New character...

[PhaedrusXY]

I'd consider an Eternal Wand of Heroics, also, for the bufficer. That way, you can grab a couple of fighter feats every now and then, if you need to. Magical Aptitude is in the PHB. It's a core feat.

[woodenbandman]

Try a beguiler shadowcraft mage. Not too destructive, but you can still do the whole GOD wizard thing. Ask your DM if he'll allow you to use metamagic spontaneously without an increase in casting time, otherwise you'll need Arcane Preparation.

If you do play an artificer, focus on stuff that gives long-term spells that doesn't require recasting often. Eternal wands, especially of stuff like, say, Mass Lesser Vigor (combine with metamagic item if you dare), and get fast healing 1 all day, and stuff like that. Also take advantage of having all spell lists ever and getting shit like Holy Sword as a 4th level spell and Haste as a first level spell and suchlike. If you do focus on damage, search for the most effective damage/money ratio, such as scorching ray (12 or 16d6, I forget which, at a relatively low level) and combine with metamagic item quickening for good things.

[Generic_PC]

Hehe. Metamagic Item will probably be used alot.

Heres my newest Artificer Build...

Changeling (Human) Artificer 2 (NG) (Artificer 20)

STR: 10
DEX: 14
CON: 14
INT: 18
WIS: 8 
CHA: 16

FEATS: 1 (+1), 3, 4b, 6, 8b, 9, 12, 12b, 15, 16b, 18, 20b

1: Legendary Artisan (Point Blank Shot) (Alternatively, Skill Focus UMD.)
3: Extend Spell
4b: Extraordinary Artisan (Or Legendary Artisan)
6: Persist Spell
8b: Wand Mastery
9: Energy Substitution
12: Quicken Spell
12b: Attune Magic Weapons
15: Energy Admixture
16b: Extra Rings
18: Twin Spell
20b: Craft Construct

Skills are Concentration, UMD, Knowledge (Arcana), Spellcraft, Appraise. Craft (Pottery) 4 (Dedicated Wight), Craft (Sculpting) 6 (Expedititous Messenger, Furtive Filcher) , Craft (Metalworking) 4 (Iron Defender). These are the bare minimums, assuming take 10 on craft checks. I will probably be using my 4th level crafting reserve on Wights. Once these crafts are as high as i need them, they go into Search and Craft (Alchemy).

And now, the Wizard.

(Whisper) Gnome Conjurer 2 (N) banning Evocation and Enchantment. (Wizard 5//Master Specialist 2/Shadowcraft Mage 5/Archmage 5. 3 more levels, considering Mindbender (assuming i don't ban enchantment.)

STR: 10
DEX: 18
CON: 16
INT: 18
WIS: 8 
CHA: 8

Skills: Spellcraft, Concentration, Knowledge (Arcana), 3 others.

Feats: 1, 3, 5b, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18

1: Abrupt Jaunt, Cloudy Conjuration
3: Spell Focus Illusion
5b: Heighten Spell
6: Spell Focus Conj.
9: Obtain Familiar
12: Reserve Feat. probably dimensional reach, although a damage spell would be nice.
15: Improved Familiar
18: Sculpt Spell

Currently, im leaning towards the Artificer, because I've never played one.