Help! A character in need of optimization!-sort of...

[blargney the second]

Damn, someone beat me to the artificer suggestion. Seconded, then.

I remember reading a fantasy novel where one of the characters was seen as a huge failure by his spellcasting parents because he couldn't cast. It turned out that he was really good at making items magical (which ended up saving the day, natch).

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Since you're supposed to be "magic dead", take a look at the anti-mage feats in Complete Arcane and Complete Mage.

If he's going to be built around magic items an Artificer with the serial numbers filed off might work well from a gains magical ability without spell casting.

Always consider keeping the mechanic of a class while altering the fluff. Basically, you want magic effects, some skills, and an anti-magic flare. How about playing a warlock who gets all of his effects not from magic and dark pacts but from technology?

Honestly, I see this as the perfect chance to play a Binder.

How about a spell thief? It's not quite magic dead, but it does fit your character background as an anti-mage....

Lots of good suggestions, y'all! (FWIW, despite my dislike of the Warlock class, that is the one I liked the most.)

My own:

1) Consider using a class from Magic of Incarnum. Your PC isn't actually "magic-dead" he merely cannot channel it in the normal fashion.

2) Consider playing a Rogue/Soulknife, dual wielding your wand with your mindblade. Its not the same, but it has a similar vibe.

3) Consider a divine spellcaster of some kind- they get their power from an outside source, so being "magic-dead" isn't an issue.

BTW, don't forget to get a Quiver of Ehlonna- many, many multiples of wands will fit in that "bolt/arrow" compartment.

 

[Haffrung Helleyes]

Just play a rogue

with Skill Focus: UMD and a circlet of persuasion. That alone will give you a +6 to your UMD rolls.

5th level rogue: 8 ranks, 14 CHA, SF UMD and the circlet is +16 on his UMD check. Since you get an additional +2 to activate items you've activated before, he only needs to roll a 2 on a d20 to activate a wand.

Now take all those cool wand feats, and you're done.

Ken

 

[Slaygrim]

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys!

with Skill Focus: UMD and a circlet of persuasion. That alone will give you a +6 to your UMD rolls.

5th level rogue: 8 ranks, 14 CHA, SF UMD and the circlet is +16 on his UMD check. Since you get an additional +2 to activate items you've activated before, he only needs to roll a 2 on a d20 to activate a wand.

Now take all those cool wand feats, and you're done.

Ken

What cool wand feats did you have in mind?