Building a 1st level gnome

[gordonknox]

Hello!

Just starting a new campaign and want to play a gnome.

I have never played a gnome character and really want to develop a neat fun character. The sneaky, comical, tricky, arcane nature kind of qualities have always attracted me and would like to see how to apply them to a gnomish concept.

Which builds that I should consider?

The basiscs...1st level, arcane spell caster most likely, and his name will be Boozer.

Thanks!

gk

 

[kmdietri]

Sounds like an Arcane Trickster to me.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

If you DO make an Arcane Trickster, I suggest to take your 1st level in Rogue, so you get more skill points.

You could then take a 1st level in Illusionist (or plain wizard). Sorcerer is possible too, but you'll be able to get into Arcane Trickster one level earlier if you choose a wizard class.

AR

 

[gordonknox]

If I were to go the AT route, which feats would be adequate?

Also, how would the class progression go?

gk

 

[kmdietri]

Requirements
To qualify to become an arcane trickster, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria.
Alignment: Any nonlawful.
Skills: Decipher Script 7 ranks, Disable Device 7 ranks, Escape Artist 7 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 4 ranks.
Spells: Ability to cast mage hand and at least one arcane spell of 3rd level or higher.
Special: Sneak attack +2d6.

Here are the requirements...

I would probably take rogue first level as well for the Skills.

 

[kenobi65]

Also, how would the class progression go?

Barring any screwy feats that would give you the Sneak Attack +2d6 or 3rd level arcane spell quicker, you're looking at a minimum of Rogue 3 / Wizard 5. And that would also mean getting the 7th rank in Disable Device and Escape Artist with wizard (i.e., cross-class) skill points (fortunately, Decipher Script is a class skill for wizards).

I'd concur that you'd want to start with Rogue; beyond that, you'll want to alternate evenly between Rogue and Wizard, because neither of those classes are the preferred class for gnomes, and if you let them get out of step with one another, you'll suffer that 20% XP penalty. (And, with the levels I've suggested, you *would* have to take that penalty during your 5th level as a Wizard; you can avoid the penalty by going Rogue 4 / Wizard 5, but that'll delay you getting into the PrC even further.)

 

[Someone]

I´d stick with just Illusionist or plain wizard. With Invisibility you have all the sneaking you´d want, and except psionics, nothing can be used for trcking better than magic.

 

[Darkness]

(And, with the levels I've suggested, you *would* have to take that penalty during your 5th level as a Wizard; you can avoid the penalty by going Rogue 4 / Wizard 5, but that'll delay you getting into the PrC even further.)

Delay or no delay - he'll have the 20% xp penalty for as long as his classes are 2 levels apart so he really should take that 4th Rog level at some point. (Either before taking the prestige class, or maybe after taking the 1st level in the prestige class, IMO.)

 

[argo]

Bah, you want a "sneaky, comical, tricky, arcane" character? Why look for multiclass options when there is already a core class that does just that? I'm speaking of the Bard of course. Unless you are really enamored of the ability to deal sneak attack damage or use Ranged Legerdemain I don't see anything the Arcane Trickster does that the Bard doesn't do better. Plus its your favored class meaning that if you ever do want to pick up a few levels of another class (say two levels of fighter of barbarian to shore up your fighting ability) you wont' have to worry about multiclass xp penalties!

Plus, as everybody knows, the 20th level bard is the most powerful force known to man.
(BTW: that link is for the 3.0 bard so some of the advice is a little out of date.)

Hope that helps.

 

[Corlon]

or you could convince your GM to allow you to use 3.0's favored class (illusionist).