Fajita McJones
First Post
Building a viable dexterous or TWF isn't the easiest thing in 3.5, but it's far from impossible. If you're trying to stay away from Bo9S (and it seems like 3.5 players are split about 50/50 on that) then there's a couple things to keep in mind. Also note that I usually avoid prestige classes because I don't like them and I try to keep builds to as few classes as possible.
Use the same weapon in each hand. Yeah, that sounds weird. Espeically when your primary hand may be doing 1d10 of damage and your secondary weapon may be doing 1d4. Still, your weapons' damage dice aren't what is going to kill enemies and if you carry the same weapon in each hand you double the mileage of feats that only apply to one specific weapon (like improved critical, weapon focus/specialization, etc.).
You need need NEED extra damage beyond just your weapons' damage dice and your strength modifier. You're not carrying a weapon in two hands so power attack is useless and the only way to put enemies down on the ground is some extra form of damage. The Ranger's favored enemy bonus does this to an extent, and only with specific enemies, but usually it isn't enough on its own (unless you're in something like an undead-heavy campaign and you can get away with super specializing against undead). Adding your INT bonus to your damage rolls with the Swashbuckler is better, but it's still not enough in most cases.
Sneak Attack/Sudden Strike really is the most reliable way to go. It works on most enemies (save for undead, etc.) and scales more with your class level than Favored Enemy and whatever that swashbuckler thing is called.
Three levels in Swashbuckler and I think four levels in Rogue qualifies you for Daring Outlaw and lets you progress your sneak attack as a Swashbuckler. So you have the HP to to last longer against a foe and the damage from sneak attack needed to make TWF viable. Also, you at least have some bonus to your damage from your INT bonus for those occasions where you can't flank or strike an enemy that is flat footed. Finally, save the first two levels of Fighter for those times where you desperately need an extra feat at a certain level and you should be golden.
Use the same weapon in each hand. Yeah, that sounds weird. Espeically when your primary hand may be doing 1d10 of damage and your secondary weapon may be doing 1d4. Still, your weapons' damage dice aren't what is going to kill enemies and if you carry the same weapon in each hand you double the mileage of feats that only apply to one specific weapon (like improved critical, weapon focus/specialization, etc.).
You need need NEED extra damage beyond just your weapons' damage dice and your strength modifier. You're not carrying a weapon in two hands so power attack is useless and the only way to put enemies down on the ground is some extra form of damage. The Ranger's favored enemy bonus does this to an extent, and only with specific enemies, but usually it isn't enough on its own (unless you're in something like an undead-heavy campaign and you can get away with super specializing against undead). Adding your INT bonus to your damage rolls with the Swashbuckler is better, but it's still not enough in most cases.
Sneak Attack/Sudden Strike really is the most reliable way to go. It works on most enemies (save for undead, etc.) and scales more with your class level than Favored Enemy and whatever that swashbuckler thing is called.
Three levels in Swashbuckler and I think four levels in Rogue qualifies you for Daring Outlaw and lets you progress your sneak attack as a Swashbuckler. So you have the HP to to last longer against a foe and the damage from sneak attack needed to make TWF viable. Also, you at least have some bonus to your damage from your INT bonus for those occasions where you can't flank or strike an enemy that is flat footed. Finally, save the first two levels of Fighter for those times where you desperately need an extra feat at a certain level and you should be golden.
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