Scratch the Archer idea, I think I'll go Assassin instead...

[FlimFlam]

Any advice on making a versatile Assassin? I don't think the Archer idea is cutting it for me. I was hoping to be a ranged assassin, well I guess more or less like a sniper. But I am not too impressed with my options atm. If I take the Assassin road, I will eventually be able to get an Assassin spell that gives me:

Sneak Attack at 60'
Darkvision
The ability to use the Death Attack at ranged
And a couple other nifty things.

I forget what book it is in (T&B or MoF maybe) but that seems more or less what I was looking to do.

So, are there any suggestions as to what other classes, combinations, feats, etc. I could get to make a versatile Assassin?

I was thinking Rogue levels (of course) and 2 levels in Shadowdancer (for HiPS and Darkvision). Then the rest 10 in Assassin.

As far as character concepts, I was actually going to make him Lawful Evil. He would follow the "code" of the Thieves Guild as well as his own "code of conducts" (like no killing children, but women are ok to kill. Hey, there are some vicious females out there that need dispatching, just look at Hillary Clinton... doh). I was also going to make him centered around being a Mage killer. Maybe have something in his background where he has a hatred for Mages. The main reason for his, Mages have bad Fort saves which is what I would use my Death Attack on. And since Forgotten Realms is a haven for wizards and such, I should always have a job =)

So anyway, back to my original question before I started rambling. What are some good class combinations, feats, etc?

Edit - I should also mention we are using the point-buy system with 30 points to spend.

 

[Crothian]

There is a feat from Traps and Treachery that increases the Range of the sneak attack. There is a prestige class from Quint Rogue called Comando that is very sniper like.

 

[Shadow64]

Hehe, well, I hate to double post, since I just made a replied in another thread about archers, but i'll cut and paste my response from there since it's more then relavent here too.

I'd look at some of the archer feats from AEG's Mercenaries. They have some good ones to increase your sneak attack range (first from 30ft. to 60ft., then later 60ft. to 90ft.) as well as changing your sneak attack dice (from d6 to d8, then later to a d10). PLUS they have others that allow you to add your dex bonus to a single attack if the target is within 30’, one that allows an instant crit (if you hit with the attack) if you sacrifice your second attack (and if you have four attacks you give up the second and forth attacks to do the insta-crit with the first and third attack, IF you hit.)

I'd probably start the char off as a rogue, switch to fighter at 4th level and go till 9th level with the fighter (use the fighter levels to load up on feats), then go back to rogue for the rest of your levels.

EDIT
Or if your DM will let you use the Scout class from the AEG Merc book you can use that as your first class, take Scout from 1 - 3, swap to fighter for 4 - 7th level (scout3/ftr4) then switch back to the scout class after that.

If you want I can post a scout/fighter progression I worked out last night so you can check it out.

 

[FlimFlam]

Yeah, I read the other reply. Thanks for the advice there. There were a lot of good Archer ideas but again, nothing sparked my interest.

I should also mention that the same rules apply as far as what books we can use. Basically it is just the Core Books, the "official" splat books by WotC (S&F, MotW, S&S, etc.) and the Forgotten Realms books.

I'm sort of a stickler for using only official WotC products. Nothing against AEG. I guess the main reason is because it saves me money. Heck if we were allowed (or better yet, I allowed myself) to use any of the alternate D20 books, that would get quite expensive.

Anyway, thanks again for the reply.

 

[Skullfyre]

There is a feat from Traps and Treachery that increases the Range of the sneak attack. There is a prestige class from Quint Rogue called Comando that is very sniper like.

Feats from Traps and Treachery

Improved Sneak Attack-> Prerequisites: BAB +2 or higher and ability to sneak attack. Takes the d6 and increases it up one die to d8

Improved Ranged Sneak Attack->Prerequisites Point Blank shot, Far shot and ability to sneak attack. Improves the range of a projectile weapon(bow,xbow) to 45 feet when using a thrown weapon it goes to a maximum of 60 feet


Feat from AEG's Mercenaries
Improved Sneak Attack->Prerequisites Point Blank shot, Far shot and ability to sneak attack. Improves the range of a projectile weapon to a maximum of 60 feet


Improved Sneak Attack-> Prerequisites: BAB +2 or higher and ability to sneak attack. Takes the d6 and increases it up one die


Hmmmm see a similar attunement...
I do snicker at the shadow feat from Traps and Treachery compared to the shadow feat from Masters of the wild... But that is another thread.

 

[Spatzimaus]

You should consider Psychic Warrior for part of the baseline; let's say 2 levels. Get Psionic Shot and Fell Shot. Even if you only use it once per day, Fell Shot would be worth it (makes the attack like a touch attack, bypassing armor and natural armor).
Go 6 levels and you not only pick up a third feat, you get Weapon Specialization for free.

It's a bit less of the "sneak-attack at range" concept and a bit more of the "butt-kicking damage" concept. Plus, you pick up all the weapon and armor proficiencies.