I'm trying to make a build based off a phrase that popped into my mind one day: "The Burdenoff Proof". But, I'm worried about its viability in combat.
The proof itself is a complex scheme of circular logic that draws its inspiration from Pascal's wager. Essentially, it plays off the idea that the gods demand that you have faith, so therefore you should live by the principle of faith or the gods will judge you unkindly. Therefore, if someone makes a statement that seems unlikely, you should have faith in them and assume they are telling the truth unless you have direct proof to the contrary. Thus, it shifts the burden of proof - instead of the person making a claim being forced to either prove it or discard it, the person hearing the claim is forced to either disprove it or accept it.
So, I was ecstatic when I found the Charlatan archetype - it fits perfectly that after he succeeds on the initial bluff check (convincing someone of the virtues of the Burdenoff Proof) they take a -2 to all his other bluffs. The Grand Hoax ability seems like a lot of fun, and the fluff of being a Charlatan is perfect.
It also seems worthwhile to dip into Rakshasa bloodline sorcerer, to get A) the +5 to bluff checks, B) Shocking Grasp (should help land sneak attacks if I'm targeting touch AC with a possible +3 to hit) and Vanish (more sneak attacks!), and C) access to scrolls and wands.
Will the Scout archetype, Vanish, and Shocking Grasp allow me enough sneak attacks that I'll be useful? Should I go the Weapon Finesse/TWF route, eventually taking Combat Expertise and Two Weapon Feint?
Human (Focused Study, Silver-Tongued)
strength 10, dexterity 18, constitution 12, intelligence 13, wisdom 10, charisma 14
traits: Power of Suggestion (more sneak attacks!) and Magical Knack [sorcerer] (to get Shocking Grasp 3d6 and three rounds of Vanish)
1: Skill Focus [bluff], Weapon Finesse, 1d6 sneak
2: (Sorcerer) Eschew Materials
3: Two-Weapon Fighting, Coax Information as a rogue talent
4: Rumormonger, 2d6 sneak
5: Combat Expertise, Combat Trick [Two Weapon Feint] as a rogue trick
6: 3d6 sneak
7: Sap Adept, Convincing Lie as a rogue talent
8: Skill Focus [sleight of hand], sneak 4d6
9: Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, False Friend as a rogue talent
10: sneak 5d6
11: Weapon Focus (sap), Unwitting Ally as a rogue talent
Does this seem viable? I imagine he'd be more useful in a socially-oriented campaign like Kingmaker than a more dungeon-crawly one.
Also, does Memory Lapse let you retry a bluff check if you cast it yourself, or do you need to have someone else cast it for you?
I love cunning little builds like this! Is it totally optimized for combat? No, but combat isn't everything, and you'll still be able contribute while also bringing your charisma to the table.
I really like the idea of a very high bluff with Shocking Grasp; delivering the spell with a friendly handshake would be very satisfying. ^__^
This is actually quite similar to a build I'm dying to try out which involves being a Street Performer bard with a 3-level dip into Charlatan.
As for Memory Lapse, I really wish that spell was a swift or immediate action, as it doesn't help you out with your own failed actions. It's only good in response to what your target has just done, not what you've just done.
For example, let's say you're rummaging around in a half-orc's rented room at an inn when he suddenly walks in on you. Awkward! You try to bluff him, saying that you're the maid and you're just tidying up, but you fail your roll. Your turn ends, and on his turn the half-orc pops a vein in his forehead, draws his great axe and moves up to attack you. On your next turn you cast Memory Lapse, and the half-orc forgets what he did on his last turn (drawing his axe and attacking you)... only he still remembers walking in on you, and he remembers your failed bluff attempt. He's still angry with you, he is still standing next to you, and he still has his axe out. So now you've just wasted a spell and a standard action.
Instead, the better use of the spell is to use it the moment the orc walks in on you: Orc walks in, and instead of bluffing you use a move action to run past him into the hallway or crawl under the bed or something, then cast Memory Lapse. Now the orc has forgotten that he even walked into his own room and found you there.
If it were a swift action you could try a bluff, realize that you failed, and swiftly cast Memory Lapse to get a do-over on your next turn. Alas.