Ranger / Rogue Elven Curve Blade Build

[ClavierCavalier]

This is an idea I've been throwing around. I originally started out trying to create a switch hitter ranger. I then read the unchained rogue and the elven curve blade, so I changed thought of a two-handed build that has low strength. I've been away from RPG's for a while, but I feel like it might progress a little slow. I'm starting to think that the slower BAB is hurting the build.

Honestly, this might be easier with a Strength based build. Problem is that the story requires it to be an elf... I might go for an archer ranger. The Con penalty hurts.

Race: Elf (Thinking of using the Silent Hunter alternate racial trait)
Classes: Ranger/Unchained Rogue

Abilities: 20 points

Str 9
Dex 20 (+1 at lvl 12, +1 at lvl 16)
Con 13 (+1 at lvl 4)
Int 10
Wis 13 (+1 at lvl 8)
Cha 7

Put lvl 20 ability increase to either strength or charisma to negate a -1?

Levels:
1 Ranger
2 Rogue
3 Ranger
4 Rogue
5 Rogue
6+ Ranger

Feats
1 Weapon Focus (Elven curve blade)
2 Weapon Finesse (Rogue)
3 Toughness; Power Attack (Ranger)
4 Improved Initiative (Rogue talent combat trick)
6 Endurance (Ranger); Skill Focus (Acrobatics)*
9 Improved Critical (Elven curve blade); Great Cleave (Ranger)
12 Critical Focus
13 Furious Focus (Ranger)
15 Vital Strike
17 Improved Sunder (Ranger)
18 Blinding Critical
*Not sure about the skill focus. Thinking of flanking bonuses.

So, by the time the Unchained Rogue levels (character level 5) are all acquired, the character has the following attacks:

Elven curve blade +10 (1d10+7/18-20/x2, 8-17, or 12 average?)
w/ power attack +8 (1d10+13/18-20/x2, 14-23, 18 average?)
w/ power attack + sneak attack +8 (1d10+13/18-20/x2 +2d6, 16-35, average 24?)

Attacks assume basic weapon without enhancements or special modifiers.

[Matt2VK]

There a reason you're going with ranger?

With this type of build, I'd suggest going Slayer instead. Feat progression should be about the same and with study target, should help your to hit worries.
Plus you get to keep adding to your SA progression damage.

[Rattleingpython]

Also why noy just stay rogue and get Power attack the old fashion way. Also for stats go 19 dex and use your level 4 stat up on dex. It saves you points and lets you have some str (13 instead of 9) which means you have damage from levels 1-5 in this build or 1-3 on straight rogue. Swashbuckler rogue arctype gets you any martial weapon which included elven curved blade. You get 2 combat tricks instead of 1. That isnt as good as ranger but it at least opens up some new options.

If you still want the ranger feel id go with slayer as recomonded above i would also do the rogue levels as soon as possible not delay getting dex to damage at all and i would take at least 4 rogue levels. 4th level gets you debaltiting injury on sneak attacks and another rogue talent.

Right now from level 1-5 your damage is at 1d10-1. Thats a long time to have a damage penalty.

[Slim Jim]

ClavierCavalier wrote:

This is an idea I've been throwing around. I originally started out trying to create a switch hitter ranger. I then read the unchained rogue and the elven curve blade, so I changed thought of a two-handed build that has low strength.

An ECB is a d10 weapon (that you're planning to use 2g) with 18/20 threat. A bardiche is a 2h d10 polearm with reach and 19/20 threat, which would be ideal for use with Combat Reflexes juicing a pumped dexterity score. ...just an option to weight....

Quote:

I've been away from RPG's for a while, but I feel like it might progress a little slow. I'm starting to think that the slower BAB is hurting the build.

-1 BAB does not "hurt" a build if the trade off is worth it. (Is Power Attack worth it? -- I'd guess that 95%+ of strength builds take it.) BAB is not the problem here.

Quote:

Problem is that the story requires it to be an elf... I might go for an archer ranger. The Con penalty hurts.

Kinda. (Must you be a full elf? How about half-elf?)

Quote:

Abilities: 20 points

Str 9
Dex 20 (+1 at lvl 12, +1 at lvl 16)
Con 13 (+1 at lvl 4)
Int 10
Wis 13 (+1 at lvl 8)
Cha 7

First rule of point-buy: don't roast your allotment for an 18 in a starting stat that you're not going to exclusively raise!

Your Dex score costs 17 build points and the Con score 7 points. It would cost 10 points to start with a 14 in (-2) Con and 13 for a 17(+2) in Dex. ....saving 1pt. Seems like not a huge deal. The real problem is that you want Con and you took a race that dumps it in order to receive a bonus to Int which your build entirely neglects.

A half-elf would get a 14 Con for 5pts, meaning that 18 rather than 24 points are being spent to have the same [Dex20/Con14] couplet at 4th level. Half-elves get two favored classes as well, so this build would have a few more hitpoints versus elf.

But we can save a lot more than 6 build points:

dex+ 17 (cost 7)
con: 14 (cost 5)

1. barbarian1 [savage technologist or urban archetype], Extra Rage

...get mad, and you're raging for a dex of 22 at 4th at a cost of only 12 initial build points for the stat pair. This lets you round out nicely:

str 14
dex 17
con 14
int 12
wis 14
cha 7

1. barbarian1 [savage technologist] Extra Rage, Skill Focus (Acrobatics or Perception)
2. uRogue1 [Weapon Finesse]
3. uRogue2 [Evasion][combat trick: Quick Draw]. FEAT(g)
4. uRogue3 [Finesse: Elven Curve Blade]

- Spend 1500gp on a Opalescent White Pyramid Ioun stone (cracked) for ECB martial proficiency at 4th.

5. (uRogue4[Talent:?] or Fighter1[Power Attack]), FEAT(g)
6. (BAB+1 class)
7. (BAB+1 class), Vital Strike
8. (any class)

* raging strength of 18 instead of strength of 9 in initial build
* raging dexterity of 22 at 4th instead of 20 in initial build
* qualify for Power Attack (so no need for Ranger)
* pick up Skill Focus for free as a half-elf
* Quickdraw to fire an Adaptable longbow (or javelins while poor)