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Message: <blockquote data-quote="StreamOfTheSky" data-source="post: 5722296" data-attributes="member: 35909">1. Ultimate DO: Take Adaptive Style.  At level 1.  You cannot function properly without it.  Also, DO take flaws if possible.  Swordsage is one of the most horrifically feat-starved classes in all of 3E, IMO.2. Depends on what you're doing.  If you can afford feats for Shadow Blade and Weapon Finesse (and most likely if going that route, Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Spiked Chain, since its the only Shadow Hand weapon that doesn't suck), obviously dex is the highest priority.  Swordsage is very multiple ability dependent, just like monk, though.  Leave int at 10 if you're not doing tripping / setting sun throws, charisma is a total dump stat.  But you need lots of dex, good con and strength, and a decent wisdom helps to compensate for the light armor and no shields.  However, later on when you can afford masterwork and/or mithral shields, wisdom is much less necessary if you're not using a 2-handed weapon (even if you are, animated shields become an option ~level 12...).  Point is, wisdom helps at early levels and gradually becomes less critical over time.3. Swordsage is actually the only ToB class that doesn't have a messed up stance progression, so there's less reason to multiclass from it than the other 2.  If you mutliclass at all, it would likely be a full BAB class w/ bonus feats (Fighter or Swashbuckler, most likely) to help with your feats problem.  If you don't mind destroying your BAB a bit, for the stealthy kind of game you described, <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#rogue" target="_blank">Martial Rogue</a> 1-2 might be the best multiclass option (and if doing so you might want your 1st level to be in Rogue so you get the x4 multiplier on the higher skill point total, though then you can't get Adaptive Style till level 3).  Martial Rogue gets feats as a Fighter, so you get one at levels 1 AND 2, so dip 1 or 2, however much you need for the feats you want.  Final thing I'll say on multiclassing is...Adaptive Style simultaneously refreshes maneuvers from ALL your adept classes, so dipping Warblade or Crusader (preferably later on so you can pick up some mid-level maneuvers) could be handy.  I think Warblade synergizes better with swordsage, though crusader has less overlap (having to keep track of their granted maneuvers is annoying as hell, though).Race: What is available to you?  Whisper Gnome from Races of Stone is a solid sneaker, and being small sized means you can use the awesome Soaring Raptor Strike (3rd level Tiger Claw) on almost anything.  In the Monster Manual, <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/halfling.htm#deepHalfling" target="_blank">Deep Halflings</a> and <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/gnome.htm#forestGnome" target="_blank">Forest Gnomes</a> are both nice sneaky small races.  <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/elf.htm#woodElf" target="_blank">Wood Elf</a> is a cool medium race if you can deal with the -2 con hit.  Regular PHB dwarves are also good, mainly just cause they're good at anything that's not charisma-based.</blockquote>

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