Killer Gnome Tricks

[Private-Prinny]

I'm playing a Killer Gnome in a largely melee oriented party (ughhh...), and I want to know of a few tricks that I might be able to pull off.

I'm using a sorcerer entry, taking Metamagic Specialist for Arcane Spellsurge, and I probably won't be taking any other prestige classes besides Shadowcraft Mage (RoS) and Shadowcrafter (Underdark).

There are 2 things I'm wondering about Shadow Major Creation. If I wanted to use Earth Spell as an enhacement in a stoneless area, could I create a very thin sheet of rock and spread it over the battlefield? And does Shadow Magic + Major Creation = free shopping?

Any other possible tricks would be appreciated, I just don't want to optimize too much.

[Kosjsjach]

A sneaky trick for early entry to Shadowcraft Mage is Versatile Spellcaster (RotD) + Heighten Spell. At ECL 6, you get 3rd-level spells, of which you can expend two to effectively cast a 4th-level spell. (This gets you in faster than even a Wizard.)

An alternative I'd suggest is simply going Beguiler instead of Sorcerer. You get the same number of spells per day, you cast off of Int, you get some nice class features, better hit die, much better skills... and any perceived shortcoming in scope (which is negligible in the first place, especially considering the method a Beguiler "learns" spells) is greatly compensated for with the Shadowcraft Mage's shadow illusion.

So yeah. Good luck with your character; I'm a fan of small-sized PCs, kobolds and gnomes in particular.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Make a pair of sandals out of stone slabs. Now you're always standing on stone, and can use Earth Spell unrestricted.

[thubby]

Make a pair of sandals out of stone slabs. Now you're always standing on stone, and can use Earth Spell unrestricted.

while you might get away with that, "you" usually includes your gear.

[2xMachina]

Detach it when casting? (Use Prest to untie?)

Use magnetite stone, and wear magnet boots? You're not wearing it. It's just stuck to you.

[magic9mushroom]

Why would you take Metamagic Specialist? Rapid Metamagic is better if you want two metamagic spells/round (and if you don't, Arcane Spellsurge is entirely sufficient).

Also, Earth Spell works on any unworked earth, specifically including soil.

As for additional tricks, besides the standard feats (Practical Metamagic, Easy Metamagic, Arcane Disciple (Luck)) I can't think of much.

[Munchkin-Masher]

If you can cram it in, then for gods sake take 1 level in shadow adept from player guide to faerun. Those 3 bonus feats you get at level 1 are so massively useful that it's really worth the feat needed to pull it off.

[magic9mushroom]

If you can cram it in, then for gods sake take 1 level in shadow adept from player guide to faerun. Those 3 bonus feats you get at level 1 are so massively useful that it's really worth the feat needed to pull it off.

Eh, he said he was going to stick to those two. I would have recommended that myself. Or Incantatrix. Or Metaphysical Spellshaper. Or Tainted Scholar. Or all three, with Beholder Mage to seal the deal (scroll down a bit).

[2xMachina]

The PGtF is a little setting specific though. Weave and Shadow weave doesn't really apply for other settings.

[magic9mushroom]

The PGtF is a little setting specific though. Weave and Shadow weave doesn't really apply for other settings.

"Underdark" is Faerun-specific also, is it not?

[2xMachina]

They don't use the Shadow Weave though.

[Private-Prinny]

Thanks for the tips, everyone.

A sneaky trick for early entry to Shadowcraft Mage is Versatile Spellcaster (RotD) + Heighten Spell. At ECL 6, you get 3rd-level spells, of which you can expend two to effectively cast a 4th-level spell. (This gets you in faster than even a Wizard.)

I don't think that would work. I wouldn't know any 4th level spells at ECL 6, now would I. Besides, you qualify for Shadowcrafter at that level.

An alternative I'd suggest is simply going Beguiler instead of Sorcerer. You get the same number of spells per day, you cast off of Int, you get some nice class features, better hit die, much better skills... and any perceived shortcoming in scope (which is negligible in the first place, especially considering the method a Beguiler "learns" spells) is greatly compensated for with the Shadowcraft Mage's shadow illusion.

I considered it, and it seemed like a good suggestion, but I'm one of the only casters, so I need to be able to learn some Transmutation (especially Rope Trick). Good idea, though.

Make a pair of sandals out of stone slabs. Now you're always standing on stone, and can use Earth Spell unrestricted.

I am definitely using this.

Why would you take Metamagic Specialist? Rapid Metamagic is better if you want two metamagic spells/round (and if you don't, Arcane Spellsurge is entirely sufficient).

I should have mentioned that I'm taking Residual Magic. Heightened Spell as a standard action, and then another one as a swift action. I need the feat slot free, anyway.

I also fail to see how Rapid Metamagic gets you 2 spells/round without Quicken.

Also, Earth Spell works on any unworked earth, specifically including soil.

As for additional tricks, besides the standard feats (Practical Metamagic, Easy Metamagic, Arcane Disciple (Luck)) I can't think of much.

^I subscribe to the "Heighten has no LA" side of that argument. I also don't like books flying at me.

[magic9mushroom]

I should have mentioned that I'm taking Residual Magic. Heightened Spell as a standard action, and then another one as a swift action. I need the feat slot free, anyway.

I also fail to see how Rapid Metamagic gets you 2 spells/round without Quicken.

You can't ignore Arcane Spellsurge, but you can ignore your own feats.

And it's not like Metamagic Specialist gives you 2 spells/round without Arcane Spellsurge either.

Also, Residual Magic IIRC triggers the "lol you suck because you're a spontaneous caster" time increase. It's iffy, anyway.

^I subscribe to the "Heighten has no LA" side of that argument. I also don't like books flying at me.

Yeah, I know. *points to own sig*

[PairO'Dice Lost]

I don't think that would work. I wouldn't know any 4th level spells at ECL 6, now would I. Besides, you qualify for Shadowcrafter at that level.

That's what Heighten is for--take a shadow spell, heighten it to 4th, ta-da! it's a 4th-level shadow spell.

[olentu]

You can't ignore Arcane Spellsurge, but you can ignore your own feats.

And it's not like Metamagic Specialist gives you 2 spells/round without Arcane Spellsurge either.

Also, Residual Magic IIRC triggers the "lol you suck because you're a spontaneous caster" time increase. It's iffy, anyway.



Yeah, I know. *points to own sig*

You know I can not recall where it is said that one can ignore ones feats. Would you mind providing the the location of the rules text that supports this for my own edification.

[magic9mushroom]

You know I can not recall where it is said that one can ignore ones feats. Would you mind providing the the location of the rules text that supports this for my own edification.

I'm AFB at the moment. I remember reading it somewhere, but I can't remember where.

[Private-Prinny]

You can't ignore Arcane Spellsurge, but you can ignore your own feats.

And it's not like Metamagic Specialist gives you 2 spells/round without Arcane Spellsurge either.

Also, Residual Magic IIRC triggers the "lol you suck because you're a spontaneous caster" time increase. It's iffy, anyway.



Yeah, I know. *points to own sig*

I don't think you can ignore feats... The free slot helps, anyway. I always interpreted Residual Magic as "you get the effect without actually applying the feat." The ACF is for when I'm not using Arcane Spellsurge, plus I don't want to keep track of a familiar.

That's what Heighten is for--take a shadow spell, heighten it to 4th, ta-da! it's a 4th-level shadow spell.

I don't think my DM would see it that way.

[PairO'Dice Lost]

I don't think my DM would see it that way.

Well, it's a fairly straightforward application of Heighten--spells are treated in all ways as a spell of their new level--but you'd know best what your DM would allow.