Orcus Porkus
First Post
Eladrin Barbarian wielding a Double Sword, optimized for Charge Attacks
Sneak of Shadows in Level 6 (MC Rogue)
Daring Acrobat Paragon Path (Rogue MP)
Objective: Create an encounter power that outperforms any daily in terms of sheer damage
Ability Score Progression
Strength is primary score for Barbarian Attacks, so it starts at 18 and is increased at all times
Dexterity needs to go up to 17 for Surprising Charge, after that Constitution is the new focus because of all the benefits to Barbarian powers
Level 1
Str 18
Con 13
Dex 15
Int 12
Wis 8
Cha 10
Level 4 (+1 STR, DEX)
Str 19
Con 13
Dex 16
Int 12
Wis 8
Cha 10
Level 8 (+1 STR, DEX)
Str 20
Con 13
Dex 17 (allows Surprising Charge feat)
Int 12
Wis 8
Cha 10
Level 11 (+1 all)
Str 21
Con 14
Dex 18
Int 13
Wis 9
Cha 11
Level 14 (+1 STR, CON)
Str 22
Con 15
Dex 18
Int 13
Wis 9
Cha 11
Level 18 (+1 STR, CON)
Str 23
Con 16
Dex 18
Int 13
Wis 9
Cha 11
Level 21 (+1 all)
Str 24
Con 17
Dex 19
Int 14
Wis 10
Cha 12
Level 24 (+1 STR, CON)
Str 25
Con 18
Dex 19
Int 14
Wis 10
Cha 12
Level 28 (+1 STR, DEX)
Str 26
Con 18
Dex 20
Int 14
Wis 10
Cha 12
Double Sword is the superior choice for this build, mostly because of its light blade/heavy blade hybrid feature. This allows for all the rogue charge attacks and feats that require a light blade. It also requires only Dex 17 for Heavy Blade Mastery so Dex doesn't need to be pumped up to 21 for Light Blade Mastery. Eladrin Longsword Finesse unfortunately is too limited because it only allows the longsword for Sneak Attack with one dice less and rogue powers, but not to use light blade feats. Eladrin Soldier becomes obsolete unless you want to use tratnyrs as a ranged weapon, and perhaps a greatspear once in a while for reach. At level 8 Dexterity becomes 17 and allows the Surprising Charge feat, they key to unleashing this build's power.
Skills
- Acrobatics, required for Daring Acrobat Paragon Path and Roundabout Charge feat
- Athletics, always useful
- Perception
- Thievery (Sneak of Shadows bonus feat at Level 6, at least someone in the group can disable traps and open locks)
- Stealth (Eladrin Training, might allow CA once in a while)
Feats Progression
Lvl 1 Double Sword Proficiency +3 on attack rolls, +1 AC, qualify for light blade attacks, and light blade/heavy blade feats
Lvl 2 Powerful Charge +2 damage on charge
Lvl 4 Double Sword Weapon Focus +1 on damage
Lvl 6 Sneak of Shadows (Rogue Multiclass feat), Gain Sneak Attack once per encounter
Lvl 8 Surprising Charge (Rogue MP, Dex 17), +1[W] damage when charging with light blade and having CA
Lvl 10 Backstabber Sneak Attack damage is now d8
Lvl 11 Roundabout Charge (MP Paragon, Rogue, trained in Acrobatics) End your charge in any square adjacent to target
Lvl 12 Seize the moment (PHB Paragon, Dex 17) Combat advantage in first Round
Lvl 14 Improved initiative (PHB) +4 Initiative
Lvl 16 Nimble Blade (PHB, Dex 15) +1 attack bonus when having CA
Lvl 18 Slaying Action (MP, Rogue, Sneak Attack) Sneak Attack twice after Action Point
Lvl 20 Heavy Blade Opportunity (PHB Paragon, Str 15, Dex 15) Use at-will for Opportunity Attacks (Pressing Strike!!!)
