Character Build Help

[garrison]

Once the old file is removed, I plan to rebuild Vigo with a higher attack bonus. In a nutshell this is a dex based, dual kukri wielding rogue elf which otherwise maximizes AB. I have two rough outlines I'm considering but would appreciate any feedback.

The first is a Rogue/Shadowdancer/Weapon Master which I worked out mostly just to see how to become weapon master without any fighter levels; but then I started thinking that the benefits of these two prestige classes are more than a litte defensive and EfU seems to have better defensive items than offensive items-- or at least a bunch of baddies that are really hard to hit! Does a weapon master offer any serious advantage over fighter for dex characters? (knockdown, dev crit, etc are str feats, no?)

What I'm currently considering is an "offensive rogue" which would be something like Rogue 26/Fighter 14 with all fighter levels taken pre-epic to maximize AB, perhaps rogue 1-6, fighter 7-20, rogue 21-40. Am I on the right track?

[Greything]

I think I would go with weaponmaster rather than fighter for a Dex based build.

You won't be able to get the Str based feats so the weaponmaster's extended and multiplied criticals are very useful.

With the weapon finesse feat it is possible to get the same AB as a Str based build - and with the right robes or armour (and there is armour out there which does not restrict Dex bonuses) it is fairly easy to build up an AC of well over 100.

This kind of build is the only one I have which can take on the Cyric Leader without resorting to magic.

[garrison]

You know, I've been playing a weapon master (STR) and I just never looked carefully at the crit bonuses. Another benefit is that WM has only 10 pre-epic levels so I can go with something like R6/SD4/WM10, then mix R/WM from 21-40. Although, I don't think I was able to get WM prior to R15... I'll have to see just how early I can get WM.

I know this will never be the juggernaut my pure F/WM is but should be a big improvement over the original R/SD build; I recently tried DPG with an AB of about 50 and barely hit a thing. At least an elf always has the option of tossing in one wizard level (at no XP penalty) to bring all kinds of magic in to play (wand of clean air springs to mind).

[Unglaublich Verwustung]

Unless you have a particular reason not to include fighter then it is always the ideal one to choose as the base for WM, even if you are planning on a dex build; you will get your first WM at level 7.
I normally build as follows:
Fighter: 1 - 6, 15, 24,
Wm: 7, 9-14, 16, 19-23, 25-39
A.N.Other: 8, 17-18, 40
Built with elf or halfling and using kukri or short-sword as weapon means you can get a high AB, high AC character, althoguh I have also built with daggers, maces and anything else suitable for the Finesse feat.
The 3rd class is pretty much optional as below:
Rogue or Assassin, for throwing magic around and have high tumble.
Monk, high tumble, running around just that little bit faster than everyone else
Ranger, you know you want the edge with two weapons
Paladin, you just want to smite someone now and again
etc
If you want an idea of feats to pick throughout this then let me know, but again, reasonably optional once you have reached level 7. Up until then they are obligatory in the following order: Dodge, Mobility, Expertise, Spring Attack, Whirlwind Attack, Weapon Focus - I normally throw Weapon Finesse in at level 1 just because it's a dex build and it will help from the start.

Strength builds, the party-tanks, are a subject for a whole different post, and if you want spellcasters then Toot is your man.

So, back to the original question for this thread, I would recommend a Fighter/WM/Rogue option. You will have a lethal kukri-wielder at the end of it, be able to grab a shield when required for that AC boost, and to throw spells in for good measure, just to add to the general confusion - surely it doesn't get to be any more fun than that (I have one of these, she goes through DPG like the proverbial hot knife through butter).

[garrison]

There is a huge skill point bonus for choosing rogue at level one, so that's critical, but after comparing R/SD/WM and R/F/WM I think the fighter benefits outweigh the shadow dancer's. I'm glad I posted this for feedback.

Right now I have charted R4/F6 interspersed (RFFRFRFRF) then WM 11-21; once epic I can start adding rogue levels without losing AB. This should give me a final BAB of 29 which seems quite acceptable, and if I take 22-40 as rogue I will have 12d6 sneak attacks.

[Unglaublich Verwustung]

Sounds cool enough; when complete remember to give us feedback here - it's always worth seeing how builds work out.

[toot033]

Don't forget a 3rd option for the alternate class is bard. It lets you pick up spell craft as well as tumble, and UMD. I did a test build of your elven warrior all dex ( with daggers) and was able to squeak out a base 53 AB. This had dual wield ambidex, imporved whirlwind and a few epic toughness and it had ~ 500 hp and a great ac. It was FT 1-10, wm 11-39 brd at 40 ( to min the xp hit) save all the points until then for a skill dump and was able to get a 50 tumble, 40 UMD, 40 SP, 25 perform 4 intimidate (did at the begining). Yes its cheesy to take the skill dump w/1 lvl and so much WM but he/she would be very effective.

[garrison]

Originally Posted by Unglaublich Verwustung Sounds cool enough; when complete remember to give us feedback here - it's always worth seeing how builds work out.

Will do. Has anyone heard from Ziroc? He posted last Tuesday that he would remove the old character files but that was the last I heard and he hasn't posted on any thread since Wednesday. I'm new here but looking at his post history this seems like an unusual span.