In a recent campaign we are playing as gestalt characters. I decided I would try and play a sniper rogue/ crossbowman fighter. I planned out my build and i decided on all the vital strike things and I can prepare an action to vital strike at 7 to deny dex and get sneak attack and with my heavy crossbow do 2d10+4d6+1/2 dexmod+weapon training and spec.
However, until then I am useless. The others are martial adepts but they are both in melee and range seemed like a necessary thing. (It would be a caster instead but the DM has hatred because of 3.5 but that is a different post.) In combat I do not ever have cover or anywhere to hide. The only time creatures are flatfooted or denied dex is when I go before them. The fights are OK but we never have different lighting and advanced things like cover or other combat modifiers are rarely used. I am almost useless compared to the others(martial adepts targeting touch or flatfooted or dealing an extra 2d6 just because). Our last fight we were level 3 so I had a masterwork heavy crossbow and my total to hit was 9 (3 bab+5 dex+5 masterwork). I was able to sneak attack one creature and that was 2d6 of my 1d10+2d6 damage. The following rounds consisted of me running from the rest of the creatures as they came after me and the other creatures were fighting the other two PCs. I felt totally useless. My melee is sub-par in that I only have 12 strength so hitting is not exactly common. So what should I do to help with getting sneak attack until I hit level 7, or even after so I can get it on full attacks? What gear do you suggest to help.
Also at level 7 I get hellcat stealth which helps but isnt exactly guaranteed. At level 8 I am getting major magic to get vanish and use that to the best of my abilities, but until then I have a feeling I will be extremely useless.
Do I just have to tough it out until 7 or is there a way to get this to work?
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Hmm u will need the Crossbow Mastery feat ASAP. Also if u have the Cha u should highly consider Shadow Bloodline. If u dont have the cha take 2 levels of Shadowdancer PrC. The reason is Hide in Plain Sight. When i make ranged character that have no melee potential i take tips from Waldo and hide like a b****. I hope u do well with the character i personally dont like xbows since they dont feel right with me but to he his own.