I have had the HARDEST time trying to make a functional arcane trickster. I've read the guides, and messed around, but nothing ever felt quite right. So I've been working on some ideas, and here's what I came up with;
Class:
Wizard 4/Alechemist (vivisectionist) 1/ Sleepless Detective 1/ Arcane Trickster 5/Field Agent 1/Arcane Trickster 5/wizard 3
So why this eclectic mix of things? Well, mainly a combination of choice & maximized caster levels.
I chose vivisectionist over rogue for the extra to FORT saves.
By going rogue 1/sleepless detective 1, we get the required 2d6 sneak attack, as well as some weird powers.
The addition of a "field agent" level in the mix is to allow choice (and more weird powers): their ability "field agent training" can be used either to get +1 to caster level OR +1d6 sneak attack, allowing you to choice your priority.
Also, important traits:
Now, I'd like to make it more of a sniper (for simplicity) so here's how I see the feats:
Wizard
1 Point Blank Shot
2
3 Precise Shot
4
Alchemist
5 Spell Penetration (or alertness; I'm not sure if the alertness from a familiar qualifies for sleepless detective)
Sleepless Detective
6
Arcane trickster
7
8
9
10
...
So I've got some doubts concerning feats, and some doubts concerning races. For a sniper-type, PBS & PS are essential. For a blaster, so is Spell Penetration. There are other things I'm thinking of though:
Additional traits: My base traits will probably be magical knack (for the CL) & student of philosophy (for dat int to diplo & bluff). However, there are other useful traits, like wayang spell-hunter, and one other? I'm wondering if anybody has ideas.
Skill focus: That would be to qualify for field agent (if at all). Stealth would probably be the best choice here, but any other ideas?
Wizard discoveries: I'm thinking of doing an extra early wizard dip to gain access to the "fast study" arcane discovery. Would it be worth it?
Improved familiar: I am unsure that I would qualify, since I'm not sure if familiars scale on Caster Level or Class level.
Race:
There are a few considerations:
Human: nobody complains about an extra feat
Ratfolk: Probably the best stat boosts I can get, though no useful abilities.
Elf: Fort will suffer, but the stats are in the right place, and several abilities are useful.
Anythng else interesting?
I hope to hear some ideas. I've been trying so long to make something interesting, but it never quite works out.
What are you trying to get out of the arcane trickster? If you want a magical thief than an archeologist bard is probably better than an arcane trickster. I don’t think this is what you are going for but without further information on what you are looking to get out of the class then it is hard to give any useful advice.
What are you trying to get out of the arcane trickster? If you want a magical thief than an archeologist bard is probably better than an arcane trickster. I don’t think this is what you are going for but without further information on what you are looking to get out of the class then it is hard to give any useful advice.
I'm really just trying to make something interesting out of the arcane trickster PrC, nothing specific.
I'm thinking to try to make him "Ronnie Ray-Gun", a high-power ray specialist. Maybe use "reach spell" to gain access to a lot of cool stuff.
Still thinking about oposition schools. For the moment, enchantment seems the only thing I can easily sacrifice. But all others are somewhat useful:
Abjuration: dispeling, protection & such
Conjuration: No SR ranged spells
Divination: Read magic & other plot-useful spells
Evocation: Virtually all ray spells
Necromancy: The best touch spells to convert to ranged
Transmuation: Pretty useful all-around
I'm thinking abjuration. Though I have been wondering:
- Can you get sneak attack damage on ray spells that dont do damage? (Like a "reach" touch of idiocy)?
I have a basic character idea for him (a sort of dilletante wizard) though I'm not sure what kind of combat focus I should give him. He will have decent skill points, crappy BAB, decent saves, decent spellcasting (only one level later than a sorcerer).
Well, you've figured it out.
Arcane Trickster just isn't that good, though it does have a sweet spot between 11th and 14th level.
There are SO many better ways to have a sneaky character with arcane abilities, that this should should be left to quietly fade away.
I mean, bard and alchemist are both stronger classes, and the ACG investigator looks interesting as well.
Well, you've figured it out.
Arcane Trickster just isn't that good, though it does have a sweet spot between 11th and 14th level.
There are SO many better ways to have a sneaky character with arcane abilities, that this should should be left to quietly fade away.
I mean, bard and alchemist are both stronger classes, and the ACG investigator looks interesting as well.
I know perfectly well the weaknesses of this class. I am simply attempting to make something interesting (again, with the class as a basis).
The best you can probably do is ray specialist. You'll need some of the archery feats anyway, so the easiest combat focus to go with is archer.
Many ranged touch spells do not have saving throws, so you can afford to push Dex up near your casting stat. While you won't quite have the same BAB, you'll be able to a) grab arcane strike, and b) craft cool archery items.
And BTW, arrows overcome SR quite nicely...
Look, those are great ideas for an arcane archer, but an arcane trickster will never have the bab to make this viable. He will always miss.
I'm also unsure whether arcane strike can be used with ranged touch spells. Crafting feats would save this guy money though...
I've been looking at spells, and one of them (blend) has attracted my attention. It would be a good way to stealth without using invisibility. Maybe with a rod of lesser quicken spell? Quicken blend + attack?
It's really too bad one cant sneak attack with alchemical weapons though.
As stated, Arcane Tricksters are hard stuff to build. My favourite take on it is a melee Arcane Trickster though.
Ninja (scout) + Magus (kensai)
Slower spell casting, however with a whip you can stay at range and deliver full round attacks. Ninja gives you an extra attack as a swift action (colliding with some magus arcanas, but still) and Magus allows you do do SpellCombat, which is yet another attack. Can also turn invisible as a swift action.
Strength and Intelligence, some dex?
Not the most efficient but an interesting character to play with, having to watch out for positioning yet with some strong defensive options (Mirror image/invisibility as swift/decent AC-shield-int-dex-armour) and a mix of everything. Oh and sneak attack cause that's what we're here for.
The advantage I can see of blend is that I can cast & forget (it lasts 10 min/level). After all, it says I can stealth without cover/concealment as long as I dont go full-speed. Would allow easy positioning at the beginning, then your first spell would alwas have dex denied.
I'll admit I tend to prefer vanilla magi Errant Merc. I'll think about it, but I think I'll stick to wizard for now.
Have you checked out the Cutpurse rogue archetype? I've read a number of interesting posts about how the Stab and Grab ability synergizes with Ranged Legerdemain. Worldbuilder in particular has some great comments about it in this post.
not that you can afford the feat tax, but vicious display in combination with shatter defenses can keep your sneak attack rolling for any ranged rogue.