Hello all! My friend is running a Rise of the Runelords game, and it has likely fallen to me to play either a melee damage dealer, or possibly a tank. I wrote up a concept for a character that is a little out of my norm, and was hoping I could get some advice on him. This game will be 15-point buy.
Human Samurai CN (Sword Saint)
STR 16
DEX 13
CON 12
INT 10
WIS 10
CHA 14
Feats:Power Attack, Improved Bullrush.
Order of the Cockatrice
Equipment: Katana, Four-Mirror Armor, 6-8 Combat Scabbards.
Next level I plan on picking up Equipment Trick: Heavy Blade Scabbard. I'm sure you can see from here where I'm going with this. There is a lot this character can do with this many options with one feat and that many scabbards. I eventually want to pick up Improved unarmed strike and probably Crane style, but other than that, he needs more defense feats to be a guardian type character(for his own glory of course).
Any suggestions for future feats? Also what do you think the action is to pick up my scabbard after an Iaijutsu Strike? Same as a weapon? Quick draw might be worth it at that point(I know it's a prerequisite for Scabbard Hurl, but my DM might be ok with Weapon Expertise being the prereq).
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I am currently playing a sword saint samurai and there was two avenues of feats i was considering for my samurai. The first is almost mandatory: Iron Will and Improved Iron Will. with no wisdom bonus that you have you will want some bonus to a will save roll. I have not played RotRL, but I will bet there some nastiness that will cause you to save vs. will or have suck results.
The second avenue i was going to explore was the blind fighting tree. The ability ignore partial concealment and re roll miss chances is sick when you throw in some smoke sticks to prevent ranged attacks or have your spell casters use things like obscuring mist etc. Plus I personally think a samurai who is so good as a swordsman he can fight blind makes for and awesome character to play.
I built a similar character recently both as a PC for a Pbp and as an NPC for a live game I run. Inspired by likely some of the same concepts as you. One thing I decided was two handing a Katana with decent strength I really didn't need power attack that early. Because she already does plenty of damage for a level 1, especially with the challenge ability. Especially since you really really need to hit with your Iaijitsu strike. basically you hit a low level monster and its going down.
However I love the equipment trick Idea and I am going the same route. It might be worthwhile to spend one of your bonus feats on "Catch Off-Guard" so you can use your scabbard, or scabbarded sword without a -4 penalty. I think mine will do that.
Phatbac is right on the will saves. Last thing you want to do is get dominated or something and roll max damage on an Iaijutsu strike on your buddy standing next to you.
For my character I took dodge and toughness at level 1, as the Iaijutsu strike really leaves the character vulnerable. And even Samurai are relatively squishy at that level.
Dodge is always an attractive option. I heard somewhere that samurai are really good at saving despite the low will due to their Resolve ability. I most likely will take it anyway though. That +0 Will save hurts my soul a little.
The reason I have power attack is solely for bullrush, and with it, the Steer Opponent scabbard trick. Though if I don't live long enough to use it...
I'm also worried about the -6 to AC after an Iaijutsu strike. Seems like it would really limit your chances to use it.
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16
|
Power Attack + Furious Focus. Power Attack on your iaijutsu strikes with no penalty.
Consider a 2-level sohei monk dip. I started my samurai with a 2-level sohei/master of many styles dip and it's been pretty awesome. Better saves, a crap ton of bonus feats, and the ability to always act in the surprise round. I also have all 3 Crane style feats so my AC is good and I can auto-block 1 melee attack per round. I considered sword saint, but went with regular samurai instead. I think iaijutsu strike as a full-round action means that it wouldn't really get used a lot in actual play--if I run up to a monster, I want to attack it right away, not wait 1 more round so I can draw down for an iaijutsu strike. YMMV.
Mine is Order of the Blue Rose. So the idea is the first round shes usually offering surrender terms. so it actually works out really well. First round approach the enemy and offer terms (or toss a 'tanto' (just a skinned dagger) at them, second round end the fight.... at least thats the theory! She spent her debute as an NPC rolling 1s!
I play a Samurai (Sword Saint) in PFS and I save my Resolve uses and other rerolls for Will saves. I have done fine with no Iron Will.
However I love the equipment trick Idea and I am going the same route. It might be worthwhile to spend one of your bonus feats on "Catch Off-Guard" so you can use your scabbard, or scabbarded sword without a -4 penalty. I think mine will do that.
When you take the equipment trick feat, "if the item would normally be considered an improvised weapon, you may treat it as a normal weapon or an improvised weapon, whichever is more beneficial for you."
ooh really? nice I missed that.
Power Attack + Furious Focus. Power Attack on your iaijutsu strikes with no penalty.
Consider a 2-level sohei monk dip. I started my samurai with a 2-level sohei/master of many styles dip and it's been pretty awesome. Better saves, a crap ton of bonus feats, and the ability to always act in the surprise round. I also have all 3 Crane style feats so my AC is good and I can auto-block 1 melee attack per round. I considered sword saint, but went with regular samurai instead. I think iaijutsu strike as a full-round action means that it wouldn't really get used a lot in actual play--if I run up to a monster, I want to attack it right away, not wait 1 more round so I can draw down for an iaijutsu strike. YMMV.
My DM actually suggested this too. Not a bad idea.
For the Equipment trick: scabbard hurl, it states you can attack anyone you can see. Is there a range increment on this?