Arcane Tricster: Arcanist vs Wizard

[Silverfang]

I know, the AT isn't the best fighter, but my job will be more infilitration, utility, stealing, etc. Probably will rely on being a flanking buddy, ray attacks, and debuffs when I do get in combat. I plan on going Rogue for the the starting class, but the second class I'm not sure whether Arcanist or Wizard would be better. I've been using this guide for inspiration, but it was made before the Arcanist came out, and I'm not super savvy in the class yet myself. https://docs.google.com/a/ltu.edu/document/d/1IZBcQbZlN5psPppnuQvOO3xJ5P84tI6UNPiQz5_jEGc/edit

[Dyllan]

Wizard.

You gets spells one level earlier, so earlier access to Arcane Trickster (assuming you aren't using SLA shenanigans to gain early entry). This also means your top level spells will be half a level higher, which is even more important when you're multiclassing.

Arcanist does have some really cool stuff - and if you want to play it to try it out, that's great. But, I'd shy away from giving up more casting power when you're already giving up some for your rogue levels.

[Rebel7284]

If allowed, Unseen Seer is good to take before Arcane Trickster.

[avr]

You're not going to have free feats as an arcane trickster to use on Extra Exploit and if you use the sensible entry to AT you're only going to get one exploit as a class feature (or none if you choose School Savant or Blood Arcanist; I would). So; is the extra spellcasting flexibility worth losing half a spell level & Scribe Scroll over? I'd say no but YMMV.

[Psyren]

Seconding Wizard for the earlier spell access, greater spells/day and lower opportunity cost with not having a reservoir to give up. But Arcanist is fine too and has less bookkeeping due to the prep mechanic.

[Ilorin Lorati]

Honestly? Arcanist Or Wizard, doesn't matter like the others have said, but I don't think losing out of reservoir points is really that big of a deal since you can just replenish them by expending spells and wand charges if you're an arcanist. As such, I would highly recommend taking Exploiter Wizard if you go Wizard, mostly for the ability to apply metamagic to your spells spontaneously from an exploit. Even barring replenishing and even if you take only 1 level in Wizard, it's still definitely worth what you lose when you're trying to be tricky.

[Kurald Galain]

I believe that a pure wizard (or pure arcanist, if you prefer) will be better at infilitration, utility, stealing than an AT.

In terms of damage, taking one level of sorcerer (crossblooded orc/draconic, or tattoed orc) trumps getting sneak attack dice on your spells.

Also, any wizard that's planning on losing caster levels should be a Specialist, because of its extra spells per day. Conjuration and Transmutation are always good, and if you're going to stab things then Diviner is a good choice for its reroll ability.

[Dalebert]

It seems hard to justify AT unless you finagle some way to get early entry. I know ways are out there if you're DM let's you. It seems like a high price to pay for the benefits.