The Best level dip

[Glade Riven]

I'd have to go for 1st (pc) level swordsage - x6 skill points at first level, and even though martial progression is halved when you take levels of other things, it is one of the few cases where you still gain something from a class when you level up in something else.

 

[Dandu]

It's a typo.

 

[jefgorbach]

typo??

 

[Empirate]

Note that non-Swordsage levels only increase your initiator level (by 1/2 lvls). They don't give you more maneuvers or anything like that.


Best one-level dip: Cleric. Gain a few spells, two domains (that can easily be two good feats, or any two of lots of special powers), access to spell trigger and spell completion items using Cleric spells (that's a lot right there), heavy armor proficiency, +2 to your two most important saves.
Or, depending on your preferences, Cloistered Cleric has a weaker HD and only light armor prof, but lots of skillpoints, plus a third domain (Knowledge) and access to a few divination spells.


Other good dips:
Warblade - superior recharge mechanic compared to Swordsage, +1 BAB, 1d12 HD and all around good stuff. Actually, dip Warblade as much as you like...

Conjurer is also a nice one-level dip even for warrior types, for the Abrupt Jaunt ACF and access to (self-buff) spell trigger/completion items.

A level of Monk is actually pretty nice, with all good saves, two bonus feats (Improved Unarmed Strike plus one other, depending on which variant you get), and Wis to AC (unarmored).

 

[ProfessorCirno]

Factotum makes a great level 1

 

[Dandu]

typo??

As in "They made a mistake when printing the class."

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Swordsage is x4 skill points at first level, just like every single other class. As Dandu says, it's a typo.

(Cloistered) Cleric is an excellent dip, agreed. PH2 variant Shapeshifter Druid isn't bad, either. Or Barbarian, using the C.Champion Lion Totem variant for pounce. Conjuror 1 gets you the uber broken abrupt jaunt, with the uses/day not based at all upon your actual conjuror class level, unlike the familiar it's replacing. Ability to use almost every arcane magic item in the game and free scribe scroll is pretty awesome, also.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

If you do want lots of skills, though, Changeling Rogue substitution levels give 10 + Int skill points, and there IS a level 1 substitution for it...

 

[Starbuck_II]

Paladin of Tyranny (so you can travel with any alignment) 3:
2 gives you Cha to saves.
3 gives you Immunity to fear and enemies within 10 ft get a -2 penalty to all saves.

Plus, Tyranny is more Party friendly.

 

[angel8fingers]

Marshal for combat leader type, Bard for utalitarian build, factotum for any build. Nuff said, PM me for more details