Let us build that iconic Tinker Gnome Artificier (FR/3.5)

[studderingdave]

Building a backup to my backup character and I really wan to play "that tinker gnome". You know, covered in pouches, candle cap, lenses over goggles, faithfully working on some new gadget at all times (or at least have his Draught making stuff for him. I am looking at building this character from the ground up, for 12th level. Our party is pretty large, ranging from 6-8 players each session. Besides myself we have another 3.5 veteran, some who have played 3.5 and the others are all new to Dungeons and Dragons.

I read over the handbooks a few times and got the gist. Light crossbow, portable hole workshop for draught and stuff like that.

stats (after adjustments):

str 10
dex 16
con 14
int 20
wis 10
cha 18

given the variety of artificer builds I am looking to stay flexible. Making a draught or 2 is my extent for homoculii. I want to have a ranged presence and be useful to the party in as many ways possible,

any direction would be much appreciated.

[Vizzerdrix]

I saw the title was all like  as Gnome Artificer (A.K.A Lantaan Artificer)is one of my absolutely favorite PrCs and wanted to see what people could do with it.

But you want an artificer who is a gnome and now I'm all 

[awaken_D_M_golem]

As in 3.5e Artificer race Gnome, concept Tinker ... sure.
Sounds like crafting right off the bat, with Homonculous trickery.
Dive through the Bunko's Handbook for the good stuff to make.
Dive through Bastian + PLZs Crafting discounts handbook.
Dive through the MacGyvers handbook for more Tinker-esque trinkets.

**

I did a little bit of work on the 3.0e Gnome/Lantan Artificer.
It's a completely different animal.
Rogue 1 / X / Rogue +1 ... is a virtual lock, to qualify for all the skills.
Heighten cheese is needed to get Illusion Shadow into more (su) goodies.

The class specifically allows Custom Items, and better.
Crafting wands with fewer than 50 charges, was historically a no no.
This guy can make as many of those as he wants.
But even with giant piles of cheese, you're hard pressed to get to Tier 3.

[Jackinthegreen]

Tinker Gnome from Dragonlance is the most likely thing especially considering the 20 in Int.  Those gnomes are...  Nuts.  And bolts.

[studderingdave]

Our DM allows the dragonlance "tinker" gnome in FR games. I was going with the actual "tinker gnome" race as the base for the character.

reviewing handbooks...

[Jackinthegreen]

Hm?  Where can one find said gnomes?  According to http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=1281.0 the only LA 0 gnome races with +2 int are the arcane gnome in Dragon 291, the tinker gnome in Dragonlance Campagin Setting, and the wild gnome in Races of Ansalon.

[studderingdave]

http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Gnome,_Tinker_%283.5e_Race%29

[awaken_D_M_golem]

Eh that race looks fine to me.  Shouldn't be a problem.

Artificer is rather complicated, and debatable.
Some more Artificer details are discussed and answered
on the most recent-est Arty guide by SorO_Lost here:
http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=11530.msg195536#msg195536

[Jackinthegreen]

That wiki site (and pretty much all wiki sites) is not official material, but it sometimes does have reprinted stuff on it.  The race is a combination of various different official gnome races but is itself not official, as the bottom of the page shows since it's listed under "3.5e homebrew."  The total of its racial abilities is stronger than almost all official LA 0 races (+2 bonus to four skills on top of some SLAs, weapon familiarity, and various bonuses against other races?  That's a lot.) but it won't be a big issue overall.

If your DM has okayed it because they think it's official then let them know it isn't and should be looked at again.  If your DM has looked over it in full knowledge it is not official and still okayed it then you're good to go.