Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Questions About Character Builds, Build Critiques, and Build Sharing

Moderators: Moderator, DM

Post Reply
UnGround
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 6:52 pm

Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by UnGround »

I took a break from playing around the time of the major changes and 100% RCR, so I never tried out the new builds. Some of the changes make me concerned and I was hoping for some community wisdom with only a few days left to get in shape :)

I have a Rogue / arcane trickster I have enjoyed playing, primarily as a buffed dual wield backstabber with some interesting moves. Currently lvl 21. Not the most powerful build but workable, enjoyable and dynamic. Pretty similar to http://nwn2db.com/build/?212929

With the dispel changes in particular, I am not sure this build will continue being enjoyable to play on this server with such low unbuffed AB. When I played after the initial changes for a couple days, I was getting dispelled by everything unless I was HiPS'ing. Not sure if that is still the case.

I am thinking about going the more standard rogue build like so: http://nwn2db.com/build/?214522

Knowing my playstyle, I won't enjoy a build if it isn't at least decent solo and in groups. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Edit: fixed second link
Last edited by UnGround on Wed Sep 21, 2016 5:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Steve
Recognized Donor
Posts: 8142
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2015 5:42 am
Location: Paradise in GMT +1

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by Steve »

You gotta have an absolute minimum of 25 CL, or else you'll get your ass handed to you.

But it isn't just having 25 CL, it is having as high a CL as possible for your CR area rating. Being lvl 17 and having a 14 CL, for example, could really make life too tough to enjoy...for you and your toon.

As for the second build, why not drop 2 levels of Assassin for 2 levels of Fighter, greatly improving your AB and DMG? As well, why take Toughness without Steadfast? You should also choose Wild Child background. Drop improved Critical Kukri, cause you'll find a Keen version soon enough.

Talsorian the Conjuransmuter - The (someTIMEs) Traveler

The half-MAN, the MYrchanT(H), the LEGENDermaine ~ Jon Smythe [Bio]

Brinn Essebrenanath — Volamtar, seeking wisdom within the earth dream [Bio]
UnGround
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 6:52 pm

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by UnGround »

Thanks Steve - I think I put the wrong second link in there, I just fixed it (should have been Ro/As/IB)
User avatar
Calodan
Posts: 2032
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:21 pm
Location: Missoula Montana BIG SKY COUNTRY

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by Calodan »

R/Ass/IB/GT

Drop some Rogue for guild thief and you get some more perks to other goodies too if you like. I have a sneak named Horkas and once it gets HIPS the build is dangerously good. Here is a link. The build was done by Metaquad4 for me and I just tweaked it to my RP liking from there so you can use it as a starting point if you like.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?213064

At level 14 or so when you get HIPS it is doing around 45-55 damage a hit. Throw in the occasional hit for paralysis on a death attack and you are solid. It is just painful to get to HIPS. Like OMG I would rather level a wizard painful but once you have HIPS you can level easy. It can run all the quests at level 14 too has enough H/MS to run them all and even can beat up that monkey without sneak attack hitting the monkey.

////EDIT The first build is a utility build that lost much of its utility when the Dispel fix went in. I would instead look to take that build and go more for this one if you want magic.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?240688

In fact this build is most likely far superior at this point and juncture if you want certain things in magic done. You could of course trade out the Sorcerer for Wizard and get much the same ability. Although I think for pure blasting from HIPS and getting the sneak attack from AT a Sorcerer makes the best cross class magically.
Kory Sentinel
"We should take the army head on!"

"... it sounds like a terrible idea, but look at that smile."
"And he just sounds so confident ... he is a favored soul."
"Even if we don't survive, he will, and isn't that what matters?" -Red Lancer
Eclypticon
Posts: 1009
Joined: Mon May 30, 2011 7:26 pm
Location: USA

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by Eclypticon »

You will be making a big mistake not having a CL of 29-30 anymore. I tried playing a W/EK/R/AT at CL 30 and it works well. Not having HiPS sucks, but the damage you do in a party increases with sneak attacks or you can rely on summons to get the attention off you.
User avatar
Calodan
Posts: 2032
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:21 pm
Location: Missoula Montana BIG SKY COUNTRY

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by Calodan »

You will be making a big mistake not having a CL of 29-30 anymore.
This right here killed off about a 100 builds on this server because no one is going to play any magic build below that now. Which also means less multi classing them. However the Sorc build I gave has a CL of 28 and HIPS so I think it should do just fine long as you are in HIPS they can not hit you anyway......
Kory Sentinel
"We should take the army head on!"

"... it sounds like a terrible idea, but look at that smile."
"And he just sounds so confident ... he is a favored soul."
"Even if we don't survive, he will, and isn't that what matters?" -Red Lancer
User avatar
Steve
Recognized Donor
Posts: 8142
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2015 5:42 am
Location: Paradise in GMT +1

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by Steve »

I'm giving it a try with a Character that has a 27 CL at lvl 30. That should be a 10% chance of failure against Greater Dispel Magic. Which I'm willing to risk! 8-)

Talsorian the Conjuransmuter - The (someTIMEs) Traveler

The half-MAN, the MYrchanT(H), the LEGENDermaine ~ Jon Smythe [Bio]

Brinn Essebrenanath — Volamtar, seeking wisdom within the earth dream [Bio]
chad878262
QC Coordinator
Posts: 9333
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2014 6:55 pm

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by chad878262 »

Calodan wrote:R/Ass/IB/GT

Drop some Rogue for guild thief and you get some more perks to other goodies too if you like. I have a sneak named Horkas and once it gets HIPS the build is dangerously good. Here is a link. The build was done by Metaquad4 for me and I just tweaked it to my RP liking from there so you can use it as a starting point if you like.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?213064

At level 14 or so when you get HIPS it is doing around 45-55 damage a hit. Throw in the occasional hit for paralysis on a death attack and you are solid. It is just painful to get to HIPS. Like OMG I would rather level a wizard painful but once you have HIPS you can level easy. It can run all the quests at level 14 too has enough H/MS to run them all and even can beat up that monkey without sneak attack hitting the monkey.

