Returning player Arcane Trickster help

[Calantyr]

Hello everyone. I've not been on the server for about two years so I don't know how much has changed. Would the following build be playable? I'm a bit rusty so if you can spot how it can be improved I'd appreciate it.

https://nwn2db.com/build/?334962

[Louvaine]

Hello! Welcome back!

I don't think Spell Specialization is a thing here, on BGTSCC. It's not on wiki, so I imagine that should be the answer, but I've grown not to trust wiki 100%.

The build seems viable and playable. However, I would recommend asking yourself what do you want to do in combat. You can make anything work in RP, but in combat I imagine you'll struggle if you don't set your goals for this build. You are getting access to level 9 spells at 23rd, so that's something to be aware of. Especially if you plan your build to work around using Invisible Needle. Which is Ranged Touch Attack (RTA), so due to Arcane Trickster (AT) will proc your sneak damage, when applicable. However, the question if this damage per round will be enough to be reliable is one that I would want to know answer to before going ahead. And if you ask me, no it will not be, unless you can find a group that'll clear content with your buffs. Then your damage will be of support, not main source of damage, right? That can work.

I imagine that once you get to high 20's you'll be fine. But it might prove to be a tough ride if you plan on doing much PvE.

[EasternCheesE]

Hi there. Frankly speaking, i doubt you will ever need invisible needle feat for your spell sneak attacks since this build reaches CL of 28.
Your RTA spells are: Polar ray (lvl 8), Orbs (lvl 4) and smaller orbs (lvl 1). All of them do more damage than invisible needle with CL 28, thus, i doubt you can benefit a lot from it.
Instead of it, you can get some metamagic feat that would allow you to stack more orb spells for more damage dealing.

Please keep in mind, that upon recent testing, when you land RTA sneak attack, you both apply RTA and flat-footed AC bypasses, thus, you have very good chance to hit almost any target. So, weapon focus RTA is not so useful choice too.

Not sure if we have specialization feat on BGTSCC, but adding 2 dmg to you already 15d6 rta spells is kind of useless for the cost of feat.

As of level spread, i'd recommend maxing arcane trickster since wizard doesn't give you any super benefits over it while AT gains sneak attack progression, so you will be able to deal more damage from your sneak dice earlier.

As good substitution feats, blind fight and stealthy are always good for sneaker type of PC.

[Calantyr]

Thanks for your suggesions. I've made a couple of edits but I might shelve this character for a while and think it over a bit more. I do like the idea of spamming an infinite spell over and over again, but Warlock would be superior for that. But then I would miss the fun in tracking down new spells and scribing them into my spellbook.
Eh.

[EasternCheesE]

Oh, i actually though invisible needle consumed those spells. Sounds pretty reasonable to have it since it doesn't.

[Calantyr]

Well I decided to go ahead and RCR my level 21 Archmage into the build in the first post.
Ohmydays, HIPS on a mage is so much fun. Especially with an infinite use spell. I don't care if the damage is rubbish and it takes me hours to kill anything, I love the flexibility being HIPS grants me.
Never playing a mage without HIPS ever again.

[EasternCheesE]

Well I decided to go ahead and RCR my level 21 Archmage into the build in the first post.
Ohmydays, HIPS on a mage is so much fun. Especially with an infinite use spell. I don't care if the damage is rubbish and it takes me hours to kill anything, I love the flexibility being HIPS grants me.
Never playing a mage without HIPS ever again.

Keep in mind that even with rubbish damage, your sneak RTA spells kinda only leave enemy with their base and deflection AC only if they don't have uncanny dodge. So, it's pretty niche but quite useful thing to have against bosses.