Requesting Build Help: F/10SD/5Thaum

[Kasus_Cloud]

Hey Folks! Getting down another build design for when I finally pop in. This time its a bit more stealthy, a lot less up front.

Requirements:

1. Human.

2. 10 levels in Shadowdancer, 5th Level Thaumaturgist, with no crippling limitations as to whether or not I can use light armor or no armor.

3. Light Weapon with Dual wielding focus. daggers, scimitars, or shortswords would be optimal.

4. Even though he's not as much of a talker and more of a stalker, it wouldn't hurt to be able to bluff/CHA my way out of a sticky situation.

5. True Neutral Alignment; Must remain True Neutral.




Let me know what you guys come up with!

[Valefort]

wiz 5 / thaumaturge 5 / rogue 10 / SD 10 is among the least unplayable combinations, it's still utterly terrible though, my advice : scrap the idea.

[Kasus_Cloud]

I'll continue looking into it. I do want a long term companion of some kind beyond just the shadow you get from Shadowdancers, for RP purposes, and that's what Thaumaturgist seems to offer. In any case, your input has been tremendously helpful!

[chad878262]

The issue is that anything that gets a companion is also a caster, and taking 10 levels of Shadow Dancer is very bad for your caster level. Anything less than CL30 has a chance of being dispelled by Greater Dispel. With 10 levels of SD you can't get more than CL24 which means you can even be dispelled by regular dispels. No fun when a CL15 can dispel you at level 30 with a third level spell.

Also, why play a sneak if you are going to summon a companion that can't sneak with you? My recommendation would be to drop Thaumaturge and go for a mostly rogue build that still get's CL21. For example:

R10/W7/AT10/SD3 - which has HiPS and can use Invisible Needle and/or RTA spells to deliver sneak attacks along with the spell damage. CL21 with level 9 spells. You will be easy to dispel, but can utilize HiPS for defense if you are careful around area's where caster mobs spawn.

If you want the Thaumaturge route my advice would just be to go W21/T5/SD4 which will be a HiPS mage with CL30. You won't use the SD Shadow, but can use spells to summon shadowy creatures. If you go SD 10 here your CL is 24 giving you far lower DC's, less duration on your summons and any buffs for your shadow will be dispelled easily.

[Kasus_Cloud]

The issue is that anything that gets a companion is also a caster, and taking 10 levels of Shadow Dancer is very bad for your caster level. Anything less than CL30 has a chance of being dispelled by Greater Dispel. With 10 levels of SD you can't get more than CL24 which means you can even be dispelled by regular dispels. No fun when a CL15 can dispel you at level 30 with a third level spell.

Also, why play a sneak if you are going to summon a companion that can't sneak with you? My recommendation would be to drop Thaumaturge and go for a mostly rogue build that still get's CL21. For example:

R10/W7/AT10/SD3 - which has HiPS and can use Invisible Needle and/or RTA spells to deliver sneak attacks along with the spell damage. CL21 with level 9 spells. You will be easy to dispel, but can utilize HiPS for defense if you are careful around area's where caster mobs spawn.

If you want the Thaumaturge route my advice would just be to go W21/T5/SD4 which will be a HiPS mage with CL30. You won't use the SD Shadow, but can use spells to summon shadowy creatures. If you go SD 10 here your CL is 24 giving you far lower DC's, less duration on your summons and any buffs for your shadow will be dispelled easily.

This helps out quite a bit! I think with this information I'll have more than enough to get the character in working order! you have my thanks.