The Dishonest Sorcerer

[Hedgemage]

I have a sorcerer who has no shortage of skill points, and so I've maxed out his bluff. (5 ranks; he's second level). Aside from telling a lot of lies, what kind of combat tricks would be a useful combo of Bluff with spells? Feint + spells that require attack rolls is one thing, any other ideas?

 

[Darklone]

Illusions. But that depends on your DM.

 

[fafhrd]

Take a look at the skill tricks in Complete Scoundrel.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Feint + spells that require attack rolls is one thing...

Dangerous.

Feinting in Combat: You can also use Bluff to mislead an opponent in melee combat (so that it can’t dodge your next attack effectively). To feint, make a Bluff check opposed by your target’s Sense Motive check, but in this case, the target may add its base attack bonus to the roll along with any other applicable modifiers. If your Bluff check result exceeds this special Sense Motive check result, your target is denied its Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) for the next melee attack you make against it. This attack must be made on or before your next turn.

So firstly, it will only work for spells that require a melee attack - Shocking Grasp, not Scorching Ray.

Secondly, it's arguable that "an opponent in melee combat" means "an opponent engaged in melee with you", which means you need to be close enough for one of you to threaten the other in order to feint... which makes it likely you'll be casting your touch spell in a threatened square. Hope you've maxed out Concentration as well!

-Hyp.

 

[Hedgemage]

I neglected to mention, because of a feat, my sorcerer has Hide as a class skill (but not move silently). How useful is it to utilize the 'Distraction' use of Bluff in combat for a spellcaster so he can hide? Are there any good spells or combos that would benefit from this?

 

[javcs]

Hide, then summon stuff from hiding.

 

[pawsplay]

Well, you can Bluff to create a distraction to Hide. Then you can... summon things, I guess. Or jump someone with Touch of Idiocy.

 

[moritheil]

Well, you can Bluff to create a distraction to Hide. Then you can... summon things, I guess. Or jump someone with Touch of Idiocy.

There's a wonderful metaphysical statement in there about idiocy creeping up on your enemies.

I would definitely pick up skill tricks. Sadly, the one that lets you pretend you aren't casting is based off Sleight of Hand, not Bluff.

 

[frankthedm]

How about languages? Lots of languages.