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Any ideas for a 4th Edition fighter / thief / magic-user?

There are a number of routes you can go (as obvious by the various suggestions thus far), but I'd actually recommend acquiring the 'thief' element via feats/skills rather than multiclassing.

For something the most thematically appropriate, I'd say a Fighter/Wizard or Wizard/Fighter would be a good base. As you level, take the appropriate multi-classing power swap feats, while also investing in Skill Training to pick up relevant 'thief' skills. At Paragon, Wizard of the Spiral Tower is an excellent blend - and feat-wise, you can start taking Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, Lightning Reflexes and other feats that give you the feel of a rogue without having to actually be one. Assuming you can qualify for them - the downside of this build is having to spread your stats pretty thin, especially as a half-elf... mechanically, eladrin is probably a better choice.

Going Fighter muticlassed into Wizard gives you a much stronger base to build from - better hp, proficiences, etc, and probably more effective class features. On the other hand, it is somewhat slower to actually blend spells and melee, since you have to wait to get your power swap feats for consistent arcane power. Half-elf, with Dilettante, helps somewhat with this.

Going Wizard multiclassed into Fighter, on the other hand, lets you feel truly multiclassed earlier on - since you can always rely on basic attacks to wade into melee, while using your full arsenal of wizard spells. Your AC should remain competitive with a good enough Int - but you do need some investment in feats for armor and weapon proficiency (though some races, like Eladrin, can help with that.)

If you are looking for more mechanically powerful options, Warlock is probably a good choice for the arcane side, especially for the Half-elf. The downside is less area effect powers to really give you the feel of blasting enemies with a fireball. Interestingly enough, Paladin/Warlock with the right feats manages to let you very effectively blend arcane/divine/melee/sneaky into one surprisingly capable hole! Swordmage also obviously makes an excellent choice, and lets you really focus your stats much more easily.
 

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Well, elves could always be FMTs, and eladrin = high elves of old editions.
I'd go with them ('cos they lend themselves to be better arcanists than half elves or elves).

Hmm.. I can build a gish, but it can't really melee until level 4 or so.
It's the thief part that's tricky.

Eladrin, go pure int, and be a wizard. Splash stats in other wizardy areas.
1) Leather proficiency
2) Toughness
4) Blade Initiate. Retrain: Toughness -> Intelligent swordmaster.
At this point, you're pretty scary in melee, though only with a staff.
6) Eladrin Soldier.
Pick up a longsword.
8 & 10) Some rogue-type feats if you like, or jack-of-all-trades. Or training in a couple of skills. Maybe jack first, then retrain it out for both stealth and thievery training.

You don't need to go Spiral Tower, just do a gandalf and dual wield longsword + staff, and you're set.

Not sure about the 8 & 10 choices .. 'cos the main purpose of the old FMT's thief bit was the backstab, wasn't it?

Although, might want to see the bard when it actually comes out, 'cos that thing can take multiple multiclass feats. Maybe it would be better suited to be an FMT.
 

4) Blade Initiate. Retrain: Toughness -> Intelligent swordmaster.
At this point, you're pretty scary in melee, though only with a staff.
6) Eladrin Soldier.
Pick up a longsword.

Eladrins are trained in longsword from very start. No need to wait for Eladrin Soldier to fight with longsword - you can do it from 1st level (even if only after Intelligent swordmaster you will be dealing any real damage with it).
 


I've currently been pondering a Half Elf Assault Swordmage, multi-classed into Warlock (Fey Pact, training Thievery), with the Dilettante power from Wizard (Scorching Burst).

Eventually, he'd multi-class into the Fey Pact PP from the main book and be a teleporting, crowd-controlling, sneaky-sneaky-sneaky-type of man. Granted, there are then worthless powers from the PP, but being able to teleport in to protect an ally (doing damage when you do so), turn invisible to enemies, and then pick locks and cast rituals when the time calls for it...makes for a very well-rounded fellow.

And with the Intelligent Blademaster Feat you only have to focus on Intelligence and Charisma. Granted, it's better with Eladrin considering their free teleport...but I just like the multiple powers you can get from the Half Elf.
 

They were just like humans, plus infravision, defensive bonuses, and the most multi-classing options in the game.

Cheers, -- N

Sure.

As long as you ignored the rules on level limits.

And if you ignore those, what makes it superior to the Elf (the other race for which that class combination was possible)?

Carl
 

It's the thief part that's tricky.

Thief could be just a couple of skills & Eladrin get one of those for free.

I am not sure what the fighter part adds to this - 4e rogues can fight like 1e fighter/rogues so I think you are looking for a melee rogue/caster or caster/rogue. Wizard has utilities to help thieving but overlaps on the Int/Dex thing & you cannot SA with spells :(.

Sorcerer looks a very good fit with Artful Dodger on stats but I think you would get very poor value from your striker damage boost ability, whichever it was. Hopefully ther will be an arcane equivalent of the "SA with your longsword2 feat.

An Eladrin Swordmage with a couple of rogue skills would easily fit the template too.

Really you need to decide what is the essence of FMR before you attempt to replicate it.
 

I think you should wait a bit for the valorous bard built. Seems like it uses weapons, is a perfect fit for half-elves, and you can pick a couple of multiclass feats if you want to.
 

I think you should wait a bit for the valorous bard built. Seems like it uses weapons, is a perfect fit for half-elves, and you can pick a couple of multiclass feats if you want to.
Definitely. That would cover the stealthy fighter with a few magical tricks archetype.

A multiclassed Chaos Sorcerer/Rogue could also work very well. It could fill the sneaky blaster with some melee capabilities archetype.
 


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