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So I'm looking for someone to review my build concept going into the Crimson (Red Mantis) Assassin prestige class. So far my build starts out with a Half-Elf as my race using Alternate Racial features. I have removed; Elven Immunities, Adaptability, and Multitalented. In exchange I have taken; Thinblood Resilience, Dual-Minded, and Ancestral Arms (Sawtooth Saber). Keen Senses and Low-Light Vision remained unaffected. GM permission on these changes was approved. Another key feature is that I'm using the Human Favored Class bonus of 1/6 a Slayer Talent per level. (Just enough to nab it once before prestige.)
Luckily the GM decided to let the group power-game a bit and went full 25 Point buy. My Stats by level 6 are:
Str. points 10(16) + Racial +2 + Level 4 +1 = 19
Dex. points 5 = 14
Con. points 5 = 14
Int. 10
Wis. 10
Cha. points 5 = 14
My progression from levels 1 to 6 looks like this;
1. Ancestral Arms (Sawtooth Saber), Weapon Focus (Sawtooth Saber)
2. Talent - Ranger Combat Style (Two-Weapon Fighting)
3. Double Slice
4. Talent - Trapfinding (I am the party rogue)
5. Alertness
6. Talent - Ranger Combat Style (Improved Two-Weapon Fighting) Bonus Talent - Either Slowing Strike or Combat Trick.
I've only listed up to level 6 because that's when the prestige class takes over. However I will mention I plan on Improved Critical at level 9 and Two-Weapon Rend at 11. So just how viable am I?
I might switch double slice for power attack (since it only adds a bit of damage to one of your attacks- one that only comes up when you get full attacks; power attack seems like it would be more useful more often), but besides that it seems fine. Rangers are considered fairly solid basis for a red mantis assassin, and you are using the exact mechanic that makes that so- TWF feats without having to go with the complications of a dex build.
Overall, fairly solid.
I might advise you to take a will boosting trait, and maybe grab iron will at level 7. This is because will is a relative weakness for slayers in general. You are slightly better off, since you have dual minded for a +2, but it is still something to consider. So a +1 will trait, or birth mark to get a +2 against "kill your friends" saves, is a good practice. Don't go too far out of your way, but these would remove it as a concern for quite a while.
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I typically take Power Attack with all my melee builds, my only concern is missing too often from stacking the TWF negatives and the Power Attack negatives. Although after a few levels of play I could get a good feel as to how often I hit.
Also you are right in that I didn't include trait choices! A +1 Will save would definitely make the short list. Although Armor Expert is tasty for the build. (Mithral Breastplate is light for Crimson Assassin casting and 0 ACP then). As is anything that gives the old +2 Initiative.
I might also advise you to take a 7th level of slayer, since that one improves your action economy. It makes studied target into a swift action. Thus, you can apply it against pretty much every enemy you attack-every time.
So you will always have a nice +2/+2 on your attacks. Helps with the worry about attack bonuses. After that, go all the way with red mantis.
EDIT- oh, and your studied target bonus gets applied to mroe skills at level 7. Immediately, I am noting it applies to stealth, disguise, bluff, sensemotive, surival, and perception against the target. IE- a bunch of nice skills for assassins. You can have two targets studied at a time (and you can spend both move and swift actions to study as needed), so it should often be enough against basic guard stations.
I might have missed something but how do you get double slice? you used your talent to grab TWF and a feat to grab double slice. DS still has a 15 dex prerequisite.
you want to go at least 7 levels in slayer. I am playing a slayer/RMA with a hobgoblin and TWF sawtooth sabres in a current campaign. The 7th level of slayer is worth it. Turning studied target into a swift action is just too juicy to pass up.
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Quite right BlackJack Weasel. Looks like I would have to do a shuffle. Switching Alertness and Double slice and moving my level 4 stat bonus to Dex if I where to take that route. Part of the reason I want Double Slice is to also be lazy and have matching attacks. :P
Sounds like hitting that 7th level in Slayer is the way to go. I find it funny because I initially chose Slayer because it could qualify easier and earlier than most other options.
Yeah, but it is a fairly good sneaky, attacky class.
Its studied target can be used against anyone, adn since it gives bonuses to nice social skills, it is great both in and out of fights. Nice role playingtoo, since you size up EVERYBODY the same way you size up someone you want to stab in the throat. It will mostly be a +2 to you, but that is a nice 10% increase in your chances. It will give a +10% chance in pretty much everything you care about as far as the basic things you can do.
Quite right BlackJack Weasel. Looks like I would have to do a shuffle. Switching Alertness and Double slice and moving my level 4 stat bonus to Dex if I where to take that route. Part of the reason I want Double Slice is to also be lazy and have matching attacks. :P
Sounds like hitting that 7th level in Slayer is the way to go. I find it funny because I initially chose Slayer because it could qualify easier and earlier than most other options.
oh i'm right there with you when it comes to double slice. the only reason I take it is to make the numbers easier haha.
If you just want to get to RMA as quick as possible then a Human Warpriest might be the way to go. it even has an archtype called Mantis Zealot. its pretty nice thematically though I'm not sure how well it works mechanically.
Deliverer Slayer is a good way of grabbing Sawtooth Saber proficiency if you wanted to use your trait for something else while getting some flavorful alignment stuff.