Assuming I qualify that is. I plan on going Shadowcraft Mage route should we ever get that far in the game. I have my heart set on Focused specialist, but I would like to avoid using Incantatrix as dropping yet another school would be too painful for my little brain. This build assumes I am not allowed to pick up Spontaneous divination, so it might not be final.
[spoiler]Focused Illusionist 3/Master Specialist 4/Shadowcraft Mage 3/Illusionist +2/Shadowcraft Mage +2/Shadow Adept 1/Shadowcrafter 5
Str:10-2
Dex:12
Con:15+2
Int:18+2
Wis:14-2
Cha:8
Feats: Spell focus (Illusion), Greater spell focus (illusion), Skill focus (Spellcraft), Tomb-tainted soul (flaw), Collegiate Wizard (flaw) Heighten spell, Earth sense, Earth spell, Arcane disciple (luck), Shadow weave magic
I plan on taking the Gnome Illusionist substitution level and lower by CL for Abjuration or Transmutation as I won't be using a lot of spells from those school at first level anyway. I also need to bump my wisdom score at level 4 to get Earth sense.[/spoiler]
So my major questions are: Should I keep my familiar or change it for something like Chains of Disbelief? If I get Spontaneous divination as written, should I scrap my Minor school esoterica (tasty +2 to Will disbelieve DCs)? And finally, what did I do wrong?
This my first serious jab at a Shadowcraft Mage, so all ideas are welcome. The game starts at level one and I have 200gp at my disposal and I consider buying a riding dog for general utility and defense. All official material goes as you might know.
Want to give your take on this?
Build, a more elaborate version of:
[spoiler]
Arcane Gnome Focused Illusionist 1
Small humanoid
Hit Dice: 1d4+3 (7)
Initiative: +2 (dex)
Speed: 20ft
Armor Class: 11 Touch: 11 Flat-footed: 11
Base Attack/Grapple: 0/-5
Attack: +0 Quarterstaff
Full Attack: +0 Quarterstaff
Space/Reach: 5ft/5ft
Special Qualities:
Saves: Fort: +3 Refl: +1 Will: +3
Abilities: Str: 8 Dex: 12 Con: 17 Int: 20 Wis: 12 Cha: 8
Skills in ranks: Bluff 2, Concentration 4, Hide 2 Knowledge (arcana) 4, Knowledge (the planes) 4, Spellcraft 4, Use magic device 4
Feats: Collegiate Wizard, Spell focus (illusion), Tomb-tainted soul
Flaws: Noncombatant, Vulnerable
Environment:
Organization: Solitary (unique) or an adventuring party
Challenge Rating: 1
Alignment: Lawful evil
Languages Spoken: Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Giant, Gnome, Elven, Orc
Level Adjustment: +0
Possessions:
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Character background:[/spoiler]