Halfling Dual Wield Kukri Build. Can you improve on this?

[mrieder79]

Hi. I've been floating this idea in my head for years. Always wanted a solid halfling dual wield melee type. I think I've got it here.

Please look and see if you can make it better in any way: more AC, better saves, more damage.

Here's the build:
http://nwn2db.com/build/?197607

Currently I get 47 AC (50 CE, 53 ICE)
49 AB with +4 kukris (46 CE, 43 ICE)

Fort save 19
Will save 9 (obvious weak spot)
Reflex save 26

HP with gear: 392

Avg damage with gear I have:
Main hand 26
Off hand 24 (I think. Not sure how the engine handles the Int based off-hand dmg.)

[AC81]

Are there any feats other than two weapon defence you can take? I know it gives AC, but it is shield AC that can be replicated and it seems a bit wasteful unless you are taking the other TWD feats. Having said that, if there's nothing else worthwhile to take, then go for it. Everything else seems in order. Also, why Lawful Good?

Name: it NEEDS to be Rat. That way Rat and Rabbit can hang out. Change the alignment though!

[mrieder79]

The spell shield stacks with TWD. I do this on Ashe.

We can talk alignment later. This is just a first shot across the bow.

I'll consider the alignment, though. I hardly ever hit that boss on my own. Too stressful.

[AC81]

It makes me happy you're already referring to him as Rat. We'll talk more about alignment - Rabbit can't be seen too much with a do-gooder. Didn't know that about TWD, are you sure it ACTUALLY stacks and doesn't just say that on your character sheet? Armour of the same type shouldn't stack except some forms of dodge.

[mrieder79]

It makes me happy you're already referring to him as Rat. We'll talk more about alignment - Rabbit can't be seen too much with a do-gooder. Didn't know that about TWD, are you sure it ACTUALLY stacks and doesn't just say that on your character sheet? Armour of the same type shouldn't stack except some forms of dodge.

TWD is considered a shield bonus. The spell is considered shield enchantment bonus, from what I understand. I'm pretty sure it works this way because when I cast shield against epic bosses it seems to make a significant difference. It would be easy to run some tests though.

I'll check it out sometime.

[mrm3ntalist]

It makes me happy you're already referring to him as Rat. We'll talk more about alignment - Rabbit can't be seen too much with a do-gooder. Didn't know that about TWD, are you sure it ACTUALLY stacks and doesn't just say that on your character sheet? Armour of the same type shouldn't stack except some forms of dodge.

TWD is considered a shield bonus. The spell is considered shield enchantment bonus, from what I understand. I'm pretty sure it works this way because when I cast shield against epic bosses it seems to make a significant difference. It would be easy to run some tests though.

I'll check it out sometime.

Thats how it works. I try to use those feats in any TWF build of mine.
The build seems great. There would be no change that will make a big difference.

Rabbit and Rat.... what a team that would make

[Thorsson]

You RCRing this? Because you take an XP penalty unnecessarily early, the way you built it.

You have some protection against HiPS, but none against Feint.

Otherwise it looks a reasonable trade-off versus F12/Asn8/SB5/IB5. You get Expose Weakness, 2AB (1 BAB, Weapon Supremacy) and 1AC (Armor Skin, Weapon Supremacy, -1 for IB) rather than HiPS, 2d6 Death Attack (net of Rogue damage) and the Assassin spellbook.

[mrieder79]

You make a good point, Thorsson.

I took the 5 swashbuckler levels right up front to get insightful strike as fast as possible to boost damage. It's a trade off between making it more playable and dealing with an xp penalty early. I've done worse xp penalties so 20% on a non-ECL race won't bother me.

[mrm3ntalist]

Thorsson makes a good point about listen. I think it would be better to max spot instead.

People complain about hips ( and Sleight of hand ) without investing in spot in order to counter. If only they could see what happens when a rogue feints someone with 0 spot, Feint would be on the list of feats to complain about.

[mrieder79]

Good point. I got so focused on the xp penalty part of thorsson's post that I forgot about the feint. Yeah. I'll do spot instead of listen.

[Karond]

Ugh, halfling? Use a real race like owlbear or teletubbie!

http://nwn2db.com/build/?224031

This is a little better at everything. It lacks 1 AC compared to yours I believe, but makes up for that with superior AB and damage, plus better skills.

AB: 52
DMG: 27 per hit
AC: Just 51 (with shield wand/ring +haste)

Much better bluff to actually use feint (through relis belt) at 35 instead of 8, +3 more spot since that seems to be something you want (?) and +8 more UMD so it can use level 9 scrolls instead of your level 2 scrolls. It has +2 more fortitude as well.

It's a more offensive build, landing more attacks, with a much better feint, and more damage per hit. Plus, no xp penalty.

It's an alternative at least. Haven't put too much thought into it.