Ninja Spy/Commando

[andargor]

One of my players is looking for suggestions on playing a non-oriental flavored Ninja (the name of the class is misleading in that respect).

Something like a commando, spy, or bodyguard. We are playing the Age of Worms adventure path, so they are in Diamond Lake. He's playing an elf, and let's say that there are not many lawful characters in the group.

A potential use for him is as a bodyguard for Ellival Moonmeadow.

Anyone have suggestions? Feats? Progression?

Andargor

 

[Klaus]

What you want is a Scout (Complete Adventurer), possibly taking levels in Dread Commando (Heroes of Battle).

 

[andargor]

What you want is a Scout (Complete Adventurer), possibly taking levels in Dread Commando (Heroes of Battle).

Hmm, well he'd need to be a little more Rogue-ish than the Scout. Disable Device, etc. So he's either going to be Rogue or Ninja.

Andargor

 

[Tellerve]

disable device was errated to be on the Scout's class list.

Tellerve

 

[andargor]

Ok, are there any sample progressions for the Ninja and Scout out there?

Any suggestions on feats to make these classes useful?

Andargor

 

[Klaus]

Well, Scouts rely on mobility to gain their Skirmish bonus, so they're pretty much restricted to making a single attack per round. Anything that requires a full attack, like Two-Weapon Fighting or Rapid Shot is mostly useless to them. Dodge, Mobility, Precise Shot, Point-Blank Shot and Manyshot are good feats for an archer Scout.

Ninja (and Dread Commando) have Sudden Strike, which only works when the target is denied its Dex bonus, so going first is paramount to them. Improved Initiative comes in handy. Feinting in Combat also works great for this purpose, so maxing out Bluff and taking Skill Focus (Bluff) (and minding the synergies) help the class get Sudden Strike damage after the first round of combat.

The feats Guerrilla Warrior and Guerrilla Scout from Heroes of Battle are also useful.

 

[andargor]

The feats Guerrilla Warrior and Guerrilla Scout from Heroes of Battle are also useful.

I'll have to check the allowed book list, but HoB might not have made it.

I'm just surprised not many people have tried the Ninja.

Andargor

 

[rowport]

I currently play a Ninja. It certainly passes the fun test, and the play-balance test as well; if anything, it is a bit underpowered compared to a Rogue in combat. If your player is worried about the "oriental adventures" flavor of the Ninja, just ignore it: the class abilities really just say "sneaky" more than "asian" IMO. For example, as a Ninja/Cleric of Xan Yae (a common Monk goddess from Complete Divine) I simply explain his Kewl Ninja Powerz as divine in nature. He does not dress like a prototypical Ninja, but rather more like a middle-eastern assassin. My point is: the class is fun, it is not overpowered, and forget the flavor text! Go for it!

EDIT: If you do decide to use the Ninja, skip the Dread Commando PrC. The main ability of the Dread Commando is avoiding armor check penalties, and the Ninja (like the Monk) will usually not wear armor anyway.

 

[Klaus]

Another option is going Rogue/Monk with the Ascetic Rogue feat (rogue and monk levels stack for unarmed damage purposes, and if you use Stunning Fist with a Sneak Attack, you add +2 to the Stun Save DC).

I also adore the Thief-Acrobat prestige class. Just skip the "Thief" part, if you want.