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The concept of the Arcane Trickster is pretty awesome. Be as sneaky as a rogue, but with awesome magical abilities to make you even better. And while the concept has done well in a few video games (Dishonored is probably the best example in my mind), on the tabletop I have always felt that it was kind of a let down. It suffered from ugly duckling syndrome. Early in its life, it was laughably weak and you spent a lot of the game weaker than other party members, but once it finally matured, the prestige class was a beast and could pull off some really amazing things. But for me, it left me waiting far too long to be awesome.
I think ACG may have fixed that. The Sanctified Slayer archetype for the Inquisitor looks like everything I have been waiting for. Basically, you trade your X/day Judgement abilities for the Slayers Studied Target ability and Sneak Attack. As compared to a normal Trickster, you have a higher BAB, more hit points, normal spell progression, the ability to wear armor (!) without spell chance failure (!!) AND all the other Inquisitor abilities (solo teamwork feats, Detect Alignments, etc.) How awesome is all of that?
Of course, you can't really Sneak Blast with a divine spell list, but that was never what the class was really about. It was just a fun bonus. (Paraphasing from A Highly Regarded Expert's guide to Arcane Tricksters).
The concept of the Arcane Trickster is pretty awesome. Be as sneaky as a rogue, but with awesome magical abilities to make you even better. And while the concept has done well in a few video games (Dishonored is probably the best example in my mind), on the tabletop I have always felt that it was kind of a let down. It suffered from ugly duckling syndrome. Early in its life, it was laughably weak and you spent a lot of the game weaker than other party members, but once it finally matured, the prestige class was a beast and could pull off some really amazing things. But for me, it left me waiting far too long to be awesome.
I think ACG may have fixed that. The Sanctified Slayer archetype for the Inquisitor looks like everything I have been waiting for. Basically, you trade your X/day Judgement abilities for the Slayers Studied Target ability and Sneak Attack. As compared to a normal Trickster, you have a higher BAB, more hit points, normal spell progression, the ability to wear armor (!) without spell chance failure (!!) AND all the other Inquisitor abilities (solo teamwork feats, Detect Alignments, etc.) How awesome is all of that?
Of course, you can't really Sneak Blast with a divine spell list, but that was never what the class was really about. It was just a fun bonus. (Paraphasing from A Highly Regarded Expert's guide to Arcane Tricksters).
Tiefling Sorcerer 1/Ninja 2/AT X is actually pretty good... You gain a pretty good Ki Pool (Since Sorcs are Cha based), gain Invisibility SLA (vanishing trick is full of win), and you lose out very little.
Honestly, for my newer players who want to do rogue stuff I just have them tell me what aspect of being a rogue they really want to focus on. If they want to be a killer, I've started pointing to Slayer. If they want to be a magic-type rogue, or more of a stealth master, I point them to ninja (which is where I'd point you, because their ki powers). Investigator is for the skill-user or master at intelligent combat, and swashbuckler for duelists. But if Sanctified works best for you, awesome! I'll have to take another look at it and may start recommending it for players that want to be a magic rogue.
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You can get Acid Splash as a cantrip as an Inquisitor. Could you tack Sneak Attack on to that? Because that'd be pretty neat.
If it requires an attack roll, you can sneak attack with it. So yes. The Tricksters ability to add Sneak Attack damage to spells is for spells that don't have an attack roll, such as Fireball.
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You can get Acid Splash as a cantrip as an Inquisitor. Could you tack Sneak Attack on to that? Because that'd be pretty neat.If it requires an attack roll, you can sneak attack with it. So yes. The Tricksters ability to add Sneak Attack damage to spells is for spells that don't have an attack roll, such as Fireball.
Right, I remember now. I think I put a Arcane Trickster together like... a year ago, and then never looked at it again. D:
I had a really weird multiclass build to accomplish what the sanctified slayer did. I switched as soon as I read the archetype.
I've been a sanctified slayer for maybe one or two encounters now and I'm absolutely LOVING it.
Sanctified Slayer is better for AT than anything else, I reckon.
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I revamped my old 3.5 AT for Pathfinder and I've never been happier with the class.Right, I remember now. I think I put a Arcane Trickster together like... a year ago, and then never looked at it again. D:You can get Acid Splash as a cantrip as an Inquisitor. Could you tack Sneak Attack on to that? Because that'd be pretty neat.If it requires an attack roll, you can sneak attack with it. So yes. The Tricksters ability to add Sneak Attack damage to spells is for spells that don't have an attack roll, such as Fireball.
