Help me min/max this character concept please.

[Angcuru]

If you are playing an ex-noble, any self-respecting DM would require that you take at least one level in Aristocrat. Make sure you take that into account, as well.

 

[Cheiromancer]

Re: ???

However it does seem absurd to me that a noble who is forced to scrub it would gain barb levels.

I'm all for min/maxing and making viable archtypes, I just think this level of powergaming is a little obscene. My opinion only.

Technik

The class levels are mechanics- the flavor and background depends on the player, and the interpretation of a level could vary greatly from one character to another.

For example, a melee type character learns a couple of new tricks with the sword- is this a BAB increase and (possibly) a new feat from a level of fighter, or is it a die of sneak attack damage from a level of rogue? Or a BAB increase from another class entirely? The player can describe his character as gaining increased prowess in combat, but there are a lot of ways he could mechanically implement this increase.

A duelling type character improves his speed and endurance, and knows how to emotionally trigger a burst of adrenaline for greater combat effectiveness- in other words, he took a level of barbarian. This doesn't mean that he has gone and spent a few years on the wild frontier, living with a tribe of illiterate, mead-swilling savages.

A character spends some time in an urban environment, and becomes more competent in polite society. This can be expressed by taking a level of rogue, and spending ranks on diplomacy, sense motive and bluff. It does not mean he has robbed anyone or engaged in a break and entry!

The classes presented in the rules have a lot of typical associations and archetypes, but I don't think they are mandatory. If a player wishes to take the mechanics of a class, and adapt the flavor of it to suit his character, I think that is a fine idea.

IMHO, YMMV, etc.

 

[Cheiromancer]

So now I think my current build will be the one I mentioned previously up till 5th Level. Then 6th level I start the following path to power:

Rog3/Fight2/ Barb1: Ambidexterity BAB:5
Rog3/Fight2/ Barb1/Glad1: Improved feint BAB:6

Try to convince me to give up gladiator for barb 2.

In 3.5, ambidexterity will be folded into TWF. It doesn't help the duelist much, but I just thought I would mention it.

What will be your preferred method of getting sneak attacks? If it is to move into flanking position, you are very vulnerable to being flanked yourself, and should take that second level of barbarian. If you can see using lots of feints, then go for the gladiator option.

Oh, and make sure you don't cluster your rogue levels at the beginning of the build; intersperse them with other classes you can keep a few key skills maxed out.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

I certainly would not expect or require any PC to take a level of aristocrat--Rogue works just fine for that if the skills are placed properly. . . . it's a good thing it's been a while since I DMed my own campaign because otherwhise I'd apparently have to forfeit my self-respect.

If you are playing an ex-noble, any self-respecting DM would require that you take at least one level in Aristocrat. Make sure you take that into account, as well.

 

[iwatt]

Actually, the character concept for this duelist is quite simple. He's a Waterdhavian noble who spends his time gambling and dueling, he was caught in some indiscretion (i.e. Someone's daughter). Since his skill with the blade was notorious, the irate father sent muscle to take him out. Our "hero" was barely able to escape, making his way down to skullport, were he's survived for a couple of weeks by luck (Tymora fan) and some skill. A tiefling down in Skullport informed him one day that his pursuers had realized he was coming. In exchange for some aid in a small job, the tiefling would help him escape Skullport, as long as he took the tiefling with him as well. One dead magician, and several bags of gold later, our rascals are fleeing Skullport with a large bounty over their heads. They take to the Silver marches, specifically to that mining boom-town (I don't remember it's name right now). Along the way this noble gained the trust of a half-ogre barbarian. After surviving some dangerous encounters, our rakish noble discovers that there is some merit in blending his nimble style with his friend's ability to channel his anger. The half-ogre subjects him to rigurous training, taxing his endurance to the limit. Surprisingly, this training has the by-product of increasing his reflexes and speed as well, an excellent outcome for someone who relies in his acrobatic skills.

If I was really munchkining it up I'd take a level of ranger for the good skill synergies as well as the TWF+Amb (3.0). But justifying the barbarian through the uncanny dodge shtick is a lot more convincing to me than gaining ambidexterity for free. If it makes you any happier, I don't think I'll rage except in very dire circumstances. That said, I'm now convinced on taking barb 2 instead of gladiator. I can always take gladiator later for the improved feint. Besides if I'm going to be springing in and out, I won't get that many chance to bluff out somebody.

