Min/Max Boards

Yeah, I have used the Knife in the darkness as my main source of knowledge.

Hey all,

I am new to DnD and will be rolling my first character on Monday. I would love some input on what I have in mind.

I plan on being a Rogue Arcane Trickster and possibly multi-classing a bit. (More on multi-tasking later)

I used the Knife in the Dark handbook as my base guide: https://web.archive.org/web/20150916232639/http://community.wizards.com/forum/player-help/threads/4147321

I have no idea what my attribute rolls will be yet but I am leaning towards allocating in this order, highest to lowest: Dex/Int/Con/Wis/Str

I am leaning towards forest Gnome for my Race because +2 Int and +1 Dex, Darkvision, Gnome Cunning, Natural illusionist seem to go well with my build. I am considering High Elf as an alternative.

I am thinking Charlatan for my background because Deception + Sleight of hand + Disguise/forgery proficiency are all very useful.

I plan on doing most of my damage by setting up sneak attacks with illusion and stealth. I would be using a hand crossbow as my main weapon. I also want to get an owl familiar at some point to scout for me.

For feats I plan on getting Crossbow Expert to set up two crossbow attacks per round. I also wanted to go for Magic Initiate. The guide suggests (Cleric): Guidance, Resistance, Bless. Thoughts?

Here is the Breakdown the guide I am using provides:

Race: Forest Gnome
Ability Score Array: Str 8, Con 13, Dex 16, Int 17, Wis 8, Cha 12
Background: Charlatan
Proficient Skills: Acrobatics, Deception, Investigation, Persuasion, Stealth, Sleight of Hand
Level 1: Expertise: Deception, Stealth
Level 2:
Level 3:
Level 4: Ability Score Improvement: Crossbow Expert feat
Level 5:
Level 6: Expertise: Persuasion, Sleight of Hand
Level 7:
Level 8: Ability Score Improvement: Dex +2
Level 9:
Level 10: Ability Score Improvement: Magic Initiate feat (Cleric): Guidance, Resistance, Bless,
Level 11:
Level 12: Ability Score Improvement: Con +1, Int +1
Level 13:
Level 14:
Level 15:
Level 16: Ability Score Improvement:  Dex +2
Level 17:
Level 18:
Level 19: Ability Score Improvement: Int +2
Level 20:

Spell Selection
Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3: Message, Prestidigitation, Shield, Silent Image, Sleep
Level 4: Charm Person
Level 5:
Level 6:
Level 7: Mirror Image, swap Charm Person for Suggestion
Level 8: Misty Step
Level 9: swap Sleep for Invisibility
Level 10: Hold Person
Level 11: Disguise Self
Level 12:
Level 13: Hypnotic Pattern, swap Disguise Self for Major Image
Level 14: Blink
Level 15:
Level 16: Phantom Steed
Level 17:
Level 18:
Level 19: Confusion, swap Phantom Steed for Greater Invisibility
Level 20: Dimension Door

Any thoughts on the above?

I am thinking of Multi classing with Fighter. At least 1 level seems like a good idea, but maybe going for 5 would make for an even better build. Some questions… Is that a good idea? If I got five levels of fighter, could I then get three shots off with my Crossbow per turn (With Crossbow Expert)? When would you mix those levels in?

Any other ideas?

Thanks, Turd.