Playable from level 1 - 40 ..PvM Build

This is a curiosity build. I was wondering if it would be possible to get Dev Crit, Damage Reduction, and Epic Dodge in the same build. Turns out it is, but it's not a great build. A bit more effective in some ways than I had thought at first, but definitely has its weak points. Anyway, I thought I'd post it just for the amusement value.

Race: Dwarf
Alignment: any non-Lawful

STR 16
DEX 15
CON 18
WIS 8
INT 10
CHA 6

Watch the ability increases, as they're important to take where I did.

Skills: Lore to 8 minimum (requirement for RDD), Tumble to 40, and UMD to 40. You'll have 192 left to put where you see fit.

1/Rogue: Dodge
2/Rogue
3/Rogue: Power Attack
4/Rogue: DEX +1 (16)
5/Bard
6/RDD: Cleave
7/RDD
8/RDD: DEX +1 (17)
9/RDD: WPN Focus: Rapier
10/Rogue
11/RDD
12/RDD: GRT Cleave DEX +1 (18)
13/RDD
14/Rogue
15/RDD: Imp. Crit: Rapier
16/RDD: DEX +1 (19)
17/RDD
18/Rogue: Knockdown (This is a 'free' feat, so choose what you want)
19/Rogue
20/Rogue: DEX +1 (20)
21/Rogue: GRT DEX I (21)/Imp. Evasion
22/Rogue
23/Rogue
24/Rogue GRT DEX II (22)/Def. Roll DEX +1(23)
25/Rogue
26/Rogue
27/Rogue GRT DEX III (24)/Slippery Mind
28/Rogue: CON +1 (21)
29/Rogue
30/Rogue: Damage Reduction I/Crippling Strike
31/Rogue
32/Rogue: DEX +1 (25)
33/Rogue: Damage Reduction II
34/Rogue
35/Rogue: Epic Dodge
36/RDD: Overwhelming Critical STR +1 (25)
37/Rogue
38/RDD
39/RDD: Devastating Critical
40/RDD: Damage Reduction III CON +1 (22)

Final Stats:

STR: 25
DEX: 25
CON: 22
WIS: 8
INT: 12
CHA: 8

Naked AC is 29
Sneak Attack = 13d6
Attack bonus: +30/+25/+20

Fort: 26
Refl: 28
Will: 21

HP: 458 (This can be higher if you max it every level)

I spinkled the Rogue levels where I did in order to be able to get Tumble to a multiple of 5 and to max UMD.

There are several cons with this build:

Only 3 attacks/round
Lowish AB
Some odd stats to end with
A bit of cheesiness by taking a Bard level with only 6 CHA and solely for the purpose of accessing the benefits of RDD

Some pros:

Decent saves
Decent naked AC
UMD allows the use of pretty much anything

I tested this character in the Novice to Epic Character mod against a 40th level FTR, 40th level mage, and 40th level Cleric. She had no magical equipment of any kind and only a regular rapier. She took out the mage and cleric no problem, but was killed quite easily by the FTR. Still, not bad for no magic items on her at all.

Anyway, critique as you will, but keep in mind that this was just for fun and to test out getting several different qualities in the same build.
_________________
"Well, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just
'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!"

Edited By griphook on 06/06/05 20:59

I always find that fighter tough to take out.

Syrath
Quote: Posted 08/15/04 21:34:52 (GMT) -- syrath1001

I always find that fighter tough to take out.

Syrath

Yeah, fighter gives you more feats and therefore a bit more versatility in that regard, but of course you'll lose Epic Dodge. I'm currently fiddling with a FTR version as well, but I don't know if I'll post it. I'll see how it turns out.
_________________
"Well, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just
'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!" Where can I get that novice to epic character mod??
Quote: Posted 08/15/04 23:23:09 (GMT) -- highlife262626

Where can I get that novice to epic character mod??

Right Here. Choose the version you want.

