I'm playing through Rise of the Runelords right now, part 4. My party consists of a zen archer/cleric archer, a druid (mostly wild shape), an archer/switch hitter ranger (conveniently hates giants), and a sorceror. My character is a level 11 Snakebite Striker, who uses Dazzling Display, Shatter Defenses, Improved Feint, and Violent Display to get a lot of sneak attack opportunities. In addition, I've picked up Deadly Stroke, which seems like a cool additional feat.
However, I'm not certain if I want to keep continuing down into the Brawler class for the next 5-6 levels until the end of the campaign or try something new. I don't see much that's convincing me to stay other than possibly two points of AC Bonus and brawler's strike, to bypass DR. At level 12, I get another sneak attack die and alignment on my fists, after that there doesn't seem to be much left in the class for me.
So, I'm looking into multiclassing with some other classes, but this is my first campaign so I'm not very well-versed in what might make for some good later-game multiclassing options. I don't have a great attack bonus anyway, so I think I want to stick to full BAB classes but I'm pretty open to anything, although I will have to make some restrictions flavor-wise. Skald for example is probably something I won't multiclass in.
Any thoughts?
Snakebite is Bad, unless you only take it as a dip. You give up your best/most unique class feature for piddly SA damage. You get like, 10,5 damage out of it on your level; that is, IF you can SA. I think 3 combat feats are woth a lot more than that. Unblinking flame fist can nab you a similar benefit to your move-feint as well.
Now that I have made an ass out of myself, you may consider ninja, or rogue to make some use out of your SA (Offensive defense talent for example), although my favourite would be 2 levels of Bounty Hunter Slayer, so you can get free dirty tricks instead of your, frankly, piddly SAs.
LoneKnave wrote: Snakebite is Bad, unless you only take it as a dip. You give up your best/most unique class feature for piddly SA damage. You get like, 10,5 damage out of it on your level; that is, IF you can SA. I think 3 combat feats are woth a lot more than that. Unblinking flame fist can nab you a similar benefit to your move-feint as well.
Now that I have made an ass out of myself, you may consider ninja, or rogue to make some use out of your SA (Offensive defense talent for example), although my favourite would be 2 levels of Bounty Hunter Slayer, so you can get free dirty tricks instead of your, frankly, piddly SAs.
I was actually a normal brawler before, but I died, and had resurrection cast on me and became an elf. I agree that Snakebite Striker is...not a very viable build, especially with only getting 6d6 sneak attack die at level 20 (I feel like for how good martial flexibility is, I should be getting a lot more :( )but I figured I should at least try to play something that's not a "I five foot step and flurry" before trying something else. My GM is pretty nice about being able to retool on the fly if it's pretty clear that a character's not very effective, so that's always an option.
Just swapping from Snakebite to Bounty Hunter, aside from the first level in SBS (you can take the TWF feats with the fighting styles the Slayer gives) could be cool. Then you can grab a few Dirty Trick feats, Surprise maneuvers, and you are on your way to be really irritating for your enemies.
You have a lot of options tho. You could grab 2 levels of MoMS for Pummeling Style/Charge.
Could grab a few levels of rogue for things like Offensive Defense, as well as Scout for free SAs on charges, or Thug for intimidate bonuses.
Get the sap adept and Master feats,npummeling style and pummeling charge if you havent already.
For your question i think some barbarian or bloodrager is Nice.
MoMS monk is also Nice so you can have more styles (snake style to get a AOO every time they miss you:) or dragon style to get more out of str)
The figther archtype brawler or unarmed figther are both potential Winners if you ditent take the feats i suggestet in the first Line.
If you int is ok investigator May be a fun addition, but you will soon feel short on swift actions.
Archeologist bard is another option if you have at least 12 in cha.
I think you need to decide what you want besides more attacks, damage and hit points. Then look at your stats. And then you can decide what you want to do from there.
Again if your int is at least 14 magus kensai May be fun. You can arcane pool up your unarmed strike and in just a few levels you can frost bite folks with out SR for some extra fun.
With snake style i belive that you can get precise strike on your hands(since they count as both manufakturen and natural, as need be) and with some panache you can parry and riposte with the best:)
Or you can stay brawler and get some of the high level feats like the crit feats and the Dazing stunning ones and do fine:)
Edit: also ninja or rogue with the Scout archtype May be worth a look.
theobject314 wrote: LoneKnave wrote: Snakebite is Bad, unless you only take it as a dip. You give up your best/most unique class feature for piddly SA damage. You get like, 10,5 damage out of it on your level; that is, IF you can SA. I think 3 combat feats are woth a lot more than that. Unblinking flame fist can nab you a similar benefit to your move-feint as well.
Now that I have made an ass out of myself, you may consider ninja, or rogue to make some use out of your SA (Offensive defense talent for example), although my favourite would be 2 levels of Bounty Hunter Slayer, so you can get free dirty tricks instead of your, frankly, piddly SAs.
I was actually a normal brawler before, but I died, and had resurrection cast on me and became an elf. I agree that Snakebite Striker is...not a very viable build, especially with only getting 6d6 sneak attack die at level 20 (I feel like for how good martial flexibility is, I should be getting a lot more :( )but I figured I should at least try to play something that's not a "I five foot step and flurry" before trying something else. My GM is pretty nice about being able to retool on the fly if it's pretty clear that a character's not very effective, so that's always an option.
Get the pummeling style ASAP. Just the style and pummeling charge. And you will have super pounce.
If you're thinking of rebuilding, here's an concept that has interested me:
Rogue (or Vivisectionist) 3
Slayer 6
Master of Many Styles 1
Snakebite Striker 1
(increasing Snakebite Striker as you level up)
You can then have Stunning Fist, Dastardly Finish, and Merciless Butchery. Mantis Style and Ability Focus can increase your Stunning Fist DC, and once you stun your target, you can perform a coup de grace as a swift action with the scythe you happen to be carrying in the hands that you happen not to need in order to make unarmed strikes.
MoMs gives you Stunning Fist for free, Wisdom to AC, and Pummeling Charge if you want to get it. You might want another level of that to get another bonus feat and evasion.
Probably too different from your original character concept for it to work out, but I noticed people mentioning a Snakebite Striker/Slayer multiclass, and I felt like chiming in.
RotRL goes up to 17. so if you multiclass no awesome blow. But most your campaign will be fighting large or bigger creatures. So your not going to see much awesome in it.
I recommend going down the Master of Many styles monk dip. 2 levels nets you:
Stunning fist, EVASION, +3 saves, Swift action 2 styles at once.
What you loose:
+1 to hit
I don't know what your other feats are but the Feat Big Game Hunter is going to be a really good pick. 85% of all fights this point on will be against large or larger.
If you go Monk route I highly recommend the feats: Pummeling style and pummeling charge. Dragon style and Dragon Ferocity.
In RotRL I recommend picking up a amulet of mighty fists Giant bane. You will use it book 4 and 6.
Awesome blow is absolutely worthless and you won't be able to use it on anything it's actually worth using against.
LoneKnave wrote: Just swapping from Snakebite to Bounty Hunter, aside from the first level in SBS (you can take the TWF feats with the fighting styles the Slayer gives) could be cool. Then you can grab a few Dirty Trick feats, Surprise maneuvers, and you are on your way to be really irritating for your enemies. For now, I've retooled a bit to dip 2 levels into Bounty Hunter, and based my character around Dirty Trick maneuvers, at least for now. Talked to my GM and he said he'd even consider giving me slightly accelerated sneak attack dice, if necessary. If all that doesn't work, I'll probably just go back to being a more standard brawler.
Thanks for all the ideas.
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