form, Warshaper gives immunity to crits, and damage die increase, however, you lose out on spell casting. Improved Natural Attack and Natural Spell are both very useful if you have the extra space for feats, but you probably wont. Go Human, the bonus feat is useful for a feat starved build. something like this for feats H: Spell Focus Conjuration 1st Augment Summoning 3rd I cant remember requirement on Natural Spell, if you can take it here go for it. 6th Extra Wild Shape is good. But I would go with Daring Outlaw if you are going Rogue/Swash. Best of Luck.