Is there a holeproof, legal, RAW early entry into Mystic Theurge?I believe so. This is mine. I am always happy for constructive feedback, but here goes. Do remember that there are a myriad of variations on this theme.
Step 1: At level one, find the ability to cast spells spontaneously, and take the feat
Heighten Spell (
Player's Handbook, Pg 95)
Method A: Take a level of Sorceror.
Method B: Take a level of Bard.
Method C: Take a Spontaneous Divine Caster (
Unearthed Arcana, Pg 64, DM fiat).
Method D: Take the
Magical Training feat (Player's Guide to Faerun, Pg 41, Campaign Specific, Elf or Human only); you will need a spare feat spot, either from being human, of by using Flaws.
I recommend taking a level of bard. The reasons being: Skill Points, Bardic Music, entry into other Prestige Classes, and Languages.
Step 2: Take a level of an Arcane Casting Class.
Method A: Take a level of Sorceror.
Method B: Take a level of Wizard.
Method C: Take a level of whatever Arcane Caster class you like.
I recommend taking Wizard; if you had taken Sorceror as your 1st level, you can take whatever class you like.
Step 3: Take a level of a Divine Casting Class, and take the feat
Versatile Spellcaster (
Races of the Dragon, Pg 101), and as described
here.
Method A: Take a level of Cleric.
Method B: Take a level of Druid.
Method C: TAke a level of whatever Divine Caster class you like.
I recommend taking Cleric for the awesome abilities that domains grant you. The Planning Domain is always a good choice, as is the Inquisition Domain.
By level 3, you must have 6 ranks in Knowledge (Arcana) and Knowledge (Religion). This should not be a problem.
So, here goes:
Getting into Mystic Theurge at Level 4.Skills: You have by now got the necessary skills. Knowledge (Aracana) and Knowledge (Religion) will be class skills for you.
Feats:
You have taken
Versatile Spellcaster, which allows you to expend two
spell slots to cast a spell one level higher.
You have taken
Heighten Spell, which increases the level of the spell to which the feat is applied, unlike every other metamagic feat. This is an important point, and I request that before using this feat, please do read the description of the feat, and of metamagic feats in the PHB.
Now, according to the FAQ on the
WotC Website, you can give up (as given in the example) two 1st level spells to cast a metamagic-enhanced spell.
Therefore, if we sacrifice two 1st level spell slots, we can cast one of the 1st level spells as a 2nd level spell, as enhanced by the
Heighten Spell feat.
What about the whole plural thing?Some keen-eyed individuals have pointed out in the past that Mystic Theurge requires you to cast 2nd level arcane, and 2nd level Divine spell
s. Plural. Two. More than one.
That isn't a problem. You see, even if (for example) a Wizard / Cleric has an Intelligence and Wisdom of 12, they will gain
three 1st-level spells per day. You will need
four to convert into the two 2nd level spells required to meet this prerequisite, but since you can convert 2x 0th level spells into a 1st level spell (again using
Versatile Spellcaster), you get the spell
slots you need.
I cannot see any reason why this construction isn't completely legal, Rules as Written. Hell, it is even supported by the WotC website! Of course, I am happy to hear intelligent arguments to the contrary.
Thus, I present to you what I think are the two best build stubs for Mystic Theurges:
Bard 1 / Wizard 1 / Cleric 1 into Mystic Theurge,
ORAny damn class you please / Sorceror 1 / Cleric 1 into Mystic Theurge.
There's more to come...