I've had a build kicking around for a loooong time for a Strength-based 2-handed rogue. Basically, a rebuttal of the D&D 4th Edition rogue.
race: half-orc (my favorite)
class: scout rogue 12
feats
1st Improved Initiative
3rd Cleave
5th Surprise Follow-Through
7th Furious Focus
9th Vital Strike
11th All-Consuming Swing (these last two are new, but I like them for what they do)
rogue talents
2nd combat trick (Power Attack)
4th offensive defense
6th iron guts
8th weapon training (greataxe)
10th hunter's surprise
12th opportunist
So, a good (for a certain value of good) melee strength rogue, who can sneak attack with a greataxe while moving, charging, or just plain saying so.
Now that the slayer is out there, it's clearly something to make doing rogue-y combat things better. You get better attacks, better hit points, better saves...and less sneak attack.
Color me weird, but I like sneak attack. I like the idea of being in the right place or doing the right kinds of things, and getting a massive damage payoff in melee.
So, while I really like the gifts the slayer gets, I kinda want more rogue stuff added to that mix. Here's a variant of my dearly beloved axe murderer that goes slayer/rogue straight down the middle
1 slayer Improved Initiative
2 rogue sneak attack +1d6
3 slayer ranger combat style (two-handed: Power Attack), Shadow Strike
4 rogue combat trick (Cleave)
5 slayer sneak attack +2d6, Surprise Follow-Through
6 rogue sneak attack +3d6
7 slayer Vital Strike, unknown slayer trick???
8 rogue offensive defense
9 slayer All-Consuming Swing
10 rogue sneak attack +4d6
11 slayer sneak attack +5d6, ranger combat style (Furious Focus), unknown feat???
12 rogue unknown rogue talent???
I get better saves, more BaB, more weapon proficiencies (hooray tube arrow shooter!), the feat Shadow Strike made it in early (always a plus), and I give up some skill points, +1d6 sneak attack, the scout's grab-bag of extra sneak attack powers, and hunter's surprise. not a bad trade by any means.
Some questions
a) I haven't slotted in a slayer talent at 7th, a feat at 11th, and a rogue talent at 12th. Any suggestions?
b) I don't have to take my ucky class skill traits to get Heal and Survival anymore. What are some good traits for this build? (except Reactionary, thanks)
c) another option, I guess, is to forgo tranfinding entirely and go with the skulking slayer rogue archetype. There's a smorgasbord of powers here, but the ones I care about are underhanded manuevers and bold charge (combine with scout). So, if I'm flanking already, what does a dirty trick get me that plain old sneak attack damage doesn't? It's possible also to take the faithful combat (Besmara) combat style and get Improved Dirty Trick without needing Combat Expertise first. Is this any good in a straight multiclass?
