Accomplished Sandman Arcane Trickster - worth it?

[Secret Wizard]

So, the Sandman Bard + the Accomplished Sneak Attack feat allows to qualify for the Arcane Trickster PrC at level 6 while also having light armor arcane casting.

Is it worth it over the Wizard 3/Rogue 1 + Accomplished Sneak Attack combo?

[cavernshark]

Secret Wizard wrote:

So, the Sandman Bard + the Accomplished Sneak Attack feat allows to qualify for the Arcane Trickster PrC at level 6 while also having light armor arcane casting.

Is it worth it over the Wizard 3/Rogue 1 + Accomplished Sneak Attack combo?

I'd say probably not unless you really wanted to emphasize the skills / trapfinding aspect of the "magical rogue" archetype.

The sandman trades away a lot of staple spells to deliver sneak attack damage. You'll get fewer spells per day and a lot of them will be enchantment or illusion. The trade off for this is bardic performance, but you don't really get any of the good ones. Spellsteal is sort of lackluster and requires a touch, Slumber Song has a long set up, and Dramatic Subtext is redundant to Tricky Spells. Sneakspell is nice but if your opponent is denied their dex, wouldn't you rather hit them for SA damage?

It's certainly a thematic archetype, but I don't think it really works as a good vehicle for the Trickster unless you have a specific reason to have a softer touch and more emphasis on social aspects.

[Chess Pwn]

One of the things that's really good about this combo is the new spell in the book. Locate vitals or something. It gives you 1d6 sneak attack for every three caster levels for minutes as a lv2 spell. It's a divination effect. But that means you'll have more sneak attack while that's on from having more caster levels.

[Xethik]

Chess Pwn wrote:

One of the things that's really good about this combo is the new spell in the book. Locate vitals or something. It gives you 1d6 sneak attack for every three caster levels for minutes as a lv2 spell. It's a divination effect. But that means you'll have more sneak attack while that's on from having more caster levels.

Sounds like the spell Hunter's Eye from 3.5. Seems pretty awesome if you ask me.

Looking at the Spell List, probably Sense Vitals.

EDIT: Ah, it is round per level and only works with manufactured weapons, sadly. Makes me a little sad that blasters AT can't use it but I spose they can do without it.

[Chess Pwn]

That's the one! Using it and some nice traits you can get some real crazy sneak attack going on. I think I worked out a build that had full level sneak attack while that spell was active.

[cavernshark]

Chess Pwn wrote:

That's the one! Using it and some nice traits you can get some real crazy sneak attack going on. I think I worked out a build that had full level sneak attack while that spell was active.

Since I don't have the book yet, do only Bards get that spell (seems like it'd be particularly narrow if that was the case)? If not, then my points still stand since another spell caster and snakebite brawler could do the same thing. ;P

[Xethik]

cavernshark wrote:

Chess Pwn wrote:

That's the one! Using it and some nice traits you can get some real crazy sneak attack going on. I think I worked out a build that had full level sneak attack while that spell was active.

Since I don't have the book yet, do only Bards get that spell (seems like it'd be particularly narrow if that was the case)? If not, then my points still stand since another spell caster and snakebite brawler could do the same thing. ;P

Anitpaladin 2, Ranger 2, Bard 2, Wizard/Sorc 2.