D&D 3E/3.5 Assassin in 3.5: How did I miss this?

[rgard]

I don't understand why a wiz would only take two levels of rogue when he could take three and get AT. I can see why they'd stay a straight wiz, but two and only two levels of rogue? That's a waste!

Of course, other than a single dip in for wands, I don't see why any rogue wouldn't take several levels of mage (5) for AT! I've never seen someone really play a straight up rogue no multiclassing.

What is AT?

 

[FireLance]

What is AT?

AT = Arcane Trickster prestige class (see DMG and SRD for details).

 

[rgard]

AT = Arcane Trickster prestige class (see DMG and SRD for details).

Got it thanks. I'm satisfied with the 2 lvls in Rogue then on with the Wizard progression.

 

[likuidice]

AT requires a minimum of 5 levels in wizard, or 6 in sorc to qualify (3rd level arcane spells), as well as 2d6 sneak attack, which is 3 levels of rogue (or 1 rogue/1 assassin if you want to be cheesy).

Hide in plain sight is extremely useful to an assassin, as is the overlooked silent spell feat. HIPS, cast silent true strike, then death attack with +20 to hit and ability to ignore concealment.

 

[ARandomGod]

Got it thanks. I'm satisfied with the 2 lvls in Rogue then on with the Wizard progression.

Yea, but you get to apply sneak attacks to some spells, and AT gets a full sneak attack progression. At two levels invested in rogure you're already one spell level behind a full caster wizard, make that three rogue, you'll be one and a half spell levels behind, but you're lower level spells become more and more powerful, which greatly helps to make up for being one (and a half) spell levels behind. Adding 7d6 to (certain, weapon-like) spells greatly boosts the overall power level of the rogue/mage. Plus you get an increased class skill list and more skill points per level!

 

[frankthedm]

The Table is an error. sneak starts at 2nd level for assassins.

Class Features

All of the following are Class Features of the assassin prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Assassins are proficient with the crossbow (hand, light, or heavy), dagger (any type), dart, rapier, sap, shortbow (normal and composite), and short sword. Assassins are proficient with light armor but not with shields.

Sneak Attack: This is exactly like the rogue ability of the same name. The extra damage dealt increases by +1d6 every other level (2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th). If an assassin gets a sneak attack bonus from another source the bonuses on damage stack.

 

[BluWolf]

AT requires a minimum of 5 levels in wizard, or 6 in sorc to qualify (3rd level arcane spells), as well as 2d6 sneak attack, which is 3 levels of rogue (or 1 rogue/1 assassin if you want to be cheesy).

Hide in plain sight is extremely useful to an assassin, as is the overlooked silent spell feat. HIPS, cast silent true strike, then death attack with +20 to hit and ability to ignore concealment.

I played a Wizard/Rogue/Assassin in a morlly ambigous game. The Treu Strike/Dath attack combo was great!!!

I fully enjoyed that character but I agree, not the most TEAM oriented PC.

 

[Pinotage]

The Table is an error. sneak starts at 2nd level for assassins.

Blimey. Thanks for pointing that out. I'd never noticed it before.

Pinotage

 

[frankthedm]

It sounded like a few people had not noticed it.

 

[ARandomGod]

It sounded like a few people had not noticed it.

I didn't notice it. Of course, I've also never played or ran an Assassin. Yet... (evil grin).

Still, now hopefully it'll be there in my mind when/if it does come up. Thanks!