Thinking about a swordsage

[Kmart Kommando]

Several of the maneuvers affect targets adjacent to you, as opposed to those you threaten. Something to think about when choosing your tactics.

 

[carborundum]

Sweet - I'll stat them both out and start trying to work out which to ready and so on. Thanks a million!

Assuming I start with the straight 49k gold for 10th level is there anything I should definitely definitely buy?
So far I'm thinking
Mithril light chain shirt +2 with light fortification
Weapon(s): For TWF: Keen +1 dagger and +1 Shadow Hand Dagger
For Spiked Chain: +1 Shadow Hand Spiked Chain of Frost (or with the Keen-style property for Piercing weapons, forget what it's called)
Items: Boots of Striding and Springing, Amulet of Health +2, Bracers of Dex +2, Gauntlets of Ogre Power.

Cheers again!

 

[Kmart Kommando]

If you really want to go TWF, go Warblade. Maybe into the PrC for TWF in the BoNS.

 

[Nifft]

If you really want to go TWF, go Warblade.

Really? What do Warblades get that's better than Shadow Blade + Assassin's Stance?

-- N

 

[Kmart Kommando]

Really? What do Warblades get that's better than Shadow Blade + Assassin's Stance?

-- N

Full BAB, Iron Heart maneuvers, +5ft reach stance, +1d6 damage per hit stance, every time you miss me my AC goes up stance, DR5/- stance (not just one round, but has those too) and also has access to all of the extra attack maneuvers save the desert wind one, which isn't really that good anyway with an already medium BAB. Better recovery method.

 

[Nifft]

Iron Heart maneuvers

... are generally terrible for TWF. Particularly compared to Desert Wind boosts.

I'm still not seeing anything even close to the benefit provided by Shadow Blade.

Seriously: get the benefit of your regular stance, plus add Dex to damage. How do you figure Iron Heart beats that?

Cheers, -- N

 

[Mort]

... are generally terrible for TWF. Particularly compared to Desert Wind boosts.

I'm still not seeing anything even close to the benefit provided by Shadow Blade.

Seriously: get the benefit of your regular stance, plus add Dex to damage. How do you figure Iron Heart beats that?

Cheers, -- N

The only way IH beats that (but it's pretty good) is access to stormguard warrior - which with 2 weapons and tiger claw manuevers gets very nasty - and it's nasty by 9-10th level not the 13-14th required for avalanche of blades. This is the trick really - sprinkle tiger claw with the IH and you can have a fairly effective 2 weapon fighter. Also with the various manuevers, you get a workable 2 weapon fighter from level 1, you don't have ineffective levels like some builds.

Frankly with the way Bo9S classes multi-class it's easy to have the best of both worlds. I tried a Warblade 8/swordsage 1/Crusader 1 for a 1 shot and it was really, really effective.

 

[carborundum]

Wow - it's getting overwhelming again! Thanks for helping me cover all the bases though

I think I'll stick with the original plan and go for a straight swordsage 10, and also keep the spiked chain - I love the mini I have with a chain. Looking at the build Nifft made, and the massive selection of funky maneuvers, I'm really looking forward to the weekend.

Are there any maneuvers in there which should almost always be readied, or is it always quite situational? I've got the cards from the WOTC site so that'll be fun on the day too!

Would I be making a big mistake taking Combat Reflexes instead of Power Attack? Shall I just stop fiddling around and have a laugh with the new guy?

Cheers, all!

 

[Nifft]

The only way IH beats that (but it's pretty good) is access to stormguard warrior

This I will agree with 100%.

However, to qualify, a one-level dip into Warblade, or levels in Master of Nine, would be sufficient (and superior).

Cheers, -- N

 

[Nifft]

Would I be making a big mistake taking Combat Reflexes instead of Power Attack? Shall I just stop fiddling around and have a laugh with the new guy?

Yes. Power Attack is necessary for two of your heavy hitters: Emerald Razor and Ruby Nightmare Blade.

However, you could drop those and take something else (like Insightful Strike) which doesn't rely on Power Attack to add damage. But remember, the biggest benefit of spiked chain + Combat Reflexes only comes along when you also have Improved Trip.

Still, nothing wrong with being an AoO monkey.

Cheers, -- N