Spring Attack or 2-Weapon Fighting

[Sqwonk]

I am going to play a rogue with some fighter levels mixed in occasionally.
His main shtick would be Sneak Attack.

We will start at 5th level. And we play “get a feat each level”.
The campaign will go to about 15th level.

Am I better off going the 2-weapon fighting route
or
The Spring Attack route.

Please answer poll and list reasons for voting why you did. And any feats he should take during his career.

Thanks in advance.

 

[prospero63]

I'm currently toiling with the same question for my 9th level Spellthief/Shadowdancer.... On one hand, I like the prospect of multiple attacks. On the other hand, the whole "hide in plain sight" and "spring attack" sounds pretty damned vicious...

 

[TerraDave]

multiple sneak attacks speak for themselves. But the nature of the attack limits your mobility.

Sneak attack is all about the mobility, but I am not convinced it is as powerfull in practice as some people think. Its hard to move very far with it, except maybe with some speed boosing. And combined with hide in plain sight, it really depends on how your DM adjudicates hide+sneak attack. (you can take a look at the rules thread, there is no consensus).

Of course, with multiclassing in fighter and feats a level, you can probably do both.

 

[B4cchus]

I choose spring attack, but with the addition to opt for scout in stead of rogue.

I had the same question a little while back when creating a character for the Red Hand of Doom.
I decided that spring attack and sneak attack wasn't the best choice since a TWF rogue would get so much more out of his sneak attack. I came with two options: Use a rogue with two weapon fighting or a scout with spring attack. I choose the latter because it'd be quite difficult to remain in sneak attack position (mainly flakning) and still be able to retain a full attack routine. Also, I didn't want my rogue/scout to get the full blunt of full attacks from his opponents all the time.

One could argue, offcourse, that sneak attack is far more potent than skirmish (sneak attack = 1/2 level rounded up in d6's. Skirmish only 1/3 (average, it's non linear) level d6's) but this is made up by the improved skirmish feat (+2d6) and the fact that the scout can use his skirmish almost all the time.

We've played two sessions now and I must say i'm very happy with my choice. Not only does the spring attack keep me out of full attack routines (be sure to max out tumble!) but also I get to use the extra skirmish damage almost all the time (also on ranged attacks!).

 

[Darkwolf71]

We will start at 5th level. And we play “get a feat each level”.
The campaign will go to about 15th level.

You should have the feats to do both. Adds quite abit to versitility.

Of the two:
Spring Attack.
Bounding Assault (PHB2) gives a second attack in a Spring Attack.
Rabid Blitz (PHB2) gives a third.

The BAB requirements are high. 12 and 18, I believe.

 

[Doug McCrae]

1 feat/level should allow you to go ape-crazy nuts. What books are allowed?

Two-weapon fighting works best if fights go long because you usually can't get it going on round one. If opponents are going down in round two or sooner due to the presence of an uber charger then twf isn't that great. If foes are staying up for three or more rounds, twf+SA should be better than spring attack+SA.

If you can get a way to move as a swift action, twf becomes a lot better. Anklet of Translocation (MIC) lets you teleport 10ft as a swift action 2/day. Well worth it for 1400gp imo.

 

[Pinotage]

If you mix those rogue levels with some fighter levels, having the extra feats and a decent AC, I'd definitely go with two-weapon fighting. As others have said, multiple sneak attacks speak for themselves, and the fighter BAB and hp helps to make you last longer in melee.

For spring attack I wouldn't bother with rogue or at least not pure rogue. Scout works better, since they get better movement, although adding in a few levels of rogue lets the sneak attack and skirmish damage work together.

Pinotage

 

[Darklone]

Fighter? No!

Think about going the Swashbuckler/Rogue route with the Daring Outlaw feat for full sneak attack, better BAB, good hp and some bonus feats (and Insightful Strike). Add in feats like Dual Strike and/or Two Weapon Pounce and your TWF char will rock the battlefloor.

Take the Shield of Blades alternative class feature and the swift spell-like abilities in Complete Mage for the Swashbuckler and you will never want to take fighter levels again!

 

[Brother MacLaren]

I'd recommend Elusive Target (for the "negate Power Attack" option) and Improved Toughness in order to best stay on your feet making your TWF attacks.