Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - Another Multi-Class idea

ScottG · 10-27-2003, 02:11 PM

If your going the dual-wield route with medium armor that sounds pretty good, otherwise a fighter would be preferable over the ranger (xtra feats).

I too have been experimenting with multiclass structures (and looking over the basics behind the new prestige classes for HOTU).

Here is an interesting premis. Ranged sneak attack by steping into a "cloud" of darkness provided by the spell darkness. The spell darkness in this example is particularly nice because if you cast it where it is NOT touching your opponent (i.e. NOT making it dark for your opponent) then they will not attack you imeadiatly nor (if they have the ability) will they cast the spell ultravision to see into the dark cloud.
What feat helps facilitate attacking in darkness? Blind Fighting.
Sneak attack suggests rogue, assasin, or blackguard. For this type of attack the additional element of possible paralyisis provide by an assasin is strongly preferable.
What class has the best single-shot ranged attack (i.e. the best chance to hit irrespective of multiple attacks)? The Arcane Archer at level 9.
Far better is the additional damage of the Arcane Archer and the awesome "hail of arrows" at level 8. (and the other bonus are really nice too.)
Is there a single class available that will allow the Arcane Archer AND the Assasin prestige classes? Yes, the Bard. Moreover the bard at level 8 has a base of 3 spells at level 2 which could give you 3 spells of darkness to cast b4 resting. (I'd take a bard to level 9 however for the additional 3rd level spell - wounding whispers is fantastic.) The Bard (with precisly 5 points in perform skill) adds an additional +1 to attack and +1 of BLUNT damage.
In addition the Assasin class at level 5 can also cast darkness once per day.

So picture this you are a Bard level 9, Arcan Archer level 8, Assasin level 1 (with the feat Blind Fighting) and your motoring along in hide mode to scout out an area. You come across 5 plus opponents but haven't been spotted yet because you are at the edge of their range of visibility/hearing and you are still hiding. You step backward a bit to remove yourself completely from the range of hearing/seeing you use Bard Song and then cast the spell darkness just out of their range to where the spells effects doesn't encompass them. You then walk into the cloud of darkness (and with your blind fighting feat) and attack them (perhaps with a nice bow with str. modifier, haste, rapid shot, and acid arrows). Each attack targets all 5 opponents and each attack has the chance for Death attack that will provide extra 1d6 damage (at 1 level of Assasin) and the possibility of paralyzation. Additionally of course each succesfull hit will no doubt (at this level) have 3 additional damage from str. modifiers, 4 additional damage from Arcane Archer level, 1d6 of damgage from acid arrows, and 1 additional blunt damgage from Bard Song - all in addition to the damage roll of the type of bow.

Another really nice thing about this character is that for advanced mod.s like the upcoming HOTU you can start with this character (char. level 18) and improve it by finishing off the 2 levels of Arcane Archer and continue adding additional levels to your assasin ability to increase the percentage of paralyzation and level of sneak attack damage.

I haven't gotten to the point yet where I can see if this premis is good or not (I haven't reached a level yet where I've tried either the level of assasin or have the "hail of arrows" feature).

[ 10-27-2003, 02:26 PM: Message edited by: ScottG ]

10-27-2003, 02:11 PM	#2
ScottG Drow Warrior Join Date: June 13, 2003 Location: Never Never Land Age: 55 Posts: 267	If your going the dual-wield route with medium armor that sounds pretty good, otherwise a fighter would be preferable over the ranger (xtra feats). I too have been experimenting with multiclass structures (and looking over the basics behind the new prestige classes for HOTU). Here is an interesting premis. Ranged sneak attack by steping into a "cloud" of darkness provided by the spell darkness. The spell darkness in this example is particularly nice because if you cast it where it is NOT touching your opponent (i.e. NOT making it dark for your opponent) then they will not attack you imeadiatly nor (if they have the ability) will they cast the spell ultravision to see into the dark cloud. What feat helps facilitate attacking in darkness? Blind Fighting. Sneak attack suggests rogue, assasin, or blackguard. For this type of attack the additional element of possible paralyisis provide by an assasin is strongly preferable. What class has the best single-shot ranged attack (i.e. the best chance to hit irrespective of multiple attacks)? The Arcane Archer at level 9. Far better is the additional damage of the Arcane Archer and the awesome "hail of arrows" at level 8. (and the other bonus are really nice too.) Is there a single class available that will allow the Arcane Archer AND the Assasin prestige classes? Yes, the Bard. Moreover the bard at level 8 has a base of 3 spells at level 2 which could give you 3 spells of darkness to cast b4 resting. (I'd take a bard to level 9 however for the additional 3rd level spell - wounding whispers is fantastic.) The Bard (with precisly 5 points in perform skill) adds an additional +1 to attack and +1 of BLUNT damage. In addition the Assasin class at level 5 can also cast darkness once per day. So picture this you are a Bard level 9, Arcan Archer level 8, Assasin level 1 (with the feat Blind Fighting) and your motoring along in hide mode to scout out an area. You come across 5 plus opponents but haven't been spotted yet because you are at the edge of their range of visibility/hearing and you are still hiding. You step backward a bit to remove yourself completely from the range of hearing/seeing you use Bard Song and then cast the spell darkness just out of their range to where the spells effects doesn't encompass them. You then walk into the cloud of darkness (and with your blind fighting feat) and attack them (perhaps with a nice bow with str. modifier, haste, rapid shot, and acid arrows). Each attack targets all 5 opponents and each attack has the chance for Death attack that will provide extra 1d6 damage (at 1 level of Assasin) and the possibility of paralyzation. Additionally of course each succesfull hit will no doubt (at this level) have 3 additional damage from str. modifiers, 4 additional damage from Arcane Archer level, 1d6 of damgage from acid arrows, and 1 additional blunt damgage from Bard Song - all in addition to the damage roll of the type of bow. Another really nice thing about this character is that for advanced mod.s like the upcoming HOTU you can start with this character (char. level 18) and improve it by finishing off the 2 levels of Arcane Archer and continue adding additional levels to your assasin ability to increase the percentage of paralyzation and level of sneak attack damage. I haven't gotten to the point yet where I can see if this premis is good or not (I haven't reached a level yet where I've tried either the level of assasin or have the "hail of arrows" feature). [ 10-27-2003, 02:26 PM: Message edited by: ScottG ]