Beguiler With A Different Spell List?

[ericthecleric]

OK, I like the beguiler class, but not the spell list. If the list was changed so that it had the following spells only, and the “+x” spells must be chosen from PH-only abjuration, evocation, and transmutation spells, which spells would you pick? I envisage this beguiler being more of a Special Agent-type rather than a manupulator/illusionist. Just add your "+x" spells for each level.

Spell List:
0 level (7): dancing lights, detect magic, message, open/close, read magic, +2

1st-level (14): comprehend languages, detect secret doors, expeditious retreat, mage armor, obscuring mist, undetectable alignment, +8

2nd-level (18): blur, detect thoughts, fog cloud, glitterdust, invisibility, knock, mirror image, misdirection, see invisibility, silence, spider climb, +7

3rd-level (20): arcane sight, clairaudience/clairvoyance, dispel magic, displacement, glibness, halt*, haste, invisibility sphere, nondetection, slow, zone of silence, +9

4th-level (11): freedom of movement, greater invisibility, greater mirror image*, locate creature, solid fog, +6

5th-level (11): break enchantment, Rary’s telepathic bond, seeming, sending, swift etherealness*, teleport, +5

6th-level (8): greater dispel magic, repulsion, true seeing, +5

7th-level (8): ethereal jaunt, greater arcane sight, greater teleport, mass invisibility, phase door, spell turning, +2

8th-level (7): discern location, mind blank, movement of prescience, +4

9th-level (6): etherealness, foresight, time stop, +3.

[ericthecleric]

To get the ball rolling, I’ve picked a selection of extra spells from the abjuration, evocation, and transmutation spells (plus Mordenkainen’s magnificent mansion). I think they cover a good mix of defense, offense, and utility. One might argue that there’s almost an elemental theme running through them, such that the alternative list might represent the training an agent of a god with elemental domains might grant. Perhaps Bahamut might be a good choice, in which case the variant might be called “Agent of Bahamut”.

Spell List Extras:
0 level: light, prestidigitation

1st-level: alarm, burning hands, endure elements, feather fall, jump, magic missile, magic weapon, shield

2nd-level: alter self, bear’s endurance, bull’s strength, cat’s grace, continual flame, darkvision, fox’s cunning

3rd-level: daylight, fireball, gaseous form, greater magic weapon, Leomund’s tiny hut, magic circle against chaos/evil/good/law, protection from energy, tongues, water breathing

4th-level: dimensional anchor, fire shield, remove curse, stoneskin, wall of fire, wall of ice

5th-level: cone of cold, Mordenkainen’s private sanctum, overland flight, permanency, wall of force

6th-level: chain lightning, disintegrate, mass bear’s endurance, mass bull’s strength, Tenser’s transformation

7th-level: delayed blast fireball, Mordenkainen’s magnificent mansion

8th-level: dimension lock, Otiluke’s telekinetic sphere, polar ray, polymorph any object

9th-level: meteor swarm, shapechange, teleportation circle.

Comments, anyone?

[The White Toymaker]

I like the idea, but I worry that opening up both Transmutation and Evocation will give you a spellcasting class that you would have to be daft not to take as unless you wanted to play a specialist in some prohibited school -- you're offering the schools with the widest selection of blasting spells and the widest selection of utility spells right there. Even restricted to spells in the PHB and ignoring the Beguiler's class abilities, good BSP, and armored casting, you could make a heck of a powerhouse just looking at the spell list. The thing that's going to hurt the class is in not having access to Lesser Wish and Wish. I'll try and come up with an appropriate spell list in a bit, but I'll offer my non-illustrative 2cp now.

[Disenchanter]

I could be wrong, but I get the impression that ericthecleric is looking for us to fill in the most appropriate list.

The "+x" spells aren't for the player to choose. Those are just the slots remaining to be filled up.

[Saern]

I can't really offer any suggestions on the +X spells I would recommend, largely because I don't think this is a good idea. The beguiler is already controversial enough, considering that it blows away the sorcerer (and even most wizards) if you plan on focusing on either Enchantments or Illusions. The fact that it gets nothing outside of these schools is the premier balancing factor of the class.

If you want a "special agent" type class, and either feel it can't be done with multiclassing already existing options or you just want to make somthing unique, it would probably be better to just design a whole new class based off the beguiler and/or other classes like the rogue, scout, and ninja (and sorcerer, I suppose).

[ericthecleric]

Thanks for the replies, guys. It was just an idea I was thinking of; when I suggested it to the player he said that he’d rather play a wizard. If anyone wants to run with it though, please feel free.