The Nerdy Assassin

[Reynard_the_fox]

I'm thinking of trying to make a "glasses-pushing assasin" type character - I'm thinking a Vivisectionist Alchemist with high dex and int and low charisma, and a true neutral alignment.

Using an Elf with 20 point buy, I'm thinking

Str 8
Dex 18
Con 14
Int 18
Wis 10
Cha 7

He'd probably use a Dex-based mutagen (with Weapon Finesse, of course) and take Feral Mutagen for hella sneak attacks. He'd want to keep stealth, craft(alchemy) and disable device maxed out, and would have a fun toolbox of alchemical items and extracts.

What would you guys do for a character like this? Any nice multiclass options I should consider?

[Nicos]

You will seriously need agile weapons, or your DPR will be low.

[truesidekick]

any character that would associate its name with assassin is an evil character.

to min max, you could go urban barbarian, then go deep into vital strike with furious finish to max your damage with bombs and melee attacks while moving. i cant remeber which level it would work at, but you would most likly be deep into barbarian before its would work extremely well

[Reynard_the_fox]

Hey, if I can sneak attack, a full attack at level 5 gives me 3 attacks at 3+dex (and bonuses from flanking and/or stealth) that deal 4d6 and 1d8+3d6, respectively - pretty darn decent if you ask me. And I believe it's only 5000 for an Amulet of Mighty Fists with the Agile enchantment, which would add another 4 damage on each attack. If I drink my mutagen and an extract of reduce person, and have that amulet, I get +7 to stealth, +5 to AC, +5 to hit and can full attack for 3 attacks of +12 to hit that deal 1d4 + 3d6 + 7 and 4d6 + 7 apiece. Ouch!

@True: Vivisectionists give up bombs, unfortunately. And I don't think Rage really fits the cold, calculating backstory, or using stealth.

@Nicos: You have a point, there. Hmm... maybe he was trained as an assassin, but ran away because of moral conflicts. I could play him as Neutral Good - trained to kill and with no sense of social norms, but learning the value of compassion and friendship. Think Sai (from Naruto) or the main guy from Full Metal Panic.

[Riku Riekkinen]

I'm currently playing a character quite similar to that (actually Elf Alchemist-Vivisectionist+Internal Alchemist). Note that Alchemist doesn't get Stealth as a class skill (I had it with a trait, but no such exists in normal PFS material at least as I know).
Your build seems to be 24pt.
My attributes were:
Str:10
Dex:20
Con:10
Int:16
Wis:10
Cha:7

Not dumping str has some advantages, as you'll be quite good with bow also & it gives CMD (you will have high AC, so this is harder) & it makes start a bit easier. However I don't see it hurting much either especially as leaving out Internal Alchemist leaves you Throw Anything which is useful at the start (=normal alchemical bombs are quite good at the start).

[Reynard_the_fox]

Ah, you're right - my Con is higher than it should be. I guess that leaves me with a choice of +4 Dex and +1 Con or +3 and +2... I'd probably go with the former.

I'm slightly concerned that if I'm not using my mutagen (if I'm in the second tough fight of a day and haven't had an hour to brew another), it seems like I'd need to take Improved Unarmed Strike to be any good - otherwise my Agile amulet goes to waste. But even then, I don't even get 2 attacks without a heavy TWF penalty... hrm.

[Riku Riekkinen]

Reynard_the_fox wrote:

I'm slightly concerned that if I'm not using my mutagen (if I'm in the second tough fight of a day and haven't had an hour to brew another), it seems like I'd need to take Improved Unarmed Strike to be any good - otherwise my Agile amulet goes to waste. But even then, I don't even get 2 attacks without a heavy TWF penalty... hrm.

You can use Stone Fist spell (extract).

[truesidekick]

Reynard_the_fox wrote:

@True: Vivisectionists give up bombs, unfortunately. And I don't think Rage really fits the cold, calculating backstory, or using stealth.

oh i was thinking about a different archetype.

urban barbarian's rage isnt really a rage.

Controlled Rage (Ex)
When an urban barbarian rages, instead of making a normal rage she may apply a +4 morale bonus to her Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution. This bonus increases to +6 when she gains greater rage and +8 when she gains mighty rage. She may apply the full bonus to one ability score or may split the bonus between several scores in increments of +2. When using a controlled rage, an urban barbarian gains no bonus on Will saves, takes no penalties to AC, and can still use Intelligence-, Dexterity-, and Charisma-based skills. This ability otherwise follows the normal rules for rage.

unless you want more of a sociopath, then you have no choice but to go assassin prestige class... just about the most sociopathic class ever made lol

[Reynard_the_fox]

Ooh, that is kind of interesting. In that case, I might consider going for a strength-based build with high Con, instead of Dex. Very intriguing...