Beguiler builds

[satori01]

Looks to be a fun class, any build suggestions out there to be taken advantage of?

Race: Seems like any race will do well as a Beguiler, except for maybe Half-Orc and Wood Elf. Human and Gnome work very well. Elven or Half-Elven Witch of the Wood motif seem very appropriate, while a Dwarven Charmer just plays against type and could be quite fun.
So mechanicaly what is the best race?

PrC: a Gnome Shadowcraft Mage would be a strong fit for the class. Beyond potentially losing out on skill points, the class features of the Beguiler do not preclude, in my opinion, taking a PrC...do other people feel that is correct...and what PrC work well?

Skill/Spelll overlap: one of the problems I think in a Beguiler build is determining what skills to take, and what options you want to solely rely on with magic. Bluff and Concentration seem mandatory. I would also say Use Magic Device, and Escape Artist for small characters.
Diplomacy or Charm Person? Open Lock or Knock? Climb or Spider Climb? What way would people suggest a Beguiler take?

Advanced Learning: what spells would people take. I think Shadow Conjuration and possibly Shadow Evocation are obvious spells. What else would be good? What are the killer app spells?

Feats: Beguiler does not get alot of them. PHB II recomends Mobile Spell casting, and Improved Feint, which are not bad choices.. what else works? Taking a Feat to disguise spell casting might not be a bad way to go. Arcane Disciple?

Multi-classing: What Obvious Multi-Classing options are out there. 1 level of cleric for a gnome and taking the Gnome and Illusion Domain seems viable, (+2 to Illusion Caster level for a 1 level dip), 1 Level of Rogue for Sneak Attack and Arcane Trickster?

Getting around Undead and Mind Blank: any thoughts on bypassing the bane of Beguilers?

 

[lukelightning]

To really make use of the Advanced Learning feature you need other books like the Spell Compendium (otherwise you're stuck with Nystul's Magic Aura, etc.)

If you're going to be a disguise/infiltrater type, then be a medium-sized race (human is my suggestion; the extra skill points will let you max out another skill, and an extra feat is always peachy). Most things you are going to impersonate are going to be Medium sized unless you are infiltrating Hobbiton or Willy Wonka's factory.

I think Changelings from Eberron are an obvious fit; even though you can cast disguise self as a beguiler, it's nice to be able to do it at will, and technically the changeling's minor shapechange ability actually stacks with disguise self. Plus you get a nice +2 to bluff and sense motive.

If you're going to be an illusionist type then gnome is the obvious choice; take spell focus and greater spell focus on illusions for a whopping +3 to your illusion DCs!

The shadowcraft mage is the best choice for a PrC since it gets 4 skill points/level, but you'll have to wait till you're high enough level to get advanced learning that can add shadow conjuration.

Undead are much less of a worry for you than they are to rogues; even though you can't charm/mind control undead* most illusions (figments and glamours) still work on them no problem. So you can at least turn invisible and not get swamped by ghouls, or worry the vampire with an illusion of a Pelor Priest barging in with a wooden stake, or olfactory illusions of lots of garlic. You also have some useful buffing spells like haste that can help out the whole party.

*Note: I really see no reason why intelligent undead are immune to mind-affecting spells. Some undead are virtually nothing but mind. I'd consider house ruling that these spells to affect undead but they may get a bonus to their will saves because of their different nature.

 

[neoweasel]

I'd say load up on Spell Focus & Greater Spell Focus (Illusion). Most of the good Beguiler spells are negated by successful saving throws.

A 1-level dip into mindbender after 6th can delay the 2nd Advanced Learning slot enough to get Shadow Conjuration at 8, instead of 11 like you'd have to otherwise. Also, you get Telepathy.

If you want to go the Arcane Trickster route, you've got a 3-level dip into Rogue, which takes away the possibility of 9th level spells.

Undead and Mind Blank do not make you invulnerable to Shadow Conjuration/Shadow Evocation (unless I'm missing something).

 

[neoweasel]

*Note: I really see no reason why intelligent undead are immune to mind-affecting spells. Some undead are virtually nothing but mind. I'd consider house ruling that these spells to affect undead but they may get a bonus to their will saves because of their different nature.

I know my DM houseruled it so that only mindless undead are immune to mind-affecting spells.

Which is good for my beguiler, given that the last couple of months have been dealing with an undead infestation.