I've dabbled with Arcane Trickster, but what feels a little like disdain for that class by Larian somwhat rules it out. I considered AT (9) / Sorc (3) so that endgame I could use stealth to get a Quickened + Heightened (Magical Ambush) spells, but I really hate the system shortcoming of building something for endgame. It's like building your dream home only to be told you have to move out the minute it's completed.
What I
do like, is the idea of a multiclass that scartches the itch of being a decent controller, coupled with an Asssassin-type who can deal 'one big hit' to single targets. Kind of a surgical instrument who locks down everyone except his target, who he eliminates with a single, big-damage blow.
Kind of like an Assassin would have to operate in a world FULL of magic, you know?!
So Asasssin (despite
it's ridiculous shortcomings) seems - at least RP wise - to be a good/fun choice.
What I can't seem to settle on is the magic side. I've boiled it down to two options: Sorcerer and Warlock.
If I go GOOLock (5) / Assassin (7)...1. I get a second attack, which seems like a big deal? In combat (even outside of Surprise) I can open with a blow, then (lategame) proc the
Band of the Mystic Scoundrel and cast something like Hold Person and deliver a Critical Blow to finish off the target. What's even better is that if I have the
Helmet of Arcane Acuity and
Gloves of Baneful Striking that first blow can be used to savage an enemies saving throws.
2. Regenerating Spell Slots on a Short Rest is great.
3. Scaling attacks and spells off of CHA. Ace.
4. Darkvision / Darkness combo is cool.
5. A neat little side effect of the GOOlock is the fear proc on criticals.
6. Slightly more HP
BUT...1. Two slots per combat seems really low.
2. I lack versatility in terms of those slots and how spells are cast (need to whack someone in combat first?)
3. I will miss spells like Shield, which have saved my Arcane Trickster arse SO MANY TIMES.
4. I miss out on Metamagic.
If I go Sorcerer (5) / Assassin (7)...1. Metamagic is just incredible for Crowd Control. The idea of extending spells like Crown of Madness (while I hide away concentrating and picking off targets, or double-casting Tasha's or Hold Person for low spell slot costs, or using quickened invisibility.... it's all just so flexible and fun, and it means every slot spent will be worth so much more.
2. Having a SPREAD of spell slot levels means not wasting a level 3 slot on something a little bit level 1 (Tasha's or Hex or something).
3. I get access to way more interesting spells.
4. Metamagic can be used on Scrolls and Items! So that Cloak of the Nymph can be doubled up, or stands way more chance of hitting a target when Heightened and so on.
5. ALL of the subclass options would be useful in some way - especially the ability to fly after casting.
6. I can grab things like Hex from Magic Initiate.
BUT...1. Slightly LESS HP.
2. Lack of spell slots might be an issue?
3. Split stats (Dex and Cha), although that doesn't bother me massively.
4. No second attack, which is brutal.
I've puzzled over million of other combinations (Bards are out, sorry), possibly even trying to combine the Warlock and Sorc and going just 6 Assassin levels... but to me I'm already eating way too much into my Sneak Attack. I thought: If I'm going Sorcerer I could even go 9 Assassin and just the three levels of Sorcerer for the Meta... but then I'm losing out on way too many 2nd level spells (Invis, Mirror Image etc etc.) which is pretty awful too.
I've also thought about the Thief for that bonus action... but I wouldn't know where to begin with that build.
Anyone have thoughts? Ideas? Have I gotten something wrong here that will massively affect my ultimate choice?
What I need - what this game has needed since the beginning - is that juicy 13th level!
