two character concepts help

[haplot]

I'm looking for help for two character concepts. Both for 3.5 non pathfinder, Forgotten realms. Most books allowed. Any chance you wonderful people could suggest classes / races for them please with book references if possible? Homebrew to a minimum please.

1. An arcane actor type, going down route of illusions and pyro (for stage reasons). Was thinking bard or specialist wizard. If wizard, what tricks could be used to get 2 specialist schools?

2. And a fighter / mage combo.

rest of party is a human cleric, half elf sorcerer and an elven rogue if it helps.

many thanks in advance

[Jay R]

A changeling wizard can take dual specialization. That gives specialization in both illusion and transmutation.

If you want an illusionist who specializes in fire spells, then consider a gnome with Shadowcraft Mage. The build only specializes in Illusion, but eventually a Shadowcraft Mage can cast any evocation, conjuration (create), or conjuration (summoning) spell with his illusions, and they are partly real. Since a huge number of fire spells are evocation or conjuration (create), that may give exactly what you want. The spells can get up to 100% real (or more, but I think that's cheesy), and since they are "really" illusions, they get the benefits of his specialization.

[haplot]

Many thanks. time to get reading on shadowcraft mages
:D

[Darg]

1) deceptive spell, disguise spell would fit this concept well.

2) can't go wrong with eldritch knight so you don't over shadow the sorcerer as a caster. Taking extra levels of fighter would get you to abjurant champion sooner.

Other options for a fighter type with spellcasting is Knight of the Weave and Suel Arcanamach. Duskblade is also a good base class option.

[Kol Korran]

Hey, some ideas:
1. For your first character, did you check the Beguiler? From the PHB2 (Player's hand book 2). Basically, a hightly specialized illuilsion, deception and trickery character, a sort of rogue/bard- wizard. Excellent for performances and such. But... I don't think he has any talent for pyrimancy. Still, worth a look.

Also, while not exactly what you asked for, I suggest to check the Changeling race (From Eberron campaign setting). It's a shapeahiter, that can change it's appearance. (Similar to Mystic, from the X-men).
I suggest to check it for 2 reasons:
- It's a fun race to play, and good for a trickster/ showman.
- In an expansion book (Races of Eberron) there is a wizard substitution class for wizard, with dual expertise in illusion and transmutation, and other neat stuff (Such as a familar that can chabge form). Not pyro, but dual specialization and really fun to play.

2. About the fighter/ mage, I'd suggest to check the duskblade (Also from the PHB2), which is just that- a competent warrior who casts spells (mostly offense and defense). Well known for channeling offensive spells though it's blade (One of yhe low level iconic moves in channeling shicking grasp through your great sword, for example).

If the classes interst you, just giogle for handbooks on both, for tips on how to build and play them well.

Good luck!

[Particle_Man]

If you want to go a little different, psychic warrior is also a nice base class that mixes fighting and psionics.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

1. A Beguiler from PH2 would be fitting, but doesn't get fire spells. You can take Arcane Disciple (CD) for the Fire domain, but that's only one per spell level per day. You could take Fire Bloodline in Dracon Compendium if it's allowed, but that doesn't have all that many actual fire spells. You could take an adaptation of the Rainbow Servant (CD) centered around the Phoenix (MM2) instead of a Couatl. In that case the domains it grants would likely be Fire, Good, and Renewal (SC). Keep in mind that the core rules errata says if the text and a table disagree, the text is correct, and despite the Rainbow Servant class table showing only 6/10 casting progression, the text says you advance your spellcasting at every class level gained.

If you want to play a Shadowcraft Mage, do a google search for a handbook on that.

2. There are tons of arcane gish builds out there, it just depends on how optimized you want it. Duskblade in PH2 is a medium-powered gish in a can. The standard Sorcadin build goes Paladin 2/ Sorcerer 4/ Spellsword 1/ Abjurant Champion 5/ Sacred Exorcist 8. That gets a +16 BAB and 9th level spells at 20th level, if you expect to play that long. Depending on your starting level, a Human Paragon (https://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/racialParagonClasses.htm#humanParagon) 1/ Fighter 1/ Wizard 2/ Human Paragon 2/ Spellsword 1/ Abjurant Champion 5 is a superb start. That gets you to level 12, and you can afford to lose two more points of BAB and one more Wizard level and still get the +16 BAB and 9th level spells at 20th. Eldritch Knight or Knight Phantom (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050706a&page=4) can take you to 20th without losing BAB, but including two levels of Paragnostic Apostle (CC) for Spatial Awareness and Mind Over Matter, or including four levels of Incantatrix (PGtF) for persistent spell shenanigans, is highly recommended.

You can also google search for 3.5 arcane gish builds for this.

[haplot]

many thanks for the replies

Much appreciated. Will definitely look into things and see how they go
thanks again

[Jay R]

Many thanks. time to get reading on shadowcraft mages
:D

Don't reinvent the wheel. Here is a link to a shadowcraft mage handbook (http://minmaxforum.com/index.php?topic=16433.0). I won't do everything they suggest here, but it absolutely gives you the basics of a great shadowcraft mage build.

[Godofallu]

For Illusionist I just would go Gnome Wizard.

For Mage/Fighter a (Stalwart) Battle Sorcerer would be good. Or lookup the term Gish.

In general pick the class you want to learn about and just google Class Handbook DnD 3.5. Happy to give build tips for anything you want to play.