|
So, I am not asking if these stack, or how to rule their use. I use matched gladii, and hit relatively hard with my 4d6 sneak attacks at +10 to hit with both when using TWF.
My goal is to attack with one weapon as offensive defense, and the other as a bleeding attack. The decision, tactically, is which to use first.
On one hand, I though hitting with the bleed first made sense, but the I thought I should get e benefit of the defense first. Pretty sure now that the Bleed will be nothing more than icing, and the defense (giving me AC27 at 7th level) will be the critical portion of these tricks
What do you all think?
So, I am not asking if these stack, or how to rule their use. I use matched gladii, and hit relatively hard with my 4d6 sneak attacks at +10 to hit with both when using TWF.
My goal is to attack with one weapon as offensive defense, and the other as a bleeding attack. The decision, tactically, is which to use first.
On one hand, I though hitting with the bleed first made sense, but the I thought I should get e benefit of the defense first. Pretty sure now that the Bleed will be nothing more than icing, and the defense (giving me AC27 at 7th level) will be the critical portion of these tricks
What do you all think?
either way, both are going to apply
offensive defense doesn't stack with itself
nor does the bleed
do bleed then offensive defense
Tactical case by case decision. Against any bruisers and anyone hitting you with touch attacks the offensive defense is the greater benefit, lead with it, so that should you miss you can hit with it again. Against targets the don't hit back so hard the bleed will bring them down slightly faster, and the extra concentration check is nice, even if the DC is low.
|
|
I've been debating both ways, and I appreciate your input.
My first thought was bleed first (so that they go down faster). Against a primary caster, I'd do that for sure!
However, since I'll be in melee, and don't have a fighter's HP, nor do I have heavy armor, I was thinking, like DM Livgin, that I'd want to beef up the defenses.
Umbriere, I fully understand the stacking... however, the debate is still technically out for Offensive Defense (SKR never got back to it since 2012). But, since this is a PFS character, and in any case, I don't really wanna play the uber-cheese game, I'd not stack the defense (same source for the Dodge bonus).
In either case, once I get a bleed started, I'll be 100% Off/Def until that target drops.
Currently, I am also debating equipment purchases. I currently have 2 +1 gladii... +2 Mithral Shirt, and +1 Ring of Prot. Also have a +1 Cloak of Resistence, and +2 Dex belt. I've got about 7700gp to play with before tonight.
I was thinking that it might be interesting to get Merciful on one of my gladii. Dealing 6d6+2 sneak attack damage that is non-lethal seems like a good idea, especially if I want to keep my targets alive.
Other ideas have been to increase my cloak to +2, and pick up a couple of the cracked Ioun Stones to add to some of my skills.
It is deviating from your character design but I had a blast with a spiked light mithral shield and the shield bash feat (7 rogue, 2 paladin) the shield AC bonus combined with offensive defense combined with the smite AC bonus turned him into a very cocky front line combatant.
I don't see what the problem is here myself. Could you not apply both in the same full round attack by doing two different sneaks?
I think the question he intended to ask was, "Which one should I prioritize?"
He might want to use OD for his first attack, but if he misses his first attack, he won't want to switch to bleeding attack until he has secured his defensive bonus.
Buy missile weapons, especially special arrows that penetrate DR or get double elemental damage on things you expect to meet. Amulet of Natural Armour. Haversack. Boots of Elvenkind if you like flanking.
|
|
I don't see what the problem is here myself. Could you not apply both in the same full round attack by doing two different sneaks?I think the question he intended to ask was, "Which one should I prioritize?"
He might want to use OD for his first attack, but if he misses his first attack, he won't want to switch to bleeding attack until he has secured his defensive bonus.
Correct, MadPied.
Last night, as fate would have it, I never really had to worry about this choice. I always did Offensive Defense first, because I really preferred to have the AC27. Never got a full-round attack in, so never got to attack for bleed.
I did pick up the Merciful enchantment on one of my gladii. It was quite nice to be able to sneak attack for 6d6+2 (and not have to worry about killing the target of my attack - well, mostly not worry, anyways)!
Now, I'll have to save up for an enchantment on my second gladius.
Oh, and for the first time ever, I pulled off a Ranged Sneak Attack with the character. Got the initiative drop on a <redacted>, moved up (drawing the Merciful Gladius), and popped a cold iron dagger out of a spring loaded wrist sheath. Throw (at -2 for range) hits for 1d4 + 4d6 + 1 damage!!! w00t!
He's 7th level and he'd never managed a ranged sneak attack? What have you been doing?
|
|
not sure. Combination of a lot of things, I guess... including not being set up for ranged sneak attacks (just bought the SLWS's) and focusing on melee combat with two weapons?
Honestly, though, ranged sneak attacks are hard to pull off... especially if you don't have feats tied up in ranged attacks (mine are all in melee fighting, with my twin gladii).
However, I don't know if I've ever tried to get a sneak attack off at range. It does require catching a target flatfooted at under 30' range. I can't afford a Ring of Invisibility, yet. My initiative bonus is good, but not exceptional (+7 at this point). I did think about the "Minor Magic" rogue talent, thinking that an acid splash would be neat to use in a surprise round, but haven't bothered.
Just over focused on my pretty gladii!