Xigbar

[xigbar]

Alright, I linked myself T.O.B. on Scribd, and having read quickly through Swordsage, i'm thinking STR 8, DEX 18, CON 10, INT 16, WIS 12, CHA 8 (32 Point buy) are good starting scores. Any more advice? I'm assuming average P.C. wealth at 20th, so if you recommend items, work with that in mind.

 

[xigbar]

Okay, I've been reading T.O.B. through, and the link Dandu posted, so Shadow Hand is exactly the sort of thing I'd like the character to specialize in, but I'm at a bit of a loss for feats to supplement, and what I should do with my other pool of option, and a sowrdsage ends up with a good deal of stances a dn maneuvers. If anyone can tell what they've found to be useful in their experience, it would be very much appreciated.

 

[Dandu]

Isn't there a Child of Shadow feat or something? I heard that's useful.

 

[xigbar]

As Well as the Gloom Razor feat, yes. I know how to work on what I'm specializing in, but I'm trying to figure out how to round the build out. After Wiz 1 and Swordsage (X), I'll have Crossbow Sniper, standard/improved/greater two weapon fighting, gloom razor, and probably the child of shadow feat, but that leaves me with two more, since it's a human. What other maneuver schools should I work with, and would you recommend any further multi/prestige classing for this build, or is 19 levels of swordsage fine?

 

[Arkhandus]

It's actually the Shadow Blade feat that helps with melee damage and serves as the prerequisite for Gloom Razor; Child of Shadow is a stance, not a feat. But Shadow Hand doesn't apply to ranged attacks, so you'd only benefit from it when making a melee attack with a Shadow Hand weapon like the dagger or short sword.

You might go Conjurer Wizard 1 (for that teleportive ability in PHB2 or whatever, as well as some handy spells like Shield or Blade of Blood I suppose; not sure what spell to use in the conjuration specialization slot)/Rogue 1/Fighter 2/Swordsage 14/Shadowdancer 2, or something like that, using the Rogue and Swordsage skills plus Fighter bonus feats to qualify for Shadowdancer later. Just take Shadowdancer levels as soon as you qualify for them, to get Hide in Plain Sight and Darkvision and such, then resume Swordsage advancement.

You should probably pick up Repeating Light Crossbows (and the appropriate Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat) to emulate Xigbar, since Hand Crossbows still have to be loaded with a free hand between shots whereas repeating crossbows only need reloading after 5 shots. I think repeating light crossbows are compatible with Crossbow Sniper. Any spare feat at upper levels should probably just be spent on Martial Study or Martial Stance to complete the character's arsenal of Shadow Hand abilities.

Shadow Hand stances like Balance on the Sky, Step of the Dancing Moth, Assassin's Stance, and Child of Shadow will be ideal for the character concept. A few Setting Sun or Tiger Claw maneuvers may also fit the concept, perhaps, but Shadow Hand would be Xigbar's bread and butter.

 

[xigbar]

Alright, an update for anyone who's looking; Assuming the scores provided, 1st level is wizard, for abrupt jaunt, Feats are TWF, Improved Initiative, Scribe Scroll as a bonus. I take at least 9 levels of Sword Sage to pick up Evasion. The other feats I take, Weapson Focus(Hand Crossbows) from the first Swordsage level, then Crossbow Sniper at 3rd. Apply insightful strike to Shadow Hand Maneuvers, work with Assasin's stance for the 2d6 sneak attack to damage. I'll need to take Shadow Hand, which will only help me with whatever non-ranged weapons I work with (recommendations?) to qualify for Gloom Razor at 9th, then pick up ImpTWF at 12th, GreaterTWF at 15th. [MENTION=85158]Dandu[/MENTION], Child of Shadows is a stance, not a feat, but it works wonders with Gloom Razor, so I will be working with it. I'm not sure if I should continue building Swordsage levels, and what my last feat should be. Also, I'm not sure where I found the +2 Everloaded weapson property, if any knows what it is. As for the rest of the build, I was think of working with some of the swift hunter set-up, to help apply my sneak attack damage (I'm going to take a level of rogue for an extra d6, and it's other abilities), through favored enemy (undead). Any more ideas?

 

[xigbar]

[MENTION=13966]Arkhandus[/MENTION]; I hadn't considered Shadow Dancer, that's a good idea. As for repeating c-bows, do you know about the weapon property I mentioned in my previous post?

 

[Dandu]

More swordsage levels are always a good thing.

 

[Arkhandus]

No, I'm not familiar with the Everloaded weapon quality, and don't see it in any of my books. Perhaps it's from Magic Item Compendium or something else I don't have.

 

[xigbar]

Hmmmm, it appears to be from World of Aenea....I'm not really sure what that is. It's a +2, and automatically reloads the weapon, as implied by the title, but I'm not sure if W.O.A. is usable.