Pathfinder 1e Archetype Rogue

Counterfeit Mage

Charlatans and stage magicians use slight of hand to fake magic.

Class
Rogue
Kind
Archetype
Granted Spells
Replaces
1 feature

Charlatans and stage magicians use slight of hand to fake magic. A counterfeit mage goes a step further, parroting the motions and activation phrases used by arcane casters to activate wands or other magical accoutrements. While counterfeit mages rarely fool a real wizard, their command of the arcane is enough to convince most lay people.

Replaces

Trapfinding

Archetype Features

Magical Expertise Level 1

↪ builds on Trapfinding (Rogue)

At 1st level, a counterfeit mage adds 1/2 his level to Disable Device checks to disarm magical traps, Perception checks to find magical traps, and Use Magic Device checks to activate scrolls and wands. A counterfeit mage can use Disable Device to disarm magic traps.

This ability replaces trapfinding.

Signature Wand Level 4

At 4th level, a counterfeit mage can spend 1 hour practicing with a wand to designate it as his signature wand. He can draw that wand as a free action, and can activate it without having to succeed at a Use Magic Device check. He can change his signature wand once per day.

This ability replaces the rogue talent gained at 4th level.

Wand Adept Level 6

At 6th level, a counterfeit mage can use his Dexterity modifier in place of his Charisma modifier when attempting Use Magic Device checks to activate wands.

Rogue Talents: The following rogue talents complement the counterfeit mage archetype: deft palm, esoteric scholar, honeyed words, major magic, minor magic, and trap spotter.

Advanced Talents: The following advanced rogue talents complement the counterfeit mage archetype: dispelling attack, familiar, and slippery mind.

Rogue Talents

The following rogue talents complement the counterfeit mage archetype: deft palm, esoteric scholar, honeyed words, major magic, minor magic, and trap spotter. Advanced Talents: The following advanced rogue talents complement the counterfeit mage archetype: dispelling attack, familiar, and slippery mind.

Advanced Talents

The following advanced rogue talents complement the counterfeit mage archetype: dispelling attack, familiar, and slippery mind.

Attribution

Rules content from Paizo Inc., reproduced by TheCrazyGM under the Open Game License v1.0a. Licensing for reproduced SRD content is covered by the site's Section 15 register.

Advanced Class Guide · OGL-1.0a

Added to the library by eco_the_exploiter on Sept. 15, 2026.

Open Game Content reproduced from Advanced Class Guide by TheCrazyGM under the OGL-1.0a. Copyright in the reproduced material is held by its original publisher, named in this site's Section 15 notice. The core designation is TheCrazyGM's assertion that the material faithfully matches its cited source; that attestation was recorded by Advanced Class Guide on 2026-09-15.

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Sources Used in This Record
  • Based on class: Rogue (Class) — core content under OGL 1.0a

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OGL 1.0a Notice. Pathfinder-derived Open Game Content on this page is used under the Open Game License v1.0a and Section 15 notice.