Shadowdancer

[melkorspawn]

I'm a new player and I've managed to hit that terrible point where my character died, and an NPC took my body (No raise dead for me).

I'm designing a new character, that I'm planning on making a Shadowdancer, and I was wondering if I might have some help. I'm starting 4th level, and I'm human, and I took, in this order, 1 level of Rogue, 1 level of Swashbuckler, and 2 levels of Fighter.

My ability scores are: Str: 12 Dex: 15 Con: 12 Int: 14 Wis: 12 Cha: 12
My feats are Combat Expertise, Improved Feint, Weapon Focus Rapier, Weapon Finesse (From Swashbuckler), Dodge, and Two Weapon Fighting.

I'm weilding a masterwork rapier in my main hand, and a masterwork light mace in my off hand, and I'm wearing a masterwork chain shirt.

I'm planning on taking two more levels of fighter (so that I can take Mobility and Combat Reflexes 6th level) and then one of Rogue (to finish of my skill prerequisites for Shadowdancer).

Any suggestions on how to maximize my chances of lasting that long?

 

[interwyrm]

Never be the first person into melee.

 

[Demoquin]

I would do Rog 1/ SWA 3/ Ftr 2/ Rog1 then get SD

MW Rapier +4
1-6+3 dmg 1d6 SA if you add 3 SWA for the Int to dmg


Feats
1st Combat Reflexes
1st Dodge
2nd Weapon Finesse (free)
3rd Mobility
5th TWF
6th WF Rapier
6th Expertise


Push back Expertise to 6th as you will get more use out of it. You cant even use it at first lvl anyway.

Why WF rapier? I would stick with 2 of the same weapon to really benefit a TWF character like 2 shortswords, daggers, kukris for the light wep status.

If you really want imp Feint there is a PrC that capitalizes on that ... the Invisible Blade. 5 lvl Prc that allows you to feint for free and has sneak attacks, but can only use then for daggers. Or just wield a dagger in the offhand.

 

[Pinotage]

interwyrm has got it right in one. Focus on harassing spellcasters, using you high mobility and speed to get around quickly. Perhaps looks at feats like Improved Grapple or pick up a spiked chain with those Combat Reflexes. If you can keep enemies occupied from a distance even if you're not causing great amounts of damage, you're already an asset. In combat you'll get chomped, and never underestimate using things like tanglefootbags and other alchemical items.

Pinotage