As stated in the title, I am trying to build an Arcane Trickster. I am still relatively new to the game an this is m first in depth build.
My first build was a Tiefling Cleric and though he is fun, I now realize how limited the character is.
Originally, I built a Gnome Rogue, who I believe, is a solid build. However, after talking to a friend, he convinced me to look into the Arcane Trickster since I'm going the route of Rogue. I would love to build this style of character and adding the poison use of the Vishkanya I think would be amazing!
The point of this is that I need some guidance on how to build a multiclass character. Do I just split it down the middle? Or is there a certain....guideline, per se, that I need to follow?
Typically you only multiclass as much as you need the class features for. For example, only going two levels for Divine Grace from Paladins before continuing Oracle levels for a total of Oracle 18/Paladin 2. For Arcane Trickster builds you may want to look into the Eldritch Scoundrel Rogue archetype since it might suit your needs in a single class rather than needing to multiclass. You also want to start the Prestige Class as soon as possible which Eldritch Scoundrel does pretty well.
With the Accomplished Sneak Attacker feat at 3rd level, you can get all the prerequisites by 4th level and be a Eldritch Scoundrel 4/Arcane Trickster 1 at 5th level.
The guideline is that multiclassing is frustrating unless you know what you are doing in Pathfinder.
Arcane Trickster can be fun, but it has a lot of annoying breakpoints for sure.
What people usually do is pick 1 level of Unchained Rogue (because the base Rogue is a bit weak), plus 3 levels of Wizard.
Then, they take the Accomplished Sneak Attacker feat.
This allows you to qualify for Arcane Trickster rather quick.
Next you go full Arcane Trickster, and if the game goes long, you get more Wizard feats so you get more spells to play with.
Thank you. That helps a lot. I have to look into the Eldritch Scoundrel archetype. I wasn't aware of that. I'm on D20pfsrd a lot reading the info and trying to understand how it all pieces together but as a relatively new player I get a bit confused. Glad I found this forum to ask.
Essentially there are two main routes: Wizard Rogue or Rogue Wizard. On one end, you'll feel more like a wizard with some tricks, but you may find yourself wondering why you bothered taking Rogue/Arcane Trickster stuff instead of more raw cosmic power.
If your DM allows Unchained Eldritch Scoundrels, then they get pretty appealing with Debilitating Injury. This route means your Base Attack Bonus will be higher when you enter Arcane Trickster(+3 instead of +1). Your spell list will only go to 6th level Wizard casting, but you'll be more inclined to do Rogue-y stuff since you won't have UNLIMITED COSMIC POWER.
Depending on what you really want, though, you might be better off going another route. If you want to be a magic skill monkey, maybe you should just be a Bard or Alchemist.
If you want to be some kind of awesome sniper, maybe be a Ninja with Vanishing Trick with enough magic to use wands such as Wand of Scorching Ray.
What do you want your character to be like?
When I played an Arcane Trickster, I found he wasn't the best wizard, and he wasn't that good in combat, but he was awesome at sneaking around, finding things out, and infiltrating.
I'm kind of leaning towards being sneaky but having the ability to use spells if/when needed. I built a Rogue/Wizard/Arcane Trickster and took 4 levels of Rogue, 3 of Wizard and 1 of Arcane Trickster. He will be coming in at 8th or 9th level (whenever my Tiefling Cleric dies....if ever lol). I took 4 of Rogue to get a rogue talent and uncanny dodge. As a wizard i get less spells per day compared to the Eldritch Scoundrel Rogue, but in the long run i get more powerful spells. I'm thinking of making him stronger on the Dex and Cha side of things followed by Int and Con. My style of play for him is leaning kinda towards CN so he'll be a crazy but im not sure how I'm going to do it all just yet.
Sandman Bard VMC Rogue is a brilliant way into Arcane Trickster, albeit a little later entry than the others. Sandman Bard can do it without VMC, too, but VMC Rogue really goes well with the archetype, overall.
The Two-World Magic trait for Acid Splash gets you a fun way to get your Sneak Attack... at level 20, this combination has 11d6 Sneak Attack to add to that Acid Splash Cantrip you got from a trait. Oh yeah, +1, if you have a jar of acid as a focus. Lol.
The Vagabond Child trait gets you Disable Device.
Standard Caster's Tattoos are just another thing to help with the whole sneaky spell thing.
I have a 1-20 build for this if you are interested...
Sandman Bard VMC Rogue is a brilliant way into Arcane Trickster, albeit a little later entry than the others. Sandman Bard can do it without VMC, too, but VMC Rogue really goes well with the archetype, overall.
The Two-World Magic trait for Acid Splash gets you a fun way to get your Sneak Attack... at level 20, this combination has 11d6 Sneak Attack to add to that Acid Splash Cantrip you got from a trait. Oh yeah, +1, if you have a jar of acid as a focus. Lol.
The Vagabond Child trait gets you Disable Device.
