So here's a proposed build, i would love some feedback on this!
Ranger 2/Rogue 3/Low Templar 7
20 point buy, Human
STR 10
DEX 15 (17)
CON 14
INT 14
WIS 13
CHA 10
Feats:
1 Finesse
1 Toughness
3 Dervish Dance
5 Mounted Combat
7 Iron Will
9 Improved Critical
11 Improved Initiative? Critical Focus?
Ranger combat Style:
2 Power Attack
Favored Enemy:
Evil Outsiders +2
Rogue Talent:
2 Weapon Focus- Scimitar
Basically, the idea is to capitalize on the static bonuses from Dervish Dance and Power Attack to deal consistent damage, Sneak Attack (2d6 from rogue, 1d6 from Low Templar) to augment whenever possible.
Secondly, the wide threat range of the scimitar will provide often triggers for the Low Templar's Dirty Fighting ability, and if I am lucky enough to get Blinded as the effect, that will allow more damage via Sneak attack.
Favored Enemy: Evil Outsiders will stack with the Low Templar's Crusader ability, by level 12 the bonus to hit and damage to evil outsiders will be +5, though the various skill bonuses Ranger gets will remain at +2.
The ranger levels most importantly allow the access of Power Attack without the pre-req of 13 STR. It also allows medium armor early on, and access to some wands and scrolls.
Assuming mithril Kikko armor, (max DEX of 6) my level 12 non-magic damage should be 1d6+6 (Dervish Dance) +6 (Power Attack) +3d6 Sneak Attack. The Templar's Ruthless ability basically copies 3.5 Cleave feat, so that should add a bit to lethality.
Any suggestions, comments, or concerns would be much appreciated!
I like it, although I think you're overdoing it on the intelligence. Yes, when you get to low templar you'll be running on only 2 skills/level, but you'll have so many skill points by then from ranger/rogue that you'll have practically all you need trained, even with the skill prerequisites.
I would go for a 12 in intelligence instead.
Actually, have you considered going cavalier instead of ranger? You would need to actually qualify for Power Attack with strength 13, but if you went with the emissary archetype you would receive Mounted Combat as a bonus feat, and be able to move at full speed in medium armour (although you'd likely go for mithral medium as soon as possible anyway).
Consider putting that Mounted Combat to work with cavalier 4/rogue 1/low templar 7: You would qualify for the Horse Master feat at level 7 and be able to go in with a full HD animal companion. Level 7, that's the level when a wolf becomes large-sized...
yes, i did consider cavalier for free Mounted Combat, though that came with its own issues:
1.) Cavalier's main damage dealing method (challenge) is level based, and with 5 (or less) levels in Cavalier, I wont be getting it that often, or dealing too much damage with it. And yes, I would be going straight for mithril armor anyway, and so the full speed in medium armor from Emissary isn't a huge thing.
This is why I went a bit heavier with rogue levels, to get additional damage via sneak attack all day long, assuming i can get into position. Have lurked for a long time on this boards, Mergy, I know you aren't a fan of rogues, and I agree with your reasons as to why not.
HOWEVER, I felt that it meshed well with the sneak attack from Low Templar as well.
2.) Originally, I had the INT and WIS swapped so i could use higher level ranger wands and scrolls, but later felt the INT for skills was more important.
I am more concerned that Dervish Dance+Power Attack+occasional Sneak Attack damage won't be enough to maintain viability as a damage dealer.
Dervish Dance + Power Attack is actually enough for some good damage; sneak attack while unreliable is not bad when you can get it.
While the cavalier's challenge damage is based on level, the allure of getting a full HD animal companion for flanking and extra damage on its own is pretty nice; you'd lose +1d6 sneak attack, but it's a lot easier to get into position with a flank buddy that you control.
If you're set on ranger/rogue, three levels of rogue is a pretty good spot, as three levels of ranger is only going to net you Endurance, and +1d6 sneak attack is much better than that. I would use the thug archetype though, as forgoing 3.5 average damage to make your target sickened for one round is definitely a fair trade.
If you're willing to dump charisma slightly, I would go with this stat spread:
Str 10, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 8
I would also stick with humans as your favoured enemy. Low templars already get a bonus against evil outsiders, but we know what you're going to be fighting most of the time, and you should be ready for them.
I am fairly set on Ranger/Rogue, though my initial build was Cleric 1/Rogue 4. (too much rogue, not enough BAB.) I just find the use of wands and scrolls too useful to give up. I also find Ranger and Rogue to mesh well with Low Templar: The abilities both of those classes give (Favored Enemy, Sneak Attack) stack with similar abilities granted by Low Templar, and the high skill points these classes give counter the low skill points Low Templar has, even though its skill list is fairly expansive.
I will look into the thug archetype, thanks.
As for my stat array, I went with 17 dex due to this possibly being a PFS character, and therefore capping out at level 12 anyway. I also felt the Low Templar got enough abilities that helped CHA based skills, I didn't want to dump CHA. However, I would definitely be willing to take your stat array.
As for taking Favored Enemy: Human instead of Evil Outsiders... I definitely considered it, I just figured that Evil Outsiders are a bigger threat, and bonuses to hit and damage are more useful. I also felt that Favored Enemy: Evil Outsiders provided a bit of a motivation to enter Low Templar.
However, I suppose I could flavor FE: human as fighting cultists or what have you. Either way, i feel it will be well spent. You are probably right though, humans will be more common, especially during the early levels.
I guessed PFS from the 12 level spread. Understand that barring retirement scenarios, your character is only getting to level 11, and will spend most of his time with a much worse dexterity if he starts with a 17.
For PFS a majority of the enemies will be human. It also applies to half-orcs and half-elves. While evil outsiders may be a bigger threat (and even that's only sometimes), you're better off just acquiring a holy scimitar than having to give up the best part of a ranger for most fights.
sound advice, I'll take it.
Another thing: If I take the thug archetype for rogue, will the sickened status stack with the "Dirty Fighting" ability the Low Templar gets, should I get sickened again on the crit table?
If by stack, you mean last longer or make the enemy nauseated, no.
How stuck on rogue are you? What from the class do you need?
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