Unless there's an errata I'm not remembering (which is possible), 1 level of wizard with Practiced Spellcaster would fulfill the entry requirement (assuming you do have four other levels in any class); daggerspell mage needs an arcane caster level of 5+ which Wizard 1 + Practiced Spellcaster fulfills at character level 5+.

Consider adding two levels of Unseen Seer (Com. Mage) for another 1d6 sneak attack, +2 caster levels, advanced learning (Divination) and free silent spell feat; the skill requirement should be easy to meet between rogue and daggerspell mage levels.

If you can spare a feat slot for Combat Casting (Rapier proficiency of Rogue satisfies martial weapon prof requirement), Abjurant Champion (Comp. Mage) would be a strong choice; +5 BaB, +5 caster levels over 5 levels, together with goodies like Extend / Swift Abjuration.

The retraining feature doesn't allow you to substitute one class for another.

Well, I had done a lot of searching on forums for an answer to the practiced spellcaster debate, and I had found one post with a quote from a FAQ's list about it, and it stated that the requirements of 5 arcane caster levels is supposed to refer to character levels, not your effective caster level. They also gave an example how a level 3 wizard with practiced spellcaster wouldn't meet the requirement, but a 3 Wizard/2 Sorcerer would.

I'll take a look at the unseen seer, and see if the DM would allow me to change my rogue levels to a different class, maybe spellthief. Think I'll stick with if he does, unless I find a different caster that uses spell books. There's another wizard in our party, so we can learn a good arsenal of spells together. Our main melee guy is a warblade, and our 4th member is a kender, not sure what class. I think we're supposed to have a fifth member, but they weren't at the first session, so I don't know what he is.

You wouldn't happen to be referring to the argument on the GITP boards would you?

So much for the FAQ...


I'd recommend talking with your DM; Wiz1 with Practiced Spellcaster qualifying for Daggerspell Mage is hardly broken.... higher level spells are more powerful and versatile than a couple sneak attack dice.

Aside from the fact that you need 8 ranks in concentration before you can get into the class, Practiced Spellcaster still wouldn't work in the way you described it, due to the bolded section.

Wiz 1: Practiced Spellcaster (Wizard). Arcane CL: 1
Wiz 1 / Rogue 1: Arcane CL: 2 (1 [wizard1] +1 [practiced spellcaster]; HD: 2)
Wiz 1 / Rogue 2: Arcane CL: 3 (1 [wizard1] +2 [practiced spellcaster]; HD: 3)
(...)
Wiz 1 / Rogue (or any class / combination of classes totaling) 4: Arcane CL: 5 (1 [wizard1] +4 [practiced spellcaster]; 5 HD]

8 Ranks in concentration is quite possible by level 5. Especially, since it is a class skill for the wizard.

I'm sorry, I didn't realize your comment about Wiz1 was in reference to an overall larger build, I just assumed you meant "Wiz1" and that's it. My mistake.

That said, generally you don't want to end on an even number of rogue levels, since you only get SA dice on odd levels.

A fair enough mistake, given how many people keep trying to make it work just that way.

No prob, Greyfeld; I probably could have explained it more precisely.

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In addition to Unseen Seer, you could use Arcane Trickster levels as 'fillers'; though bland and only 1/2 BaB, they do grant both Sneak Attack dice and Casting.