Arcane Trickster Build Help

[NS Bill]

I was planning on building an arcane trickster alternating rouge with sorcerer (sage, I picked sage because it relies on int as opposed to char.) by two levels at a time.The first two levels would be rouge. My character is a tiefling with 18 in int., 17 in dex, 9 in char., 12 in con, and 10 in the remainders. I was thinking in taking toughness and rouge finesse in the fist two levels. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Brutedude]

Good choice with the Sage Sorcerer, since I've always thought spontaneous casters are more flavorful for the magical rogue, but the Int is more important for Arcane Trickster synergy (mostly skill points).

I know there are guides on these boards that go into way more compressive advice than I can give here, breaking down every feat and spell choice. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IZBcQbZlN5psPppnuQvOO3xJ5P84tI6UNPiQz5_ jEGc/edit

A couple major things though. If you're using traits, get magical knack. If you're not using traits, convince your GM to use traits because they're awesome. Then get magical knack since it allows you to count up to two non-casting class levels for your total caster level. If your'e using the recommended two traits, then probably get Reactionary since the two people who really love initiative are the casters and the sneak attackers, and your both (also why you'll probably want to get Improved Initiative at some point).

Second, the best thing you can do as an Arcane Trickster is take a level of Rogue and a level of some other Prestige class that gets you 1d6 sneak attack at first level. It won't speed up you're entry into Arcane Trickster at all, but it will make you only miss 2 spell levels instead of 3 which is more powerful than anything else. (3 levels of Rogue and 3 levels of Sorcerer means you'll be getting you're first 3rd level spells while your equal level Wizard and Cleric buddies are getting their 5th level spells). In the CRB your only option is Assassin, which obviously means you have to be an evil alignment. If you and you're GM are into that though, do it, since 1 Rogue/4 Sorcerer/1 Assassin is better than 3 Rogue/3 Sorcerer.

If you have more options though. Paizo's Prestige Class book gave us the Sleepless Detective. Same deal as above, but replace Assassin at 6th level with the Sleepless Detective. Not only do you get that spell level, over the Rogue path, but you get much better abilities with at-will Detect Magic, and, this is big, adding your Intelligence modifier when using Perception, Sense Motive, and gathering information. HUGE skills for the Rogue, and one you'd otherwise be subpar at with your 10 Wis.
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/s-z/sleepless- detective

Finally, Toughness is a fantastic feat for you. Weapon Finesse is good eventually, your choice on when to grab it depending on your combat style. Don't forget Precise Shot and Point-Blank Shot since Ranged Touch Attacks (which get sneak attack damage) still have the normal rules as Ranged Attacks.

[spalding]

Don't know why you are taking levels in a color. However I rould recommend going with vivisectionist alchemist rather than rogue.

For sorcerer archetypes grab seeker to get your trapfinding back.

[StreamOfTheSky]

I recommend Wizard instead of Sorcerer*. Delaying entry into AT yet another level is painful.

I agree, Viv. Alchemist is the better choice, I also suggestion going Mindchemist and possibly Internal Alchemist, too. Yes, they all can stack together. That way you can buff your Int by +4 when needed for a save DC boost. Wiz 3 / Alchemist 3 / Arcane Trickster 10 also means you open up the Extra Discoveries feat, which is handy.

*Or if you do go sorcerer, then by gods only take a single level in a sneak attacking base class (I still suggest Viv. Mindchemist) and follow it up with the Sleepless Detective prestige class for 1 level. In other words, Alchemist 1 / Sorcerer 4 / Sleepless Detective 1 / Arcane Trickster 10. That way, you're still entering AT at 7th level.