Innate Arcane Jack-of-all-Trades Build Attempt - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Innate Arcane Jack-of-all-Trades Build Attempt

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
acheria
Aug 17, 2009 0:49:15 Okay, so I've recently had the chance to rejoin an old gaming group that I used to play with. I'm creating a new character which is unlike any I've played before, and was hoping to get some input or suggestions. I'll try and give as much information and context as I can.

The GM: The current GM is a pretty easygoing guy. He basically has the view that as long as it doesn't blatantly break the rules, ruin the spirit of the game, or ruin the time for other players, its all good. The GM encourages players to be creative. That being said we have a "rules-expert" in the group who often does his best to make the rules are followed to the letter, instead of spirit. This is not a big deal in my eyes.

A second GM: In a couple months the "rules-expert" will be taking over as GM same character. Being creative doesn't work as well with him.

Books: PHB, DMG, PGtF, MoF, "Complete" series, Unearthed Arcana, far corners of the world (Others maybe with good justification)
Book of Exalted Deeds is specifically disallowed because someone had used it in a previous game to make the most hated character ever in the group.

From UA we are using spell points traits and flaws.

The Setting: The game is largely based in Faerun. The current party consists of a Paladin/rogue, A sorcerer, a druid and a figther(maybe barbarian). I'm sorry I can't give you specific class break-downs, but I was just told the general make-up. The Paladin works kind of as the face and tank. The sorcerer is a blaster. The druid is all about melee combat in wild shape, and I don';t know what the last melee persons build is other than melee. Right now the current party has been given a task of helping with defenses and gathering information about some invading giants. They have decided they are lacking in certain skills and wish to look for the aid of another adventurer. (I'm told that the paladin/rogue and the figther have been min/maxing)(Players are level 12-13)

This is where my character will come in (starting at 11th level).

Personality - The character is meant to be a jack of all trades, although he specializes most probably in infiltration and acting as a face. The character is smart and clever, but doesn't take too much seriously. Hates the law as he feels the punishment rarely if ever fits the crime and limits freedom more than it promotes justice. His abilities are supposed to be innate to him. And he is highly curious and travels a lot. Also, he doesn't really want anyone to know who he really is (what class he is persay)

The cahracter should be quite good at keeping himself alive, although he is not much of a damager on the battlefield.

Class:
Option 1:
Bard4/Warlock3/Eldritch Theurge3/Sublime Chord1
Option2:
Bard3/Warlock3/UnseenSeer1/EldritchTheurg3/SublimeChord1

The are the two options I am looking at the most right now. for starting build.
Both would end with full Sublime Chord Progression and Theoretical caster level 23rd (although the DM has said that after all calculations will be set at maximum to HD caster level). Option two would let me take a second level of US later on to get a free divination spell known up to my highest level, and would fit the personality of the character but to have five difference classes seems like a bit much to me. I've also thought about Abjurant Champion as a possible pickup, although I don't have access to some of the nice low level sorc/wiz abjurations (shield, etc.).

The real places I'm having more difficulty is in feat and spell selection. This is the first time I've played a spontaneous caster, so the limits of spells known is a bit frustrating, but is part of the character. (In the past in D&D I have played Druids, monks, wizards, fighters, paladins, and wu jen)

Feats I am looking at (at 11 will have 6, human and 1 flaw):
(1) Melodic Casting - since I am bardish
(1) Spell Thematics - for RP purposes
(1) Jack of all Trades
(3) Extend Spell
(6) Sculpt Spell
Arcane Discipline - For seeming to be a Cleric
Touch of Healing - Depending how much I want to be a healer./have healing spells
Wild Cohort - Help in pretending to be a Druid or Ranger
Subsonics - for hiding that I am a bard
Obtain Familiar - for seeming to be a sor/wiz
Rapid metamagic (later at 12) - If I take some metamagics
Extra Spell or Invocation
Extraordinary Spell aim
Extraordinary Concentration

Spells:
at level 20, with these builds, will know
6/4/4/2 for bard
0/0/0/0/4/4/4/4/3/2 for sublime chord
3/3/2/0 for Warlock

