Class combos to make a pirate help

[Sigdel]

I am looking to make a pirate using core class combinations, so far I know I want a rogue in it somewhere (for the sneak attack). I was thinking maybe fighter/rogue or ranger/rogue. his race will be dwarf and I already know his equipment and all that stuff. So I figured I would ask you guys. the people on these boards have a nice creative streak (I saw a post that said try using a bard as a ninja and I thought that was really original idea). Thanks in advance.

 

[kenobi65]

The two combinations you give seem, to me, to be fairly appropriate. Although, you could probably do it with a straight fighter, too -- the "pirate" aspects would be more a result of the armor, weapons, feats, and skills you take (though some of the skills you might want, such as Profession (sailor), Balance, Tumble, etc., are cross-class for the fighter).

Although, thinking for a moment, a barbarian could be a good pirate, too -- they're accustomed to wearing light armor, they move quickly (scrambling up and down those ropes), etc. Fafhrd (one of the prototypical fantasy barbarians, from Fritz Lieber's old Lanhkmar books) was a pretty good sailor.

All that being said...what would be an even better fit, IMO, is the Swashbuckler core class from Complete Warrior, due to their access to class abilities (Grace, Insightful Strike, Dodge bonus, etc.) when lightly armored.

 

[Turanil]

I am looking to make a pirate using core class combinations, so far I know I want a rogue in it somewhere (for the sneak attack). I was thinking maybe fighter/rogue or ranger/rogue. his race will be dwarf and I already know his equipment and all that stuff. So I figured I would ask you guys. the people on these boards have a nice creative streak (I saw a post that said try using a bard as a ninja and I thought that was really original idea). Thanks in advance.

In the Unearthed Arcana, they propose a Fighter variant called the thug:
- Fighter bab, hit-dice, saving throws.
- No bonus feats, which are replaced by Sneak Attack of rogue.
- All weapons, but only light armor
- 4 skill points per level
- skills: add Bluff, Gather information, Knowledge (local), and Sleight of hand.

Otherwise, don't forget that a pirate must have some Craft or Profession skills related to the mariner's life.

 

[Dark Jezter]

I am looking to make a pirate using core class combinations, so far I know I want a rogue in it somewhere (for the sneak attack). I was thinking maybe fighter/rogue or ranger/rogue. his race will be dwarf and I already know his equipment and all that stuff. So I figured I would ask you guys. the people on these boards have a nice creative streak (I saw a post that said try using a bard as a ninja and I thought that was really original idea). Thanks in advance.

Don't forget a level in ranger so that you can take Favored Enemy (Ninja).

 

[I'm A Banana]

The thug kicks butt for this archetype, but a barbarian does it well, in leiu of that...rage becomes a drunken brawl, survival becomes finding directions and fishing on the open ocean, etc.

 

[Khayman]

In two years of freebooting, my ranger has never let me down. Gobs of skill points, decent combat abilities, and that funny little thing called Favoured Enemy (humans). Must've been his relationship with his dad...

I'd recommend either ranger/rogue or barbarian/rogue. Even plain ol' fighter/rogue works, particularly if you're collecting swashbuckley combat feats. Ranger/rogue strikes me as a good combo, as both classes share the stealth skills and a weaselly self-reliant outlook on life.

Oh yes --- arrrrrrrrr.

 

[JoeBlank]

Isn't there an option in UA to let rangers take a favored terrain, rather than a favored enemy? If you went that route, with aquatic or oceans (or whatever they called it) as your favored terrain then you get a sneaky, lightly armored fighter who is at his best while on the high seas.

 

[diaglo]

rogue sounds good.

take ranks in rope use, profession (sailor), swimming, climbing

and maybe crossclass knowledge (geography), language (Arrrrrrr)

take armor leather and a billowing hat with feather or dew rag
and work on using weapons belaying pin, hook, peg leg

buy a parrot

have a locked iron chest to hide your booty/loot

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Remember to take Profession: Sailor ... unlike a 'legendary sea captain' I saw someone put together.

I would agree with Rogue + Barbarian or Ranger as well... both suitable combinations and I think you end up with something with some interesting options...

Unfortunately as a dwarf, if you are using racial favoured class, then Fighter/Rogue of perhaps Figher/Ranger are probably the ways to go. Otherwise you'll need to keep levels balanced to avoid XP penalties.

 

[MonsterMash]

I'd go with the Rogue/Ranger or Rogue/Fighter combo with need to take the profession(sailor), use rope skills (make them class skills), or even add in 1 level of expert for the nautical skills.