|
I've been kicking around an idea for a while for a Gentleman Assassin-type who fought with a dirk-and-dagger style. Style-wise, he would be like V from "V for Vendetta".
I always knew Rogue would be a terrible idea, and Ranger would come with too much baggage to fit my theme. I could've made it workable with an Inquisitor or Bard, but I really wanted to avoid a magical class.
It seems like the ACG had answered my prayers with the Slayer, but I am not sure if it is possible to make a good 2WF slayer. I'm about to enter a low-magic midlevel game and would really like to take this guy for a test run, so I'd be grateful for any notes or assistance.
Spoilered for Brevity
We rolled stats and I did pretty well: 16, 16, 14, 12, 11, 10
Slayer Stabbyface
LN Human Slayer 7
AC: 20 FF: 19 T: 13 (+7 Armor, +1 Dex, +2 Deflection)
HP: 56 (7d10 + 21)
MELEE: +1 Kukri/+1 Kukri +11/+11/+6/+6 (1d4+9 or 1d4+11 vs FT)
or
RANGED: +4 Composite Longbow +8/+3 (1d8 + 4)
SPECIAL: Favored Target 1 (+2 Attack & Damage), Sneak Attack +3d6 + 3
Traits: Blade of the Society (+1 to Sneak Attack dice), Clever Wordplay: Diplomacy (Class skill; use INT instead of CHA)
STR: 18 (16+2)
DEX: 12
CON: 14
INT: 16
WIS: 12 (Bump at 4th level)
CHA: 10
L1: 1st Favored Target, Track,
F1: Weapon Focus (Kukri), BONUS: Power Attack
L2: Slayer Talent (Ranger Style: Two Weapon Fighting)
L3: Sneak Attack +1d6
F2: ???
L4: Slayer Talent (Ranger Style: Double Slice)
L5: Sneak Attack +2d6, 2nd Favored Target
F3: ???
L6: Slayer Talent (Ranger Style: Improved Two Weapon Fighting)
L7: FT as Swift Action, Sneak attack +3d6
F4: ???
So, best case scenario we're looking at 4 hits or 1d4+11+3d6+3 damage each, for an average damage of 100. At level 8, I was going to take the Improved Critical Feat by way of Slayer Talent: Combat Trick, which I figure is cheaper than putting the Keen enchantment on 2 kukris. Level 10 I'll pick up Two-Weapon Rend for an additional 1d10+8 (I'm hoping to get a Belt of Physical Perfection by then for + to DEX and STR.)
Since CHA is not a huge boon to a Slayer build, I took the trait to make Diplomacy based on INT and hoped to represent most of his 'charm' on judicious use of the more-than-enough skill points I'll have. (10/level with human 'Skilled' trait.)
I'm trying to figure out the best course of action to take to maximize my damage without turning him into a simple brute. The damage output right now is . . . well, 'respectable', I suppose, but I'm wondering if there's a better way.
I'd considered taking the Combat Expertise line so I can grab Butterfly's Sting and use my Crit Fishing Kukris to pass on to our party's pick wielding fighter. But ultimately, am I chasing after a fool's errand? Or is there a better way to build this guy?
Thanks for the help!
|
|
Double slice is a trap feat. Don't take it. It's 2 damage for your off-hand attack, not really worth it. The great thing about he ranger combat styles is that you can take two-weapon rend w/out double slice. I'd consider taking improved critical at 8 (use a talent to get a bonus feat) other than keening both weapons. Do you know if you're going to have another heavy hitter? I often like to get butterfly sting if I know someone can benefit.
Iron will is almost always going to be a feat you want. Will is a bad save, and your wisdom isn't exactly stellar.
This is starting to get into the realm of cheesy, but there's a feat in ultimate combat that gives double threat range to all weapons against one favored enemy. Ask you GM if he'll allow it to work with favored target (if he does he's crazy)
For the future: go the critical route. Critical focus into another crit feat. Preferably one that stacks (I hear bleeding critical does). You can add sneaking precision onto that for even more critical shenanigans.
Shadow Strike could also be a potentially good feat for you to make the sneak attacks land on blurred targets too.
|
Double slice is a trap feat.
It's good feat in Critical Focus TWF falcata fighters (heh)
I always knew Rogue would be a terrible idea...
Oh? Because STR:18 TWF rogues croak in PFS? ...that AC 20 at 7th isn't going to cut it on the front line. So, basically, you've saddled yourself with the penalties of being a TWF strength rogue without getting to enjoy the benefits of being one.
Considering you're taking the "Blade of the Society" trait at 1st (which requires you to be a rogue at 1st) as well as another trait giving you Diplomacy as a class skill (unnecessary if you are), it sounds to me like you should be a rogue anyway.
-- Since you want to play "V", it's might be a good idea to envision what sort of stats he'd have (and STR wouldn't be his highest).
Try this stat distribution instead:
STR:10
DEX+18 half-elf (16,16,14,12,11,10)
CON:14
INT:11 (bump 4th or 12th)
WIS:12
CHA:16
traits: berserker of the society, elven reflexes
01 01 barbarian [urban], Extra Rage, Skill Focus:Stealth
02 01 ninja1 SA+1d6
03 02 ninja2 [ki pool], [finesse rogue], Two Weapon Fighting
04 03 ninja3 SA+2d6
05 04 ninja4 [combat trick (WF:wakizashi)], Piranha Strike
06 04 ninja5 SA+3d6
07 05 ninja6 [TRICK], FEAT
Equipment: pair +1/Agile wakizashi, DEX belt, MW nodachi, MW shurikens
Raging dexterity of 24 w/belt; d6+12 Piranha Strike wakizashi attacks w/Agile, before sneak-attack.
(Note that Mythic Weapon Finesse obviates the Agile enhancement, so inquire of GM if mythic levels are in the offing.)
08 06 ninja7 SA+4d6
09 07 ninja8 [TRICK], FEAT
10 08 fight1 [lore warden or Exotic Weapon Master], FEAT
11 09 fight2 Critical Focus, FEAT
12 09 ninja9 SA+5d6
13 10 ninja10 [Advanced Trick], Extra Rogue Talent
Ninja9/10 can be
|
For the particular concept you're interested in low Dex is a bad idea, given you're not gonna want to wear Full Plate. So...I'd either reconsider stat distributions or invest a Feat in Heavy Armor Proficiency and grab Mithral Full Plate.
Personally, I'd swap Dex and Con, and then maybe get a Belt of Str and Dex for maximal AC (and Feat requirements, see below). And probably still go with Mithral Full Plate.
Also, you can't take Ranger Style at 4th, since by the wording you can only ever take it three times, at 2nd, 6th, and 10th...you can delay those, but can't take more than that, and having taken one at 2nd can't grab another until 6th. Combat Trick will let you get a Feat then...but Double Slice specifically would be problematic barring Dex raising items.
Power Attack is also less than useful on a TWF build, IMO, since it only applies half as much on your off-hand and you're already taking penalties to hit. I'd argue that Double Slice is definitely worth it long-term, though. You'll eventually have a Str in the 22-26 range (with items), and then it's +3-4 damage on half your attacks. That's worth it. It also makes bookkeeping much simpler.
I'd also replace Clever Wordplay with Student of Philosophy, it's more widely applicable.
The Combat Expertise + Butterfly's Sting combo is also very solid, TWF is never going to be the very best damage strategy, but in combination with that it becomes very deadly. Make sure you have a party member with a x3 or higher crit weapon to take advantage of it. It also opens the door for Maneuver Feats which can be a decent option if arranged properly.
Iron Will is also an excellent Feat for this character.