Bard:
0th: prestidigitaion, ghost sound, dancing lights, mage hand, read magic, open/close
1st: magic mouth, grease, ventriloquism, silent image (maybe master's touch instead)
2nd: glitterdust, mirror image, vertigo, soundburst (maybe detect thoughts, cure wounds/0
3rd: Sculpt sound, haste? (not sure what is best for second spell)

Sublime Chord (at Start)
4th: ruin delver's fortune, polymorph, shadow conjuration,
5th: Improvisation

Sublime Chord (Final):
4th: Ruin Delver's Fortune, solid fog, shadow well, freedom of movement
5th: Improvisation, Sirine's Grace (or nightstalker's transformation), Greater Dispel Magic, Teleport
6th: Probe Thoughts, Smoky Confinement, Snowsong, Greater Bestow Curse
7th: Reverse Gravity, Energy Absorption, Volcanic Storm, Limited Wish
8th: Polymorph Any Object, Mindblank, Greater Shadow Evocation (Moment of Prescience if I do 2 US levels)
9th: Shades?, Elminster's Effulgent Epiration?

Warlock (at Start):
Least: See the Unseen, All-seeing Eyes, Baeful Utterance
Lesser: Flee the Scene or Walk Unseen or Voracious Dispelling

Warlock (Final):
Least: See the Unseen, Eldritch Spear, Baeful Utterance
Lesser: Flee the Scene, Walk Unseen, Curse of Despair
Greater:Chilling Tentacles, Painful Slumber of Ages, Vitriolic Blast (2 of 3)

I know my list may look quite weird as I have not played any of these classes before, and its partly chosen for RP purposes, that being overpowered, but you can critique them without taking any RP situations into account. Also I've never been able to cast 7th, 8th, or 9th level spells (and don't know how good/bad they are, because the only campaign I ever had them in the DM kept telling me they failed, because it didn't fit the pingeon-holed plot he had planned.

Thanks for any input people give, and I hope this build does look to ridiculous, and sorry for the length.
#2
dandu
Aug 17, 2009 0:52:14 How can you have a Jack of All Trades without Improvisation?
#3
mister_crowley
Aug 17, 2009 1:40:42
Sublime Chord (at Start)
4th: ruin delver's fortune, polymorph, shadow conjuration,
5th: Improvisation

Looks like somebody failed their spot check
#4
Senevri
Aug 17, 2009 2:15:23 Uh, it's a 1st level bard spell. That being said, I can't see a DM NOT allowing to take it as a 5th level spell, instead.
#5
mining_monk
Aug 17, 2009 3:32:35 If you can get Dungeonscape, the Factotum sounds nigh on exactly what you're saying.

You can fill every role they might need you to fill, and the flavour text matches what you want nicely. You *may* want to vary your abilities so that rather than being from reading through lusty tomes, you instead get your magical imitation natrually.
#6
true_shinken
Aug 17, 2009 10:44:50 Factotum 11/Chameleon 9 ftw
#7
wings_of_peace
Aug 17, 2009 17:53:37 Jack of all who now?
#8
acheria
Aug 17, 2009 22:08:13
Factotum 11/Chameleon 9 ftw

Unfortunately I don't have access to either of those classes. I don't believe...

Uh, it's a 1st level bard spell.

I'm wondering where you found that it is a 1st level spell, because that would be very nice, but according to Complete Adventurer, it is a 5th level bard spell.
#9
dandu
Aug 17, 2009 22:28:24 SpC updated it to a 1st level spell.

Looks like somebody failed their spot check

Crowley can see the spell that I missed, but can he see why kids like Cinnamon Toast Crunch?
#10
mining_monk
Aug 18, 2009 4:25:58
(Others maybe with good justification)

Many apologies, I didn't realise that meant you had NO ability to get other books like that, especially since that those classes fit to a Tee.
#11
acheria
Aug 18, 2009 8:00:30

Many apologies, I didn't realise that meant you had NO ability to get other books like that, especially since that those classes fit to a Tee.

