Spontaneous Gnome Shadow Illusionist (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

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Introduction

At low levels you have access to most illusion spells two levels early. Then in later levels you get the ability to spontaneously cast different shadow spells at increased effect.

References

<- Rule books and/or other sources used in this build ->

Game Rule Components

Items

<- items used in this build ->

Progression

Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): <- starting ability scores before racial adjustments ->

Race (Templates): Gnome

Starting Racial Traits:

ECL	Class/HD/LA	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Feats	Class Features	Special
			Fort	Ref	Will
1st	Illusionist 1	+	+	+	+		Gnome Illusion Spells (Transmutation), Chains of Disbelief (Ex), Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus (Illusion), Illusion Mastery (Ex)	Specialist Wizard (Conjuration and Evocation)
2nd	Illusionist 2	+	+	+	+
3rd	Illusionist 3	+	+	+	+		Greater Spell Focus (Illusion)
4th	Illusionist 4	+	+	+	+			+1 Int.
5th	Gnome Illusionist 5	+	+	+	+		Extended Illusions (Su)
6th	Shadowcrafter 1	+	+	+	+	ANY FEAT	Shadow Mien (Su)
7th	Shadowcrafter 2	+	+	+	+		Shadow Conjuration +10%
8th	Shadowcraft mage 1	+	+	+	+		Cloak of Shadow (Su)	+1 Int.
9th	Shadowcraft mage 2	+	+	+	+	Signature Spell (Shadow Evocation or Conjuration) Feat	Silent Illusion (Ex)
10th	Shadowcraft mage 3	+	+	+	+		Shadow Illusion (Su)
11th	Shadowcraft mage 4	+	+	+	+		Extended Illusion (Ex)
12th	Shadowcraft mage 5:	+	+	+	+	Signature Spell (Shadow Evocation or Conjuration) Feat	Shadow spells +20%	+1 Con.
13th	Shadowcrafter 3	+	+	+	+		Shadow Evocations +10%
14th	Shadowcrafter 4	+	+	+	+			Shadow Spell Penetration +1
15th	Shadowcrafter 5	+	+	+	+	Signature Spell (Greater Shadow Conjuration or Greater Shadow Evocation ) Feat	Shadow Conjuration +20%	+1 Int, +2 saving throws against Illusions.
16th	Shadowcrafter 6	+	+	+	+		Shadow Evocation +20%
17th	Shadowcrafter 7	+	+	+	+
18th	Shadowcrafter 8	+	+	+	+	Signature Spell (Greater Shadow Conjuration, Greater Shadow Evocation, or Shades) Feat	Shadow Spell Penetration +2
19th	Shadowcrafter 9	+	+	+	+		No Delusions (ex)
20th	Shadowcrafter 10	+	+	+	+		Shadow Self (ex)	+1 Int

Other Components

<- anything not covered by the previous sections ->

Highlights

<- How and why this build works ->

Munchkin-Size Me

Swaps Level 1 and 5 of Illusionist for Gnome Illusionist levels from Races of Stone.

Swaps extra spells for being specialist with gaining a two extra illusion spells each level and mastering all illusions from Unearthed Arcana.

Swaps familiar for Chains of Disbelief from Unearthed Arcana.

Strategy

For extra cash keep two sets of spellbooks, one for illusions and one for non-illusions. As all your illusions are mastered you have no need for them once they are in the book. Simply sell the spell book containing your illusions. With each spell having a value of 100gp x spell level these books can net a tidy sum.

The Signature Spell feat is located in the Player's Guide to Faerun, as is the Shadow Adept class and Shadow Magic Feats which offer interesting expansions on the illusionists capabilities.

Side Notes

<- overview of additional info about this build ->

Limitations

<- conditions of when this build works ->

DM Counters

<- If needed, tricks for the DM (provided they allow this build) to keep the abuse to a minimum. ->

Miscellaneous

A bit more powerful overall.

1. Gnome Illusionist ( Gnome racial - +1 Illusion DC, Feat: Shadow weave +1 DC to illusion )
2. Illusionist
3. Master Specialist
4. Master Specialist ( spell focus Illusion +1DC )
5. Master Specialist ( Greater spell focus Illusion +1 DC )
6. Shadow Adept
7. Master specialist ( +2 DC on illusions ) - By this time your level 7 and your illusion spells begin at DC 16 + your INT this makes them VERY hard to save against.
8. Shadowcraft mage

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