Complete Scoundrel Here

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

How's the fluff? I've got a group that plays a band of shady adventurers, who are interested in defrauding, stealing and the like and I'm curious what sort of campaign advice, scenario creation advice and so on is available in this book.

 

[Razz]

I second the question about what are the names of and a summary what they do for the Ambush feats?

I am hoping none are repeats from Dragon Magazine but brand news ones. A few repeats I can tolerate but I hope it's not ALL the feats from that Class Acts article.

 

[MKMcArtor]

Are there any tricks for use with Ride or Handle Animal?

I... don't remember. Wait, yes I do. I'm 98% positive there's one for Ride. I don't recall for Handle Animal, though.

MKMcArtor: If you made a character using things from this book, what would you make and why?

Hmm... that's a great question. The easy answer is a fighter/monk/ninja, using the multiclass feats from the book. But that's because I like the archetype. If allowed to use psionics, I'd want to try out the psionic prestige class, because I like what it does. But that would only work in an a roleplaying heavy campaign with lots of recurring NPCs, like an urban game. The psibond is not really meant for combat, despite the sneak attack part. A lucky character might also be a lot of fun, using the luck mechanic and the lucky prestige class. Lucky!

Well that's cool if you do get a chance to do the web enhancement for this, that's what I want!

Yeah, I'd enjoy doing a web enhancement for the book. Are you reading this thread, Wizards of the Coast?

In any case Mike, this book is still on the buy list for me. *is also glad where you can see the support is lacking for that combo*

Good to hear. Sorry for the lack of support.

So neither of you knew about the Fighter Thug variant (PHB 3.0 and 3.5), the Urban Ranger (first appeared in Masters of the Wild) and a little book called Unearthed Arcana all of which predate the PHB2?

Wow. Right, so, moving right along...

What ambush feats are included?

Oh, I don't recall. There are some cool ones, I think. Well I guess I'm biased there, ne?

I'm guessing some of those from Dragon #344 (Burning Link, Dazzling Strike, Eldritch Erosion, Flurry of Throws, Hinder, Lacerate, Painful Strike, Ring the Ear, Weaken the Heart) are included.

To my great frustration, we weren't allowed to reprint any of the existing ambush feats that Hal Maclean created (and who provided the name of ambush feats). I work very closely with Hal in my capacity of keeper of Class Acts, so when he wrote up the ambush feats article I really wanted to reprint some and give him props in the book. Unfortunately, I was told no on both accounts, so he gets no credit where credit is due. Let this post (and others I'll undoubtedly write this month) in some small measure give him his due respects.

Also, since the following feats were created before the Ambush feat type was created, but function similiarly for all intents and purposes, I'm anticipating some of them have been included:

IIRC, there's a sidebar that says something to the effect of "The following feats should also be considered ambush feats." There's a list, but I don't remember what's all on it. (In case you haven't guessed yet, my memory is splotchy at best.)

 

[Wrathamon]

Wrath,

Yeah but as Mike said, he wishes he and his partner would have gone back and added to that. I'm not against having the trick features. I just think it might be cool to have alternate class features as well. Which we may still get IF WotC knows what's good for them.

I think that would be cool as well... maybe a Web Enchancement or Dragon Article

 

[Wrathamon]

Not a bad idea...

thanks

 

[starwed]

What I like is seeing new mechanics that bring fundamental changes to the game and doesn't expands the amount of options but the different types of options.

Agreed. This sounds like a great idea, and it's easy to adjust the balance by changing the skill point cost.

 

[Jolly Giant]

This sounds really interesting! It looks like I'll be buying my very first Complete book in the near future. (I've got Comp. Adv. and Comp. Arc., but they were X-mas gifts; I didn't buy them.)

I particularly like the tricks mechanic, and the concept for the luck feats. I'm also partial to dipper PrCs (3 or 5 level classes); I so rarely get a chance to complete a 10 level class.

 

[EvolutionKB]

Mike,

Last question, on the WotC website they just released the excerpt, and I am curious about your answer to my previous question (Hmm... that's a great question. The easy answer is a fighter/monk/ninja, using the multiclass feats from the book. But that's because I like the archetype) with the description of the feat from the feat list. When it says levels stack for feats and ki pool for example does that mean that one could take levels in fighter and ninja and would gain the bonus feats from fighter OR just qualify for feats like greater weapon spec like they were a 12th level fighter instead of a ninja8/fighter4

Thanks for answering questions and posting on here, it is always good to hear things from the author's POV

 

[Razz]

To my great frustration, we weren't allowed to reprint any of the existing ambush feats that Hal Maclean created (and who provided the name of ambush feats). I work very closely with Hal in my capacity of keeper of Class Acts, so when he wrote up the ambush feats article I really wanted to reprint some and give him props in the book. Unfortunately, I was told no on both accounts, so he gets no credit where credit is due. Let this post (and others I'll undoubtedly write this month) in some small measure give him his due respects.

Hmm...strange. Why is it, then, that one of the feats Hal wrote actually did end up in the book? It's the one called Eldritch Erosion, you sneak attack and can decrease an enemy's spell/power resistance. Shouldn't he get credit for it? It's on the excerpts on the website here under Ambush feats: Complete Scoundrel Excerpt

 

[Razz]

Mike,

Last question, on the WotC website they just released the excerpt, and I am curious about your answer to my previous question (Hmm... that's a great question. The easy answer is a fighter/monk/ninja, using the multiclass feats from the book. But that's because I like the archetype) with the description of the feat from the feat list. When it says levels stack for feats and ki pool for example does that mean that one could take levels in fighter and ninja and would gain the bonus feats from fighter OR just qualify for feats like greater weapon spec like they were a 12th level fighter instead of a ninja8/fighter4

Thanks for answering questions and posting on here, it is always good to hear things from the author's POV

Well it says Bonus Feats so I assume it's just that. Extra feats above and beyond the normal amount.

If this is true...that fighter/monk/ninja with those two feats (the monk/ninja and fighter/ninja one) will be insane...and probably the type of ninja people always wanted!