Its not quite no ability, but rather limited. I will look into it, and I do thank you for the suggestion though.
#12
phaedrusxy
Aug 18, 2009 8:20:40 A changeling factotum/chameleon is absolutely perfect for this kind of character, I agree. If you can get your hands on the proper books, I'd go with that.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 acheria Aug 17, 2009 0:49:15	Okay, so I've recently had the chance to rejoin an old gaming group that I used to play with. I'm creating a new character which is unlike any I've played before, and was hoping to get some input or suggestions. I'll try and give as much information and context as I can. The GM: The current GM is a pretty easygoing guy. He basically has the view that as long as it doesn't blatantly break the rules, ruin the spirit of the game, or ruin the time for other players, its all good. The GM encourages players to be creative. That being said we have a "rules-expert" in the group who often does his best to make the rules are followed to the letter, instead of spirit. This is not a big deal in my eyes. A second GM: In a couple months the "rules-expert" will be taking over as GM same character. Being creative doesn't work as well with him. Books: PHB, DMG, PGtF, MoF, "Complete" series, Unearthed Arcana, far corners of the world (Others maybe with good justification) Book of Exalted Deeds is specifically disallowed because someone had used it in a previous game to make the most hated character ever in the group. From UA we are using spell points traits and flaws. The Setting: The game is largely based in Faerun. The current party consists of a Paladin/rogue, A sorcerer, a druid and a figther(maybe barbarian). I'm sorry I can't give you specific class break-downs, but I was just told the general make-up. The Paladin works kind of as the face and tank. The sorcerer is a blaster. The druid is all about melee combat in wild shape, and I don';t know what the last melee persons build is other than melee. Right now the current party has been given a task of helping with defenses and gathering information about some invading giants. They have decided they are lacking in certain skills and wish to look for the aid of another adventurer. (I'm told that the paladin/rogue and the figther have been min/maxing)(Players are level 12-13) This is where my character will come in (starting at 11th level). Personality - The character is meant to be a jack of all trades, although he specializes most probably in infiltration and acting as a face. The character is smart and clever, but doesn't take too much seriously. Hates the law as he feels the punishment rarely if ever fits the crime and limits freedom more than it promotes justice. His abilities are supposed to be innate to him. And he is highly curious and travels a lot. Also, he doesn't really want anyone to know who he really is (what class he is persay) The cahracter should be quite good at keeping himself alive, although he is not much of a damager on the battlefield. Class: Option 1: Bard4/Warlock3/Eldritch Theurge3/Sublime Chord1 Option2: Bard3/Warlock3/UnseenSeer1/EldritchTheurg3/SublimeChord1 The are the two options I am looking at the most right now. for starting build. Both would end with full Sublime Chord Progression and Theoretical caster level 23rd (although the DM has said that after all calculations will be set at maximum to HD caster level). Option two would let me take a second level of US later on to get a free divination spell known up to my highest level, and would fit the personality of the character but to have five difference classes seems like a bit much to me. I've also thought about Abjurant Champion as a possible pickup, although I don't have access to some of the nice low level sorc/wiz abjurations (shield, etc.). The real places I'm having more difficulty is in feat and spell selection. This is the first time I've played a spontaneous caster, so the limits of spells known is a bit frustrating, but is part of the character. (In the past in D&D I have played Druids, monks, wizards, fighters, paladins, and wu jen) Feats I am looking at (at 11 will have 6, human and 1 flaw): (1) Melodic Casting - since I am bardish (1) Spell Thematics - for RP purposes (1) Jack of all Trades (3) Extend Spell (6) Sculpt Spell Arcane Discipline - For seeming to be a Cleric Touch of Healing - Depending how much I want to be a healer./have