I would probably agree. Both the base classes needed to make an AT are way better in Pathfinder and I think the AT is also improved, but I can't remember what they are like in 3.5. I'm not sure if you mean you updated an old character to the new system or you started playing a new character based on the old one, but if the former, then that would probably remove a lot of the pain from playing an AT. That level where you depart from your Sneak class into your caster class is horribly painful.
For PFS, I am thinking about rolling up an Inquisitor of Calistra. Seems like the only deity off the top of my head that would permit a kind of sneaky, assassian-y character. But then again, maybe make an Inquisitor of Abadar and play a more Batman like character. lol
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For PFS, I am thinking about rolling up an Inquisitor of Calistra. Seems like the only deity off the top of my head that would permit a kind of sneaky, assassian-y character. But then again, maybe make an Inquisitor of Abadar and play a more Batman like character. lol
Huh? Aren't all Inquisitors kinda sneaky assassin types, at least potentially? And I think almost all Gods have those.
Torag and Iomedae are Gods of War, does it really seem unvbelievable they have dedicated scouts and special forces types?
Erastil's a God of the Hunt, dedicated monster or outlaw hunters seem very much his style.
For what an assassin for Sarenrae looks like, just look at the Iconic slayer and add a dash of legitimate Divine power.
For Shelyn, I admit this sort of thing would be pretty rare...but I wouldn't want to be the person to try and prevent a love match or destroy art with one of them around.
Cayden Cailean has some slave liberators par excellance and killers of tyrants in his employ, I'll bet you anything.
Desna probably only has a few of these...but she's battling the Great Old Ones with little help from anyone else, some dedicated cultist-hunters seem to be in her wheelhouse.
And that's just the Good Gods and off the top of my head. I can't think of an Evil God that wouldn't have them either (well, maybe Rovagug) with Norgorber obviously having whole bucketloads. And while Calistria is certainly the Neutral God most likely to have some, I can't see any reason all the others wouldn't have some as well.
I had a really weird multiclass build to accomplish what the sanctified slayer did. I switched as soon as I read the archetype.
I've been a sanctified slayer for maybe one or two encounters now and I'm absolutely LOVING it.
Oh, built from what pray-tell?
I have played 2 AT's and they are truly an amazing class. They are a little weak in the early stages, but I don't think as weak as you may think. They have benefited immensely from early entry. Far and away the most fun all around classes I've ever played, and they require more for thought than even a wizard, which I dig!
That being said I do really like the sanctified slayer, and might be making one of them now! Good find here!
Tiefling Sorcerer 1/Ninja 2/AT X is actually pretty good...Is this a typo? I don't see where the second sneak attack dice comes in.
Whoops my bad I meant ninja 3 lol. Good catch xD.
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So as a Sanctified Slayer what do you do in combat encounters? Maneuver to flank and Attack Action?
Nah man. Sneak Attack is an extra, not a goal in and of itself.
Though the fact that you have access to Greater Invisibility means it's quite possible to Sneak Attack all the live-long day with enough spell slots.
You can get up quite a nasty buffing routine too. Move Favored Target, Swift Bane, Standard Buff or Attack, your choice.
My Sanctified Slayer (13th level) usually has up:
Heightened Awareness (for the potential +4 Init, the skill bonus is redundant with another spell)
Expeditious Retreat
Shield of Faith
Acute Senses
See Invisibility
Resist Energy (if expecting a spellcaster or other elemental damage user)
Countless Eyes
Heroism
Telepathic Bond (linking me and the scout, or other scout if I'm also sneaking around).
Corruption Resistance (if expecting Good Clerics or Celestials...I'm playing Way of the Wicked)
And has access to a number of other short term buffs or useful utility spells (Invisibility Purge, Litany of Escape, Forceful Strike, the aforementioned Invisibility/Greater, and so on) in his back pocket for a rainy day as well (used some of my Favored Class Bonuses for spells).
Fully buffed as usual, he keeps up with the Barbarian and Anti-Paladin so far, dealing more damage per hit at a higher attack bonus (slightly, about 3-5 difference), but lacking the third attack. Also, he uses a whip. Because 15 ft. reach (potentially 20 with Lunge or 25 with Longarm Bracers and Lunge...or a whopping 30 with Righteous Might. Who needs a bow?) is rad.
I had a really weird multiclass build to accomplish what the sanctified slayer did. I switched as soon as I read the archetype.
I've been a sanctified slayer for maybe one or two encounters now and I'm absolutely LOVING it.
Oh, built from what pray-tell?