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Well, I've decided that my first real amount of money would go towards putting agile on two wakizashis, since that will allow me to add my dex to damage instead of strength. I wouldn't mind using a katana, but with 3/4th BAB and 12 Str, I'd be hurting for awhile.

I suppose another real question is just how squishy am I going to be at lower levels and how can I alleviate this? I have a +5 Dex bonus, so it seems like the way to go is Studded Leather giving me an AC of 18 at level one. I always see things quoting mithral armors as having a higher max dex bonus... but I've never seen in the rules where that is an effect of mithral. If it is, then maybe I can upgrade to a mithral chain shirt later?

Another note on the squishy aspect of things is that I have a d8 hit die, which is an average of one less than a fighter, and a +2 con bonus. Is toughness worth looking at? Or do you guys think I'd be okay? I think with my stats at low levels I am comparable to an average fighter, though I could be off base with that assumption. Let me know.

Cool. Thanks for the insight, guys. It helps a lot. Snap shot sounds solid, though, I had intended on tripping, then five foot stepping into range. Snap shot would be a viable alternate strategy that could work with my shuriken.

So, what traits would you use? Have any good suggestions? My reflex save is going to be astronomical, but my will save could definitely use some padding. Is there anything else I should look at?

Any ideas for back up plans when we're in a room full of enemies that makes flanking less likely?

The human racial trait that gives you Skill Focus at first level (and 8th level, and 16th level; called Focused Study) doesn't replace your extra skill rank at each level...it replaces your first level bonus feat. So you are starting with an extra feat that wouldn't be available to you.

Your trait selection of money, money, money is not optimal in a long campaign, which Runelords is.

It is far better to have permanent static bonuses throughout your adventuring career as opposed to change in your pocket at first level. An extra 1300 gold at first level is merely a drop in the bucket.

Congrats on your ability scores, mechanically it would be hard to mess up regardless of what you played.

For rogue/ninjas I propose waiting until second level and taking Finesse Rogue with your first trick. I know the first level without Weapon Finesse can be rough, but tough through it with shuriken or a bow. By taking Two Weapon Fighting at first level, then picking up Finesse Rogue at second level, you're ready to slice things to ribbons. This also lets you keep Combat Trick around till a little later, picking up a feat with some more prereqs exactly when you want it at an even level.

That's my two cents, anyhow. Have fun with it, it's a great campaign.

Yeah, you're right about the focused study. I don't know why it was in my head that it replaced skilled. So I won't take focused study. I don't need it that much, tbh.

Now would you take Finesse Rogue at second level over vanishing trick? It seems like Vanishing Trick is pretty crucial to getting SAs out on every turn. I'd like to hear more of your thoughts on it, if you don't mind. I appreciate feedback and alternate perceptions on ways to run characters.

Hey guys, I'm new to the messageboards, and all. I'm about to start Rise Of The Runelords and I'm going to play a Ninja. The party also consists of a Rogue and a Sorcerer. We have three players. The GM may or may not make an NPC if she feels we're inadequately meeting combat challenges, but my goal is to meet them and surpass them. The goal is to have the ninja and rogue working in tandem to use SA at every opportunity. This means flanking, mostly, and working off of that. I'll also be using the kusarigama to make trip attacks at reach (thus avoiding AoOs most of the time, unless there's a rule about it I'm missing). The Sorcerer is going to be trying to go for control over blasty, so he may have some good options for our teamwork as well.

So my question is really what should my progression look like? Here's what I have so far.

Race: Human (Tien), with the racial trait to give me skill focus over the skill point per level. I'll have enough skill points to be more than effective. I considered fetchling, but I don't think darkness will play a big part in the way the GM will run the game, so I can use a Ninja Trick if it ever comes up.

Abilities: (rolled)
Str: 12
Dex: 20 (+2 racial bonus)
Con: 15
Int: 16
Wis: 14
Cha: 17

Traits:
Reactionary (+2 init)
Black Sheep (400 gp of poison and a contact)
Pride (Drawback)
Chosen Child (increases starting gp by 900 thus better than rich parents)

Skill focus Bluff (1st focused study)

Feats:
Weapon Finesse (1st level)
Improved Init (Human Bonus)

Other Notes: The campaign will use hero points, and the rolled abilities were monitored and used as my argument as to why we should use point buy, because let's face it, my abilities are just dumb good, right?

So my thoughts are to go TWF with wakizashis which I can buy MW at the gate with my extra cash and later work to upgrade with agile. I can either start a combat ambushing from stealth, or using shuriken for ranged SA, then close in with my Rogue buddy. At ten feet, use trip with kusarigama to set up my partner, then close in and flank with wakizashis. I will be getting quick draw.

What other feats should I take? Improved feint seems like a given almost, but it doesn't seem THAT useful, and I don't think I want to pay the feat tax to greater feint, but if I did, I'd also likely take wave strike. But TWF is a lot of feats on it's own, and I might be able to fish more SA out of just flanking and not worrying about feinting at all, or get a cohort to do it with leadership. Any suggestions? Would dipping fighter (two weapon archetype) be worth it for two levels? Will that hurt my SA damage too much? What about Hungry Ghost Monk for stealing ki back?

Alchemy, I do mean more in optimization. Like now that I'm here, I've realized that i still haven't taken crane style and wing and i feel like i should have. I don't know. I'm just trying to get a fresh perspective really.

Hey, guys, thanks for the responses. Last night when I typed that up, it was 4:30 in the morning for me, and I was on a cell phone. I apologize.

Alright, as for concept... Character-wise the concept is a swashbuckling, womanizing, duelist with flare. He's a show-off, a drunkard, and a charmer. Also, ridiculously good with a sword in hand.

Mechanics-wise, the concept is built on super high defense and counter attacking, with a penchant for disarming. Aldori Swordlord seems the best fit for the build, coupled with the Master of Many Styles monk for the Snake Style/Fang combination.

I also want to take a level of Rogue. More for flavor and skills to fit the character than for optimization. I've determined that the Swashbuckler archetype seems to be the best fit.

Here's what I've done, but it seems like it's not working correctly.

It just feels... wrong. Any suggestions?

So my character just died in our carion crown game and i need a new one. I know what he is but not how to get him there, you know? Can someone help me with some good character builds for a 7th level monk/ rogue/ aldori swordlord. Half elf with ancestral arms for EWP: Aldori. Stats in our game are rolled, and min e were super high all around. I have 15, 17, 18, 15, 15, 17. This is why i asked to do point b uy, btw. Anyway, i want to do monk of many styles/ sacred mountain to swashbuckler rogue and then into Aldori swordlord. Then probably into the duelist prc. Ultimate goal is having dex, wis, cha, and int to my ac, while coming off in character as the typical womanizing dashing young rake type character. A show off. Even thinking about adding gladiator to the mix. Any thoughts?