healing spells Wild Cohort - Help in pretending to be a Druid or Ranger Subsonics - for hiding that I am a bard Obtain Familiar - for seeming to be a sor/wiz Rapid metamagic (later at 12) - If I take some metamagics Extra Spell or Invocation Extraordinary Spell aim Extraordinary Concentration Spells: at level 20, with these builds, will know 6/4/4/2 for bard 0/0/0/0/4/4/4/4/3/2 for sublime chord 3/3/2/0 for Warlock Bard: 0th: prestidigitaion, ghost sound, dancing lights, mage hand, read magic, open/close 1st: magic mouth, grease, ventriloquism, silent image (maybe master's touch instead) 2nd: glitterdust, mirror image, vertigo, soundburst (maybe detect thoughts, cure wounds/0 3rd: Sculpt sound, haste? (not sure what is best for second spell) Sublime Chord (at Start) 4th: ruin delver's fortune, polymorph, shadow conjuration, 5th: Improvisation Sublime Chord (Final): 4th: Ruin Delver's Fortune, solid fog, shadow well, freedom of movement 5th: Improvisation, Sirine's Grace (or nightstalker's transformation), Greater Dispel Magic, Teleport 6th: Probe Thoughts, Smoky Confinement, Snowsong, Greater Bestow Curse 7th: Reverse Gravity, Energy Absorption, Volcanic Storm, Limited Wish 8th: Polymorph Any Object, Mindblank, Greater Shadow Evocation (Moment of Prescience if I do 2 US levels) 9th: Shades?, Elminster's Effulgent Epiration? Warlock (at Start): Least: See the Unseen, All-seeing Eyes, Baeful Utterance Lesser: Flee the Scene or Walk Unseen or Voracious Dispelling Warlock (Final): Least: See the Unseen, Eldritch Spear, Baeful Utterance Lesser: Flee the Scene, Walk Unseen, Curse of Despair Greater:Chilling Tentacles, Painful Slumber of Ages, Vitriolic Blast (2 of 3) I know my list may look quite weird as I have not played any of these classes before, and its partly chosen for RP purposes, that being overpowered, but you can critique them without taking any RP situations into account. Also I've never been able to cast 7th, 8th, or 9th level spells (and don't know how good/bad they are, because the only campaign I ever had them in the DM kept telling me they failed, because it didn't fit the pingeon-holed plot he had planned. Thanks for any input people give, and I hope this build does look to ridiculous, and sorry for the length.
#2 dandu Aug 17, 2009 0:52:14	How can you have a Jack of All Trades without Improvisation?
#3 mister_crowley Aug 17, 2009 1:40:42	Sublime Chord (at Start) 4th: ruin delver's fortune, polymorph, shadow conjuration, 5th: Improvisation Looks like somebody failed their spot check
#4 Senevri Aug 17, 2009 2:15:23	Uh, it's a 1st level bard spell. That being said, I can't see a DM NOT allowing to take it as a 5th level spell, instead.
#5 mining_monk Aug 17, 2009 3:32:35	If you can get Dungeonscape, the Factotum sounds nigh on exactly what you're saying. You can fill every role they might need you to fill, and the flavour text matches what you want nicely. You may want to vary your abilities so that rather than being from reading through lusty tomes, you instead get your magical imitation natrually.
#6 true_shinken Aug 17, 2009 10:44:50	Factotum 11/Chameleon 9 ftw
#7 wings_of_peace Aug 17, 2009 17:53:37	Jack of all who now?
#8 acheria Aug 17, 2009 22:08:13	Factotum 11/Chameleon 9 ftw Unfortunately I don't have access to either of those classes. I don't believe... Uh, it's a 1st level bard spell. I'm wondering where you found that it is a 1st level spell, because that would be very nice, but according to Complete Adventurer, it is a 5th level bard spell.
#9 dandu Aug 17, 2009 22:28:24	SpC updated it to a 1st level spell. Looks like somebody failed their spot check Crowley can see the spell that I missed, but can he see why kids like Cinnamon Toast Crunch?
#10 mining_monk Aug 18, 2009 4:25:58	(Others maybe with good justification) Many apologies, I didn't realise that meant you had NO ability to get other books like that, especially since that those classes fit to a Tee.
#11 acheria Aug 18, 2009 8:00:30	Many apologies, I didn't realise that meant you had NO ability to get other books like that, especially since that those classes fit to a Tee. Its not quite no ability, but rather limited. I will look into it, and I do thank you for the suggestion though.
#12 phaedrusxy Aug 18, 2009 8:20:40	A changeling factotum/chameleon is absolutely perfect for this kind of character, I agree. If you can get your hands on the proper books, I'd go with that.