3.5E version of a 2e character concept?

[Allandaros]

So I'm supposed to play at some point in a 3.5e game a friend of mine is running, and I was invited to "guest-star" my character from the 2nd Edition campaign I had been running/playing in earlier. I'm wondering how best to translate my character concept over, given that there are all these snazzy special classes other than the ones in the PHB.

My character was an elven fighter/mage using the Bladesinger kit (please, stifle the groans and catcalls...I was in middle school when I rolled him up, and had no conception of game balance or broken kits or what have you). After a while, I realized I wanted to keep the strong fighting ability, but shift to something more stealth and diplomacy based, with a tiny bit of magic (charm spells here and there, perhaps). Subtle, enchantment/charm and alteration magic rather than the big boomies I had been using earlier. I wasn't really able to get any stealth abilities in-game from the fighter/mage combo, but I RPed it out, and shifted my spell selection around. Not ideal, but so it goes.

So now I'm thinking maybe I can get this demoniacal construction known as 3.5ed to help me out. What would be a good class combination to realize my character concept?

-Chaotic good
-Ability to use a longsword
-Mix of sneaky thief skills (not so much on the pickpocketing or setting traps or stuff like that, just being sneaky) and diplomacy
-Ability to cast low-key magic, with one or two boom-spells for the battlefield

Any thoughts?

 

[Aus_Snow]

Rogue / specialist Wizard, or maybe Rogue / Sorcerer and just pick what you want. All elves can use longswords, so that's covered whichever way you go.

 

[Wystan]

Bard

 

[rgard]

So I'm supposed to play at some point in a 3.5e game a friend of mine is running, and I was invited to "guest-star" my character from the 2nd Edition campaign I had been running/playing in earlier. I'm wondering how best to translate my character concept over, given that there are all these snazzy special classes other than the ones in the PHB.

My character was an elven fighter/mage using the Bladesinger kit (please, stifle the groans and catcalls...I was in middle school when I rolled him up, and had no conception of game balance or broken kits or what have you). After a while, I realized I wanted to keep the strong fighting ability, but shift to something more stealth and diplomacy based, with a tiny bit of magic (charm spells here and there, perhaps). Subtle, enchantment/charm and alteration magic rather than the big boomies I had been using earlier. I wasn't really able to get any stealth abilities in-game from the fighter/mage combo, but I RPed it out, and shifted my spell selection around. Not ideal, but so it goes.

So now I'm thinking maybe I can get this demoniacal construction known as 3.5ed to help me out. What would be a good class combination to realize my character concept?

-Chaotic good
-Ability to use a longsword
-Mix of sneaky thief skills (not so much on the pickpocketing or setting traps or stuff like that, just being sneaky) and diplomacy
-Ability to cast low-key magic, with one or two boom-spells for the battlefield

Any thoughts?

Sounds like the Dusk Blade or Beguiler from the PHB2 could work. Or you could do the Bladesinger from the Complete Warrior.

Or...a mix of Sorcerer and the variant Rogue (you lose sneak attack damage, but gain Fighter feats as a Fighter does.) Or...Battle Sorcerer. The Battle Sorcerer and variant Rogue are in Unearthed Arcana.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[monboesen]

-Chaotic good
-Ability to use a longsword
-Mix of sneaky thief skills (not so much on the pickpocketing or setting traps or stuff like that, just being sneaky) and diplomacy
-Ability to cast low-key magic, with one or two boom-spells for the battlefield

-Chaotic good: Check. Thats as hard as choosing it.
-Longsword: Check. All elves can use longswords in 3ed regardless of class.
-Sneakyness: For your concept it requires either Rogue or Ranger levels. See below for details.
-low key spells and some bangers: This will depend on your overall spellcaster level and spell choice. Which means it depends on your total character level.

So now I'm thinking maybe I can get this demoniacal construction known as 3.5ed to help me out. What would be a good class combination to realize my character concept?

This depends a lot on your total character level and what books are available.

As mentioned above the Duskblade from PHII could be an option. It is not good at sneaking or blast spells, but very good at close quarter combat and touch spells. You won't need to multiclass if you use that class.


If you have acces to Complete warrior there is a decent Bladesinger prestige class in that book. You can qualify as early as level 5 (and thus taking your 6th levels as a bladesinger) by taking a combination of wizard and other class levels.

The best way of getting requirements and synergy from other classes is a combination of 3 Swashbuckler levels (another class from Complete warrior), Wizard (1 level will suffice) and 3 Elf paragon levels (a Class from Unearthed arcana). This will grant you all the requirements (but needs careful feat placement) and a nice mix of abilities (among them letting you use your intelligence bonus for AC, Damage and spell casting ability).


Lets assume that your stats include a intelligence of 16 from level 1.


Your first level should be swashbuckler.

You get (4+3)*4 skill points = 28

With these you buy 2 ranks in balance perform (dance), perform (sing) and tumble (you may want to get balance and tumble higher, but 2 ranks is the minimum requirement for Bladesinger). All in all that is 12 skill points (because perform is a cross class skill and costs double).

You also get weapon finesse as a free feat and should take dodge as your level 1 feat, as dodge is a requirement for bladesingers.


Second level: Wizard

5 skillpoints, dump 4 of the in concentration, that’s another requirement taken care of. You will also pick up Scribe scroll for free.


Third level: Elf paragon

5 skillpoints. Spend as you like. Has Hide and Move silent as class skills (and some others of course). Choose Combat expertise as your third level feat (another of those pesky requirements).

You also get some nifty bonuses to elfstuff (senses and the likes)


Fourth level: Elf paragon

5 skillpoints. Spend as you like. Has Hide and Move silent as class skills (and some others of course). You get weapon focus (rapier) for free (another requirement dealt with).

You also increase your effective wizard caster level by 1.


Fifth level: Elf paragon

5 skillpoints. Spend as you like. Has Hide and Move silent as class skills (and some others of course). You intelligence increase by 2.

You also increase your effective wizard caster level by yet another 1 (and now casts and prepares spells as a 3rd level wizard, pretty cool huh).


Sixth level: Swashbuckler 2.

8 skillpoints (since we are assuming an intelligence of 18). You get a small bonus to reflex saves and must choose combat casting as your 6 level feat.


Sixth level: Swashbuckler 3.

8 skillpoints. You get the ability to add your intelligence bonus to damage when using weapon finesse or light weapons. Your BAB get up to +5 at this level and you are set to take Bladesinger levels from here on onwards for the next 10 levels.



Let’s recap.

At level 7 (entry level to bladesinger)

Intelligence 18

BAB: +5

Casts and prepares spells as a 3rd level wizard.

Skills: Balance 2 ranks, Perform (dance) 2 ranks, Perform (singing) 2 ranks, Tumble 2 ranks. 48 skill points not spend yet.

Feats: Combat casting, Combat expertise, Dodge, Weapon focus (rapier).


At this level your aren’t to impressive, but should be able to hold your own. And with some Bladesinger levels under your belt it starts looking good. This particular build does not use a longsword, but could work with a shortsword instead of a rapier.

 

[Allandaros]

Yay! Thanks to all of you!

...now I need to meet with the GM and set meself up!