CE vs. Athkatlan when Death Attacking from HiPS

[Steve]

Let's say I have the option to take Combat Expertise (+3 AC/-3 AB) or Athkatlant Triparate (will get +3 AC / 3 apr main hand). And, the build is an assassin attacking from Stealth (HiPS) using the Death Attack. Which is better?

With 12 APR PTWF, from stealth I should land 4 APR in the first flurry, yes? But if using Athkatlan Triparate, and thus reducing the PTWF to 9 APR (3 main/ 6 off hand), will that mean only and always 3 apr in the first flurry?

[Zkenic]

AT caps at 4, but wont leave you with less than three attacks, so if you duelwield it will be...

MA/MA-5/OF/OF-5/OF-10/OF-15/OF-20/OF-25, for +4damage and +4AC

Which means 3 attacks out of HiPS, even if you haste, whereas if you haste without AT you can get five attacks out of your first flurry. This is, of course, assuming that 26BaB to get all 12 attacks with PTWF.

My normal outlook is why not both? I find that alone CE > AT, but they synergize well and if I can fit both in I will. I have a hunter/dervish build that uses both CE and AT and it allows him to hit tower shield AC while duelwielding. It definitely fills a niche, but it works well enough. If you are fighting single mobs or guys you can kill in one flurry of four, turn off AT. When there is a boss that needs to be tanked a bit, or a swarm of enemies, turn on AT.

[Steve]

Thanks Zenic. I don’t think the build can afford both CE and AT, but I’ll look into it. It’s a good idea.