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Both feats make no mention of melee combat, and it is established that you can used a ranged weapon in each hand as if TWF. So wouldn't this mean that if, say, a ranger was shooting a pistol from each hand his offhand gun would apply his strength as a damage modifier? Also, he would deal 1d10+ 1+1/2 his strength modifier if he hits with both main and offhand pistols?

If you disagree that this works as i've displayed, please provide some sort of quote to support that arguement.

Does the Vampire's "Create Spawn" ability basically mean he can spawn an endless chain of minions under themselves?

Such as a vampire with ten HD having 2 minions with 10 HD, which both have 2 minions with 10 HD.. ect ect?

Also, the first level of spawn are under the complete control of the master vampire. Are the next waves also? do they have to protect their direct creater, but not his?

Example: A group of 4 PCs(4 HD each) are the creations of an 8 HD vampire, who is likewise the minion of another vampire(16 HD). They are in complete servitude to their direct master. Are they also under the control of the 16HD vampire or are they considered as having free will when it comes to that creature?

The main focus of this thread is the EK capstone, spell critical. The ability to cast a swift spell, in any round you crit on an attack, is very very strong. Now, alot of people seem to think of EK and "Gish" style characters need to be melee. Let's look at the idea, of ranged combat.

Our first option is of course Arcane Archer. But they need to use bows. Bows that have a 19-20 crit range with improved crit. The EK works best with a wide crit range. Our options being crossbows(any), a thrown dagger, or the crystal chakram.

Crossbows, are out because of reload times.

That leaves our other two items. Daggers, which crit at 17-20/x2 with improved critical. And the crystal chakram(CC), which crits at 15-20/x2 with improved critical.

One breaks, the other doesnt. So we'll say we carry both types, daggers for basic enemies, and CC for the stuff that really needs to die now.

Heres the mathy bit to show possible to-hit numbers. Yes it's going to be min-maxed heavily.

Race: Elf
Stats: 20 point buy

Str: 20 (14 base +6 item)
Dex: 36 (19 base + 5 level + 6 item + 2 transmutation + 4 insight)
Con: 12
Int: 16
Wis: 7
Cha: 7

The average CR 20 enemy has about a 39 AC, so thats what we are shooting at as an average enemy to kill.

Important feats: rapid shot, critical focus, improved critical, weapon focus, greater weapon focus

So our attack bonuses are 13 from dex, 4 from greater heroism, 1 from haste, 5 weapon, 2 g.weapon focus

At 20, the basic 2/8/10 fighter/wizard/EK has a Bab 16, so he has a full attack of 16/11/6/1, and with rapid shot 14/14/9/4/-1.

That all gives us 39(95%)<95%>/39(95%)<95%>/34(80%)<95%>/29(50%)<75%> /24(25%)<50%>, with (%)chance to hit and <%> to confirm a critical, which all have the same 30% chance to threat. So about a 69% hit chance, 30% of all attacks will threaten to crit, and of those that threaten to crit, 82% to confirm.

So when fighting a Pit Fiend, over 100 attacks(20 rounds) you will hit him 69 times, threaten to crit him with 30 of those attacks, and confirm 24-25 times. SO that just covers that your on average critting once per round.

Meaning you can unload a full round of combat, and still hit off an offensive spell each round.

SO, keep this concept in mind when you consider the power of the EK. Because there is few things better then raining down +5 bane shattering crystalware with a side of delayed blast fireball.

Thinking of meshing a druid together with assassin to either create an interesting BBEG or a very tricky PC.

Now, my question is what possible suggestions can you make for me, to optimize this character? Aiming to optimize this character for both high end play, but also power while leveling. Present any builds as a level 9 character.

Things that are definate.

Alignment: Neutral Evil. Only possible choice.

Race: Halfling. Small size feels right with the character concept here for me.

Natural Bond : Animal companion. Something stealthy and combat ready that can help in flanking situations. Such as a black panther(leopard)

Keep any individual magic items used reasonable, under 30% of a level 9s total wealth.

No extreme multiclassing, as i would like to keep it as close to simply druid/assassin as possible.

Past that i believe everything else is up to you. Now flex that mental might!