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Message: <blockquote data-quote="carpedavid" data-source="post: 910821" data-attributes="member: 6971">My players have recently stumbled into a bit of a conspiracy, most of which they have yet to figure out. It involves my campaign's church of chaos, a very big grudge between the local head of said church and the king, and some very, very big stone golems in the shape of 100 ft tall griffins.In the middle are the PCs and a bunch of mid-level bad guys who all work for the head bad guy. The PCs are rapidly involving the local constublary and local churches, and Very Bad Things are going to start soon.Recently, the PCs killed one of the Big Bad Guy's lieutenants - a dragon named Blackfang - shortly after the lieutenant summoned a demon. The BBG is not happy, and has called out his assassins. The first attack was by a bunch of low level rogues supported by a mage. They succeded in killing off one PC and one NPC, but didn't quite manage to slay everyone else before they themselves were defeated.The BBG is not finished with the PCs, though, and has sent the next round of assasins after them, which is where I need help. The next assassin I have in mind is a phase spider with levels in Rogue. What kinds of strategies/buffing should he employ to make himself as effective an assassin as possible?Thanks in advance for your help!For reference, the group is currently comprised of:Rgr 3/Rog 4/Custom Prestige Class 2Brd 8Fighter 7Drd 3/Wiz 5Clr 3Here are his stats:Edit 06/16: Updated stats to reflect suggestions below.Edit 07/03: Updated stat block with buffed stats (in red). Added description.Edit 07/04: Added setting fire MO to the Round-by-Round tactics section, and a Background and Long & Short Term Goals section.Tillix ZlivanellMale Phase Spider Rogue 3; CR 8; Large Magical Beast; HD 8; HP 94; Init +10 (+12) (+6 Dex (+8 Dex), +4 Improved Initiative); Spd Walk 40 ft, Climb 20 ft; AC 26 (+6 Dex, -1 Size, +3 Leather, +3 Natural Armor, +3 Ring of Protection), Flat Footed 26, Touch 18; BAB +7/+2; Grapple +15/+10; Att +12/+7 (+16/+11) melee (1d6+6 bite + poison); SQ Evasion, Ethereal Jaunt, Uncanny Dodge; SA Sneak Attack +2d6, Poison; SV Fort +10, Ref +13 (Ref +15), Will +4; Str 18, Dex 22 (Dex 26), Con 20, Int 16, Wis 15, Cha 10Skill and Feats: Balance +11 (+13), Climb +12, Disguise +6, Gather Information +2, Hide +2 (+4), Intimidate +6, Listen +8, Spot +8, Tumble +12 (+14), Use Magic Device +3; Improved Initiative, Virulent Poison, Weapon Finesse (Bite)Posessions: Alchemist's Fire x3, Bag of Holding, Leather Armor +3, Potion of Cat's Grace x3, Potion of Cure Serious Wounds x3, Potion of Greater Magic Fang (caster level 6) x2, Potion of Protection from Arrows, Ring of Protection +3, Smokestick x3, Thunderstone x3Special AbilitiesEthereal Jaunt (Su): A phase spider can shift from the Ethereal to the Material Plane as a free action, and shift back again as a move-equivalent action (or during a move-equivalent action). The ability is otherwise identical with ethereal jaunt cast by a 15th-level sorcerer.Poison (Ex): Bite, Fortitude save (DC 17); initial and secondary damage 2d6 temporary Constitution.Round by Round TacticsPrior to combat: consume potions of Cat's Grace, Greater Magic Fang, and Protection from Arrows. If possible, use Alchemist's Fire to set fire to building to create confusion.<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Pick party member in the weakest position, phase in, and get sneak attack damage + poison, then phase back out.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Maneuver in ethereal plane to get better position. Consume healing potion if neccessary.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Repeat 1 and 2 until all PCs are dead, or until low on HP and out of healing potions. If the former, go to collect payment. If the latter, escape, buy more healing potions, and come back another day![/list=1] Description Tillix Zlivanell would be an example of an average, ordinary, phase spider assasin, if such a thing were commonplace. He has light gray fur over most of his body, though his abdomen is covered with a pattern of blue fur that is unique to his tribal bloodline. His eight shiny, black eyes reflect the startled visage of his victims as his massive jaws inject deadly venom into their flesh. Though his head and cephalothorax are made of chitin, his soft abdomen needs protection, so he wears large patches of cured leather held together with magically enhanced webbing. His potions are contained in baubles of webbing attached to the interior of his upper front legs. The flexible web harness provides protection for the valuable magic but offers quick and easy access in dire situations. A single wrought-iron Ring of Protection encircles the patella (the fourth segment) of his right front leg, just above the joint. His bag of holding hangs just below his cephalothorax, in a web sling. He uses the bag of holding to store his mundane items, as well as any body parts that his employers may require as proof of a successful job. Background Five years ago, Tillix was recruited by the Azure Hand, an assasin's guild founded in Ehryss that is dedicated to the overthrow of government. It is closely allied with the church of the god of chaos, though it's members need not be followers of the Dark God. He has been working as an assassin since. Long & Short Tem Goals As a native of the Spirit Plane, Tillix has no special desire to see the cause of the god of chaos advanced. In the short term, he simply desires to earn a decent living at something he enjoys. He also likes the company and the people he meets. His long term goal is to earn enough money to convince the parents of Mzzic Vizerra (a female phase spider from another tribe) to let him take her as a mate.</li> </ol></blockquote>

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