Making a catburglar? [3.5E]

[SlyGuyMcFly]

As the title says. I want to build a catburglar (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ClassyCatBurglar)/gentleman thief (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GentlemanThief) type for a 3rd Ed game and due to my general lack of experience building characters, I need some help.

Anyhow, I want a sneaky character who is able to elude mundane and magical forms of detecion, can avoid or disable guards, and of course can deal with traps and alarms both magical and mundane. Also, ways to case a joint are useful, be it by divinations or a really good bluffing skills. I'd like build suggestions and recommendations for spells to have (or stuff to UMD).

Stuff to know:

Tibbit race. Because it's just too funny.
32 point-buy.
Any WotC books. No 3rd party stuff.
No cheese. That's for mice, not cats. :smalltongue:
I'd like to avoid prepared casters. No particular reason, I just don't like 'em much. Any other sort of caster is a-ok.
Must be combat-capable, preferably by debuffing or control. The character is all about the classiness, and stabbing people is not very elegant.

And yes, I'm aware of Bhu's Catburglar (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76770), but the DM isn't too hot on homebrew stuff, so that's out.

[woodenbandman]

Strictly speaking the most optimal thing would be a Sorceror/Unseen Seer, or a Cloistered Cleric with the trickery domain (can be made a spontaneous caster).

If you'd rather not cast any spells, check out Thief Acrobat and Exemplar. You'll be able to take 10 on all your sneaking skills, and get other minor bonuses.

[Cieyrin]

And yes, I'm aware of Bhu's Catburglar (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76770), but the DM isn't too hot on homebrew stuff, so that's out.

That made me a sad panda when I read that part of your post. :smallfrown:

Anyways, as mentioned, Thief-Acrobat would make you excellent at second-story work and Exemplar for being skillful in general. For a base class, I'd look at either Beguiler for a spontaneous spellcaster with a bent towards stealth and larceny or Factotum to be basically an Exemplar pre-10th level and more.

If those are too out there, playing a Charisma Rogue or Bard would definitely work the smooth criminal bits and Rouge especially will get you in afterwards. It's a little harder with Bard, as they don't do quite as well at the physical parts of larceny but their magic may open other avenues (Glibness will get you almost anywhere.:smallbiggrin:)

Them's my 2 coppers. Take as you will.

[Renegade Paladin]

Rogue 20? Seriously, you haven't described much the class can't do. :smalltongue:

[shadow_archmagi]

Why is it that every time I see that word I imagine a man dressed not unlike the Hamburgler stuffing cats into a sack and giggling with evil.

[SlyGuyMcFly]

@^ Now that is a funny mental image.


If you'd rather not cast any spells, check out Thief Acrobat and Exemplar. You'll be able to take 10 on all your sneaking skills, and get other minor bonuses.

Sounds interesting. What book(s) are those in?


That made me a sad panda when I read that part of your post.


Tell me about it. :smallfrown:


Anyways, as mentioned, Thief-Acrobat would make you excellent at second-story work and Exemplar for being skillful in general. For a base class, I'd look at either Beguiler for a spontaneous spellcaster with a bent towards stealth and larceny or Factotum to be basically an Exemplar pre-10th level and more.

Factotum does sound like the right class for this character, what with the high INT and knack for improvising.


Rogue 20? Seriously, you haven't described much the class can't do.

The main reason is that I'm still going to see a fair amount of combat as the other players have more conventional concepts, and I'm more interested in a character that deals with fights by disabling enemies and, in general, not getting their hands dirty. Rogues pretty much fight by stabbing people and that is... rather inelegant. And this character is all about the classiness.

I'll note that I have nothing against being a magical catburglar, it's only prepared casters I don't like much. And as far as I can tell, even at low levels a D&D thief is going to need some sort of magic. Even if it's just UMD-ing handy wands and scrolls.

I'll edit the first post with a bit more info.

EDIT:

[snip] or a Cloistered Cleric with the trickery domain (can be made a spontaneous caster).

I was not aware of this possibility. Can you explain how it works?

[Emong]

EDIT:


I was not aware of this possibility. Can you explain how it works?

Right here. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/spontaneousDivineCasters.htm)

[SlyGuyMcFly]

Right here. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/spontaneousDivineCasters.htm)

That link makes me a very happy gamer. Thanks!

[Sstoopidtallkid]

Beguiler. 6+Int skills and spellcasting means you basically can do anything. Put a bunch of ranks into Jump if you feel like it, you'll still be a great thief and good for the party.

Factotum. Do anything.

[vikbra]

If I was you I would go for the Beguiler. It has lots of relevant skills, int as main casting ability (which means even more skills), spontaneous casting and a lot of spells that would fit the concept (illusion spells and enchantments).
And they know all of their spells when they gain access to their spell level so you get a lot of options when you decide what you want to do in any given situation, in and out of combat.

[JellyPooga]

I realise this comes a little late, but I just thought I'd point out that Spymaster (Complete Adventurer) might also suit the 'Gentleman Thief' aspect. Being able to switch identities is as much a skill of a catburglar as being able to pick a lock. Nothing shouts "I'm innocent" better than saying "I am a man of reputation and means! How dare you insult me by insinuating I am a common thief!" The Spymasters abilities to switch identities fits this perfectly.

My advice on build would be something like Rogue 5/Thief Acrobat 5/Spymaster 7/Something else 3.

The "something else" could potentially be Nightsong Infiltrator (also a good catburglar PrC from CompAdv), but you might have to juggle it with Spymaster levels to get the most out of it (I think one of its best abilities does't come in until level 4, but I don't have my books with me so don't quote me on that).

I would personally advise staying away from magic. Real thieves don't need to cheat :smallwink:

[rogueboy]

Sounds interesting. What book(s) are those in?

Thief-Acrobat, Spymaster, and Exemplar are all found in Complete Adventurer. If you're trying to avoid getting your hands dirty, you probably only need 4 levels of Thief-Acrobat (level 5 gives you a second use of Defensive Roll per day and Improved Evasion). Exemplar is probably best at 5+ levels, and anything in there can be argued as a good ending point. 5th gets you Diplomacy using any of your chosen skills (you get one at 1,4,7,10, and get a +4 on it), 6th gets you a skill-related feat, 7th gets you another chosen skill, 8th gets you Int to Init&Reflex, 9th is another feat, and 10th is another chosen skill (also become an Outside (Native)). Spymaster doesn't become truly fun until 7th with its capstone: divination spells only detect/reveal the cover identity (and you have 3 total, which can be swapped out with a week of work). This type of character is among my favorites. Also consider checking out Master of Masks (extra abilities based on what mask you're wearing), Fortune's Friend (master of luck feats), and Uncanny Trickster (skill trick master) from Complete Scoundrel.

[bosssmiley]

Dungeonomicon Thief-Acrobat class (http://www.tgdmb.com/viewtopic.php?t=28547). The identifying quote and blurb read:


"They put their safe on the ceiling, it's like they wanted me to take these scrolls."

While the common rogue is a thief, con-man, and scout extraordinaire, the thief acrobat is a highly trained specialist in the art of housebreaking and feats of dexterity and acrobatics. As an adventurer, they are masters of negotiating difficult terrain and situations with flair and panache.