Gestalt "Ultimate" Gnome

[Crazy Cupcake]

Hello!

I'm trying to put together what in my mind is an "ultimate" gnome for a gestalt campaign, and to accomplish that, I want to blend an Artificer with an Illusionist. I was hoping you guys could help me figure out just how to make that happen in a sensible and logical way.

I have very little idea of where to begin, but here's a few of the rules being used. Hopefully that'll help some.
It's an Eberron campaign.
We'll be playing at 8th-level in a gestalt campaign.
No templates or level adjustment races available.
Most official sourcebooks are allowed.
Prestige classes can be taken on both sides at the same time, but once you start a prestige class you have to finish it before selecting another.
We can have two traits and two flaws, possibly even custom ones if they're sensible.
So, with that said, here's a few things I had in mind. I know it's not much, but that's why I need your help. :)

Build: Wizard (Illusionist) 5 / Shadowcraft Mage 3 || Artificer 8
Race: Core Gnome
Feats: Earth Sense, Earth Spell, Signature Spell (Silent Image), Spell Focus (Illusion)
Alternate Class Features: Chains of Disbelief, Focused Specialist, Gnome Illusionist Substitution Level 1, Illusion Mastery
Traits & Flaws: Spellgifted (Illusion)

So, any advice? Also, are there any Artificer ACFs available, and if so, any of them decent? Thanks in advance!

[gallagher]

I assume that by core gnome, you mean whisper gnome from races of stone?

[evil-frosty]

I believe Earth Spell requires you to have Heighten Spell first.

Also the flaw noncombatant is good for you since if you are in melee you are doing it wrong.

[gallagher]

also, are you sold on the artificer thing? i know gnomes are tinkerers, but they also have a nice thing with bards, so thematically you could go with a gnome bard on the other side.

BONUS POINTS if you go like this: Wizard5/shadowcraft mage5/wizard10 // Bard10/Sublime Chord 10

BONUS BONUS POINTS if you do this: Wizard5/shadowcraft mage5/spellthief 1/ wizard9 // Bard10/Sublime Chord 10 with master spellthief in there

[RFLS]

I'm not aware of any artificer ACFs, but it doesn't particularly need them =P Anyway, your proposed build looks pretty good to me. I take it you're playing high OP but not particularly cheesy? If you are, then like I said, what you've got is pretty good. If you're not, you may want to look at the Beguiler class for your Wizard side. Uhm....yeah, that's about it. I believe there are some specialist wizard shenanigans that you can get into.

@Gallagher- No, I'm pretty sure that when he said "core gnome," he meant "core gnome."

[RFLS]

I'm trying to put together what in my mind is an "ultimate" gnome for a gestalt campaign, and to accomplish that, I want to blend an Artificer with an Illusionist.


also, are you sold on the artificer thing?

Yeah, I think he's sold.... I'm just really getting this feeling that he wants advice on how to blend an Artificer and an Illusionist. ./pet-peeve-rant

[gallagher]

oh i totally know, i was kind of jokingly making my suggestion

[Zelkon]

Hello!

I'm trying to put together what in my mind is an "ultimate" gnome for a gestalt campaign, and to accomplish that, I want to blend an Artificer with an Illusionist. I was hoping you guys could help me figure out just how to make that happen in a sensible and logical way.

I have very little idea of where to begin, but here's a few of the rules being used. Hopefully that'll help some.
It's an Eberron campaign.
We'll be playing at 8th-level in a gestalt campaign.
No templates or level adjustment races available.
Most official sourcebooks are allowed.
Prestige classes can be taken on both sides at the same time, but once you start a prestige class you have to finish it before selecting another.
We can have two traits and two flaws, possibly even custom ones if they're sensible.
So, with that said, here's a few things I had in mind. I know it's not much, but that's why I need your help. :)

Build: Wizard (Illusionist) 5 / Shadowcraft Mage 3 || Artificer 8
Race: Core Gnome
Feats: Earth Sense, Earth Spell, Signature Spell (Silent Image), Spell Focus (Illusion)
Alternate Class Features: Chains of Disbelief, Focused Specialist, Gnome Illusionist Substitution Level 1, Illusion Mastery
Traits & Flaws: Spellgifted (Illusion)

So, any advice? Also, are there any Artificer ACFs available, and if so, any of them decent? Thanks in advance!

Wouldn't happen to be on Myth-Weavers, would it? I think I know the game.

[Keld Denar]

I wouldn't take signature spell. You have enough flexibility as it is, especially with Artificer in there. You are missing heighten spell, the other half of the earth spell trick. Take than now, and get residual magic as your 9th level feat.

Also, look at Earth Dreamer as a PrC after ScM. It gives you earth glide. As long as you have to be touching the ground to work earth spell, you might as well be in the ground...it is short a well, leaving you 5 levels to do with as you please.

[Crazy Cupcake]

I did indeed accidentally leave Heighten Spell off the list. Sorry about that.


I take it you're playing high OP but not particularly cheesy?
You nailed it. :)


If you are, then like I said, what you've got is pretty good. If you're not, you may want to look at the Beguiler class for your Wizard side. Uhm....yeah, that's about it. I believe there are some specialist wizard shenanigans that you can get into.
I considered both Beguiler and Bard as options for that side of the equation, and while Bards are "officially" the gnome favored class, I'm an old schooler and prefer them as full-blown Illusionists instead. :D Besides, I'm not really in the mood to play a more sociable character, so Bard and Beguiler both had marks against them from the start.


@Gallagher- No, I'm pretty sure that when he said "core gnome," he meant "core gnome."
Nailed it again. I'm not a fan of the Whisper Gnome's fluff, and their stats just kinda make me roll my eyes a bit, too. I mean, they're even using a picture of a halfling in their write-up (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20040807a&page=3). What's up with that?

That said, thank you all for what you've offered up so far. I'm not intimately familiar with Artificers, so that's the side I probably need the most help on. But if you guys have any additional advice, I'd love to hear it.