Buld advice required: Drow Rouge or Fighter

[Thorsson]

No really, the advice is good. Decide what sort of character you want to play and then go from there. You'll have no fun if you don't p[lay the sort of character who fires your imagination.

Well, martial skills were never the main part of this RP concept of mine, but sure...then I guess a dual-wield build?

Well IMO there are three ways to go, sneaker or non-sneaker, and if non-sneaker, dex or str.

Let me explain the differences:

1. Sneaker, ideally with HiPS, will invest a lot in sneaking and largely rely on being able to hide at a moment's notice in order to avoid all the nasty stuff. Classic build is Ro16/Asn9/IB5 with Epic Precision, PTWF, Expose Weakness and Epic Dodge. Strengths - the unprepared are toast. Weaknesses - if it can be spotted there is no plan B.

2. Dex non-sneaker. Usually incorporates Swashbuckler to use/add damage from Intelligence and often F12 to add EWS/MWM. This is because damage is the main issue with these. You can HiPS on these, but you don't have to. Examples - PTWF F12/SB5/IB5/Asn8 and F12/SB5/AK10/NN3.

3. Strength. These usually go for GTWF and usually include Tempest, which allows you to GTWF without wearing Light Armor. Damage is quite good on these as they don't require pushing Dex that high, but AC can be an issue and you do less attacks than the Dex version with PTWF. Examples - F12/Te5/De10/WD3; F12/Ra6/WM7/Te5.

[TheLier]

No really, the advice is good. Decide what sort of character you want to play and then go from there. You'll have no fun if you don't p[lay the sort of character who fires your imagination.

Well, martial skills were never the main part of this RP concept of mine, but sure...then I guess a dual-wield build?

Well IMO there are three ways to go, sneaker or non-sneaker, and if non-sneaker, dex or str.

Let me explain the differences:

1. Sneaker, ideally with HiPS, will invest a lot in sneaking and largely rely on being able to hide at a moment's notice in order to avoid all the nasty stuff. Classic build is Ro16/Asn9/IB5 with Epic Precision, PTWF, Expose Weakness and Epic Dodge. Strengths - the unprepared are toast. Weaknesses - if it can be spotted there is no plan B.

2. Dex non-sneaker. Usually incorporates Swashbuckler to use/add damage from Intelligence and often F12 to add EWS/MWM. This is because damage is the main issue with these. You can HiPS on these, but you don't have to. Examples - PTWF F12/SB5/IB5/Asn8 and F12/SB5/AK10/NN3.

3. Strength. These usually go for GTWF and usually include Tempest, which allows you to GTWF without wearing Light Armor. Damage is quite good on these as they don't require pushing Dex that high, but AC can be an issue and you do less attacks than the Dex version with PTWF. Examples - F12/Te5/De10/WD3; F12/Ra6/WM7/Te5.

Before making a decision, what kind of gear is reccomended in any of these cases?

Also, thanks for the input, it is really helpful.

[Thorsson]

Before making a decision, what kind of gear is reccomended in any of these cases?

With a sneaker two daggers is often the weapon(s) of choice as you don't have martial proficiency and sneak attacks don't critical anyway.

With a Dex build I'd go for Kukris, due to the higher critical factor, but Shortswords also work (unless you're a small race) as do handaxes.

With Str Kukris also works but you can go Scimitar/Longsword (or other Medium weapon) if you take OTWF. Note that for Dervish you have to use slashing weapons, and IBs have to take WF in Dagger or Kukri, so this will always affect your choice.

[Akroma666]

Expert twf builder here. Because of the availability of the weapons and demand of said weapons on the server.. I would highly recommend going daggers (no demand) or short swords (can buy a great pair for cheap from a merchant) before going kukris. Unless you have a good pair already (I do!). Other than that, if you do go kukri, the only real option is "the hook" sold by gullykin merchant. Other than that, there are constantly amazing daggers on the auction house, and the fence in BG sells great daggers/short swords.

[qwertyh88]

I would just like to make a small note; not all these weapons mentioned can be bought in the underdark...

And playing in the UD, means soloing more often than not.

"Imagination is great, but there is also reality"

An interesting option if it can work is to go medium size flail and light flail in your build. Stay away for being stereotypical!