D&D 3E/3.5 [3.5] rogue: need to get my crits up, can't afford keen

[aboyd]

I have a 6th level rogue. I have 13,000 gp to spend, but can only spend max of half on any single item. I have built the rogue around sneak attacks & crits, taking improved feint & telling blow in order to increase my damage dice as often as possible.

Problem: I can't apply the keen property to my weapon because it causes the item's price to skyrocket to 8300+ gp. This is for a one-time game, lasting only about 8 hours, so I do not need a long-term item. I can use potions, charged items, etc. How do I emulate the keen property when I can't afford it?

As a backup, I am also interested in any items that automatically confirm my critical hits. They, too, have to be 6500 gp or less. Ideas?

 

[Dandu]

Here's the thing: Sneak Attack damage, being bonus damage dice, is not multiplied on a critical hit. You have to use static damage modifiers in order to have an effective critical build.

Suggestion: Human Rogue4/Fighter2

Pump Dex, good Con and Int.

Feats:
1: Two Weapon Fighting, Craven (Champions of Ruin)
3: Weapon Finesse
5: Combat Expertise
6: Telling Blow, Improved Feint

Now you have a wide crit range and bonus sneak attack damage equal to your character level from the Craven feat, which means it can be multiplied on a crit.

Don't much like Improved Feint; it limits you to one attack/round if you use it which is a huge reduction in your damage output. I'd just work on flanking more with your teammates, having a caster cast Grease/Entangle/Web/Glitterdust on the enemy, or summon monsters for flanking.

Alternatively, if we want to multiclass a little,

Rogue3/Ranger2/Fighter1
1: Combat Expertise, Craven (Champions of Ruin)
3: Weapon Focus: Kukri
4:Two Weapon Fighting
6: Telling Blow, Power Critical

Pump strength since you don't need to have high Dex for TWF or for AC. Frees up a feat for Improved Feint.

Oh, as for keening, an oil of keen edge is 750 gp.

 

[aboyd]

6: Telling Blow, Improved Critical (Kukri)

Improved Critical requires a BAB of 8, unless I'm mistaken. How are you getting it?

EDIT: nevermind, I can see you editing your post right now.

 

[Dandu]

Yes, read it now.

Also, consider making your weapons out of Kaorti resin, from the Fiend Folio.

 

[BENINHB]

why do people always want to pair rogues with a large crit range.

Sneak Attack doesn't get multiplied by crits. it seems like you would get better results by focusing you efforts on something else.

Rangers with high STR and Favored Enemy bonuses and TWF seem like they would benefit the most from a crit focused build.


Edit: just looked up telling blow, makes more sense now but still...

 

[Sekhmet]

why do people always want to pair rogues with a large crit range.

For burst damage. Some people enjoy seeing a large monster die in one strike.

Flaming Burst, Shocking Burst, Bane Scyth crits (2d4x4 + 1d6 + 3d10 + 1d6 + 3d10 + 2d6) + str 1 1/2 + weapon enhancement + 10d6 SA = almost as much damage as a wizard.

Thats 90 damage on average in one hit.

 

[aboyd]

I would also be interested in magic items that enable the character to render an enemy flat-footed or deny them their dexterity bonus. But the items I've found seem to all hover around 8000 gp. Anyone know of cheap stuff that can do that?

Oh, as for keening, an oil of keen edge is 750 gp.

Will that last the duration of the spell (50 minutes)? Or does the oil wipe off after the initial attack? If it lasts 50 minutes, that's a really, really good option.

why do people always want to pair rogues with a large crit range.

For burst damage. Some people enjoy seeing a large monster die in one strike.

Yeah. Because I have the telling blow feat, all crits get sneak attack damage, so it's one more way to add those extra dice in.

 

[Dandu]

An oil is made at the minimum CL to cast the spell, in other words, CL 5, and provides 50 minutes of Keen Edge.

 

[Sekhmet]

While not an obvious choice, perhaps taking a level in Warlock to have access to Earthen Grasp at will, to allow SA more often.

 

[Dandu]

Earthen Grasp was a sucky SLA. I'd just make sure the party casters know to cast Grease/Entangle/Web/Glitterdust/Summon Monster, and for the warriors to make flanking a priority.