Pimp my Machinegun.

[Beautiful-Decay]

Hello everyone.

The title is based on an idea made by StreamOfTheSky. I've named it machinegun based on it's speed. (it all takes place in one round, because of most of what happends (except the attacks are free actions.) Which means the outside world only sees two light crossbows fireing bolts extremely fast. And your character uses free actions like a hurricane.

I'm playing a rogue who have combined (idea based on StreamOfTheSky) Rapid Reload and two gloves of stocking. To gain the opputunity to use two Light crossbows at the time. (Shot with each one). "Zap" one of them into the glove (free action.) Use the feat Rapid Reload to reload with two hands (free action.) "Zap" the loaded one into the other glove. "Unzap" the first one that was placed in the glove while reloading back out (free action) and reload that one too. (free action) by the feat Rapid Reload. This will happend every time you shot with each light crossbow.

A descripeing scene;
(Creatures approching; the rogue uses his "Rapid reload two times; two light crossbows. (2 free actions)" He shots. Zaps one into the glove (1 free action). Reloads (1 free action.) Zaps the reloaded in to get the non-reloaded out of the other glove (1 free action.) Reloads (1 free action.) Zaps the crossbow inside the other glove out (1 free action), and shoots.) this leaves us with 7 free actions first turn and 5 every other attack. Which leaves us with the total of 42 free actions in a combat. If I got 8 attacks (lvl 16 rogue, 4 fighter) 16/11/6/1 +4 attacks (TWF, Improved TWF, Greater TWF, Rapid shot.)

I only have acces to the core books (PHB1, MM1 & DM's Guide1) which limits my combinations and so fourth. So my question comes now; I've used 2 feat (Point Blank Shot & Rapid Reload) slots and 20k gold (a pair of Gloves of Stocking). Is there anything else I should add or combine to this character. Any combinations that are useful to know about?

So far Forest Gnome seems to be the best race to play with the focus on the sneak attacks. But ofc' any suggestions are welcome.
- It would be nice if someone knew a way to raise the bolts fired. Would make the machinegun theme effect the weapon too. Right now it's more the character that acts as fast as a machinegun. If you know what I mean.

Thanks for your time and have a nice christmas.

 

[Dandu]

Keep in mind that the amount of free actions you get is going to be restricted by the DM.

 

[Beautiful-Decay]

Well.. In my case, no. My GM is 100% after the book. Which means "a free action, takes no time." as it says. As long as the description in the book is like it is, he dosen't modify anything. (as long as he is informed before we enter the first combat about how the structure of the combination between the manouvres works together.) - In this case my character would move to fast switching arrows on the crossbows, that the eye of a normal human being wouldn't be able to see it.

It was sweet of you to remind me about though I was seeking advices about how to develop this character into the concept; Machinegun.

 

[Dandu]

Well.. In my case, no. My GM is 100% after the book. Which means "a free action, takes no time." as it says. As long as the description in the book is like it is, he dosen't modify anything.

Alright. Just wanted to make sure this didn't come up and bite your character concept in the ass.

Free actions don’t take any time at all, though there may be limits to the number of free actions you can perform in a turn

Now, as far as your character goes, how will you assure yourself sneak attack?

 

[Beautiful-Decay]

That however, is a good question. A question I hoped someone on this forum could be able to solve for me. :b The only thing "build" on this "machinegun-theme" yet is the core presented in the thread. So alot of editing is welcome and alot of effort will be put into the project as soon as I get a "key to, how do I fire more bolts and end the theme." - Then I can ofc' start optimizing the build. But right now, it's themed.

I've searched myself and the only source so far that have been giving me a result is; [D&D 3.5] More questions re: sneak attack - RPGnet Forums
- "Combine this with the halfling lvl 10 rogue substitution level that allows a hiding check as a free action after a ranged attack at only a -10 to get a decent sneak attack every round."
So far I haven't found what gave him this possability and the nearest I've found is "hide in plain sight - shadowdancer level 1."

But the final result atm. is; No I haven't found the key to the mystery yet, sadly.

