Rogue/assassin build - please take to pieces!

[Vermilion]

http://nwn2db.com/build/?264896

As a general rule, I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to putting character builds together (and it shows!)

I've aimed to get as many of the "recommended" rogue feats mentioned in the last few topics on this class as I can, but probably in an order that's going to make the character horrible to level.

I'd rather not replace assassin with shadowdancer, because I don't really know how shadowdancers even work.

Be as (constructively) critical as you need to be! *ducks and covers eyes*

Edit: removed the erroneous Weapon Focus: Shortbow and replaced with Blind-Fight

[Calodan]

Obviously you want a EPIC DODGE rogue from the looks of it. To me this build can use some Elemental Archer IMO. Also any reason you are using a short bow with a human? No reason to use that when a longbow does 1d8 over a 1d6. Plus one of the best Longbows in the game BoneCrusher is easy to obtain as well being sold at a merchant. Not sure you can get Epic dodge but this is not a melee build so really not needed. You are going to hit them and run back to HIPS and then hit them and run again. Unlike a melee where you will try to land enough flurries then go HIPS and repeat.

Deadly defense requires a melee weapon so drop that feat for blindfight instead far more important. Feint is for melee again so drop that for something else that fits a ranged attacker. Drop weapon finesse not using daggers don't need it does not apply to bows. I would even drop Combat expertise too. Again ranged fighter with a bow. This build needs some extreme optimizing if going off of feat selection and mechanics.

With that said if you are going for a melee then all those feats are good I guess. Not needed in my opinion for the typical 'Measuring Stick" Rogue build. Kukris are generally the best for a knife assassin as the best a Shadow Master Kukri has +3 H/MS, +3 EB, 1d4 Acid (Possibly +4 for the epic but never seen one...rare blade and would need two of em...)

WHile a ranged can be quite effective with a bone crusher bow until one can find a Widow Maker.

[Vermilion]

See what I mean? I actually thought I'd taken the short bow focus out when I'd swapped out all the ranged feats.

The actual idea was using a dagger/rapier depending on circumstances. Sorry for wasting your time, let me amend that.

Edit: removed the erroneous Weapon Focus: Shortbow and replaced with Blind-Fight

[Calodan]

See what I mean? I actually thought I'd taken the short bow focus out when I'd swapped out all the ranged feats.

The actual idea was using a dagger/rapier depending on circumstances. Sorry for wasting your time, let me amend that.

No waste of time! You missed something and I helped you see it! With that said I would aim for Invisible blade on this build myself. More AC. AC is King. Let me repeat AC is King. As well as bleed damage against squishy's, but that would mean dropping one of your other feats for weapon profieciency martial to take weapon focus Kukri.

[Vermilion]

No waste of time! You missed something and I helped you see it! With that said I would aim for Invisible blade on this build myself. More AC. AC is King. Let me repeat AC is King. As well as bleed damage against squishy's, but that would mean dropping one of your other feats for weapon profieciency martial to take weapon focus Kukri.

OK, I've dropped Blind Fight & Deadly Defense for TWF and WF:Dagger to allow me to get three levels of Invisible Blade before lvl20 and dropped another one in after I get to Epic Dodge. That should be +4 AC, right, as I'm sure I can find a +2 intelligence item that fits into my gear.

As I lose a rogue specialist feat I've ended up losing Crippling Strike and therefore Epic Precision so I might just have to run away from undead.

[Calodan]

http://nwn2db.com/build/?264901

Here is a human build of a Tief I already have that I am leveling up very slowly. You can tweak it to your liking but the feats are pretty much in line for the type of build it is. Take a look and have other pick it apart a bit but I find it to be very good as a Tief thief. Yet with Human you pick up a feat and 30 extra skill points so have fun tweaking this to your liking.

[Vermilion]

http://nwn2db.com/build/?264901

Here is a human build of a Tief I already have that I am leveling up very slowly. You can tweak it to your liking but the feats are pretty much in line for the type of build it is. Take a look and have other pick it apart a bit but I find it to be very good as a Tief thief. Yet with Human you pick up a feat and 30 extra skill points so have fun tweaking this to your liking.

Thanks! I will have a play

[Hrafnar]

As I understand it one can be a good HiPSer or a good feinter, but not really both. The reason being that you really need to dedicate your gear slots to items that boost the relevant skills and, in the case of feint, invest in feats that raise your bluff. We're talking getting skills into the 70s. That being the case, I would recommend choosing one path or the other (though I realize you need feint for IB).

I'm still learning the ropes of building in nwn2 and I haven't experienced much of the server's epic content (so anyone is free to correct me ). I would probably do this:

http://nwn2db.com/build/?264920

[aaron22]

have you thought about going with swash12 for the AB and insightful strike. you would certainly lose some SA dice but would make up for it with epic precision epic dodge and insightful strike and combat insight. might even be able to fit in PTWF, but i havent put it all together to see.

said you didnt want SD for your HiPS, but i just wanted to offer up an alternative.

[Vermilion]

@Hrafnar

I really like that build! I'd like to include Guild Thief if I can, though, just for RP reasons as much as anything.

This one's going to be stealth-focused rather than feint-focused, I'll probably just use Seven Suns cloth bluff equipment for my 'City RP' outfit unless I become rich beyond the dreams of avarice by mistake.

@aaron
I'd love to do a swashbuckling build - I really like the concept of the class. Does it have good synergy with invisible blade?

[K'yon Oblodra]

Wouldn't in Hrafnar's build it be better to have 19 Rogue levels for the extra special ability?

[Hrafnar]

Wouldn't in Hrafnar's build it be better to have 19 Rogue levels for the extra special ability?

Maybe? It would lose some feats and AB, which is already a bit low. Might make life worse at lower levels but better at higher ones?

@Hrafnar

I really like that build! I'd like to include Guild Thief if I can, though, just for RP reasons as much as anything.

Well, you could drop fighter. Similar issues as above but on the plus side more sneak attack dice. Fewer than 16 rogue levels and you lose epic dodge or epic precision, which I don't think you want to do (undead aren't the only sneak immune nasties...) I'll play around with it later but you probably want someone else to double-check it .

Edit: Yeah, GT just doesn't really synergize in this case. You can do it but I think levelling will be unpleasant. I tidied the original build up some - you have enough skill points to spare for some social skills, if that helps. The weapon focus kukri is just to get the AB up a bit but if you want to avoid weapon marriage you could swap for stealthy or skill focus: MS (or a flavor a feat if you wanted).

[Vermilion]

If I was using a light crossbow instead of a melee weapon, what would you recommend? Just thinking that sniping from the shadows probably suits the character profile I've been shaping better than backstabbing them and risking getting blood on yourself.

[Hrafnar]

Erm something like this I think:

http://nwn2db.com/build/?264965

DMG will be very high with many-shot+death attack but you'll be rather fragile. Expose weakness doesn't work with ranged either so it's more of a back-up tool I think. Could take blinding speed instead.

Edit: Changed around the epic feats and added more fighter lvls to beef up the AB as you'll get a hefty penalty with many-shot. A slightly longer wait for Epic Precision but worth it I think. If you wanted more cha you could pilfer it from str and probably still get by.