Standard Caster's Tattoos are just another thing to help with the whole sneaky spell thing.
I have a 1-20 build for this if you are interested...
I'd be interested in looking at that. I might introduce my new build soon but I'm already looking at other possible builds and so lookong at these archetypes and multiclasses will help me. But I may find something in your build that may help me or that I may like better than my current Rogue/Wizard.
Single class, 20th level Bard casting with no tricks, 11d6 Sneak Attack, near-undetectable casting, Trapfinding, Trap Sense, Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, and the whole assortment of Arcane Trickster, umm, tricks.
She plays like a silent Sorcerer as far as her casting goes. She is a Bard, otherwise. The Rogue stuff is definitely there as much as you want to use it... but I play her as one of the court Bards (who is also part of the Assassins Guild).
Here she is... I have her as a human NPC in my current campaign, so just ignore the human bonus feat/FCB. Obviously you are free to change whatever you want.
Sandman Bard VMC Rogue
25pt buy:
14,14,13,10,12,18(16+2)
Traits:
... Maestro of Society
... Two World Magic (Acid Splash)
... Vagabond Child (Disable Device)
... Warded Against Nature
1. Master of Deception
1. Cantrips
1. Spells (Bard)
1. Bardic Performance
... Countersong
... Distraction
... Fascinate
... Stealspell
1(human): Combat Reflexes
1(level): Eschew Materials
1(FCB): 0-level spell
2. Well-versed
2. Sneakspell +1
2(FCB): 0-level spell
3. Trap Sense +1
3(VMC): Trapfinding
3(FCB): 0-level spell
4. Stat Bump: Con +1
4(FCB): 1st-level spell
5. Sneak Attack 1D6
5(level): Point Blank Shot
5(FCB): 1st-level spell
6. Sneakspell +1/+2
6. Trap Sense +2
6. Bardic Performance
... Slumber Song
6(FCB): 1st-level spell
7(VMC): Sneak Attack 2D6
7(FCB): 2nd-level spell
8. Stat Bump: Cha +1
8. Bardic Performance
... Dirge of Doom
8(FCB): 2nd-level spell
9. Trap Sense +3
9. Bardic Performance
... Dramatic Subtext
9(level): Spellsong
9(FCB): 2nd-level spell
10. Jack of All Trades
10. Sneakspell +2/+2
10. Sneak Attack 3D6
10(FCB): 3rd-level spell
Arcane Trickster (prestige class)
11/1. Ranged Ledgermain
11/1(VMC): Sneak Attack 4D6
11/1(VMC): Evasion
12/2. Stat Bump: Cha +1
12/2. Sneak Attack 5D6
13/3. Impromptu Sneak Attack 1/day
13/3(level): Sacred Geometry
14/4. Sneak Attack 6D6
15/5. Tricky Spells 3/day
15/5(VMC): Sneak Attack 7D6
15/5(VMC): Uncanny Dodge
16/6. Stat Bump: Cha +1
16/6. Sneak Attack 8D6
17/7. Impromptu Sneak Attack 2/day
17/7. Tricky Spells 4/day
17/7(level): Expanded Arcana
18/8. Sneak Attack 9D6
19/9. Invisible Thief
19/9. Tricky Spells 5/day
19/9(VMC): Sneak Attack 10D6
19/9(VMC): Improved Uncanny Dodge
20/10. Stat Bump: Cha +1
20/10. Surprise Spells
20/10. Sneak Attack 11D6
20th level stats without gear:
14,14,14,10,12,22
Gear:
Standard Caster's Tattoos, various metamagic rods, stuff and things...
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Since you want to be a vishkanya for the poison I suggest to change rogue to Slayer or ninja; this 2 classes gain the poison use. Additional instead of using a wizard try the sorcerer whit the serpentine bloodline it will give you more venom attack
If you are looking for a magical thief, the archeologist bard is actually quite good. They don’t get sneak attack or normal bard performances, but the luck bonus applies to nearly everything. Take the trait fate favored to boost that, and lingering performance to get enough rounds of performance to be useful. Go with a high DEX build with just enough CHA to cast your spells, and take a feat that gives DEX to damage. Just make sure Heroism is one of your first 2nd level spells.
Use your spells primarily to buff yourself instead of affecting others. Archeologist luck stacks with Heroism to give you a large bonus to just about any roll. Pick up spells like Disguise Self, Expeditious Retreat, Heroism, Invisibility, Dispel Magic and Gaseous Form. Dimension Door is another must have spell.
The Archeologist Bard get a bonus to all perceptions rolls, not just to spot traps. They also keep full bardic knowledge so they get a bonus to all knowledge skills as well. At 7th level while invisible opponents are going to need a perception roll in the 50’s to be able to spot this character.
In combat this character will be able to hit dam near anything doing a decent amount of damage. His lower BAB means he gets less attacks than a full BAB character, but his bonus to hit and damage will be about as good.