 

[Dandu]

I think this would work better if you used Factotum instead of Rogue.

 

[Beautiful-Decay]

I haven't found any class named Factotum in the core books (PHB1, MM1 & DM's Guide1.) Though my skill point system might end in a "Jack of all trades" which is "kinda" the same I guess.

 

[Dandu]

Well, it's from Dungeonscape. Not core, but it can't hurt to ask. It takes off at level 9, though it's certainly playable at lower levels.

Out of core, archery gets things like the Splitting enchantment, which doubles the projectile output of any weapon. In core, archery tends to be a little lackluster.

Out of core, rogues get Gravestrike, Vinestrike, and Golemstrike, along with magic weapon crystals from the MiC which allow them to sneak attack normally invulnerable foes. In core they get... bupkus.

I'd talk with your DM about allowing outsider sources, because they really help make your concept come alive.

 

[Beautiful-Decay]

That would be waste of time, believe me. So all I can do is to try to get a Stable way to deliever sneak attacks + somekind of "multi-shot effect."

- Still seaching.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Just noticed this thread!

If you're limited to core, getting sneak attack at range after the first round is tough. Going first and getting surprise rounds whenever you can is still important, of course. After round 1, you basically need spells. This is much easier and less expensive if you have a friendly mage in the party. Max the hell out of your Use Magic Device ranks in any case, it's the most important skill you have. When you lack for a real spellcaster, grab wands and scrolls of spells and help yourself. The key spells to go after are...

Grease: You are considered flat-footed while balancing, since you can’t move to avoid a blow, and thus you lose your Dexterity bonus to AC (if any). Note that grease lasts round/level, so if you're using an item of it, you want higher than caster level 1.

Blink: You need to use the item yourself (personal ranged spell) or get the insanely expensive ring of blinking. As the spell notes, "You strike as an invisible creature (with a +2 bonus on attack rolls), denying your target any Dexterity bonus to AC."

Greater Invisibility: Unlike regular invisibility, this persists after you attack, so you can full attack with it.

Any spell that blinds or holds/paralyzes someone: Them being blind is just as good as you being invisible and if they can't move they obviously also lose dex to AC. These spells tend to have saves, though, and save DCs off of scrolls and wands are TERRIBLE. Don't buy items of these, beg the spellcaster to dish them out with his spellcasting. Probably the best bang for your/his buck is Glitterdust. Medium range spell, fair area, save or blind, no spell resistance allowed. Pyrotechnics is the same level and also cool, with a HUUUUUUGE radius, but requires some luck or set up with the fire source available and doesn't last as long as glitterdust at mid/high levels. It's also is likely to catch the party, the radius is that insane.

Of note, grappling also causes a foe to lose his dex to AC. But you have a 50% chance of hitting the wrong guy, so it's not recommended to use. Check with your DM if a Seeking weapon automatically veers towards the target you want in a grapple, though. I think it should, but rules aren't perfectly clear.

For items, you have a hefty wish list. Don't expect to get all of it for a long time:

Two gloves of storing
Two +1 Seeking light crossbows - ANY miss chance screws you out of SA, so Seeking is rather vital. Upgrade the xbows to higher amounts later on, but it gets insanely expensive so take your time with that. You need +1 to put seeking on though, and it's important for beating magic damage reduction anyway.
Ring of Blinking - Always be able to sneak attack. Chance of shooting at the wrong moment is mildly annoying.

Defensive/basic things anyone would want:
Armor upgrades
Ring of Protection
Cloak of Resistance (boosts saves and dirt cheap)
Dusty Rose Iuon Stone (+1 AC)
Natural Armor upgrades
Ability score enhancements - Dex, Con, Cha, in that order for priority. Consider getting circlet of persuasion before a charisma boost. Get +2 to any stats you're increasing before upgrading dex to +4.
Various scrolls/wands - See spells above, haste is also very good

Not needed, but totally sweet:
Slippers of Spider Climbing - So you can machine gun while hanging upside down from the ceiling.