Even with the new Wildcat archetype, the best way to build a character based on Dirty Trick seems to be taking at least one level of Maneuver Master. Flurry of Maneuvers lets you blind, attack, attack, even at level 1.
So, where do you go from there? I'm thinking Knife Master is best to maximize sneak attack damage.
So maybe a build something like this:
strength 18, dexterity 15, constitution 14, intelligence 10, wisdom 10, charisma 8
1 (Maneuver Master): Flurry of Maneuvers, Improved Dirty Trick, Two-Weapon Fighting, Martial Weapon Proficiency (kukri)
2 (Knife Master/Scout): Sneak Stab 1d8
3 (Rogue): Weapon Focus (kukri), Improved Initiative
After that, I'm already faltering on what feats, rogue talents, etc. would be helpful.
So, is there a better Dirty Trick build than the Maneuver Master? How would you build it?
Keep in mind that the Maneuver Master monk uses monk level in place of BAB to calculate CMB during a flurry of maneuvers, so I don't think a one-level dip into the class will prove very effective.
Have you seen the Cad fighter archetype? Combined with the feat Dirty Trick Master, it certainly looks like you could really lock down multiple opponents with dirty tricks at higher levels. I hypothesize that a straight Cad is probably the best build available if you want to specialize in dirty tricks.
If you're looking to combine dirty tricks with sneak attack, on the other hand, the feat Surprise Maneuver from ACG will suit your purposes well. Best of luck!
When flurrying; you treat all Monk lvl BAB as +1s, but you add all of your other class's BABs in too. So, a lvl 19 Rogue/Monk 1st, doesn't flurry at +1/+1, he flurry's at 15/15/10/5 before penalties
Per this FAQ, the Maneuver Master would use his monk level instead of the BAB he gains from his monk levels, but he'd still add BAB from other classes normally.
The thing about Dirty Trick Master is that it kicks in so damn late. I'm trying to make a build that's viable from 1st level onwards. The Cad archetype is fine, but it's not until you get Quick Dirty Trick and/or Greater Dirty Trick that the action economy turns in your favor. The typical problem with Dirty Trick is that you use your standard action to eat up the enemy's move action, but Flurry of Maneuvers solves all that.
I was thinking of going Cad, but the sneak attack damage just seems great with this build.
Oh wow, look at that. I stand corrected.
Yeah, I mostly recommend the Cad for games that reach higher level, at which point you can incapacitate a foe for multiple rounds. For a lower-level game, taking the flurry FAQ into account, a maneuver master / sneak attack build seems solid. Hmm...have you looked into combining this with the Snakebite Striker brawler archetype?
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The orc-only dirty fighter is pretty good for a dirty trick build.
The orc-only dirty fighter is pretty good for a dirty trick build.
That's cool, I didn't know about it, but it doesn't kick in until level 9. It still seems like Maneuver Master/Knife Master will probably end up stronger.
Wildcat Monks deserve a mention too.
Bounty Hunter.
Slayer archetype that lets you apply dirty trick in place of sneak attack dice. You still deal weapon damage and can do it with each attack. Go two weapon fighting and play a race with a bite attack.
I would think the Lore Warden/Maneuver Master would be best if you have a buddy who's doing Sneak damage. But if no one else is getting Sneak Attack, I would still need convincing that the Lore Warden is going to get out more damage than the Knife Master.
