Pala/Sorc/Abjurant champ

[Waazraath]

Really depends on what you want to play... straight sorcerer is better, but a paladin/sorcerer with abjurant champion is viable and makes a nice gish (and is a very fun build imho). Arcane preperation as mentioned above is a great way to use luminous armor.

[Sjappo]

I had some questions about basically the same build about a year ago. Check it out. It has lots of useful advice on armor, spells and what not.

[skydragonknight]

Practiced Spellcaster feat. Lesser Metamagic Rod of Extend (3000 gold). At 6th level, Extended Mage Armor = 12 hours. Two first level spell slots a day. You don't cast long duration buffs in combat

At higher levels, grab Greater Luminous Armor if you can, or Greater Mage Armor (Complete Arcane, 3rd level, +6 armor bonus to AC) if you can't.

Other good low level spells: True Strike and/or Wraithstrike. Great with Power Attack. Wraithstrike will be strictly better when you reach +6 BAB (so you'll want it by then), but True Strike can save your neck when you simply have to be able to hit something.

Another fun thing to do is get the Combust (2nd level) spell from SpC and a Spell Storing weapon.  I don't see Spell Storing mentioned much for Gishes, but it's a +1 enhancement for basically an extra action every combat. I like it.

[fuinjutsu]

You can have Spellstoring and Bloodstone on the same weapon, can't you?

Max'ed Vampiric Touch is boss.

[Rebel7284]

You can have Spellstoring and Bloodstone on the same weapon, can't you?

Max'ed Vampiric Touch is boss.

Yup, you can have Spellstoring, Bloodstone, Smiting Spell, Spellsword Channeling, and Duskblade Channeling all on the same attack.  And then Arcane Strike.

[jameswilliamogle]

Still Spell Metamagic Rods are my preferred method of mid-level sorcadins.  Its use-activated, so you don't even need to be holding them to use them.  Just have the rod in your backpack.

[cru]

Still Spell Metamagic Rods

Do these actually exist RAW? Could not find them.
Anyway, metamagic rods require you to wield them: The wielder can cast up to three spells per day ...

[jameswilliamogle]

Wield does not mean hold.  Thought they did exist, RAW.

[skydragonknight]

Wield does not mean hold.  Thought they did exist, RAW.

It is correct that wield does not mean hold. Sorcerers are perfectly capable of wielding a rod in their pants.

[cru]

DMG:
Use Activated: This type of item simply has to be used in order
to activate it. A character has to drink a potion, swing a sword,
interpose a shield to deflect a blow in combat, look through a lens,
sprinkle dust, wear a ring, or don a hat. Use activation is generally
straightforward and self-explanatory.
I think the most straightforward and self-explanatory action one can do with a metamagic rod is to hold it in your hand, point it at the target and blast away. If using metamagic rods as butt plugs is the first thing that comes to your mind, ...

[Solo]

I do not believe that you can use a MM rod you have in your haversack.

[GawainBS]

Also, don't forget the Swiftblade.

[jameswilliamogle]

I think the most straightforward and self-explanatory action one can do with a metamagic rod is to hold it in your hand, point it at the target and blast away. If using metamagic rods as butt plugs is the first thing that comes to your mind, ...

Also in the SRD.  I think the most straightforward and self-explanatory action one can do with a metamagic rod is to cast a spell, and use the command thought to use a charge, and it be on your person, even in your backpack (maybe not in your handy haversack; idk, its another dimension, right?).  So each DM is left to decide, maybe.

I say maybe b/c I haven't done an extensive search through Sage or through the Rules Compendium on it.

[Sjappo]

Wield does not mean hold.  Thought they did exist, RAW.

It is correct that wield does not mean hold. Sorcerers are perfectly capable of wielding a rod in their pants.

Just like a fighter can wield a greatsword in his ants or what?

Wield.

The very definition of wielding implies an activity. I would rule against wielding something without at least getting it out of your backpack and holding it.

[skydragonknight]

You missed the joke.

[jameswilliamogle]

Just like a fighter can wield a greatsword in his ants or what?

Wield.

The very definition of wielding implies an activity. I would rule against wielding something without at least getting it out of your backpack and holding it.

Feel free to rule it that way.
Another part of Use-Activated: Many use-activated items are objects that a character wears. Continually functioning items are practically always items that one wears. A few must simply be in the character’s possession (on his person). However, some items made for wearing must still be activated. Although this activation sometimes requires a command word, usually it means mentally willing the activation to happen. The description of an item states whether a command word is needed in such a case.

There's no description under metamagic rods, though, but I don't see here where it says the rod needs to be anywhere but on his person in his pants.

[Nasteh]

Grrrrrr

Thanks for all your help. Sadly my GM informed me, that paladin won't fit in to the campaign and he'd would like me to play a rogueish character (better to fit into the theme and feel of the game).

This leaves me at square 1. Any ideas on how to make a level 5 "rogue type" character, with low magicitems and no ToB and UA?

/Jacob - starting from scratch.

[jameswilliamogle]

Do a Beguiler.

[GawainBS]

Not terribly optimised, but a Shadowbane Inquisitor is both Roguish and a Paladin.

[Bastian]

Be a factotum.