So a few quick caveats: Unchained allowed, 27 point buy to offset the missing person.
I was looking at a Catfolk Unchained rogue / Arcanist into Arcane trickster but I don't know. I like how Kitsune looks and the idea of shrinking into a fox thief is oddly amusing to me.
Party is a Cleric of something (domains are trickery and law due to an archetype I don't know) and an Unchained Barbarian.
Starting 1st level, primary focus will be dungeon slogging.
I basically need to fill the role of Skill monkey and Arcane caster. Thoughts?
I think an Archaeologist Bard is the best addition to this party; judging by the cleric's domain choices I'm guessing they plan on playing a casting-focused cleric, so supplementing the Barbarian's damage with your own is going to be a better addition to combat scenarios than trying to buff up just one character. The Archaeologist is plenty capable of doing the Rogue stuff you want as well, getting the usual 6+Int skills and the benefits of trapfinding.
Be sure to pick up the Fate's Favored trait. Half-Orc with Sacred Tattoo is optimal but not necessary. You'll want to build for melee since you need to spend a lot of feats on Extra Performance to ensure you don't run out of rounds during the day.
I think an Archaeologist Bard is the best addition to this party; judging by the cleric's domain choices I'm guessing they plan on playing a casting-focused cleric, so supplementing the Barbarian's damage with your own is going to be a better addition to combat scenarios than trying to buff up just one character. The Archaeologist is plenty capable of doing the Rogue stuff you want as well, getting the usual 6+Int skills and the benefits of trapfinding.
Be sure to pick up the Fate's Favored trait. Half-Orc with Sacred Tattoo is optimal but not necessary. You'll want to build for melee since you need to spend a lot of feats on Extra Performance to ensure you don't run out of rounds during the day.
My only concern with taking Bard is that you don't get the good blasting spells like Snowball, Scorching Ray, and Fireball.
Blasting isn't very good unless you build specifically to blast anyways, which you can't afford to do if you're trying to do Rogue stuff.
Blasting isn't very good unless you build specifically to blast anyways, which you can't afford to do if you're trying to do Rogue stuff.
Intensified Sneak Attack Snowball is pretty blasty.
If you want to base your 1st level character build off of something that you won't even be able to do until level 15, then sure.
It sounds like you want to play an Arcane Trickster and don't really want to consider other options.
Suggestions:
Eldritch Scoundrel Rogue: 6th level spellcasting as a Wizard, Sneak Attack as a Rogue. Its everything you want as a class.
Bard: Pick one, bards are all skill monkeys and fantastic at their jobs. Archetypes exist to tune them any way you want.
Occultist: Technically uses Psychic Magic but are basically arcane casters. They make for FANTASTIC skill monkeys. These guys are my favorite class so I'll always suggest them, but seriously they are a blast.
Mesmersist: Another fun Skill/Sneaky Caster, Mesmersists are like a hybrid of Bards, Witchs, and Illusion Focused Sorcerers. They're a blast to play and fill the roles you want quite nicely.
Cabalist Vigilante: Basically exactly what you want, a mix of Social skills, sneakiness, and spells.
Pick one, have fun.
Suggestions:
Eldritch Scoundrel Rogue: 6th level spellcasting as a Wizard, Sneak Attack as a Rogue. Its everything you want as a class.
Bard: Pick one, bards are all skill monkeys and fantastic at their jobs. Archetypes exist to tune them any way you want.
Occultist: Technically uses Psychic Magic but are basically arcane casters. They make for FANTASTIC skill monkeys. These guys are my favorite class so I'll always suggest them, but seriously they are a blast.
Mesmersist: Another fun Skill/Sneaky Caster, Mesmersists are like a hybrid of Bards, Witchs, and Illusion Focused Sorcerers. They're a blast to play and fill the roles you want quite nicely.
Cabalist Vigilante: Basically exactly what you want, a mix of Social skills, sneakiness, and spells.
Pick one, have fun.
I had totally forgotten about Eldritch Scoundrel. That is exactly what I need. Thanks.
If you want to base your 1st level character build off of something that you won't even be able to do until level 15, then sure.
It sounds like you want to play an Arcane Trickster and don't really want to consider other options.
Actually you can apply sneak attack to touch and range touch spells at any level. 10th level trickster just lets you put it on any spell. Like a sneak attack fireball (So fun). I'll grant you that the Intensified is a 10th level goal but a sneak attack snowball is fun at any level. 5d6 + building sneak attack is more damage than most classes can dish out at 5th-9th level. Add a bloodline or such to add +1 per dice of the spell and your going to have some good times. Cross blood Draconic Elemental is a hell of a burst assuming you can use your chosen element.
For skills and arcane, Questioner Investigator is another option.
Still no blasting of course, as that's the bard list.
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In a 3 man party, expect to be in melee. As an aside, a 27 point-buy does NOT offset the missing 4th PC.
Something like a Summoner would be your best choice, because it addresses the action economy problem that's inherent in small parties. If you don't want to do that, a high strength reach Archaeologist Bard would probably work well. Learn Liberating Command if possible; grapples can be devastating to small parties, because they attack the already-weak action economy.