Smack Down under 10

[Varius]

Level 5 rouge 1 ranger 3 assasin 1 shadow dancer
human

items: Ring of blinking
+1 surestriking shortsword
cloak of elvenkind
boots of speed

Feats

Combat reflexes
Expert Tactition
Quick Strike (From Traps and Trechery)
Dodge
Mobility

Step 1: hide in plain sight
Step 2: Wait 3 rounds (optional for death attack)
Step 3: Haste, Blink
Step 4: Attack
Step 5: hide in plain sight

Your first attack they need to succed a fort save or die, plus sneak attack

if they save you still have 5 more attacks, every one but the last one has +5d6 sneak attack (plus all but your off hand attack counts as a +5 weapon for DR)

 

[RigaMortus]

No, I'm not posting just to bump this... why do you ask?

 

[XCorvis]

Another version of the low-level mounted smackdown.

Ftr 4 or greater. Top off with Rogue or Barbarian levels.

Mounted Combat, Ride-by-Attack, Spirited Charge,
Weapon Focus, Weapon Spec: Heavy Lance

Horse. +1 Heavy Lance of Spell Storing with Ghoul Touch or Hold Person

Use a mounted Charge. A lance allows you to do x3 damage. Assuming a Str of 18

Att: +13 (+4 BAB, +4 Str, +1 Focus, +1 enhance, +2 Charge, +1 mounted attack (vs. medium creatures only))
Damage: 1d8 + 7 (+4 str, +2 Spec, +1 enhance) x3 for charging, or 3d8+21.

When you hit you can release the spell, paralyzing the target. (Ghoul Touch is Fort, Hold Person is Will). Use Ride-by-Attack to add some distance, then come back around and smack your helpless opponent again: You get a +4 bonus to attack and he looses his dex bonus and gets a -5 penalty to AC. It's a good idea to take power attack, because it will really shine on the second (and subsequent) attacks. (There's a formula to maximize damage/attack chances, but I don't know it off-hand.)

Repeat as necessary.

You can top off remaining levels with Barbarian or Rogue. Barbarian levels get you rage, but Rogue levels get you Sneak attack, which works very well against a helpless victim. Also, you can buff up the weapon, take Strength enhancing items, etc... You can be a 1/2 orc as well. I've seen two-handing the lance mentioned, which increases a regular hit to 3d8+27 damage.

Some people say you should take Rhino-hide armor, but I don't think that multiplier should stack with the Spirited Charge (mounted) multiplier. But if your GM lets you, go for it.

 

[Thanee]

Roland, how about adding a Monk's Belt for the needed extra action?

Bye
Thanee

 

[Soltares]

1st level Ranger / 9th level Rogue.

Take Improved Initiative and as many ranks of Use Magic Device as you can afford. Buy scrolls of Color Spray. Sneak attack anyone who is stunned or blinded at will. Not very creative, but effective.

Scrolls of Summon Nature's Ally 1 can simulate a similar effect, if you can afford the full-round casting time, just call up a Dog (the only SNA 1 critter that can flank) behind the target and have it remain defensive while you Sneak Attack away.

As a Ranger, you won't even need to Use Magic Device, since triggered Summon Nature's Ally items will be usable by you. (the Wand anyway, not so sure about the scrolls...)

Wands are also good for this, and cheaper in bulk.