Dwarven fighter/rogue

[Vermilion]

Now that I seem to have working graphics again, I should be able to get back into game.

Was thinking of starting a shield dwarf fighter/rogue, using the shield bashing feats to trigger sneak attacks, with decent rogue skills (i.e. traps & locks) and reasonable perception. No real need to focus on stealth.

How would you build this character? For once, charisma isn't essential though I'd rather not have a totally boorish stereotypical always-drunk dwarf with 6 charisma.

[chad878262]

I think Valefort had a Shield Bash sneak attack character at one point. Here are some things I would focus on:
STR: Max (end on odd number)
DEX: 14 or 15 (to wear mithral chain mail with either +3 DEX item or +4 DEX Bracers)
CON: 15
INT: 14
WIS: Dump
CHA: Dump (or whatever you want to put in them)

You could go for a combination Fighter/Rogue such as F12/R10/X8 where X could be any number of options such as:
- AK4/DC4
- FB5/R3
- DD7/R1
- Wilderness Stalker 8 (really only a good option if you plan on using stealth)
- DW8

You could also consider going to 17 DEX and getting Tempest, something like F12/R10/T3/FB5 might be interesting.

If you want more Fighter/less rogue you might think about F12/M@A11/R7, but this will get an XP penalty when R and M@A are 2 or more levels apart.

And finally, you could consider going Barbarian 20/WD10 for something of a Roguish feel and a bit of sneak dice with a Shield wielding Barbarian and Epic Rage.

[Vermilion]

Is NWN/bodyguard worth it? Or is that better for more traditionally roguish rogues?

Edit Also, obviously Rogue at lvl1, how would you split up levels after that? Focus on fighter to keep up the BAB at lower levels or get more skill points through rogue early - or keep them relatively even?

[Valefort]

You can also stay very simple with Rogue 20/Fighter 10, max STR, 14 INT and the rest as you see fit :

http://nwn2db.com/build/?274347

[chad878262]

Totally forgot about Bodyguard, but yes it works. Easy to qualify for, 2d6 sneak dice for 3 levels and high BAB...

F12/R10/FB5/Bodyguard3 might be a solid starting point. Could switch out FB for WM or go F12/R11/AK4/Bodyguard3 for better saves and elemental damage on weapons (great for trolls).

[DeepFriedMoose]

You could go for a combination Fighter/Rogue such as F12/R10/X8 where X could be any number of options such as:

I would be remiss if I didn't suggest Dwarven Defender as an X option. DR 3/-, plus extra dodge AC is always nice, with full BAB and Will Save progression. (Requires Lawful, though, which might not fit the Rogue concept...)

[chad878262]

I did recommend it... F12/R11/DD7 was one of the options I listed.

[Steve]

If you want better saves, free Feats and some flair to your RP, there is the classic F12/R11/AnointedKnight4/Bodyguard3.

I usually go TWF with this build, but Shield Slam and sneaking is a cool option!

[DeepFriedMoose]

I did recommend it... F12/R11/DD7 was one of the options I listed.

Oh! My bad. I missed that somehow. (Really, I just wanted to put in a shameless plug for more Dwarven Defenders....)

[Sun Wukong]

You can also stay very simple with Rogue 20/Fighter 10, max STR, 14 INT and the rest as you see fit :

http://nwn2db.com/build/?274347

I would go for Rogue 16/Fighter 14, just to get that 26 BAB.

[Vermilion]

OK, so I've had a try building this guy now.

Most of the prestige classes that make fighters better don't mesh well with the RP here, sadly. Very tempted by Anointed Knight but I just don't see my dwarf anointing himself with blessed oils. Bodyguard 3 ought to be in here somewhere though.

So far I'm set on RogX/Ftr12/Bodyguard3/??? where ??? is maybe extra rogue levels but I don't really know what else and that seems pretty underwhelming.

I'm still a little stuck working out how to assign levels. If I'm starting from an RCR at lvl8, do I just want as many high BAB levels as possible as early as possible?

Also, should I get Agile Shield Fighter and TWF to reduce the AB penalty or are the Shield Bash attacks not really worth it anyway?

[Steve]

Rogue 10 / Fighter 12 / Bodyguard 3 / Divine Champion 5.

You'll get good saves, and still get Crippling Strike / Epic Precision.

[Babuguuscooties]

Would divine seeker work in place of champion? I only ask bc maybe a divine seeker of dumathoin could be fun to RP!

[Vermilion]

Would divine seeker work in place of champion? I only ask bc maybe a divine seeker of dumathoin could be fun to RP!

I looked at Divine Seeker but it requires Hide/MS which I'm not especially focused on maxing on this char.

However, I have worked out a way to make Anointed Knight work into his backstory, so I think I'm going Rog10/Ftr12/AK5/Bodyguard3

The below remains unanswered, though.

I'm still a little stuck working out how to assign levels. If I'm starting from an RCR at lvl8, do I just want as many high BAB levels as possible as early as possible?

Also, should I get Agile Shield Fighter and TWF to reduce the AB penalty or are the Shield Bash attacks not really worth it anyway?

[chad878262]

Rog10/Ftr12/AK5/Bodyguard3

May want to go R11/F12/AK4/BG3. Anointed Knight gets Toughness at 4, but doesn't get anything special at 5 so may as well get an extra sneak dice.