////EDIT The first build is a utility build that lost much of its utility when the Dispel fix went in. I would instead look to take that build and go more for this one if you want magic.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?240688

In fact this build is most likely far superior at this point and juncture if you want certain things in magic done. You could of course trade out the Sorcerer for Wizard and get much the same ability. Although I think for pure blasting from HIPS and getting the sneak attack from AT a Sorcerer makes the best cross class magically.

Calodan, while adding GT is interesting and fine for rp, the reason R16/A9/IB5 id's such a popular build is because it gets basically everything yours gets plus epic dodge (a very big plus)
Chord Silverstrings - Bard and OSR Squire / Tarent Nefzen - Arcane Wand Merchant and Master Alchemist / Irrace Arkentlar - Drow Adventurer / Finneaus Du'Veil - Gem Merchant and Executive Officer of SCCE

Tarent's Wands and Elixirs

A Wand Crafter's guide to using wands
Eclypticon
Posts: 1009
Joined: Mon May 30, 2011 7:26 pm
Location: USA

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by Eclypticon »

You can get away with lower caster levels if you do not grind in dispel areas. But. You never know if new changes will come and mobs will change. That supposed 10% chance is more varied because the way the AI works. As long as you do not get spammed with dispels, the math should work out.

I don't want to be discouraging. Pick whatever your RP needs are, but just be aware that things have changed here. AT builds are pretty cool.
User avatar
Calodan
Posts: 2032
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:21 pm
Location: Missoula Montana BIG SKY COUNTRY

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by Calodan »

Calodan, while adding GT is interesting and fine for rp, the reason R16/A9/IB5 id's such a popular build is because it gets basically everything yours gets plus epic dodge (a very big plus)
GT is for the FEINT feat and getting your Bluff maxed out as you will need in order for it to actually be effective in the epic levels. The epic dodge is nice but your main source of defense is HIPS. However both builds have similar utility. The GT is more than RP too. It gives +4 bonus to bluff.
Kory Sentinel
"We should take the army head on!"

"... it sounds like a terrible idea, but look at that smile."
"And he just sounds so confident ... he is a favored soul."
"Even if we don't survive, he will, and isn't that what matters?" -Red Lancer
chad878262
QC Coordinator
Posts: 9333
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2014 6:55 pm

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by chad878262 »

Yeah, but it has the same issue as other stealth builds (lack of good AC, making feint less feasible as a tactic.
Chord Silverstrings - Bard and OSR Squire / Tarent Nefzen - Arcane Wand Merchant and Master Alchemist / Irrace Arkentlar - Drow Adventurer / Finneaus Du'Veil - Gem Merchant and Executive Officer of SCCE

Tarent's Wands and Elixirs

A Wand Crafter's guide to using wands
User avatar
Calodan
Posts: 2032
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:21 pm
Location: Missoula Montana BIG SKY COUNTRY

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by Calodan »

Yeah, but it has the same issue as other stealth builds (lack of good AC, making feint less feasible as a tactic.
6 million gold coins in hell says otherwise on the AC...... :twisted:
Kory Sentinel
"We should take the army head on!"

"... it sounds like a terrible idea, but look at that smile."
"And he just sounds so confident ... he is a favored soul."
"Even if we don't survive, he will, and isn't that what matters?" -Red Lancer
chad878262
QC Coordinator
Posts: 9333
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2014 6:55 pm

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by chad878262 »

Calodan wrote:
Yeah, but it has the same issue as other stealth builds (lack of good AC, making feint less feasible as a tactic.
6 million gold coins in hell says otherwise on the AC...... :twisted:
Can I borrow some money ole buddy ole pal?
Chord Silverstrings - Bard and OSR Squire / Tarent Nefzen - Arcane Wand Merchant and Master Alchemist / Irrace Arkentlar - Drow Adventurer / Finneaus Du'Veil - Gem Merchant and Executive Officer of SCCE

Tarent's Wands and Elixirs

A Wand Crafter's guide to using wands
User avatar
Calodan
Posts: 2032
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:21 pm
Location: Missoula Montana BIG SKY COUNTRY

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by Calodan »

Can I borrow some money ole buddy ole pal?
Yeah right after my uber sneak pick pockets ol deep pockets Gold hands.......
Kory Sentinel
"We should take the army head on!"

"... it sounds like a terrible idea, but look at that smile."
"And he just sounds so confident ... he is a favored soul."
"Even if we don't survive, he will, and isn't that what matters?" -Red Lancer
UnGround
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 6:52 pm

Re: Build still viable? [Rogue/AT]

Unread post by UnGround »

Thanks for the input everyone! Guess I better reroll while I have the chance :)
Post Reply

Return to “Character Building”