Hi guys and gals,
im rolling a ninja for our new campaign. I was DM in he first adventure so i start at lvl 5 in the new one. I didnt spent too much gold on equip, because we will get neat stuff in the adventure (i hope...). The campaign will focus a lot on social and city play i guess.
I will go for TWF and getting in as many sneak attacks as possible. As for tricks i get vanishing trick and forgotten trick first. I like to have a trick up at my sleeve at all times and i get extra ki as a feat to counter the high cost. I have to drop dodge to make that possible though.
I took INT:13 to qualify for the fast learner feat from ARG so i can keep my +1 HP and get a extra rouge talent every 6 levels. It seems weak in the start but better in the long run and since i start at lvl 5 i get two tricks by that on lvl 6 (which will be rogues resilency and the other one im still not sure about)
In melee i attack with 2 wakazashis or main hand katana and offhand wakazashi, depending on the enemy (most of the time it will be 2 wakazashis though). For ranged i go for short crossbow or shuriken in the surprise round.
Any ideas on this build and the progression would be appreciated. I dont think that the campaign will go on till lvl 20. We normally stop at 15 to 18 and start new characters.
Thanks in advance.
Liem
Ninja 5
CN Medium Human/ Humanoid
Init +6 ; Senses Perception +7, Ki 6 (2+2CHA +2 Extra KI)
==DEFENSE==
AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor)
hp 39 (5d8+10)
SR 0
Fort +3, Ref +8, Will +1
Armor Leaf armor Light
Defensive Abilities Uncanny Dodge (PFCR 34)
==OFFENSE==
Spd 30 ft/x4
Melee Wakazashi +9 (1d6+1) 18-20/x2
Ranged Shortbow +8 (1d6) 20/x3
Ranged Shuriken +8 (1d2+1) 20/x2
Special Attacks , Ki Pool [6] (PFCR 59), Sneak Attack [3d6] (PFCR 68), TWF +7/+7
==STATISTICS==
Str 12, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 14
BAB +3, CMB +4, CMD +18
Feats Armor Proficiency (LIGHT) (PFCR 118), Weapon Finesse (PFCR 136), Weapon Focus (Wakazashi) (PFCR 136-137), fast learner (ARG), Two weapon fighting, extra ki
Ninja tricks Vanishing trick, forgotten trick
Skills Acrobatics +12, Bluff +10, Climb +5, Disable Device +8, Perception +7, Perform (poetry) 6, Stealth +12,
SQ Fast learner (HP and Rouge Talent on lvl6), Poison Use, no tarce +1, uncanny dodge
Traits Reactionary (+2 INI), Indomitable Faith (Faith) (PFAPG 328)
Languages Common, orc
Looks good. I'm playing a brute Ninja, lvl 6 right now which is a bit of a different approach, but I see a lot of utility here!
A few questions:
Is perform poetry purely a flavor decision?
The challenge here is going to be getting your second sneak attack with TWF. The opening sneak is easy with Vanishing Trick, but the next swipe will require flanking or other tricks until level 10. Do you have good options for flanking buddies in the rest of the group?
Does darkness play a large part with your DM? If so, getting the darkvision trick or a set of goggles early on will be critical.
I love the class. My gripe: It lacks survivability in a TWF finesse build – ESPECIALLY AT EARLY LEVELS. Sure you can go invisible, but only 5 times. You don’t get the good invisible until level 10. GMs adore soft targets. Classes with 16-17ac scream please hit me. Your CON is deathly low. You’d think that with such low defensive stats that you’d be rewarded with damage through the roof, but it isn’t. You will have issues with DR and trying to get your sneak attacks in. You have to work for flanks that often puts you out of touch-reach of healing. Super hard class to play well. All of that said, if you can get to level 10 – it’s going get funnnnnnnn. I tip my hat to you for trying.
Befuddling Strike is a great choice. I’d probably get that second, then Forgotten Trick third.
STR Ninja’s have a real appeal. If you dip into a martial weapons class you can fix the “glass slingshot” problem almost entirely. They can deliver one big hit – being a perfect candidate for Spring Attack, a reach weapon and Combat Reflexes. Skirmishing at its best! That’s fun!
I have to agree with Havoq re: brute Ninjas. High STR + two handing a Katana + Power Attack + Sneak Attack can do some good damage. I would add that Lunge fixes the need for a reach weapon nicely if you can take the hit to your AC. The other nice thing about a STR based Ninja is that it eliminates the need for Weapon Finesse. Both your damage and your "to hit" come from the same place...
As for survivability, I like the following routine, which would work just fine for your TWF:
First round - Charge a flatfooted opponent. With your boosted initiative, you should be able to find a target. Sneak attack, then vanish.
Second round - Sneak attack, vanish.
You essentially avoid being hit by vanishing just before you end your turn, lowering your chances of being the "soft target." And if you want, you can ensure sneak attack on charge, even if you fail initiative, by going with the Scout / Ninja combo.
Hi thanks for the replies. As for darkness, Thats why i Took forgotten Trick First. We have a Paladin Tank and a 2h Fighter in our Group so flanking shouldnt be a Problem. I will use vanishing for getaways After my Hits. I am also Not the Main dmg Dealer in our Group so i dont Need to be all maxed Out. I thought about the Str Ninja Bit Then decided to go dex, but just because the Concept was more appealing to me.
