I'm looking at a half-elf Arcane Trickster build for PFS play. For the build I would take the Trap Spotter rogue talent at level 2.
So given that, which skill would be best to use the racial Skill Focus on?
* Perception because it is part of the arms race with Slight of Hand and Stealth? It is also what would be used to prevent the character from stepping into a trap.
* Escape Artist seems like another where the sky is the limit and casters are popular targets for grapples
* Disable Device can have some pretty tough difficulties but there seem to be more ways to bump this than some other skills
* Spellcraft would certainly help with gaining spells at the early levels
What would people suggest and why?
Perception. It is simply the most rolled skill in the entire game. It'll come in handy in all phases of the game. Most optimization guides say to max it out even if you don't have it as a class skill and crap Wisdom. It's THAT big a deal.
Yep, perception.
OP, you make a point- Escape Artist is a skill where you either MAX it like heck or skip it.
But Dual Minded is likely better than adaptability. It's even better than Iron Will.
Dual Minded gives +2 to all Will saves which both Wizard and Arcane Trickster have as a strong save. I know that Will is one of those when you miss it you really hate it, but I do love being exceptionally skilled at something which is why I'm leaning towards the Skill Focus.
If I were to switch out Adaptability, it would likely be for Ancestral Arms (Longbow) in order to help in the early levels. I think the Shortbow will be good enough so I don't plan to do that.
