Best Way to get to the Arcane Trickster?

Gaiden

Explorer
I heard that it is possible to get the Arcane Trickster PrC and still have 9th level casting ability by level 20.

I was trying to figure out how to do this and could not figure it out. I know that the last reference involved assassin and loremaster levels

I would imagine that you have:

Rogue 1
Assassin 1
Wizard 5
LoreMaster 3
Arcane Trickster 10

However, how do you get the 7 ranks in disable device? Can the 4 ranks gotten from Secret Lore stack with the max ranks available to any class exclusive skill? Even if that's the case, wouldn't you have to take at least one more level of some rogue-ish like class for the skills?

Feedback appreciated
However,
 

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You can do Rogue 3 / Wizard 5 / Loremaster 1.

Loremaster has Decipher Script as a class skill.

Note that this method is rather intense in use of skill points and feats.

10 ranks in 2 knowledge skills. Make sure one of those is Knowledge: Arcana. Since these aren't exclusive skills, just make sure your 7th level is in wizard and buy them up the remaining bit.

3 metamagic or creation feats + skill focus in a knowledge skill. Scribe Scroll is a creation feat, so that makes it slightly easier.


Decipher Script: 7 ranks. Get 6 from Rogue and 1 from Loremaster.

Disable Device: 7 ranks. Get all 7 from Rogue. Need to be 4th level to do this.

Escape Artist: 7 ranks. See above.

Knowledge: Arcana: 4 ranks. You should have gotten this as part of qualifying for the loremaster.

Total Wizard class skills required: 20 skill points, must be 7th level character.
Total Rogue class skills required: 20 skill points, must be 4th level character.
Total Loremaster class skills required: 1skill point.

Total feats required: 3, one of which is a general feat.


Lots of different ways to do this. Here is just one example build:
1: Rogue 1, max out Decipher Script, Disable Device, Escape Artist.
Feat: Your choice.
2: Rogue 2, max out same skills. Now you don't loose your Dex bonus when flatfooted.
3: Wizard 1, max out Knowledge: Arcana and Knowledge: Architechure & Engineering.
Feat: Silent Spell
4: Wizard 2, max out same skills.
5: Rogue 3: Get those skills up to the required 7 ranks in Escape Artist, Disable Device. Get your 6th rank (the max you can) in Decipher Script.
6: Wizard 3: Work those knowledge skills some more.
Feat: Skill focus: Knowledge: Architechure and Engineering.

7: Wizard 4: Get those ranks in the knowledge skills
8: Wizard 5: Finally make sure you have the required 10 ranks in Knowledge: Arcana and Knowledge: Architechure and Engineering.
Feat: Still spell

You now qualify for loremaster provided you picked up enough Divination spells.
Feats: Skill focus: Knowledge: Architechure and Engineering; Still Spell; Silent Spell; Scribe Scroll
9: Loremaster 1: Pick up that last skill point in Decipher Script.
You actually get to decide how you are using your feat this time, PrC isn't limiting your options.

You now have 2d6 sneak attack and a caster level of 6.

10 Arcane Trickster 1 Start on your path.

At somepoint, pick up one more level of Wizard so your 20th level character is:
Rogue 3 / Wizard 6/ Loremaster 1/ Arcane Trickster 10. Total caster level of 17, which just barely gets you a 9th level spell.

You would need a minimum of 14 Int to do this, although you would like much higher in order to be able to actually buy some Concentration and Spellcraft skill.

Note: This only gets you the spell one level faster than it would otherwise. If you are going into Epic play, your next level would get you 9th level spells.
 

Well, in the end it doesn't matter much, so I'd probably just go Rogue 4/Wizard 5/Arcane Trickster X and once you maxed the Trickster get a 6th Wizard level before proceeding to Epic Arcane Trickster!

This will also allow you to choose your feats as you see fit! :)

Bye
Thanee
 

Especially went you consider some of the other stuff that goes with it.

Rogue 4/ Wizard 6/ AT 10
BAB 3 + 3 + 5 = 11/6/1
Ref: 4 + 2 + 7 = 13
Fort: 1 + 2 +3 = 6
Will: 1 + 5 + 7 = 13

Rogue 3 / Wizard 6/ LM 1 / AT 10
BAB: 2 + 3 + 0 + 5 = 10/5
Ref: 3 + 2 + 0 + 7 = 12
Fort: 1 + 2 + 0 + 3 = 6
Will: 1 + 5 + 2 + 7 = 15

Not sure the one less attack is worth it. That is one less sneak attack when you're in position.

The lack of feats also makes it tough.
 

Gaiden said:
However, how do you get the 7 ranks in disable device? Can the 4 ranks gotten from Secret Lore stack with the max ranks available to any class exclusive skill? Even if that's the case, wouldn't you have to take at least one more level of some rogue-ish like class for the skills?

Disable Device is not an exclusive skill. That means you can take ranks in it with the Wizard levels, as cross-class skills.
 

If you are using the Kingdoms of Kalamar Player's Guide (and you really should, since it's as good, if not better, than the Forgotten Realms book), then there is a feat in there that makes an exclusive skills cross-class for you, or a cross-class skill a class skill for you. In fact, I think it makes several skills cross-class or class skills for you.
 

Thanks Chun-tzu, that was the key peice of info I was missing.

I will construct my version of an Arcane Trickster and post him in Rogues Gallery.

Thanks all for your responses
 


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