Poetry is just for flavor. I Play my Ninja as a Ghostwriter for famous writers in the World. So Hes a poetryninja. Maybe it will get me a Bonus when we encounter a riddle in poetry in a dungeon :)
As for ac i will get to ac 20-21 at the Beginning of the Adventure with a Nice armor. I also plan to Take Dodge next.
I really Love the Ninja class. Its just the rogue that i always wanted. I like Cha characters a Lot and i feel that the stat is almost anytime a dump stat. So ist Nice to have a rogue that gets Something from it.
A shame i cant Trade in Poison use for Something Else. Well i have to get used to it.
Sry for typos. Im writing from my phone
The reason I like a reach weapon over Lung is Combat Reflexes. You can't Lunge for an AoO. If you're reaching on an attack, you can Lunge for 15` if you need that too. But...your way works just fine. It's a matter of play style!
Sounds like you'll be happy, Liem. Just remember - a night of combat can go 30+ rounds. You'll have 5 times you can vanish. Use them wisely. And - forgotten trick eats 2 ki + the cost of the trick(if any) that you use.
The brute Sounds very interesting too and i will try him out in another Char. For forgotten Trick i have the feat extra ki. And through fast learner i get two Tricks at lvl 6. i just want it for that extra Trick up my sleeve. With a better ac and my flanking buddies i should be Fine. And when everything fails i will use vanish. But thanks for checking the Char. Any tipps on further progression feats Tricks and Attributes?
A few other thoughts:
I prefer Offensive Defensive to Befuddling Strike. It scales with your character, so that by 5th level you are getting a +3 bonus to your AC instead of +2. Now, that's only for one round, but unless you are switching targets, you're likely to hit the same guy again on your turn, so your bonus will continue. As written, it's perhaps overpowered, but the devs have posted a recommendation in the FAQ that limits the bonus to attacks from your target only.
You may want to consider the feat Iron Will. Your Will save is going to be your weakest, and it pays to remember: a failed Reflex hurts you, a failed Fort can kill you, a failed Will can make you kill your party.
Finally, Havoq is right about combat rounds for many games. Some games however have a short adventuring day, like my Skull and Shackles campaign. There, we often go days between raiding ships, combat rarely lasts more than 5 rounds, and I haven't run out of ki yet.
I would suggest playing a few sessions, see what the flow is and what you have fun with. Then you can retrain (if your GM lets you) using the new rules from Ultimate Campaign.
I will take offensive defense on lvl 6. That talent is very nice!
Any ideas on eqipement? Im going for two +1 wakazashis and later the mithril chainshirt. I also take some standart poisons for ca. 1000G with me. Other than that im clueless and have to dig into the euqipement books.
Thanks for all the help.
Maybe add piranha strike in there since you don't qualify for power attack?
Imesah
Angel-Blooded Aasimar (Angelkin) Ninja 1
CG Medium Outsider (native)
Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +5
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 10 (1d8+2)
Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +1
Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee Katana +4 (1d8+6/18-20/×2)
Ranged Shortbow +2 (1d6/×3)
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
Spell-Like Abilities Alter Self (1/day)
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 18, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 7, Wis 12, Cha 16
Base Atk +0; CMB +4; CMD 16
Feats Improved Initiative
Traits Adopted, Armor Expert, Elven Reflexes
Skills Acrobatics +6, Diplomacy +7, Disable Device +6, Heal +3, Perception +5, Stealth +6, Use Magic Device +7; Racial Modifiers +2 Heal
Languages Celestial, Common
SQ poison use
Other Gear Studded leather armor, Arrows (20), Katana, Shortbow, Grappling hook, Silk rope, Thieves' tools, 2 GP
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Armor Expert -1 Armor check penalty.
Damage Resistance, Acid (5) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Acid attacks.
Damage Resistance, Cold (5) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Cold attacks.
Damage Resistance, Electricity (5) You have the specified Damage Resistance against Electricity attacks.
Darkvision (60 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Poison Use You do not risk poisoning yourself accidentally while poisoning a weapon.
Sneak Attack +1d6 +1d6 damage if you flank your target or your target is flat-footed.
That's the stat block for my new ninja, although I'm considering going half-elf with an Elven curve blade instead of Aasimar.
Human Ninja (Scout: Str 14, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 7, Wis 12, Cha 14)
Traits Desert Shadow, Lessons of Chaldira (1/day)
Using (2) Wakizashi's. Get Agile on one. Menacing on the other.
Ki Pool: 11 points.
Feats:
01. Two-weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse
03. Weapon Focus(Wakizashi)
05. Combat Reflexes
07. Power Attack.
09. Improved Two-weapon Fighting
11. Extra Ki, or your favorite Feat.
Tricks:
02. Vanishing Trick
04. Forgottten Trick
06. Offense Defense
08. Any trick you like
10. Invisible Blade
12. Crippling Strike
The rest you can figure out.
Hi guys,
i played the first adventure with my ninja. And it was awesome. Its the rogue i always wanted to play. Thanks again for all the tips.
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