multi-classing into Blade dancer--what a beeatch!

[Mithril Man]

My character is a 4/2 ranger/fighter (the ranger being the monte cook variety). I want him to multi-class into blade dancer--which I find to be kind of tough: lawful alignment (my character is CG, but who cares?), spell casting capability no problem, +7 BAB by next level--and then the bigger obstacle: jump and tumble 12 ranks each.

The character could have 12 ranks in jump by 9th level, so that is acceptable (although even 9th level is kind of high to multiclass into a prestige, compared to other pres classes, at least). The quickest way I figure that I can get 12 ranks in tumble is by multi-classing into rogue--but the earliest I can get those 12 ranks is at 11th level, as a 4/4/3 ranger/rogue/fighter (7 class ranks via rogue, 5 cross-class ranks via ranger and fighter).

11th level! Seems a bit too long to wait. Even in our relatively fast-paced campaign (an average of about 1 level every three weekly game sessions) that would take two+ months. I want my PC to be a blade dancer sooner!

Another player in the group suggested the Cosmopolitan feat in the FR book--I haven't looked at it yet, but I believe it gives a +2 to an non-exclusive skill and makes it a class skill. If I took this my character could become a blade-dancer after 9th level. Is that the only way other than rules alteration?

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

 

[Victim]

Prestige classes can be created for characters of any level (supposed to be above 5). For example, the FR Archmage requires 7th level spells.

Remember that non exclusive skills use your total level for a skill cap. At your level, a multi class to rogue could net 8+int+human bonus ranks of tumble.

Cosmopolitan is only available at 1st level.

 

[FANGO]

only at first level?

Since when? Seems to me that, if nothing else, the fact that 'this feat can be taken multiple times' would suggest that that isn't true. Or maybe that it doesn't mention that it can only be taken at first level in the description of the feat... ;-)

(You can take cosmopolitan at any level, you just need to meet regional requirements if you're playing in FR)

 

[Little_Buddha]

The quickest way I figure that I can get 12 ranks in tumble is by multi-classing into rogue--but the earliest I can get those 12 ranks is at 11th level, as a 4/4/3 ranger/rogue/fighter (7 class ranks via rogue, 5 cross-class ranks via ranger and fighter).

<snipped>

Is that the only way other than rules alteration?

You only need one level of Rogue to make Tumble a class skill. Page 56 of the PHB: "For the purposes of calculating maximum ranks, a skill is a class skill if at least one of the character's classes has it as a class skill".

So if you have just one level in a class with Tumble as a class skill, your maximum ranks in it are (character level + 3).

If you have Tumble as a class skill (say from a level of Rogue), your maximum ranks in the skill are the same as all Rogue, Ranger and Fighter skills. You buy ranks in the skill at double-cost if the class you raise doesn't have Tumble as a class skill, though (i.e. even though for the purpose of maximum ranks it's a class skill, you still pay double for the ranks if you're "buying" the skill as a Ranger or Fighter).

That said, you'll run into uneven levels multiclass penalties if you don't keep them at even levels. Although since you're 4/2 at the moment, I expect that one of your current classes is your racial favoured class. If ranger (or "highest class") is your favoured class, then you can painlessly add a level of rogue to get Tumble as a class skill. If you can't do it without taking XP penalties, you're probably better off relying on Cosmopolitan.



Take a level of Rogue next level, pump Tumble to ten ranks (assuming you get a skill point bonus of at least +2) - that makes you a Ranger4/Fighter2/Rogue1. Then just raise Ranger levels (to keep the Fighter and Rogue levels within two) and pay double to raise Tumble.

All the relevant info on buying skills and maximum ranks as a multiclass character is on page 56 of the PHB.

 

[gfunk]

I don't know jack about the Blade Dancer, but I had to toss in this interlude...

Spell Dancer . . . oh my god . . . that was perhaps the chessiest PrC class ever put out by an official Wizards source. Spelldance + Persistent Spell = 24 hr personal spells w/o level cost.

I swear, if my PC dies, I'm gonna make a dwarven Spelldancer with a toad familiar and +6 Amulet of Con.

Mmmmmmmmmm . . .
Persistent Ghostform
Persistent Fiendform

I love Toril!

 

[Grendel]

Dont forget the feat that lets you get a second familiar! and get another toad, unnamed bonuses stack.

 

[Victim]

Okay, I'm an idiot.

You don't have to take Cosmopolitan at first level.

 

[ruleslawyer]

Personally, I don't think blade dancer is worth it, but if you insist, I'd recommend either a level or three of rogue (for sneak attack damage, evasion, and/or uncanny dodge), or a level or two of shadowdancer. This gives you Tumble as a class skill and grants some very nifty abilities; plus, you incur no favored class penalty! The only downside is that you need to burn 10 cross-class skill points (Perform 5 ranks) and an extra feat (Combat Reflexes, though that's a useful feat anyway).

 

[Mithril Man]

Thanks--this makes more sense, but it does bring up question:

Do the skill rank requirements need to be met BEFORE the prestige class is taken, or can they be met AS the first level of the pres class is taken? For example, if my character can have 11 ranks in tumble and jump as an 8th level character (5/2/1 or ranger/fighter/rogue), then could he become a blade dancer at 9th level when his jump and tumble are advanced to 12 ranks, or does he have to wait until 10th level?

I'm assuming that the official rule would be that I would have to wait until 10th level--but maybe a more liberal interpretation would be allowed.

 

[Ravellion]

Dont forget the feat that lets you get a second familiar! and get another toad, unnamed bonuses stack.

Sorry, familiar bonusses are not stackable (it says so right in the extra familiar feat)

Rav