As a GM I generally demand my players to come up with some good justification for their multiclassing and even skill decisions. Although I'm clearly biased, I believe the above is a good enough justification that my GM will allow it.

By the way, wre are the rules that say that the Uncanny dodge levels stack. I read them somewere but I can't remember were. This rules quote will be absolutely necessary for my GM.

 

[Darklone]

By the way, wre are the rules that say that the Uncanny dodge levels stack. I read them somewere but I can't remember were. This rules quote will be absolutely necessary for my GM.

Multiclassing, the end of the class chapter in the PHB.

 

[LokiDR]

If you are playing an ex-noble, any self-respecting DM would require that you take at least one level in Aristocrat. Make sure you take that into account, as well.

False. Any DM who forces a player to take an NPC class is making the PC weaker than he should be.

 

[thullgrim]

look at the Dragon magazine...number escapes me right now...that had the swashbuckling feats in it, including a decent parry type feat chain got it #301

 

[iwatt]

Since so many people helped me out, I'm going to update with the stats I rolled on Saturday. My GM decide we'd start at ECL 3 with 2,700 gp. Well, the abilities I rolled were:

Str 12
Dex 17
Con 14
Int 16
Wis 12
Cha 14

I actually used my GMs dice, hence the overpowered abilities. My current build is:

Rog/Fig/Brb (that order).

I'm not sure what equipment to buy with my 2,700 gp. Any recomendations will be appreciated. I haven't taken any UMD points yet by the way. The parties composition is the following:

Human Duelist Type (Fighter/rogue)
Half-Ogre Barbarian
Human Monk
Tiefling Transmuter

My next level is back to rogue, which means I can pump my UMD up to +7 (5 ranks +2 cha), probably not enough to help me out consistently with a magic wand. So far my shopping list is:
Masterwork rapier 320gp
Masterwork Studded Leather 125gp (the tiefling won't cast Mage armor on me
Potion belt (1gp)
8 CLW potions (400gp)
Fancy Clothes +various other (100 gp)

That leave's me with aproximately 1750gp to but other stuff. Not enough for hewards handy haversack
.

I´m thinking of stocking on more potions, alchemist fire, caltrops, tanglefoot bags, misc dungeon equiment. I´m thinking on getting a MW comp short bow (+1) as well. But that bow is hefty bite of my riches to the tune of 400gp.
I´m also going for the blade-boot from the FR. It's only 15 gp, and although I'll take a -4 (no exotic weap prof) to hit, it's pretty cool Becasue of my backstory, my characetr will have to carry around some 20 doses of Cassil Herb (FR Campign Settinfg), to avoid anymore unwanted children

So, what items do you reccomend? I'm not sure about using MW chain-shirt becasue of the -1 armor check penalty, although the boost to AC might make it worth it.

 

[Darklone]

Str 12
Dex 17
Con 14
Int 16
Wis 12
Cha 14

Nonononono!
If possible at all, switch Int and Con!
You gonna need it!
More strength wouldn't hurt either... but anyhow, your damage is going the other way. Not power, dude, sneak!

I'm not sure what equipment to buy with my 2,700 gp. Any recomendations will be appreciated.

Ring of Jumping is wonderful combined with Spring Attack to jump from cover over someone, hit him flatfooted with a sneak attack and vanish in the bushes (just in case he's got Combat Reflexes).
For guys with fast movement and good jump skill, it's nearly a fly spell.
Some small goodies would be nice too. MW rapier?

So far my shopping list is:
Masterwork rapier 320gp
Masterwork Studded Leather 125gp (the tiefling won't cast Mage armor on me
Potion belt (1gp)
8 CLW potions (400gp)
Fancy Clothes +various other (100 gp)

That leave's me with aproximately 1750gp to but other stuff. Not enough for hewards handy haversack
.

Less healing potions and you'll have that ring.

So, what items do you reccomend? I'm not sure about using MW chain-shirt becasue of the -1 armor check penalty, although the boost to AC might make it worth it.

I'd go for the MW chainshirt with a nice buckler myself... you need every point of AC you can get. A buckler on the back (or however you carry him) needs a ME action to ready and you'll suffer no skill check penalty.