Just be warned that it takes a while for it to load once you have it installed (20 or 30 seconds). It's no big deal, but you may be thinking your machine is hung when actually it isn't. (At least that's how it acts on my machine, but I have an old box)

Enjoy!
_________________
"Well, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just
'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!"
Quote: Posted 08/15/04 21:34:52 (GMT) -- syrath1001

I always find that fighter tough to take out.

Syrath

Yeah the fighter is usually tough. But I sometimes have a lot of trouble with the rogue too, it seems to be able to sneak attack at many times even when I thought he shouldn't be able to. Somehow he gets my characters to disengage and then sneak attack them again. He doesn't seem to be disappearing from sight though...

My testing program is usually: Rogue(40), Fighter(40), Wizard (40) and then ultimately the Prismatic Dragon (very tough most of the times...).

The Wizard doesn't seem to be using much spells and can be easily killed. The Prismatic Dragon can usually only be killed by casters or archers, the others don't seem to be able to survive the prismatic spray (or stay away from it) or they can't do any/enough damage to kill it before it kills them (with regular attacks eventually).
Quote: Posted 08/15/04 21:34:52 (GMT) -- syrath1001

I always find that fighter tough to take out.

Syrath

Syrath,

You know, I completely misunderstood what you meant ! I thought you meant it would be tough to not use in the build... (Bad day - no sleep).

Yeah, the FTR is tough. The WIZ was easy to sneak attack (and I got him with a Dev Crit on the first strike - he blowed up real good!)

Dimundome, I haven't tried her against the Prismatic Dragon, but I know how that will go beforehand - it won't be pretty for my little Rogue...
_________________
"Well, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just
'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!"
Quote: Posted 08/16/04 15:13:56 (GMT) -- Dimundome

Quote: Posted 08/15/04 21:34:52 (GMT) -- syrath1001

I always find that fighter tough to take out.

Syrath

Yeah the fighter is usually tough. But I sometimes have a lot of trouble with the rogue too, it seems to be able to sneak attack at many times even when I thought he shouldn't be able to. Somehow he gets my characters to disengage and then sneak attack them again. He doesn't seem to be disappearing from sight though...

My testing program is usually: Rogue(40), Fighter(40), Wizard (40) and then ultimately the Prismatic Dragon (very tough most of the times...).

The Wizard doesn't seem to be using much spells and can be easily killed. The Prismatic Dragon can usually only be killed by casters or archers, the others don't seem to be able to survive the prismatic spray (or stay away from it) or they can't do any/enough damage to kill it before it kills them (with regular attacks eventually).

Most builds I make can take out all of these with HotU level equipment. Basic items only the shadow archer could take out the Prismatic Dragon.

As for the spray , strangely enough it never really takes out my characters, they just dont do enough damage. Then again its a weakness of my builds is fighting DR monsters.

I think the rogue sneak attacking is related to how concealment works for npcs it causes you to lose target when it works and then you are caught flatfooted again. Wish it worked that way for people with self concealment. Ill make up a module to test it out.

Syrath I just got that testing mod and tested my build on it. It took out the mage, cleric, rogue, and the fighter in 1 hit each. I had a hard time hitting the Prismatic Dragon but on avg I killed it in 7 rounds. The Dracolich gave me the biggest trouble because it is immune to crits and it kept healing itself but I eventually just whacked it to death. See general discussion for some questions I have though about it. Most builds I make can take out all of these with HotU level equipment. Basic items only the shadow archer could take out the Prismatic Dragon.

For testing I usually use a magic weapon and a magic armor only, without a magic weapon you'd have little chance getting through DR. The armor you'll need in melee, otherwise you'll stand no chance against the magic weapons your opponents use. Only casters and archers probably can do without any magic equipment.


Perhaps we should set a testing standard, so it's easier to compare builds when people say they could beat some enemy. One person tests with all possible high level equipment, while the other uses only basic items and again another limits it to magic weapon and armor only (like me ). If everyone tests differently, it's useless to compare unless you know exactly how the other was testing.

Edited By Dimundome on 08/17/04 07:50