New character help needed (maybe Arcane Trickster?)

[famey]

Oracles of wisdom,

My group has been playing Rise of the Runelords. However due to real life complications we're down to 3 players.

We've a fighter, a swashbuckler and myself a rogue. To have a more balanced party I wanted to create a new character.

I was thinking of becoming a rogueish caster with face skills.
Playing any caster will be new for me however I was thinking of making an arcane trickster. As a person that has only played a ranger and a rogue so far there is A LOT of information to digest hence I wanted to ask the forums for help. Especially since the character would start at level 6.

I read about the early entry feat (accomplished sneak attacker) to get early access to AT. However I'm wondering how it impacts my character, it feels more natural to get 2 levels of UC Rogue to get a rogue talent: Fast Stealth and Evasion.

Is there anybody that would like to spar with me and help me create a viable build?

[BretI]

I would suggest you avoid the Arcane Trickster prestige class.

Rise of the Runelords really wants a full caster for each of divine and arcane for the later portions of the AP. I'm saying this as someone running in a group where the top arcane casters are an alchemist and a magus. There are things we found much more challenging than they would have been with a full caster. There are even times where one level behind in casting hurts -- we hit that at least twice with our oracle.

See if one of the other two can spare a level or two in Rogue, they can survive the dip better than the caster. Assuming you are using Unchained Rogue, the Swashbuckler may find that four levels of rogue actually helps them since it gives them Debilitating Injury.

[Rattleingpython]

Im gonna disagree with BretI and say go for it take the Arcane Trickster Prestige class.

Just take the one level of Rogue/U Rogue and use accomplished sneak attacker for entrance. It takes 3 levels to get access otherwise. As for evasion/fast stealth. Evasion is nice but you delay your next level of spells by 2 levels to get it and fast stealth is trumped by swift action greater invisibility and invisibility in general. Also by only taking one level it slows your new spell levels to that of a sorcerer not so far behind you cannot recover.

I can share my full build it isn't the best thing ever but it does work. I tend to focus on a weird hybrid of Divinier, with fireball as my Prefered spell with Magical Lineage and Wayan Spellhunters traits, allowing a Sickening fireball spontaneously as a 3rd level spell. (Dazing as a 4th. Quickened as a 5th. ECT) opening up your spells slots prepared to be out of combat things.

You can do it multiple ways less focus on turning a damage spell into CC spell that also does damage. Maybe focus on something like snowball or scorching ray or just play around with rays in general. I have seen someone run Empower instead of Sickening as well on the fireball of doom.

[BretI]

Rattleingpython wrote:

Im gonna disagree with BretI and say go for it take the Arcane Trickster Prestige class.

Have you played through Rise of the Runelords?

My advice to skip the rogue dip and avoid Arcane Trickster was specific to that AP. Although the rogue can be useful, a full arcane caster is much more useful in that AP.

[Rattleingpython]

Yes I have played rise of runelords and run it as well. On the Arcane Trickster based off wizarad your spell level is equal to a sorcerer your caster level is just reduced by 1 (4,6,8 instead of 3,5,7). If 1 CL is a that large of an issue then Magical knack can remove that problem I do not think its required but that is an option. Would you say a Sorcerer is not a valid option for a full caster in Rise of the Runelords then because your getting spell levels at that rate?

Though another option is a Seeker Sorcerer archetype that gives you trapfinding basically on a sorcerer. Just need a bloodline that gives perception.

[The Raven Black]

This AP is like Christmas for Wizards PCs

If you really enjoy the concept of a thieving mage, check the Trickster from Marc Radle (Kobold Press). The pdf is most appropriately a veritable steal :-)

[BretI]

Rattleingpython wrote:

Yes I have played rise of runelords and run it as well. On the Arcane Trickster based off wizarad your spell level is equal to a sorcerer your caster level is just reduced by 1 (4,6,8 instead of 3,5,7). If 1 CL is a that large of an issue then Magical knack can remove that problem I do not think its required but that is an option. Would you say a Sorcerer is not a valid option for a full caster in Rise of the Runelords then because your getting spell levels at that rate?

Though another option is a Seeker Sorcerer archetype that gives you trapfinding basically on a sorcerer. Just need a bloodline that gives perception.

I wouldn’t say either is not an option. I do say that there are certain encounters where being behind a straight Wizard or Cleric puts you at a disadvantage.

It has nothing to do with caster level — it is all about delayed access to the highest level spells.

Rise of the Runelords early encounter that is harder:

Thistletop basement, not having access to 2nd level spells. When we played it, we were only 3rd level.