A Pirate's Mid-Life Crisis (build advice?)

[Ghola]

Hello all. I’ve reached the point with my character that I don’t know where to take him next; since I didn’t really plan things out in advance I’m stuck and need some advice. I’m playing in a 3.0 Freeport campaign and have just reached 11th level but have no idea what to do with him next. I’d like to look a couple of levels ahead for a change.

Here are some details:

Human Rogue 7/Fighter 2/Freeport Pirate 1

Str: 11 Dex: 18 Con: 14 Int: 18 Wis: 12 Char: 16 (20 with cloak of charisma +4)

Feats: Dodge, Educated, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Firearms), Port Savvy (bonus background feat) Quick-Draw, Mobility, Weapon Finesse (rapier), Weapon Focus (rapier).

This is basically a swashbuckling type character who would be a gentleman adventurer if life had turned out differently. When it comes to combat I’m the standard sneak attack flank-monkey (aided by boots of striding and springing), with a bit of tumbling panache thrown in as needed. Since we have two other melee characters it isn’t vital for me to be pumping out a lot of damage so I don’t really have any constraints in that area.

Thus far the options I’ve considered for the next few levels are:

Pursue fighter to 4 and get Weapon Specialization;

Pile on more rogue levels;

Pick up Dread Pirate and then Duelist;

Continue Freeport Pirate (although I’m not too happy with what it has to offer – I mainly took it for flavor).

I’m sure there is more I could do; I’d welcome any suggestions I haven’t considered and/or a critique on one of the above options. Since we are still using 3.0 a lot of the current material in print is not available to me, and prestige classes which require joining an organization will have to wait as we are stuck on another plane for the duration. However my group considers everything on a case-by-case basis to theoretically anything else is on the table.

Help me ENWorld, you’re my only hope.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Take a couple levels in Ninja

 

[brehobit]

Pick up Dread Pirate and then Duelist;

Help me ENWorld, you’re my only hope.

Of your options, I'd go Dread Pirate. If every option in the world were open, I'd consider swordsage or warblade...

Mark

 

[Darklone]

I'd think about Ftr4 and WS... opening the way to Melee Weapon Mastery.

 

[hanniball]

I second the Dread Pirate suggestion. The bonus TWF at first level is a great boon, freeing up a feat slot for Elusive Target (CW). Whatever you do, don't go Duelist. So many better options.

Either way...just my 2 cp

 

[zeb.hillard]

3.0 Duelist is worth a level dip if your Intelligence modifier outweight any armor bonus you can get at the time. Full Canny Defense at 1st level is quite a draw, ya know. But, if you've access to a Mithral Chain Shirt +1, and no Bracers of Armor +Whatever, it's a poor poor option.

3.0 Dread Pirate was nice, I'd most likely suggest finishing out your build with some fashion of Fighter +2, Duelist +1, Dread Pirate +X, Rogue +3 (And take Opportunist or the Crit-Hit equals Sneak Attack dice Rogue abilities).

 

[Technik4]

Personally I'd suggest sticking with rogue. Your 3rd fighter level grants you nothing, and your 4th is weapon spec (a great feat, to be sure) but youre basically taking 2 levels for a slight BAB increase and weapon spec. Taking rogue gets you access to the high-level rogue abilities, and with more sneak dice you can do fun stuff (complete scoundrel).

 

[Legildur]

I don't know much about Dread Pirate, but that TWF sounds like a good option for combining a rapier and pistol in one round.

Other than that, I would find it hard to steer away from more Rogue levels - particularly when you can pick up the special abilities starting at 10th level.

Spring Attack should be your next feat. You have the prerequisites and the boots of Striding and Springing.

Other than that, I always found Improved Initiative to be indispensable for a rogue.

 

[Ghola]

Thanks for the replies everyone - I appreciate your input. I'm not much closer to a decsion yet but it's good to see some solid opinions.

On this specifically:

Spring Attack should be your next feat. You have the prerequisites and the boots of Striding and Springing.

I am/was working toward Spring Attack (sorry for not mentioning it), but hadn't decided whether to commit at level 12 or put it off for a bit if I got a prestige class.

If anyone else has a suggestion, or thinks of something I missed, please don't hesitate to chime in.