Lvl 21 Heavy Blade Mastery (PHB Epic, Str 21, Dex 17) Crit on 19 and 20
Lvl 22 Light Blade Precision (PHB Paragon, Dex 13) +2 damage vs large foes
Lvl 24 Blade Opportunist (PHB, Str 13, Dex 13) +2 bonus to opportunity attack rolls
Lvl 26 Fast Runner (PHB, Con 13)
Lvl 28 Armor Specialization (Hide) (PHB, Con 15) +1 AC, check penalty removed
Lvl 30 Danger Sense (PHB Paragon) Reroll Initiative
Daring Acrobat Paragon Path (Rogue)
Paragon Path Features:
Acrobatic Action (Level 11): Extra Move Action after Action Point
Tumbling Positions (Level 11): Not granting CA when balancing, climbing, or prone
Agile Charge (Level 16): +1 bonus on AC and Reflex when beginning a charge
Paragon Path Powers:
Wild Tumble Cut Level 11 Encounter power (4[W] for charge attack)
Flawless Stunt Level 12 Utility, +5 bonus to Acrobatics and Athletics, works great with Great Leap Barbarian power
Dramatic Finish Level 20 Daily, can deal 6[W]+ Dex on charge
Level 18 Snapshot
23 Strength +6
16 Constitution +3
18 Dexterity +4
13 Intelligence +1
9 Wisdom -1
11 Charisma +0
AC: 31 (incl. Defensive Weapon bonus)
Fort: 31 (incl. Steadfast Amulet)
Ref: 27 (incl. Steadfast Amulet)
Will: 24 (incl. Steadfast Amulet)
Hit Points: 133
+17 Acrobatics
+19 Athletics
+17 Stealth
+17 Thievery
+13 Perception
Magic Items of Choice
Vanguard Double Sword +4 (Level 18, +4d8 damage on crit, +1d8 after charge)
Bestial Hide +4 (Level 18, extra melee basic attack after charge [daily])
Horned Helm (Level 16, +2d6 on charge attacks)
Iron Armbands of Power (Level 16, +4 damage)
Boots of Adept Charging (can shift after charge)
Steadfast Amulet +4 Fortitude, Reflex, and Will
Howling Strike Charge Attack with Vanguard Double Sword, starting the encounter with Seize the Moment combat advantage and charging to any square adjacent to a suitable target:
Attack Roll
Strength: +6
Proficiency Double Sword: +3
Enhancement: +4
Half Level: +9
Combat Advantage: +2
Charging: +1
Nimble Blade: +1
Total: +26
Damage
1d8 (Double Sword)
1d8 (Surprising charge extra W)
2d6 (Howling Strike Paragon)
1d8 (Vanguard bonus on charge attacks)
2d6 (Horned Helm bonus on charge attacks)
3d8 (Sneak Attack bonus)
+6 Strength modifier
+1 Weapon Focus
+4 Iron Armbands of Power
+4 Enhancement
+2 Powerful Charge
Total: 6d8 +4d6 +17
Followed by Bestial Hide Free Attack, and then Action Point and a Rage Daily to get things started if it’s not dead already (which means Swift Charge, yeah)
Crit Damage:
57 +4d6 +4d8
Instead of Howling Strike you can use Wild Tumble Cut, Level 11 Encounter Power from Daring Acrobat Paragon Path, which deals 4[W] plus Dex. The attack is DEX vs AC, so the attack roll is only +24. The damage output would be:
9d8 +4d6 +16
or
80 +4d6 +4d8 on a crit
At Level 8 the Howling Strike damage output without Sneak Attack but Combat Advantage would be
1d8 (Double Sword)
1d8 (Surprising charge extra W)
1d6 (Howling Strike)
1d8 (Vanguard bonus on charge attacks)
1d6 (Horned Helm bonus on charge attacks)
+5 Strength modifier
+1 Weapon Focus
+2 Iron Armbands of Power
+2 Enhancement
+2 Powerful Charge
= 3d8+2d6+12
I'd say that's pretty good for an 8th Level At-Will that's not difficult to pull off. You just need to charge into Combat Advantage whenever possible. At Level 11 it becomes even easier with Roundabout Charge. As long as there are 2 squares to charge into a flanking position this attack works. The beauty: No Opportunity Attacks during rage!
Other good feats to consider:
Whirlwind Sneak Attack, MP Epic (Sneak Attack damage against all targets of rogue power)
Lasting Advantage, MP Epic (CA remains after crit)
Feywild Warrior, MP Epic (teleport target)
Fey Gambit, MP Paragon (gain CA when feystepping next to target. Sounds good, but problem is fey step is used more for escaping, and fey charge is fighter only unfortunately)
Martial Alacrity, MP Heroic: +2 Initiative and shift as minor action during first turn (alternative to Improved Initiative)
Slight problems with this build: Low on Defenses, No feat to spare for better armor, No ranged weapon mastery
