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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gaiden" data-source="post: 1737034" data-attributes="member: 103"><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />  Glad I could be of service.I did some more reading late last night.  You are right that a samurai does not have to be lawful.  The alignments then don't necessarily conflict.  However, it seems that the honor does.  The ninja class skills are described as nothing short of dishonorable.  I was reading through the ex-samurai and ex-ninja sections.  An ex-ninja can still use all of his/her skills but it says that if a character were to become honorable, he would quickly slip back to dishonorable status.  I don't know how this would work out in game for using sneak attack with feinting (recall the part about announcing himself above) or poison only on foes he'd considerable dishonorable (again - previous post).  If I were to dip into Ninja, I'd probably take 5 levels.  This would give me +3d6 SA, uncanny dodge, poison use, and the pseudo-way of the scorpion feat which I doubt my DM would have a problem as doubling for the feat.  This would mean I'd only lose out on one feat - probably daisho specialization.  Of course, in reading through the tennets of bushido, I am thinking my character would probably lean towards an alignment of LE.  He is not a nice person or particularly compassionate and he certainly is not going to be very truthful.  He would value loyalty above all else with courage and honor following as close seconds.The more I think about the description of the character - one who I want to develop a reputation as unique among scorpion in that he behaves honorably, while still holding the tenets and values of the scorpion clan closest to him, I don't really think the ninja or rogue levels are necessary.  I'm also thinking of another thing:  the real reason for the ninja/rogue levels would be for the skills.  The SA dmg as shown with the bayushi technique feat is not really all that important.  Certainly, an extra d6 dmg is nice, but it has subpar synergy with the rest of the build other than for ambushes which I have already decided this character would steer away from.  The uncanny dodge isn't too important as this character will have a fairly high initiative already.  In total it will end up probably in the neighborhood of +13 with level increases in dex and int.  I can't see this character using poison too often.  If he did use it, it would be limited to dishonorable opponents, and I might even put another qualifier, that they would have to be nonhuman.  I see this game as being more political than anything.  If I was a crab ninja in the shadowlands, this would be a different story.  Really, the only ability that would see alot of worthwhile use is evasion and I think the hit to BAB is more costly than the benefit of evasion.Remember that I have spring attack and will most likely be making judicious use of tumble.  That limits me right there.  Also, IIRC, armor is really only worn for planned large scale battles.  This character cannot really afford AC stuff in terms of feats.  He has expertise and if I am greatly concerned about getting hit I can also fight defensively (with tumble granting the extra +1 AC).  I will probably mostly have to rely on the shugenja I am protecting for AC.  He has shield of faith and protection from shadowlands and will probably take the barkskin spell at the appropriate level.  In general I will be focusing on trying to hit first and hit to kill.  If that doesn't work, I've worked in the motility so that at least opponents will be limited to one attack a round which, hit for hit, will hopefully prove me the victor.On another note, what are the opinions of the membership for switching subtle manipulator with void use and daisho specialization with speed of the kami.  My iaijutsu score will be good but not great.  This means that using the iaijutsu roll in place of iniative won't necessarily be optimal.  Getting an extra +8 to the roll would be very useful to ensure I can go first.  Moreover, in the absence of iaijutsu, I can still get a +2 to bluff twice per encounter (so long as I meditate for the hour in between).  Not quite as good as the +3 to bluff, but the void use is very versatile.  I can use it for attacking, and also saves.  Even if I didn't take speed of the kami, even the extra +2 to iniative might be useful.Thoughts?</blockquote>

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