Rogue Help

[javcs]

Okay, I'm in an Eberron-ized version of the Speaker in Dreams adventure. It's from the Giant in the Playground Forums.

I'm planning on running a draconic human rogue character, aiming for the Avenger PRC on the WotC website, so the only real requirements are non-chaotic alignment, 4 ranks in Disguise, and 8 ranks in Hide and Move Silently. Due to the fluff on the character, knowing Draconic is also a requirement.
There's a good chance that the campaign would be continued after the module finished, so I'd like long term viablity as well.

The problem is, I've never actually built a character that was aiming for either assassin or avenger and hadn't already gotten at least one level in the PRC. So I need help, so I'm turning to EnWorld.

32 point buy.

The DM is allowing:

* SRD
* Player's Handbook
* Player's Handbook II
* Dungeon Master's Guide
* Dungeon Master's Guide II
* Monster Manual
* Expanded Psionics Handbook
* Complete Warrior
* Complete Adventurer
* Complete Arcane
* Complete Divine
* Complete Mage
* Complete Scoundrel
* Stormwrack
* Eberron Campaign Setting
* Explorer's Guide
* Dragonmarked
* Races of Eberron
* Sharn: City of Towers
* Secrets of Xen'drik
* Free Material on WotC site
* The Giant's material here
* Material on Homebrew forum after thorough examination
* Martial Adepts (from ToB)
* Anything else on a case by case basis, with the rules explained

I have access (or should have access) to all of the above but Complete Scoundrel.

 

[Darklone]

Archer or melee twf machine gun (with throwing)?

Draconic? Does that mean you're going for draconic heritage feats?

Anyhow. The TWF Machine gun dude is easy, take TWF, daggers (for hiding, throwing and melee), ITWF later and get a buckler. Weapon Finesse and/or Weapon Focus: Depends on how many feats you have left. Quickdraw, PBS and Rapid Shot later to allow you to use your iterative attacks for throwing after you've dispatched one enemy.

For assassin, I like the Crossbow Sniper feat in PHB2 (60ft sneak attack, baby!). Perhaps with TWF wielded hand crossbows plus Rapid Reload. There was a NPC in Enemies&Allies that wore some kind of bracer with a hand crossbow attached... And the biggest advantage: No need for strength, go max out dex, even Cats Grace boosts your damage. Halfling would be nice.

One level of Invisible Blade for additional sneak attack damage is nice and won't drop your BAB.

Think about 2 or 4 fighter levels. You'll lose plenty of sneak attack but you gain Weapon Spec, Melee Weapon Mastery or Ranged Weapon Mastery.

Edit: Draconic: Take Speak Languages as cross class skill.

Edit2: Reduce Person is a nice spell for Crossbow Snipers. Just in case you think about a few levels of wizard.

 

[moritheil]

Depending on how high-powered your campaign is, you may want to consider a few levels of spellthief for the ability to steal spell effects.

 

[Mistwell]

Folks always suggest either ranged or two weapon fighting for these builds, and I agree those are fine options.

I advocate reach weapon as a third alternative. I'm currently going dodge-mobility-spring attack and combat reflexes, and using a reach weapon (in my case a great spear due to a free exotic weapon proficiency with it, but a regular longspear would do fine). It works very well. Instead of getting a second attack with two weapon fighting at a penalty to the attack roll, instead I am often getting a second attack as an attack of opportunity (or even more than one), at my full BAB. And, if you are invisible or concealed or hidden, you can even get a sneak attack on that attack of opportunity. Plus, you are in less danger of dying yourself, as your opponents generally do not get a full attack against you (they have to move to get to you almost every round). You also qualify for Shadow Dancer with this build, which grants Hide in Plain Sight at first level (a great ability).

If you do go two weapon fighting, I suggest you consider the possibility of two levels of the Urban Ranger variant. It's a minor change to the Ranger, great for Eberron setting, and alters your skills a bit (in a good way) and your track ability (also in a good way). Great variant for a city campaign, and you still get free two weapon fighting at second level like normal. And, you can select the most popular race in your city as your favored enemy, which has synergy with your sneak attacks pretty well.

 

[Darklone]

Did you think about going Lurk?

I'd love to see a Lurk assassin prestige class for psionics...

 

[javcs]

Did you think about going Lurk?

I'd love to see a Lurk assassin prestige class for psionics...

Not really, I'm not overly familiar with the Lurk.

A psionic assassin prc would rock. Somebody has to have done something along these lines.

 

[Darklone]

Lurk: More sneak attack goodness and a good array of powers... though the power list is a little bit lame.

With PPs he can do more sneak attack than a rogue/assassin but it costs a lot.

 

[Sound of Azure]

Not really, I'm not overly familiar with the Lurk.

A psionic assassin prc would rock. Somebody has to have done something along these lines.

The Shadowmind in Complete Adventurer (page 74) has an interesting bit in the Adaptation section about changing it into a psi-assassin.

There's also this from the WotC website, which is essentially a direct translation of the DMG assassin into psionics.

In Malhavoc's Hyperconscious, you have the Quietus (Thought Killer) and Innate Pretender (this is more of an arcane trickster analogue though).

There might be something in Complete Scoundrel, but I don't have that book. I'm rather surprised there wasn't something like this in Complete Psionic.

 

[hong]

Get stuff to let you sneak attack undead. And constructs as well, if possible.

 

[Sejs]

Get stuff to let you sneak attack undead. And constructs as well, if possible.

Magic Item Compendium: Deathstrike Bracers.

3/day, swift action to activate, lets you sneak attack and crit on things that are immune by virtue of their type (plant, ooze, undead, etc) for 1 round. Doesn't help bypass Fortification armor, however. 5k.