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I'm going to break from character for a moment and take a rare look at mechanics. Can anyone else out there help me to better personify a "Verisian Trickster"?
Immora (the character) is a quintessential trickster and jill-of-all-trades, with some dabbling in magic for flavor. Thus far, she has been built as a Rogue/Sorceror, with her spells leaning heavily on Illusion and Enchantment. I also jumped into Human Paragon for the added flexibility it offers.
The Verisian culture is clearly based on Gyspy/Romani from the real world, and I tried to work that slight of hand/everyday magic aspect into her: Ranks of Dance, Sleight of Hand, and plenty of Bluff are just as frequently "magic" as spells. She also carries a huge variety of wands, scrolls, and low-level magic items. The overall effect is a woman who excels at confusion and trickery and has been a lot of fun to play so far.
Enter the problem: We are halfway through Hook Mountain Massacre, and I'm starting to get in over my head. The monster's we're facing have enough Hit Dice to just shrug off most of my spells, and my usual approach to combat (Improved Trip) doesn't work well on giants. My sneak attack damage is alright, but thus far in the game I've mostly played a support character, inflicting status conditions on our enemies or using interaction skills to break up large groups of foes into more manageable chunks. Not to mention I don't have the HP to be a front-line fighter.
The rest of our party consists of two Clerics (one battle-oriented, one knowledge-oriented) and a Warblade. I need to straddle the roles of Arcane Caster and Skill Monkey
So, how do I continue to develop my character so that she still feels distinctly "gypsy" but can be less of a liability in combat? If there are any solutions in the setting book, know that I won't have it until Thursday.
Hi Immora!
As I'm running Rise of the Runelords, I'll keep this PC-friendly :)
The party NPC for my gestalt group has some similarities to your PC. She's a Varisian half-elf with levels of Rogue, Sorcerer and Gemini Dancer (a neat core class developed in the P.E.A.C.H. forums over at WotC a few years ago - I think you can still find it at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=598478).
I wanted someone who could help out in a fight if the PCs were in trouble, but still have that gypsy mystery and flavor - this class did it for me. The other party members tend to get a bit nervous when that bladed scarf of hers comes out... :)
Another solution could be the Battle Dancer from Dragon Compendium, if you have access to that book. The journal of the Mvashti twins on the forums here shows a good example of that class working for a Varisian dancer. It would give her some fighting ability without compromising the character concept.
You could also steer her toward the new Harrower prestige class in the Pathfinder Campaign Setting book (once it arrives on Thursday). The prerequisites are pretty easy to make, and the class has some nice flavor and abilities that would help both you and the party.
If you want to stay with the core classes you have, moving into some of the more combat-oriented spells (medium and long-range preferably) would help out. If she is an Alpha version sorcerer and you have access to the Spell Compendium, the cantrip Launch Bolt could make you a deadly sniper. One shot every round, and sneaking to within 30 feet so you can add your sneak attack damage as well adds up quickly as long as you keep moving and out of sight.
I hope these ideas help!
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
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Contributor
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Hi Immora!
As I'm running Rise of the Runelords, I'll keep this PC-friendly :)
The party NPC for my gestalt group has some similarities to your PC. She's a Varisian half-elf with levels of Rogue, Sorcerer and Gemini Dancer (a neat core class developed in the P.E.A.C.H. forums over at WotC a few years ago - I think you can still find it at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=598478).
I wanted someone who could help out in a fight if the PCs were in trouble, but still have that gypsy mystery and flavor - this class did it for me. The other party members tend to get a bit nervous when that bladed scarf of hers comes out... :)
Another solution could be the Battle Dancer from Dragon Compendium, if you have access to that book. The journal of the Mvashti twins on the forums here shows a good example of that class working for a Varisian dancer. It would give her some fighting ability without compromising the character concept.
You could also steer her toward the new Harrower prestige class in the Pathfinder Campaign Setting book (once it arrives on Thursday). The prerequisites are pretty easy to make, and the class has some nice flavor and abilities that would help both you and the party.
If you want to stay with the core classes you have, moving into some of the more combat-oriented spells (medium and long-range preferably) would help out. If she is an Alpha version sorcerer and you have access to the Spell Compendium, the cantrip Launch Bolt could make you a deadly sniper. One shot every round, and sneaking to within 30 feet so you can add your sneak attack damage as well adds up quickly as long as you keep moving and out of sight.
I hope these ideas help!
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
Like I said, I'm not really interested into making her into a front-line fighter-type. I'm happy playing support, with just a touch of damage-dealing. And dancing isn't really her focus, either; she's more of an overall showman, with the dancing just being a part of the act. I do appreciate the thought, though.
The Harrowed class is definately something for me to look at tomorrow, though.
I was more considering additional feats or spells or other tricks to make sure I can keep up with the other (non-multiclassed) characters, at least in terms of surviveability.
Target Will saves. It's a giant's weakest spot. Lower their ACs with debuffs, deny them actions with Tasha's Hideous Laughter, use Suggestion to get them to wander off or turn on each other, blind them with Glitterdust. Use Invisibility to set up flanks and sneak attacks, or Grease to send them sprawling. If you like minor magic items, get a bag of tricks. Get several. Spam foes with your animal friends, use them for flanking and aid another checks.
I do not second the above recommendation to go to Shadowdancer. Although flavorful, the class doesn't progress spellcasting. Check out Arcane Trickster, in the DMG, instead. It'll boost both your sneak attacks and your spells.
You might also consider asking your DM if you can trade your Sorcerer/Rogue levels in for levels in Beguiler from the PHB2. I think that one class could be used to replicate most of the abilities and class features that you want. It might hurt your melee abilities, though.
You also might consider the "Unseen Seer" prestige class from "Complete Mage" (page 81). Admittedly, it is more of a divination based class, but the prereqs don't look that daunting.