So I'm wanting to build a Tengu Musketman. This is for Society play so he needs to be functional from level 2 (He's a DM baby) through 12.
His ability scores (after racial mods) are: 8 str, 20 dex, 10 con, 12 int, 16 wis, 7 cha.
I'd like to give him a level of Sohei monk for the wis-to-AC, unarmed attacks, dodge, and always acting in the surprise round.
I'm also planning on taking two levels of rogue (for sneak attack, evasion, and one of several very useful rogue talents).
So far, I'm looking at this:
1: Musketman - Point Blank Shot
2: Sohei (level 1 monk stuff)
3: Musketman - Precise Shot
4: Musketman
5: Musketman -
6: Musketman
7: Musketman/Rogue? -
8: Musketman/Rogue?
9: Musketman -
10: Musketman
11: Musketman -
12: Musketman
I'm not too worried about feat selection - there are plenty of useful guides and it's not too difficult a problem. My real question is where I am probably best off putting the dips in my build. I've started with gunslinger at level 1 for the bit of extra HP that gives me. I've put Sohei in next because I figure that the extra AC and other benefits outweigh getting the damage output improvements that I get at gunslinger 3 and 5 (faster loading and dex to damage) a level earlier. I think I certainly want to wait on the rogue stuff until after that, too.
But do I? Would I maybe be better off starting out with rogue 2, taking the sohei level, and then plunging into gunslinger? Those early levels of gunslinger would certainly be easier with higher gp (for cartridges and magic weapons), but I'm not sure if I'd be all that effective until a much higher level, and thats not fun.
On the other hand, it's not like a normal rogue with feats directed at ranged fighting is terribly bad, either. I'm inclined to split up the monk level with the rogue levels just to soften the lost BAB.
I'm also considering just taking two levels of monk for evasion and a second bonus feat (I'd probably take deflect arrows and dodge, there isn't much else there that really suits a ranged character)(I don't think). But would that tenth level of gunslinger be a good exchange for sneak attack? If I'm dipping three levels then I feel certain that I want two levels of rogue and one of monk as the rogue talent options seem much better than the monk's bonus feats. I feel like if I take 2 levels of monk I'd be better off just going all the way to 4 for ki pool and the other goodies.
Thoughts? I'm in a place where I don't know my own mind and would appreciate some feedback. I wish I could combine zen archer and sohei - that would solve most of my issues; with a one level dip I prefer devoted guardian to a better ranged feat.
