I'm starting to play an Aranea (MMI, SRD) Beguiler, and I'd like some help. YES, you might say, orginarily this is a soddy combination, but not in this game: I'm being allowed to substitue the Aranea HD for Beguiler levels, and I can take the LA piecemeal, so I get +1 at level 2, then buy that back at level 4(with 3 class levels), then I get the next LA, then buy that back after 6 class levels, etc.
Allowed Sources: Basically anything, subject to approval
So, what this gives me so far is this, currently level 3 with one LA bought back (And short of retraining this is final so far):
Beguiler3/Aranea1(bought back)
Deity - ?
Alignment: Chaotic Good
XP: 3200
Point-Buy: (38 pts)
Str: 10; +0 (2pts)
Dex: 16; +3 (14+2rac) (6pts)
Con: 18; +4 (16+2rac at ECL2) (10pts)
Int: 20; +5 (18+2rac at ECL2) (16pts)
Wis: 8; -1 (0pts)
Cha: 14; +2 (12+2rac) (4pts)
Medium, 4.1ft (spider shape) or 5.9ft (hybrid shape), 162lbs, 9 years old
Spider shape:
Medium sized hairy black monstrous spider, large bulbous body with hump on back, 6 walking legs and 2 arms, multiple eyes facing forward, spinnerets.
Hybrid shape:
Medium sized black smooth-skinned bipedal, hairless, significantly spider-shaped face and mouth. (This is a self-nerf of the original hybrid shape, which is actually more humanoid-like.)
Languages:
Common
Argon(b), dialect of Argonessen
Sylvan(rac)
Draconic(b)
Giant(b)
Mabran(b), language of Nightshades, Shadows and creatures of Mabar
Hit Points 26 (6+8 Beg2+3 + 12 Con)
AC1: 10 + 3dex + 4armor (mage armour, possible 10 hours/day, 2x CL5 with Arcanist Gloves ) - 1 (Flaw) = 16
AC2: 10 + 3dex +2 armor (mithral chain shirt) -1 (Flaw) = 14; DR 2/-
AC 3: 10+ 3 dex + 4(mage armour) -1 (Flaw): 16, DR 2/-
(Armour as DR variant from UA)
Touch 12, Flat 12, FFT 10
Init +3 (+3 Dex)
BAB +1, Grap +1
Speed in Hybrid form: 30 (base 30, climb 25); Speed in Spider form: 30 (base 30, climb 25)
Fort +6 (+1 Beg, +4 Con, +1 resistance)/ +7 vs Spells or SLAs (Nymph's kiss)
Ref +5 (+1 Beg, +3 Dex, +1 res)/ +6 vs Spells or SLAs
Will +5 (+3 Beg, -1 Wis, +2 Iron Willl, +1 res) / +6 vs Spells/SLAs
Action Points: 6 (1d6)
Low-Light Vision
Dark-vision 30ft
Flaw: Murky-eyed. Reroll miss chances and use the worse result
Flaw: Vulnerable. - 1 to AC
Feats
Combat Casting; +4 to concentration checks only for casting defensively. (Campaign lvl1 bonus feat)
Nymph's Kiss: +1 Skill pt/level, +2 to Cha related checks (Lvl 1 feat, and fluff important)
Penumbral Bloodline: one spell known each level from bloodline list (Flaw)
Weapon Finessse: Dex to attack rolls instead of Str (Flaw), I know this one isn't so optimial, but I do get a bite and poison
Iron Will: +2 to Will saves (Racial bonus feat)
Versatile Spellcaster: Use two spell slots of lower level for higher level spell. (Bonus feat granted at ECL 3)
Darkstalker(Class Level 3)
Aranea Progression and traits
Base: +2 Dex, +2 Cha. Speed: 30 ft. (Climb 25 ft.). Low-light vision. Bite (1d6). Climb bonus (and take 10). Change Shape (Medium spider-humanoid hybrid). Magical Beast type.
Level 1: +2 Con, +2 Int. Darkvision 30 ft. Jump, Listen and Spot bonuses.
Level 2: +2 Wis, +2 Int. Darkvision 60 ft. Poison.
Level 3: +2 Con. Speed 40 ft., Web. +1 natural armour.
Level 4: +2 Dex, +2 Cha. Change Shape (Medium or Small Humanoid only). Speed 50 ft.
This works out like this:[spoiler]
1) Sorcerer 1.
2) Aranea 1.
3) Sorcerer 2.
4) Sorcerer 3.
Buys back Aranea 1.
3) Sorcerer 3.
4) Aranea 2.
5) Sorcerer 4.
6) Sorcerer 5.
7) Sorcerer 6.
Buys back Aranea 2.
6) Sorcerer 6.
7) Aranea 3.
8) Sorcerer 7.
9) Sorcerer 8.
10) Sorcerer 9.
Buys back Aranea 3.
9) Sorcerer 9.
10) Aranea 4.
Sorc 10-12
Buy back Aranea 4
Advance normally.
Sub Sorc for Beguiler, obviously, or PrCs. I have to take 3 levels of Beguiler, AFAIK, because the Aranea has three HD, after that I'm free.
[/spoiler]
Now this character differs from normal Beguilers in that it's fairly beefy, in spite of the LA. Of course the progression will make me rather slow, but the other characters in the game are similar, so that's ok. I still want to increase my versatility. From next level on I'll have a Poison attack and yet higher spell DCs, but still no second level spells other than what Versatile spellcaster can give me. The Web ability at level 7 will probably be rather useless when it comes, but... whatever. The final level will give me the humanoid shape, which I will use to take the form a Raptoran to gain ex-flight at will.
Now where could I go from here? I'm not sure if the GM will waive racial requirements, although he might, so Shadowcraft mage might remain an option. I don't think I can use Shadow-weave magic, so Shadow Adept won't work. I'm not sure I can waive the alignment requirement on Mindbender, even though I had mapped that one down as a standard dip.
The GM has lifted the immunity to mind-affecting effects from all non-mindless critters, so until Mindblank comes into play I will be able to affect intelligent undead, etc.
My goal is to have a very versatile, not overly cheesy, but still potent character. I've read the Beguiler handbook, and I'm still undecided about what synergies to finally go for. I neglected a few feat-requirements for some PrCs, so I might have to retrain or hope for more bonus feats.
Now I've been told that Beguilers make fairly good sneaky gishes, too, via Unseen Seer, Improved Feint, and Abjurant Champion. That would be another option I could consider - obviously it would be weak on BAB, but Alter Self with Magical Beast shapes should take care of that.
What can you guys suggest?