OA Samuri

[Fingers Boggis]

My DM is planning a new campaign, heavy on social intrigue and i thought id go for a elven samuri/rogue. Only problem is during moving my copy of OA has gone AWOL so i was hoping to be cheeky and ask if anyone could post me details of the class, specifically skill list and number of points per level. Also does anyone have any advice for this kind of build. Its a 3 man party and i know one person is looking to go mage/rogue/AT so he'll pick up the more theify skills allowing me to concentrate on social stuff, the other player usually goes for monks but says she fancies a change so i have no idea what to expect there.

cheers
Fingers

 

[Syntallah]

My DM is planning a new campaign, heavy on social intrigue and i thought id go for a elven samuri/rogue. Only problem is during moving my copy of OA has gone AWOL so i was hoping to be cheeky and ask if anyone could post me details of the class, specifically skill list and number of points per level. Also does anyone have any advice for this kind of build. Its a 3 man party and i know one person is looking to go mage/rogue/AT so he'll pick up the more theify skills allowing me to concentrate on social stuff, the other player usually goes for monks but says she fancies a change so i have no idea what to expect there.

cheers
Fingers

IIRC there's a version of Samurai in the Complete Warrior as well. However, my advice on this particular character is, absolutely not, for a variety of reasons.

The use of the following "low" skills is considered dishonorable: Bluff (when knowingly telling falsehoods), Craft (other than Armorer or Weaponsmith), Disguise, Escape Artist, Forgery, Mimic, Open Lock, Pick Pocket, Poison, and Profession. There's no specific rule against it, but role-playing wise a Samurai would never sneak attack an opponent either.

The Code of Bushido demands strict obedience to the standards of behaviour and honor (which a Samurai adheres to stronger than life itself). This pretty much prohibits any type of roguish action.

Your character would have a hard time not reacting to the mage/rogue in the party as well...

 

[Macbeth]

The use of the following "low" skills is considered dishonorable: Bluff (when knowingly telling falsehoods), Craft (other than Armorer or Weaponsmith)...

I would argue that some more nontraditional Craft Skills, especially the more artistic ones, could be fine for a Samurai. For example Craft(Painting) or Craft(Haiku) would certainly be in line with some historic Samurai.

 

[mercucio]

"The use of the following "low" skills is considered dishonorable: Bluff (when knowingly telling falsehoods), Craft (other than Armorer or Weaponsmith), Disguise, Escape Artist, Forgery, Mimic, Open Lock, Pick Pocket, Poison, and Profession. There's no specific rule against it, but role-playing wise a Samurai would never sneak attack an opponent either"

Umm, gotta disagree with you here. Bluff is definitely not dishonorable, especially since it is the appearance of sincerity that is important. Craft [any artistic pursuit] is definitely a samurai skill. Profession is also viable depending on the profession chosen. As for the other low skills, if the character is say for instance, of a member of the Scorpion Clan, they are all appropriate. Remember you only lose honor is you are *caught* using low skills. It all depends on your character concept.

However is you are looking for social skills in particular (as opposed to being a sneaky SOB) then the courtier core class from Rokugan is more along the lines of what you want.

 

[Sejs]

Not all samurai were paragons of virtue, Syntallah, they were people just like everyone else. Some more honorable than others, some more rigid in their adherance to their code of conduct, some more practical - different strokes for different folks after all.

There's nothing that says a samurai/rogue couldn't sneak attack an opponent. Heck, if you feint in combat and make your enemy drop his guard you can sneak attack 'em - is it dishonorable that your opponent isn't a better swordsman?

He could associate with anyone he chooses, particularly if they're both in the employ of the same lord.


Anyway, the OA Samurai skill list: Climb, Craft, Diplomacy, Iaijutsu Focus (which I heavily recomend leaving out), Intimidate, Jump, Perform, Profession, Ride, Sense Motive, Swim. 4 + int mod skill points.

 

[Samothdm]

I would argue that some more nontraditional Craft Skills, especially the more artistic ones, could be fine for a Samurai. For example Craft(Painting) or Craft(Haiku) would certainly be in line with some historic Samurai.

I absolutely agree but I think that most of those were dealt with as Performances (Perform skill) rather than craft. Perform (Haiku) and Perform (Flower Arranging) and stuff like that, I think, were considered "High" skills.

I believe that they got 4 skills points per level.

As a samurai/rogue, while you'd need to be lawful, you could go for a sort of "ronin" (masterless samurai) concept. It could work, but you'd have a problem with your honor most likely.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

IIRC there's a version of Samurai in the Complete Warrior as well. However, my advice on this particular character is, absolutely not, for a variety of reasons.

That is a completely different class.

The use of the following "low" skills is considered dishonorable: Bluff (when knowingly telling falsehoods), Craft (other than Armorer or Weaponsmith), Disguise, Escape Artist, Forgery, Mimic, Open Lock, Pick Pocket, Poison, and Profession. There's no specific rule against it, but role-playing wise a Samurai would never sneak attack an opponent either.

The Code of Bushido demands strict obedience to the standards of behaviour and honor (which a Samurai adheres to stronger than life itself). This pretty much prohibits any type of roguish action.

Your character would have a hard time not reacting to the mage/rogue in the party as well...

Screw all that. Make a Scorpion Samurai. They often sacrifice their honor for the good of the empire

 

[Fingers Boggis]

I definately wouldnt be taking the CW samuri, dont like it and I dont want to duel weild making many of its class abilities useless.

I wanted to use sneak attack with regard to feinting which i don't think can be considered dishonourable, its just another way of gaining an edge in combat, sneak attack is not the same as 2E backstab indeed i often find the name sneak attack misleads. Also I think in a small group Uncanny dodge will be useful if we come up against mass combat (i dont think itd likely to happen but always be prepared and all that). I think, Syntallah, you mistake my intention for the rogue levels.

We're not playing rokugana nd i haven't got the rokugan book but whats the courtier like? Also seen as its not rokugan I won't be able to be a Scorpion samuri but thats the kind of concept i was thinking, a character to whom personal honour is not as important as the good of the family and empire. This would also allow tolerance of the mage/rogue though he's said the majority of things i could find disagreeable will be done without my character knowing, thus avoiding conflict and still achieving any mission.

I realise i should have given some of the information above in the earlier post to make things clearer but thanks for all responses so far and please keep them coming. One thing im curious about is why the "heavy" recommendation against Iaijutsu Focus, i was under the impression i could use it to gain more damage in the first round of combat?

cheers
Fingers

 

[mercucio]

..We're not playing rokugan and i haven't got the rokugan book but whats the courtier like? ...

Courtiers are exactly what they sounds like--conivining political social guys. IIRC correctly they have Poor BAB, d6 HD, Good Will. They gain a variety of social abilities (the charm person-like ability comes immediately to mind) and bonus class skills as they progress.

Regardless of whether or not you're playing Rokugan, I highly suggest picking up the book if you can afford it--and borrowing it from a friend if you can't. It has a wealth of information that you would find useful.

 

[Fingers Boggis]

Just found our third player is going ranger and has decided to go for a high stealth character (cursed splinter cell games rear their heads again i feel) Im not too sure how the DM will integrate this into such a campaign or how we'll integrate into the party

Fingers