Rogue Dagger master feedback request

[Mynts]

I've been going over ideas for a week, my goblin fighter went splat in our Carrion Crown game (end of book 3) so Now I'm bringing to the table a dreaded rogue (mwhahhahahah)

After finding out how ignorant I was when it came to pathfinder rogues (I blame dnd 4e for this) I've gone with the daggermaster and we are currently level 8 going into the 4th book

Halfling rogue (8)
Rogue Talents: Fast stealth, underhanded, weapon finesse , Combat trick*
Feats: Quick draw, weapon prof - kukri, weapon focus - kukri, *improved two weapon fighting

Using the new book for advanced races I chose Fleet footed (replaces sure - footed and slow speed)

Magic items: +1 keen kukri, +1 mithral (shadow magic property), Vest of escape, handy haver sack, and a ton of daggers with a few wands (all lvl 1 utility)

In short the goal is to Open extremely powerful opening attack with the underhanded talent. The joy of this character is utility with power, and I'm hoping it isn't seen as a "power gamer" character (I have been accused of that in the past and not going to lie I do power game)

I'm looking mostly for feedback on the choices and suggestions to make the character follow the sneaky path of the rogue.

[Nicos]

Can we see your stats?

There are two option taht you maybe you want to consider the first is

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/rogue/archetypes/paizo---rogue -archetypes/knife-master

And the second is

Agile

Source: Pathfinder Society Field Guide

Aura moderate transmutation; CL 7th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, cat's grace; Price +1 bonus.

DESCRIPTION

This enhancement can only be placed on a melee weapon which is usable with the Weapon Finesse feat.

Agile weapons are unusually well balanced and responsive. A wielder with the Weapon Finesse feat can choose to apply her Dexterity modifier to damage rolls with the weapon in place of her Strength modifier. This modifier to damage is not increased for two-handed weapons, but is still reduced for off-hand weapons.

[Maxximilius]

Quick draw does not allow you to use the Underhanded talent, since drawing a concealed weapon is a move action and you only get a standard or move action during a surprise round. You must attack a creature with a concealed weapon for Underhanded to work ; hence the deft palm talent, a glove of storing, the Betrayer feat (two underhanded attacks a round, yes thanks), a sword cane, just attacking from the shadows, etc.
Search for my name, "underhanded", "betrayer" and "dandy" on the boards for more informations about how you could use this talent. I made long posts answering about this issue.
Underhanded can be really powerful, but it suffers the same problems than other nova class options : it's not everytime during the day that you will be able to use it, and while you will have your crowning moments of awesomeness (at least you're not even using Sap Master !), other classes can actually be efficient all day.

Also, TWFing is a trap for a 2/3 BAB class like the rogue. Your bonus to hit will be so low that the potential bonus to damage will never be enough to compensate all the attacks you will miss. Rolling a ton of dice is tempting, but if you never hit, you'll never get to roll them in the first place. I know this from experience.

Though if you are allowed 3PP and can get your hands on the Secrets of Tactical Archetypes II, you'll find a rogue archetype replacing sneak attack for a more versatile option dealing less damage but on a more common basis (also available freely by searching for Cheapy's Vivious Opportunist on his profile) - the Vicious Opportunist in this book gets new rogue talents giving the TWFing build some love, by adding precision and damage to your attacks.

You can also get Pathways #14 for free, it contains a Knife Thrower archetype that works well with the Vicious Opportunist and the Knife Master to deal relevant damage and cripple your foes like would a Peltast from TSoTA II.

[Mort the Cleverly Named]

Well, first bit of feedback, Underhanded is impossible to use on its own. The thing is, it only works on Sneak Attacks in the Surprise Round. During the Surprise Round, you get either a standard action or move action. Drawing a concealed weapon is a standard action, or a move action with Quick Draw. Regardless, you will have used your action in the surprise round getting the weapon out, and won't be able to actually attack. There are a variety of tricks to get around this (Bandit Archetype, Betrayer Feat, Spring-Loaded Wrist Sheath), but it isn't as awesome as it would initially appear.

Using a feat for Kukri proficiency is a pretty big waste. Rogues, especially two-weapon fighting/weapon finesse Rogues, tend to rely on Sneak Attack for their damage. Sneak Attack is not multiplied on a critical hit, meaning that the improved critical threat range is not particularly valuable to you. Wielding daggers and using the feat for something else will be more mechanically effective.

[Mynts]

Quick draw makes it a free action to draw a weapon. Do you not get free actions in a surprise round? and as for concealed weapons (its in the handy haver sack :D

Second I will be getting deft palm level at a later level but that choice also depends on Quick draw.

Stats are as follows
BASE
STR 12, DEX 15, CON 10, INT 14, WIS 8, CHA 13
Halfling +2 dex and cha, -2 str
Ability score advancement both in DEX so...
STR 10, DEX 19, CON 10, INT 14, WIS 8, CHA 15

As I think about it the kukri (15-20) crit rang is nice but its not a guaranteed hit and I have no bonuses with STR and a d3 doesn't make a crit worth about 3 feats. I may change that to just daggers. The goal of this character is to be as sneaky as possible and time the hits. I'm going to aim for trying to get a surprise round every time. Thanks for the feedback so far guys/gals

[Nicos]

Mynts wrote:

Stats are as follows
BASE
STR 12, DEX 15, CON 10, INT 14, WIS 8, CHA 13
Halfling +2 dex and cha, -2 str
Ability score advancement both in DEX so...
STR 10, DEX 19, CON 10, INT 14, WIS 8, CHA 15

You definitely needs agile weapons.

[Maxximilius]

Mynts wrote:

Quick draw makes it a free action to draw a weapon. Do you not get free actions in a surprise round? and as for concealed weapons (its in the handy haver sack :D

Second I will be getting deft palm level at a later level but that choice also depends on Quick draw.

Quick Draw : "You can draw a hidden weapon (see the Sleight of Hand skill) as a move action."

Again, search for the post where I'm discussing the ways to make Underhanded work.

Quote:

As I think about it the kukri (15-20) crit rang is nice but its not a guaranteed hit and I have no bonuses with STR and a d3 doesn't make a crit worth about 3 feats. I may change that to just daggers. The goal of this character is to be as sneaky as possible and time the hits. I'm going to aim for trying to get a surprise round every time. Thanks for the feedback so far guys/gals

You may want to check the Paizo Blog discussing the way stealth mechanics are being revamped ; otherwise you will pretty much rely on DM fiat when it comes to actually being stealthy.

I believe there is a way to do a stealth check as part of a feint, but keep in mind that you only get surprise rounds against creatures that are not aware of your presence and don't know for sure that you will soon strike.

I suggest the Betrayer feat tree to roll on the Charisma you need with Underhanded and to be actually able to use this talent since it allows you to draw and strike with a weapon as an immediate action.

[Take Boat]

Dreaded Rogue? Who dreads them?