Okay so here's the deal the class is set an unchangeable pretty much everything else is up for grabs.
So Unchained Rogue Using the Eldritch Scoundrel archetype
the base idea is using sneak attack in combination with Touch attacks, melee preferred. Hence the "Tag your dead" thing.
mostly looking for feat suggestions, because there's a lot of them and i'm not sure which direction to go.
Mostly open with things this is a new idea i'm working with so i don't really have much yet other than i want to use this class and archetype.
Skills will probably focus around acrobatics and disabling traps.
i've toyed with the idea of natural weapons some how, maybe some sort of punching esq weapon.
Races are pretty open, i'm thinking Tiefling but am open with this
try not to multiclass or dip to hard i'm not a fan of builds like that
Accomplished Sneak Attacker will improve your Sneak Attack damage, making the bad touches even more bad. Can be taken as early as 5th level, though later might work out better. It's only 1D6, but since Sneak Attack is perhaps the Rogue's best class feature, you might as well capitalize on your already-reduced progression.
In addition, as far as I know, you cannot apply Sneak Attack to spells unless you have an ability that lets you do that (such as the Arcane Trickster's Surprise Spells class feature), so if you cast Shocking Grasp and deliver it via a Touch Spell, it's no good. The only way you could get Sneak Attack would be if you were to somehow utilize Spellstrike (Magus VMC) and attack with a weapon.
Natural Weapons are nice for 3/4 (or less) BAB classes, since you won't get as many iteratives, but stacking them (effectively) for 3/4 BAB classes is difficult. The only one who can reliably do so is a Druid, or you need a specific race which offers a lot of natural weapons (a bite and two claws, ideally, although more is better).
With the Eldritch Scoundrel archetype, you cannot disable Magical Traps. This is a big issue if you're planning to specialize in disabling traps, as the most dangerous traps are magical in nature.
I know you said that you're dead-set on being an Eldritch Scoundrel, but with what you want your character to do, and what the Eldritch Scoundrel provides, I just don't see it coming to the fruition that your character wants without having to sacrifice (or even completely ignore) certain aspects that you wish to fulfill.
i checked before hand, you can sneak attack with anything that uses an attack roll, touch attacks included.
What arcane trickster allows is to apply this to things like fireball or magic missile which don't but still count as attacks.
As said i'm not set on the natural weapons thing it was just a idea i was tossing around
Touch attacks work a little differently than most spells, for instance they aren't used up until you touch something
There is an FAQ stating how sneak attack is added to multiple attacks from the same spell, this is in general combat section of CRB, not arcane scoundrel specific. So I think you are fine sneak attacking with spells that require sneak attack.
I would focus my feats, and rogue talents, on accuracy and getting sneak attack in the first place.
Edit: simultaneous posts are fun.
Also another question Is weapon focus Touch attacks a thing? i know you can use it for rays.
I have seen nothing that indicates "touch" is a valid weapon. Now if you deliver touch spells via unarmed strikes, unarmed strike is valid for weapon focus, but that would no longer be a touch attack.
Doesn't really matter does it? it get's the point across
As far as disabling magical traps goes Aram Zey's Focus is a thing, and not inappropriate to an eldritch scoundrel.
Since you're doing a magus-light, their classic tricks - (intensified) shocking grasp or (rime) frostbite/frigid touch are obvious. The metamagic feats in brackets are necessary to keep those good at later levels.
Elemental touch may be more useful to you than a magus though given sneak attack, and you may have other options like ghoul touch.
For feats this could actually be a valid use for spring attack (& maybe circling mongoose later). Or you might pursue one of the style feat chains especially if you're going unarmed.
Eldritch Scoundrels DO NOT lose Trapfinding. They swap out Trap SENSE for Trap Spotter against magic traps.
As someone putting an Eldritch Scoundrel through Reign of Winter, I can say that, at least when Unchained, you are a pretty effective combatant. Lots of Shocking Grasp, Elemental Touch, Scorching Ray and soon Battering Blast, and I feel like some sort of Shonen Anime protagonist. Remember Vanishing Trick, and pick up Pearls of Power ASAP to fuel your quickened Vanish.
a Wand of Flame Blade can work wonders, when you run out of your standard tricks. It lasts a whole combat and makes your sneak dice do fire damage. You do need scimitar proficiency, though.
I know you said no multiclassing, but here's an option to consider: Dip one level of Shaman with the Waves spirit. This nets you: one or two more spells per day, a familiar, and 3+X times per day a melee touch attack that does non-lethal damage and pushed the enemy away. One more level and you get a Hex. Preferably Water Sight so you can see through Obscuring Mist and sneak attack against those who can't.
*hands out toe tags*
On the other hand (hur hur), your touch attacks might as well be autohits. Your BAB scales faster than a wizard's, and you have more incentive to boost Dexterity.
yea i'm starting to actually realize i don't need to do much to make this work.
my bab is better than a wizards which means i'll hit melee more and then adding touch damage which is usually pretty good with sneak attack is a good amount of damage.
ALso i assume magical lineage to counteract the level adjustment form metamagic.
So is unarmed or something similar a valid combat/weapon option here?
Too late to edit or i would have, i am considering a 1 level dip in brawler (snakebite striker) in order to to bump up the unarmed aspect, and net a level of sneak attack. Thoughts?
Deliscquent Gloves would be very important later in the character's lifespan for sustaining purposes.