Loveable fighter/rogue build advice?

[Vermilion]

The character concept I'm currently looking to develop would be a fairly smart, charismatic combat rogue of some sort. However, I'm pretty bad at converting these concepts into functional character builds, especially with the extra options on BG thrown into the mix!

Ideally I'd like a melee-focused character that's not too unbearable to level but who wears light armour. I'd prefer to keep spell casting, with the possible exception of the assassin book, out of this one. (UMD use is fine)

The character is likely to be neutral evil, but in this mould: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/M ... ticVillain

Does anyone have any suggestions? More than happy to bend the rules above somewhat if you've any serious concerns about the viability of the concept itself. Thanks!

[dzidek1983]

I'm currently playing this character

http://nwn2db.com/build/?178948

I know rogue part in this is small, but i do get the skills, dervish is a light armor class and he is fighting with 2 weapons so has some finess in his fighting style.

The problem wouyld be with the charismatic part. But you can RP your character as you want, he'she can be a liked individuakl, just in the mechanical part of the game he wont be able to do much terms of charisma. But you can have full diplomacy,bluff, intimidate skill with a slight penalty form the CHA stat.

[Steve]

If you want to be Charismatic both in RP and mechanically, your best bet is to make a Feinter. Rogue + Fighter + many PrCs will support this, easily.

Do you want me to provide you with a build? Do you have any weapon preference?

[Vermilion]

Do you want me to provide you with a build? Do you have any weapon preference?

Oh, yes please! I was thinking between short sword and (light) shield (more because it suits the RP than because of power, because it's obviously weaker than heavier equipment) or maybe just a rapier one-handed.

The problem wouyld be with the charismatic part. But you can RP your character as you want, he'she can be a liked individuakl, just in the mechanical part of the game he wont be able to do much terms of charisma. But you can have full diplomacy,bluff, intimidate skill with a slight penalty form the CHA stat.

Thank you! I always assume having poor charisma but good social skills is all about knowing the right thing to say but not necessarily the right way to say it. I once PnP'd a wizard with Cha9 but decent Diplomacy so he'd talk convincingly, but at very great length in a dry and unappealing way - like a lot of old-school politicians!

[Invoker]

For this kind of build, I recommend a STR/CHA-based Rogue/Guild Thief/Blackguard/Ghost-Faced Killer. You will have an OK STR score, your CHA will be put to good use (saves, GFK instagib attack DC, Feint...), not to mention that 3/4 classes give you some sort of SA progression.

There's nothing wrong with Fighter/Rogue splits like Steve suggested, btw. They are even easier to level. But this one has almost unparalleled synergies.

[dzidek1983]

Take note on how Feint works - the formula for DC.

And bosses are sometimes imune to Feint arent they? or some monsters... or at least have a very high SPOT.

[Steve]

Here is a template to work with:

http://nwn2db.com/build/?263197

You mentioned you want to use a light shield, but, you'll get more damage out of TWF. Though, you can pop a shield into your off-hand when you need it (and there are some nice shields out there that will help your toon's experience out, greatly, like a shield with high Spell Resistance, which can disable a caster mob, when needed).

Any Feinter build requires you to be savvy and collect gear with Bluff bonuses. It isn't the easiest of tasks, but also not impossible. As Dizzy D said, you need to understand that mobs get a d20 + Base Attack Bonus + Spot skill check against your Bluff score. So, if a mob or other PC has 30 BAB and 33 Spot, your PC would need 83 Bluff points in order to 100% Feint sneak attack! That ain't no joke. Luckily, its much, much easier than this, with mobs, at least.

And, if you are Feinter, you'll really be a good friend to other PCs in a group, because when you successfully Feint, they also get to use their Sneak Attacks. Win Win!

Oh, btw...you can make this build even more Charismatic if you lower other Abilities. If that is your RP. But, wearing a +3 CHA item the build has a 16 CHA, which in D&D terms, is: "Popular, receives greetings and conversations on the street"

[Vermilion]

Okay, having played with this kind of character a few times I'm tempted to look into the Shield Slamming rogue/fighter I've seen mentioned on these forums in the past. Does anyone have a decent example build? I'd rather avoid any prestige classes with specific RP though I'd like to keep my Guild Thief in there if I can.

[Sun Wukong]

It could be improved upon... http://nwn2db.com/build/?175712 <= but that is the general gist of it.