Hey all, the DM is running an aquatic campaign, and he's letting me play a grindylow. He's using the ability scores bonuses/penalties of a goblin, which I think is fair.
Grindylows have the ability "tangling tentacles" which lets them, as a swift action, attempt to trip an adjacent foe with a +4 racial bonus to the roll. I saw that and thought it would be pretty awesome.
Here's my problem though: I've been wanting to run a dex-based dervish duelist (as in the prestige class) for a while now, but with that low of a STR, will I be effective at tripping?
For a general idea of what I was going to do, I was thinking free hand fighter 6/duelist 10/FH fighter 4. I was going to get the prerequisite feats for duelist out of the way first, and then move on and take the crane style feat tree, but I also, as of playing a grindylow, would like to mix improved trip in there somewhere. I guess what I'm asking for help wise is this: can I be effective at tripping like this? If no, what could I change (I'd be most open to changing what class I use to qualify for duelist)? Lastly, and feat order suggestions?
We're starting at level 1, normal WBL, and it's starting next week Wednesday. Thanks for any and all advice. Except for anyone who says "don't be a duelist."
This is a tough one. With Agile Maneuvers you could drop STR as much as you want and use DEX for your CMB. That problem is solved.
Kinda hard for me to recommend a feat progression for you, but there is a line that you can do as a trip master that lets you get like 2 AOOs when you successfully trip something. I can't remember what it is.
I would recommend a Dip in Monk MoMs so you can pick up Crane Style easy and activate as a swift action. Then you would be getting WIS, DEX, and INT to AC when you go duelist with no armor. Pretty neat.
So a rough outline would be:
Monk1 - (Crane Style), Agile Maneuvers
Fight1 - (Weapon Finesse)
Fight2 - (Improved Trip), Dervish Dance
Fight3
Fight4 - (dodge), -Insert another Trip Feat-
Fight5
Fight6 - (Mobility), -Insert Another Trip Feat-
Duelist1...
This would give you Acrobatics and perform as class skills, so they would be better. Dex, WIS, Int to AC. Dex to hit, DMG, and CMB. Duelist will give you Combat Reflexes about the same time you would be getting AOOs when you Tripped Stuff (Viscous Stomp?).
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It's vicious stomp, not viscous stomp. The stomp isn't gooey.
Wow, that was a lot of advice, and it was EXTREMELY helpful. I had no idea about agile maneuvers, so that's a huge plus. I'll think that feat progression over.
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It would be pretty viscous as a Grindylow. Sorry for the spelling error.
Lol you're right, grindylows are squishy :D
Since I could combine multiple styles, might it benefit me to take panther style? I'll need mobility anyways, so I'll just take AoOs and retaliate. If I can fit them in, it could work, right?
So, how about this:
Grindylow Duelist
Feats:
1- Improved Unarmed Strike (Monk), Stunning Fist (Monk), Crane Style (Monk), Agile Maneuvers
2- Weapon Finesse (Fighter)
3- Improved Trip (Fighter), Dervish Dance
4- None
5- Dodge (Fighter), Mobility
6- None
7- Panther Style (Fighter), Crane Wing
8 and on- Greater trip, crane riposte, vicious stomp, and the other panther stuff. If I can't find anything else, I may mix weapon focus in there too.
Dervish Dancer with the Crane Style tree is a perfect synergy, since they both want to have one hand free. Snapping Turtle style is another one that needs a free hand, and gives you +1 shield bonus to AC.
For a trip build, though, I suggest Monkey Style. If you miss your trip attempt by 10 or more, you are tripped instead. Not taking penalties for prone would be very, very handy.
As a side note, make sure you carefully read the duelist rules and the magic items with "dueling" in the title. I know that at least one of the special "dueling" magic enhancements specifically does not work with trip and grapple. Make sure you don't spend money on something you can't use the way you want to.
I don't need monkey style: when grindylows try and trip with their tentacles (which is the only way ill ever trip) they can't be tripped if they fail.
Thanks for the advice on dueling items, ill make sure to check them twice.
Panther Style would be good for getting around in combat. I approve.
If dex is your thing, and tripping your game, Fury's Fall is the feat for you!
Snaping turtle would be awesome if you could work it in.
Snapping turtle is something I'll keep in mind, but I'm pretty feat occupied already.
I'll take a look at fury's fall.
Fury's fall is literally useless. Wow.
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