Discussion of Scotley's upcoming 4e Swashbuckler Game

[Vertexx69]

So can we pick a theme? What's our starting wealth so I can flush out my build?

 

[Rhun]

I'm learning a lot just reading what you guys are posting, so maybe my "4E baptism by fire" won't be as bad as I'm thinking.

 

[Scotley]

I took improved Initiative at my last level up

And you are twice my level. Curses!

 

[Scotley]

Can you view this file? This is a rough run through of my PC in the character builder that I have.

Thoughts, comments and recommendations are most certainly welcome. Keep in mind that I'm still building a PC from a 3rd edition mentality, so I could be way off as far as "optimization" goes.

I think he looks pretty cool. As others have said, you should focus a bit more on STR and maybe look at that last feat. To get max benefit from the Tempest stuff you are limited to chainmail or lighter armor.

I will occasionally have a foe provoke and attack of opportunity or attack another when marked in order to put the smack down on a controller or striker who's making trouble, but it is usually such a bad idea from the foes perspective that I don't see it happening often, so I wouldn't worry too much about a high WIS.

Don't worry too much about making him 'optimized' right away. If he doesn't play the way you want him too I'll be understanding about making changes. I realize that 4e is new territory for several of us.

Excellent pic!

 

[Scotley]

COLIN MACKINNON
Dwarf Valor Bard 4

Character Builder monstrosity attached.

EDIT 2: If this is too similar to the Kalashtar Bard, I can offer up something else.

Colin and Aislinn are very different. Both cool, but they have like one power and a high CHA and WIS in common. That's about it. I think they will be a nice complement to each other.

 

[Scotley]

Yar, well, I'm not really debating the rules...just what would make an effective character. I honestly have no idea why Two Weapon Defense boosts Reflex. I agree that it makes no sense. But I shan't say 'no' to a nice bonus.

Might be a purely mechanical consideration since it replaces a shield which also adds reflex. Just speculation on my part of course.

 

[Scotley]

"Them soddin' elves not be takin' over me Alba!"

How about Avalon for the Eladrin, Alba for Dwarves (likely dwarves quite different from the ones in Germa...I mean the holy dwarven empire) and England (suggestions on a name? Britannia?) for the Elves?

 

[Scotley]

I'd love to play in a game like this (I've got a swashbuckler type rogue I built ages ago, the right campaign just has never come along), but I've never done play by post before, and it looks like you've already got a full roster.

Still, I'll be watching with interest.

(And Rhun, hoping you don't mind some tips from the peanut gallery, but yeah, you're probably going to want to take another shot at that fighter. A 4E fighter lives for a high strength score, and with a higher than standard point buy, I can't imagine going with a strength that low. Even with a 22 point buy, I'd be putting the strength at 16 pre-racial, and putting the human racial bonus there, not Dex. Strength is determining how often and how hard you hit, so it rarely pays to skimp.)

I've got a pretty massive group going, but I'll put you high on the alternates list if you like.

 

[Scotley]

Work in progress sheet, putting it online so I can tinker with it. Suggestions and comments are also welcome.

[sblock=Thiefy]Name: ?
Class: Thief 4
Exp: 0
Alignment: Unaligned
Race: Human
Deity: Sehanine
Size: Medium
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Height: 5' 5"
Weight: 122 lbs
Eyes: Green
Hair: Short, windblown, orange

Abilities
Str: 10 [0], Dex: 19 [+4], Wis: 12 [+1]
Con: 14 [+2], Int: 10 [+0], Cha: 16 [+3]

Hit Points: 41/41 Bloodied: 20
Healing Surges: 8 out of 8/day Healing Surge hp gained :10 HP per level: 5
Action Points: 1
Speed: 6 squares

Armour Class: 21 (10 + 2 lvl + 4 dex + 3 armor + 2 shield)
Fortitude Defence: 17
Reflex Defence: 23
Will Defence: 18
Initiative: +6

Temp Bonuses:

Skills:
Acrobatics +11
Athletics +8
Bluff +10
Insight +8
Perception +8
Stealth +12
Streetwise +10
Thievery +11

Feats:
1 Weapon Proficiency: Rapier
1 Two Weapon Fighting
2 Two Weapon Defense
4 Improved Defenses

Race Traits:
Languages: Common, Elven
Bonus Feat
Bonus Skill
Human Defense Bonus
Heroic Effort

Class Abilities:
Sneak Attack 2d6
Backstab (2/enc)
Weapon Finesse (Use Dex for atk/dmg with lgt blades, +2 dmg)
First Strike (CA in 1st rnd vs enemies who have not acted yet)
Rogue's Trick
- Acrobat's Trick (move spd -2, gain climb speed, +2 dmg on next basic attack)
- Escape Artist's Trick (shift 2, shift 2 again at end of turn as free)
- Feinting Trick (Move spd, gain Cha mod bonus damage on next basic attack on non-CA target)
Thief Weapon Talent (+1 atk w/rogue weapons & lgt blades)
Skill Mastery (Gain trained skill, in skill challenge gain 2x successes on a natural 20)

At-Will
Melee Basic Attack (Rapier+dagger) +11 vs AC, 1d8+8
Fleeting Ghost (utility)

Encounter
Backstab (+3 to hit, +1d6 damage vs target granting CA)
Heroic Effort (Add 4 to a failed attack or saving throw)

Gear
Money:

"Glossolalia" Fey Strike Rapier +1 (lvl5)
Rhythm Blade Dagger +1 (lvl3)
Sylvan Leather Armor +1 (680gp)
Periapt of Proof Against Poison +1 (lvl4)

Thieves Tools, 20gp[/sblock]

Thiefy looks sound mechanically, I eagerly await a backstory. I think we'll be having quite the pissing contest to see who's the most effective two-weapon fighter...

 

[Scotley]

I will wait until Scotley approves my class before posting stats

I'll make it official then, Approved! You should already have email to that effect as well.