I am very impressed with all of paizo's classes. However, I was wondering if building a Wizard/ Rogue is a good idea with all the awesome level stuff in the new core classes. Or should you follow the addage never multi-class a caster...Help please, and waht is the best build for it?
If your DM lets you squeeze in a level of assassin, the arcane trickster can get into the PrC while only missing out on two levels of casting. You do miss out on evasion and a talent, though.
Wizard 4/Rogue 1 to qualify for Assassin.
Wizard 4/Rogue 1/Assassin 1 qualifies for Arcane Trickster.
There's just that little issue of being evil...
If your DM lets you squeeze in a level of assassin, the arcane trickster can get into the PrC while only missing out on two levels of casting. You do miss out on evasion and a talent, though.
Wizard 4/Rogue 1 to qualify for Assassin.
Wizard 4/Rogue 1/Assassin 1 qualifies for Arcane Trickster.
There's just that little issue of being evil...
that and a bab even worse than a single class wizard.
If your DM lets you squeeze in a level of assassin, the arcane trickster can get into the PrC while only missing out on two levels of casting. You do miss out on evasion and a talent, though.
Evasion is a good thing, as Wizard/Rogue/AT tend towards the lower end of the HP scale.
Arcane Tricksters (there is NO reason not to go for this PrC is you are multiclassing) should be treated as spelled-up Rogues, however, NOT sneaked-up Wizards. You are a rogue first, wizard second. If you expect to play "I am the BOOMSTICK!" you'll be disappointed, but if you realize that you're a rogue with an extra large super-sack of sneaky magical tricks, you'll probably end up cackling maniacally to yourself in slow moments of the game.
That's a good thing, BTW. :D
That said, taking ONE level of Rogue really fills out a wizard in the skills department. If you've got an off-beat wizard concept, a Rogue dip can make it happen, what with all those class skills. A wizard gets enough skill points to make most concepts happen, but the lack of class skills is often hampering.
If your DM lets you squeeze in a level of assassin, the arcane trickster can get into the PrC while only missing out on two levels of casting. You do miss out on evasion and a talent, though.
Wizard 4/Rogue 1 to qualify for Assassin.
Wizard 4/Rogue 1/Assassin 1 qualifies for Arcane Trickster.
There's just that little issue of being evil...
And if you have the Magical Knack trait you maintain your CL at your Character level..not bad
+1 on the spelled up rogue.
Having played an Arcane Trickster briefly in 3.5 and seen a Wizard/Rogue/Arcane Trickster in action up to 9th level so far in Pathfinder I can offer you some practical advice.
- Make sure that either the Magical Knack trait is available. If not then you're likely to feel very underpowered at times.
- Assuming you were able to take Magical Knack (or the old 3.5 Practiced Spellcaster feat), concentrate on spells with level dependent variables. You're probably only one caster level behind a full Wizard in this regards, so the results should be good. Shocking Grasp and Scorching Ray are obvious choices.
- A familiar can be very useful. Alertness and skill bonuses are great for the trapfinder role as well as making sure you get to act in the surprise round (which is a big deal with sneak attack)
- The familiar also allows you to take Improved Familiar (aka Flank Buddy)
- Familiar get your skill ranks, so something like a mephit can use wands. Flanking an enemy with wands of shocking burst can easily produce 14d6 or more damage without even using spells (the wands only cost 1875gp to craft)
- On the other hand, an arcane bond item would help combat your low number of spells per day (I still like the familiar better)
- When you sneak attack with Vampiric Touch the sneak attack damage counts towards the temporary HP earned.
- Metamagic rods are a very good idea for the AT.
- Halfling or human are probably the best race selections.
