Tiefling Paladin/Rogue

[Elder-Basilisk]

Hmmm. The weapon is a good point. Having a high Dex naturally makes me want to use something Weapon Finesseable... but something Weapon Finesseable isn't a big sword, unless we're talking elven court swords, or something, which requires an exotic weapon proficency feat... and this character will be hard up for feats as it is.

Hard to balance my desire for stats. Need a decent wisdom and charisma for Paladin things, want a good dex for AC and hide/move silently and initative, want a decent Con for HPs, want Str for combat and Int for skill points.

Statwise, you don't really need much wisdom. Paladins only use wisdom for spells and skills. Since you're multiclassing, you won't get many spells (if any) and skills can be boosted with points instead. If you take four levels of paladin before Shadowbane Inquisitor, you'll need a 12 wisdom to get your one spell, but that's it.

Similarly, you can do without a really high int when it comes to skill points. You won't have the skills of a full-time rogue, but Shadowbane Inquisitor and Rogue both give a good amount of skill points so you're good to go from that perspective. A 10 or 12 int should be sufficient.

Base stats: Str 15 (+1 at 4th level), Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 14
After racial adjustments, you'd end up: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 12
Alternatively, you could go for: Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 14
or even Str 16, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 14.

However, the first set of stats seems to make the most of your ability bonusses and abilities. You'll want as good a cha cloak as you can buy anyway.

BTW, if your DM is flexible with non-core materials, consider trying the Dark-Kin from Paradigm Concepts' Arcanis setting instead of a tiefling. Storywise, it's the same thing, but the different mechanics enable an ECL of +0 (like any normal PC race) and you have a quite a bit more flexibility in terms of what abilities you get from your heritage. You'd still be stuck with the charisma penalty issue though.

 

[silentspace]

What's the elf with the Cha bonus? Star Elf?

 

[Darkness]

Convert the 2e tiefling to 3e instead of using the 3e "tiefling."

 

[dagger]

If you are willing to give up your sneak attack, you can get fighter bonus feats instead. Its a rogue variant in UA....that would be more than enough feats to go around.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Rogue Paladins are a bit tough. I have a rogue 2, paladin 4 (minimum needed to get into Shadowbane Inquisitor), Shadowbane Inquisitor 3.

My character is human and uses a greatsword with Monkeygrip. Does fair damage when he hits, but the specialized fighters are always better at fighting and the speicalized rogues are always better at sneaking. I would say that my character, in combat terms, is definatly a 'helper'

For roleplaying though? My character belongs to the church of Helm, the ever vigilant so I tend to ham out a lot of opportunities in the game whenever I can and having lots of ranks in diplomacy, sense motive and other abilities, I tend to be able to talk my way out of most situations or discover what's really doing on.

It's fun, but certainly not the most efficient built I've made.

 

[kenobi65]

My character is human and uses a greatsword with Monkeygrip.

I'm guessing you're either (a) using the 3E version of Monkey Grip, or (b) not using the 3.5 weapon size / character size rules?

 

[rowport]

I had similar problems building a Ninja/Cleric as you are facing for Paladin/Rogue. The basic problem is the need for too many decent ability scores with limited points; the secondary problem is the conflict between heavy armor and DEX stats. My suggestion is: choose one of two paths, and stick to it, not walking the fine line between (i.e. 'medium armor').

1. Heavy Armor, decent STR, big sword with Power Attack (cannot use with light weapon)-> Shadowbane Inquisitor. More Paladin than Rogue. Focus on CHA skills and smite, possibly Open Lock & Disable Device, but not 'sneaky' DEX skills.

2. Light Armor, high DEX, low STR, light weapon with Weapon Finesse. More Rogue than Paladin. Focus on DEX and CHA skills. I am not sure about a PrC for this path- maybe Black Flame Zealot from Complete Divine?

 

[cmanos]

I've always thought Cnst. Benton Fraser would be a Pal/Rgr/Rog. (Though I'd possibly swap the Rogue for Scout, now.)

Yeah but everyone would me commenting about the color of his gold.

"Why is this dubloon pink??"

 

[Hypersmurf]

I'm guessing you're either (a) using the 3E version of Monkey Grip, or (b) not using the 3.5 weapon size / character size rules?

Or (c) it's a Large greatsword.

-Hyp.

 

[kenobi65]

Or (c) it's a Large greatsword.

Good point. I've just seen so many people of late who don't grasp (so to speak) how Monkey Grip works in 3.5, that I assumed. Bad kenobi!