Beguiler - gnome or changeling?

[Glyfair]

I usually ignore posts that discuss what sort of character a player should play. How can I possibly help a player make that decision when I don't know them? Yet, I find myself torn about a character in an upcoming game.

My brother is going to be starting an Eberron campaign by running Paizo's Hollow's Last Hope followed by Crown of the Kobold King. I've pretty much decided I'm going to be running a beguiler. However, I can't decide between a gnome beguiler or a changeling beguiler. Both have obvious synergy with the beguiler class, both from a mechanical and personality standpoint.

I've played in games with two changelings and neither player really made use of the changeling. The first player only focused on it when making mischief (such as masquerading as a female dwarf prostitute when the dwarf decided to visit the red light district). The current player might as well be playing a human. I even keep forgetting the character is a changeling, and I'm DMing the game.

I'd really like to explore the possibilities of the changeling. Probably create a standard "cover" identity that I stay in when I don't need my disguise ability ("John Smith, henchman"). Maybe practice losing people in a crowd by rapidly changing identities when not observed.

A gnome is attractive because no one ever has played a gnome. Zilargo is a rich country with all sorts of character ideas. As a beguiler I want to tie my background into the Trust in some way. Maybe I had a run in with them and dislike them, maybe a family member works for them, maybe I want to get their attention as a possible operative. I wouldn't be a member of House Sivis, so maybe my family would have a rivalry with them in some way.

Right now I'm leaning very slightly towards the changeling. The reason isn't very compelling though. There just aren't many gnome miniatures out there (Reaper only has three, DDM seven) and none seem very appropriate. True, there are only two changeling miniatures, but any human sized miniature can be my base "cover" of my character.

Any thoughts or preferences to help me decide? I don't care if they are character oriented or mechanical oriented. I don't even mind if they are based on knowing those adventures, as long as there are no spoilers (something like, "running a gnome would be BAD idea" or "gnomes have a lot of story hooks" would be appropriate).

 

[MarkB]

One thing to consider in terms of hidden identities is that Disguise Self (whether the Changeling ability or the Beguiler spell) doesn't give you enough leeway in height to disguise yourself as a creature in a different size category. So as a gnome, you'd be limited to appearing to be a Small creature such as a gnome, halfling or goblin, whilst as a changeling you'd have a somewhat wider selection of Medium creatutres you could appear as.

Personally, I'd go with the Changeling, but frankly that's because I, too, like the race. You've made a compelling case for each, so go with the one you prefer (and build the other as a backup character, just in case. )

 

[Moggthegob]

I like the gnome but gnomes are my personal favorite race and I always say gnome. hat and you can do some pretty powerful things with gnome beguiler(Shadowcraft mage). AND you are running an adventure with kobold in the title making room for racial hate.

 

[blargney the second]

I think you wrote more interesting reasons to go with gnome. Don't forget that halfling minis work very well as gnomes.

 

[Wolfwood2]

I'd go with the gnome.

A changeling is cool in theory, but you have to ask yourself if you're actually going to be able to carry off all the alternate identity stuff in play. Switching identities and leading double lives is difficult to do at the gaming table when all the other players want to be doing stuff too and want you with them, taking part in the adventure.

I'd only try the changeling if your DM is willing to run some solo stuff for you.

 

[szilard]

Zilargo Gnomes are scary and cool.

-Stuart

 

[wolff96]

One thing to consider in terms of hidden identities is that Disguise Self (whether the Changeling ability or the Beguiler spell) doesn't give you enough leeway in height to disguise yourself as a creature in a different size category. So as a gnome, you'd be limited to appearing to be a Small creature such as a gnome, halfling or goblin, whilst as a changeling you'd have a somewhat wider selection of Medium creatutres you could appear as.

Balance is a class skill for Beguilers.

Pick up a pair of stilts, a long cloak, and you're good to go as just about any medium-size race. The Disguise skill plus a quick Disguise Self and anything in the PHB is fair game...

I played a Gnome Beguiler for a while, randomly inventing new personalities as we travelled and never introducing myself the same way twice.

Long story short: Beguilers rock, whichever way you go. Gnome makes a nice choice for the Illusion DCs and the spell-like abilities, but you're not losing THAT much by going Changeling.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Gnome. Gno question. You should gnot even hesitate.

 

[Glyfair]

A changeling is cool in theory, but you have to ask yourself if you're actually going to be able to carry off all the alternate identity stuff in play. Switching identities and leading double lives is difficult to do at the gaming table when all the other players want to be doing stuff too and want you with them, taking part in the adventure.

Not an issue. I've played a master of disguise before (a long time ago) and had several standard identities to use. Some of them never came out in play, but those that did never interfered in the flow of the game.

That being said, my concept of the changeling has his "party role" being an identity. In a perfect world, the party will never see his "real identity."

Think of it like Batman. When he's "adventuring" the team doesn't ever deal with Bruce Wayne, just "Batman." If the right situation comes up they might see him assume the "Matches" Malone identity. They might see him become the guard they knocked out. They may never meet Bruce Wayne. (of course, the "Batman" identity would be something like "Slippery Jim" not "the Dark Crusader").

 

[Corsair]

Gnome Beguiler 6 / Something Else (Mindbender or unseen seer) 1 / Beguiler 7 / Shadowcraft Mage +