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So we're starting a new campaign. I started building a Halfling Sorcerer, with solid DEX and CHA but not much else. Then the GM decided to make it a gestalt campaign-- pick two classes and get the abilities of both at each level.
So, I looked at what I had and decided the best class to mix Sorcerer with would be Ninja. Here's what I've got so far.
Halfling Sorcerer
STR 8
DEX 16
CON 13
INT 12
WIS 8
CHA 17
Bloodline: Arcane (Bonded Item: Wand of Mage Armor)
Feats: Scribe Scroll (Eschew Materials as bonus feat)
Spells Known:
0: Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Acid Splash, Resistance
1: Silent Image, Magic Missile
So here are my questions:
1. What spells should I learn if I'm going to be a ninja? I should probably replace Magic Missile with something I can sneak attack with. Silent Image might be awesome if I can create an illusion of a wall and sneak attack enemies through it until they make their save.
2. What ninja tricks are good for a sorcerer? The smoke bomb line all looks good, but not if Silent Image can basically do the same thing. (Can I use the smoke to conceal myself for sneak attacks?) Vanishing Trick seems awesome, except that I can get it as a spell too. (Is it better to spend a ki point on Vanishing than a spell per day?) Since I have 8 STR and 16 DEX, I'm thinking shuriken are the way to go, so Flurry of Stars/Ki Throw?
3. Any other ideas?
Until Greater Invis/Invisible Blade, ranged weapons are pretty bad for sneak attacks.
I'd skip Scribe Scroll and get Weapon Finesse. You can summon monsters to flank with you.
Of course, the information that would help is: Are you a sorcerer that has some ki tricks, or are you a ninja that can cast some spells? What classes are your allies?
You'll eventually want Acid Splash and Ray of Frost. Latter allows SR, but can be good against fire subtype creatures. You may even want disrupt undead. All are weapon-like cantrips, so you can sneak attack with them.
You should consider in the long run getting a spell like Chill Touch that gives you one touch per CL. Then combine with two-weapon fighting for a lot of sneak attack touches. Obviously not so good at level 1, but later on.
I think the smoke bomb line is a waste / too costly for a ninja. The invisibility is still worth learning just because it's a swift action. And definitely still get Invisible Blade at 10.
You want Imp. Initiative, it's useful to both sneak attackers and casters, and you're both. For other feats, it really depends on what you want to do. Ranged set (PBS, Precise, maybe Rapid) if you want to do ranged sneak, of course, though until level 8 (Greater Invis) that won't be terribly viable. You may want to just get PBS and Precise to use on ranged spells and ease your way into a ranged build as you level up. If you want to melee, TWF tree and possibly the Sap Master feats. if your charisma is super high and you usually only face single powerful enemies (or many weak ones that can't hit you anyway), you could consider Osyluth Guile. Adds cha to AC against one foe.
Ninja Tricks... Vanishing Trick as I said before. Using Rogue Talent on Offensive Defense might be good. Or get Slow Reactions. Ventriloquism as a swift action AND supernatural (so initiating it makes no sound) seems really good to me. Especially if the DM lets it make it seem like your verbal spellcasting is coming from elsewhere. Forgotten Trick is very expensive, but could prove handy.
For items, try to get Sniper Goggles ASAP unless going fully melee.
EDIT: I would STRONGLY suggest a familiar for your bond, since you'll have so many skill ranks to grant it. Or if you do choose a bond, make it a ring or something.
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Thanks guys!
More info:
My other party members are: a Goblin Fighter/Rogue whose entire reason for existing is to use the Burn!Burn!Burn! feat and dual wield torches, and an Oracle/Summoner who plans to focus on healing and support. Don't know what the eidolon will do.
Weapon Finesse sort of turns me off. As a caster who can't wear armor and has 8 STR, I really don't think I want to melee even if I do get SA damage for it. Plus, then I'm overlapping with the Goblin-- I want to avoid competing with his role as much as possible. So no melee and no fire spells. ;)
I suppose I want to focus on spellcasting at range. I imagine that the main themes I'm going for here are mysticism and trickery--If I could use magic/ninja tricks to create concealment or debuff enemies, I could then sneak attack them, or just let my allies mop up. That's why I'd really like answers as to whether Silent Image or smoke bombs provide concealment suitable for SA. If not, something tells me I'd still find other uses for them. ;)