Hey all. My group is currently gearing up to start Second Darkness. It’s a five person group and so far the only character I know we have for sure is a cleric, but I told the group I’d take the rogue-type role.
Anyway, I was wondering how viable a stalker vigilante would be in the AP and how I would go about making one.. I previously played one for time who utilized sap master and non lethal damage. He was killed due to bad rolls unfortunately. While he struggled in certain situations, he was a blast to play overall and I’d love to give the class another go, but this time with a more optimal build. The idea I have in my head is a confident and charming con artist who takes on more unsavory jobs by night and is reasonably capable in combat. What are your thoughts?
I’d prefer to play vigilante but am open to unchained rogue or even ninja as well if you think they would work better. Thanks for the input!
eh, from what i remember you move around a fair bit so the renown based social options are kind of iffy. Not unuseable but just, not ALWAYS useable.
Yknow it occurs to me that the phantom thief archetype unchained rogue works pretty well for what you want, skill unlocks are pretty powerful for the social skills, phantom thief amounts to a 3/4 BAB fighter who can take combat feats, rogue talents (specifically minor and major magic unlimited times) or skill focus, they also get access to some of the vigilante social talents.
You get the unlocks early too, getting the 10 rank unlock at level 7, the 15 at 10, and the 20 at 14.
You can even be a reasonably wicked martial if you go for something like curve blade or branched spear. The Urogue lets you do 1.5 X dex with those. Build like a two hander fighter, splash rogue talents and spell like abilities liberally, stack dex/cha, profit.
Yes, you travel around a lot, Riddleport is just a starting point. And you spend a lot of time in dungeons, it's no urban campaign.
Reasonably capable in combat doesn't hurt, though the AP isn't that hard (appearantly, I just read it). Con artist and unsavory night jobs should work a few times, for more you might need some tweaks from the GM.
Either way, the fact that you enjoyed the class is IMO the most important thing: I'd go for it. Just don't neglect your defense completely, when it comes to ability scores, vigilante talents and feats.
I previously played one for time who utilized sap master and non lethal damage.
So was that a Serial Killer Vigilante? Stalker Vigilantes don't qualify for any sneak attack feats normally, as Hidden Strike doesn't count as SA for prereqs.
What are your thoughts?
Reach weapon smoke user, Str or Dex based.
False Attacker (<-rogue talent) stealth vigilante to keep out of trouble and get full Hidden Strike.
Twisting Fear intimidate build.
Up Close and Personal/Snake Style build.
Concealed Strike Battle Poi feinting build.
Dirty Tricks.
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Try to avoid the Renown social talents as you apparently move around a lot.
Reach weapon smoke user, Str or Dex based.False Attacker (<-rogue talent) stealth vigilante to keep out of trouble and get full Hidden Strike.
Twisting Fear intimidate build.
Up Close and Personal/Snake Style build.
Concealed Strike Battle Poi feinting build.
Dirty Tricks.
Those are all great. I like the idea of feinting or dirty trick. Great ways to get hidden strike off on your own, albeit the reduced version. Thanks for the advice. Do you think the modifiers for dirty trick or feint could keep things viable at high level play? Mostly worried about dirty trick and my CMB
Yknow it occurs to me that the phantom thief archetype unchained rogue works pretty well for what you want, skill unlocks are pretty powerful for the social skills, phantom thief amounts to a 3/4 BAB fighter who can take combat feats, rogue talents (specifically minor and major magic unlimited times) or skill focus, they also get access to some of the vigilante social talents.
You get the unlocks early too, getting the 10 rank unlock at level 7, the 15 at 10, and the 20 at 14.
You can even be a reasonably wicked martial if you go for something like curve blade or branched spear. The Urogue lets you do 1.5 X dex with those. Build like a two hander fighter, splash rogue talents and spell like abilities liberally, stack dex/cha, profit.
I checked out the archetype and I actually love the look of it. I don't know about giving up sneak attack. If you can build like a fighter and still have the awesome skill checks thought that's pretty good. I'll have to give it some thought.
Thanks for the advice. Do you think the modifiers for dirty trick or feint could keep things viable at high level play? Mostly worried about dirty trick and my CMB
Skill modifiers are usually easy to inflate, and as a Vigilante you have access to the +4 bonus from Social Grace so you'd be ahead from the start.
As for Dirty Trick you can play a Psychometrist Vigilante with the Transmutation implement, allowing you to inflate your CMB through Legacy Weapon and the Dueling (PSFG) weapon property.
At level 8 you should be able to afford a +1 Dueling weapon without worry, and can use Legacy Weapon to add an additional +1 Bane bonus to your weapon.
Then when attacking your Bane targets it would function as a +4 weapon and Dueling's Luck bonus would be +8.