I usually DM, but I'm also the only person in my group that enjoys rogues and bards. I have done a lot of searching, but have found no real combination of the two. Obviously there would be concepts from both but some things would need to be left out in order to balance the class/archetype and not make the bard or rogue obsolete. I thoroughly like both classes, but I personally think that at least some aspects of both should come together and make a good spy. Maybe I think to much like in Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale where Bard was a subtype of the thief, just like assassin was. Anyways is this a viable concept or am I just going on a wild goose chase? Keep in mind I'm not trying to min/max anything and I'm not trying to outshine the bard or the rogue. I'm simply trying to find a rogue/bard combo that isn't a multi class and fits my idea of what a true master spy would be like.
The class would have
-the ability to use weapons that are similar to the bard or rogue.
-the ability to detect and disable traps of all kinds (lets face it a spy needs this when he/she infiltrates a villains base).
-disguise because it allows them to assume multiple roles
-stealth because they need to not get caught in restricted areas
-perception because they need to be able to notice things that are out of place
-Use Magic Device because a Master Spy uses anything they can find to help the mission (think James Bond and all of his gadgets).
-possibly knowledge skills and bardic knowledge because when he/she assumes a disguise certain knowledge factors that are incorrectly used could give away the disguise (think pretending to be a mechanic and calling the wrench a hammer).
-Arcane spells should be limited to self/party buffs and Illusion spells only but only if Arcane spells are even included which at this point they are not
This class would be as viable in melee combat as a bard/rogue multi class option not more powerful than that.
Other suggested musts are definitely open for discussion as are the musts I listed. I'm really hoping to come together as a group and make a class that isn't over powered, but isn't weak either. The musts I have included are for fluff purposes and I hope to bring to the table some kind of ability that makes that fluff unique to the concept versus a rogue/bard multiclass or solo class that attempts the same thing.
Second the Archaeologist - it basically is a greatest hits collection of rogue tricks on a bard.
As regards your list, Archaeologist has:
-Bard weapons (cause it's a bard)
-Trapsense, perception and disable device bonuses
-Stealth as class skill
-Perception as class skill
-UMD as class skill with Charisma as casting stat
-Bardic Knowledge unchanged
-Bard spell list, in all its illusion, enchantment, healing, and party buff glory.
-Archaeologist's luck replacing performances to keep him combat viable.
Detectives have a lot of the tricks you are looking for, but are slightly more team-oriented.
There is a Master Spy prestige class - but it's much more about the 'social' spy - the deep cover agent, rather than the infiltrator - I've only used it in NPCs.
Thanks. I have looked at the archeologist and detective and although hey looked fun I have not had the chance to try them out. That confirms my idea that they would be viable though.