Playable from Level 1-40... PvM

When I started making this build, I figured it would be a fun build that made use of the Assassin's death attack and got a good DC. I thought going for Rogue would be better than going for Assassin, since you could get epic dodge and crippling strike, but, since Death Attack has been fixed, I thought a build that made use of death attack might be fun. It turned out better than I thought, the ability to take great DEX feats meant that this build ended up with a good AB and AC. I still don't get much use out of the death attack, immunity to paralysis is surprisingly common, but it is an interesting and effective fighter/rogue. Darkness helps out a lot and improved invisibility effectively gives the build SC V. This build will do best in a setting with +5 to +10 equipment where devastating critical has been disabled and immunity items are uncommon.

Advantages

-Good AB. This character has a 42 AB while dual wielding, which is good for character that is most 3/4 AB classes.
-Good AC. Only a monk or a PM would have much higher. Unfortunately, this character doesn't qualify for epic dodge, but this AC is still quite good.
-13D6 Death Attack with a 35 DC. Even with the immunity to mind spells fix, this ability still isn't that great, but it will work sometimes. With improved knockdown, he can get a fair bit of damage from sneak attacks.
-Evasion and a high reflex save. He should make most of his saves against traps and evocations.
-High Use Magic Devices. He can use magical equipment from other classes and scrolls.
-Assassin Spells. Darkness with blind-fight can be useful, but the real gem is improved invisibility which confers a 50% concealment bonus.
-Uncanny Dodge.

Disadvantages

-Low fortitude and will saves. He is susceptible to death magic and enchantment spells. This renders him quite weak against mages and clerics.
-Low damage. Without sneak attacks he doesn't do much damage. The weapon specializations help a bit though

Lethal Mercenary

Race Human

Alignment any evil

Base Attributes
STR 12
DEX 16
CON 14
WIS 8
INT 16
CHA 8

Leveling Guide
Level 1 Rogue
Levels 2-4 Fighter
Level 5 Rogue
Levels 6-8 Fighter
Levels 9-10 Rogue
Levels 11-12 Assassin
Level 13 Fighter
Levels 14-16 Assassin
Level 17 Fighter
Levels 18-19 Assassin
Levels 20-21 Fighter
Levels 22-26 Assassin
Levels 27-28 Fighter
Levels 29-32 Assassin
Level 33 Fighter
Levels 34-38 Assassin
Level 39 Fighter
Level 40 Assassin

Final Level Distribution
Assassin 22
Fighter 14
Rogue 4

Attribute Bonuses
All 10 go to DEX

Feats
Level 1: Toughness, Dodge
Level 2: Weapon Finesse
Level 3: Weapon Focus (Short sword), Knockdown
Level 6: Weapon Specialization (Short sword), Ambidexterity
Level 8: Improved Knockdown
Level 9: Two-Weapon Fighting
Level 12: Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
Level 15: Improved Critical (Short sword)
Level 17: Blind-Fight
Level 18: Iron Will
Level 21: Great Dexterity I, Epic Weapon Focus (Short sword)
Level 24: Great Dexterity II,
Level 27: Great Dexterity III
Level 28: Epic Weapon Specialization (Short sword)
Level 30: Great Dexterity IV, Great Dexterity V
Level 33: Great Dexterity VI
Level 35: Great Dexterity VII
Level 36: Great Dexterity VIII
Level 39: Great Dexterity IX, Epic Prowess
Level 40: Great Dexterity X

Final Attributes
STR 12
DEX 36
CON 14
WIS 8
INT 16
CHA 8

Final Saves (vs. spells)
Fortitude 21 (25)
Reflexes 35 (39)
Will 17 (21)

AB and Damage
(No buffs, 2 mundane short swords)
42/37/32/27 7+1D6 (+13D6 Death Attack) (17-20 X2)
42/37 6+1D6 (+13D6 Death Attack) (17-20 x2)
Death Attack DC 35

(+12 DEX, +5 keen short swords)
53/48/43/38 12+1D6 (+13D6 Death Attack) (15-20 X2)
53/48 11+1D6 (+13D6 Death Attack) (15-20 x2)
Death Attack DC 35

AC

31 (32) (No buffs, no armor)
34 (35) (No buffs, and tower shield)
56 (57) (+12 to Dexterity, Boots of Speed, +5 Robes, +5 ring of protection, +5 amulet of natural armor)
64 (65) (As above but with +5 tower shield)

Hit Points 416 (maximum every level)

Final Skillpoints 344
Craft Trap 18 (21) (C)
Discipline 42 (43) (D)
Hide 43 (56) (H)
Move Silently 43 (56) (M)
Open Lock 20 (33) (O)
Set Trap 20 (33) (ST)
Spellcraft 17 (20) (SC)
Spot 43 (42) (S)
Tumble 40 (53) (T)
Use Magic Devices 41 (40) (U)

Skillpoint Distribution
Level 1: C 4, H 4, M 4, O 4, ST 4, SC 2, S 4, T 4, U 4, Save 12
Level 2: D 5, Save 13
Level 3: D 1, SC 1, Save 16
Level 4: D 1, Save 21
Level 5: C 3, H 4, M 4, O 4, ST 4, SC 1, S 4, T 4, U 4
Level 6: D 2, Save 4
Level 7: D 1, SC 1, Save 7
Level 8: D 1, Save 12
Level 9: C 1, H 4, M 4, S 4, SC 1, ST 1, T 4, U 4
Level 10: C 3, H 1, M 1, ST 4, S 1, T 1, U 1
Level 11: H 1, M 1, ST 1, S 1, SC 1, T 1, U 1
Level 12: C 1, H 1, M 1, ST 1, S 1, T 1, U 1, Save 1
Level 13: D 5, SC 1
Level 14: H 2, M 2, T 2, U 2
Level 15: H 1, M 1, S 2, SC 1, T 1, U 1
Level 16: C 1, H 1, M 1, ST 1, S 2, T 1, U 1
Level 17: D 4, SC 1
Level 18: H 2, M 2, T 2, U 2
Level 19: H 1, M 1, S 2, SC 1, T 1, U 1
Level 20: D 3, Save 3
Level 21: D 1, SC 1, Save 6
Level 22: H 3, M 3, S 2, T 3, U 3
Level 23: H 1, M 1, S 2, SC 1, T 1, U 1
Level 24: C 1, H 1, M 1, ST 1, S 2, T 1, U 1
Level 25: H 1, M 1, ST 1, SC 1, S 1, T 1, U 1
Level 26: H 1, M 1, ST 1, S 1, T 1, U 1, Save 2
Level 27: D 6, SC 1
Level 28: D 1, Save 5
Level 29: H 3, M 3, SC 1, T 3, U 2
Level 30: H 1, M 1, S 3, T 1, U 2
Level 31: H 1, M 1, SC 1, S 2, T 1, U 1
Level 32: C 2, H 1, M 1, ST 1, S 1, T 1, U 1
Level 33: D 5, Save 1
Level 34: H 2, M 2, S 1, T 2, U 2
Level 35: C 2, H 1, M 1, S 2, T 1, U 1
Level 36: H 1, M 1, O 3, S 1, T 1, U 1
Level 37: H 1, M 1, O 3, S 1, T 1, U 1
Level 38: H 1, M 1, O 4, S 1, U 1
Level 39: D 6
Level 40: H 2, M 2, O 2, S 2
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Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do.

Edited By Mithdradates on 06/17/05 08:59

Quote: Posted 06/17/05 08:58:10 (GMT) -- Mithdradates

..... since Death Attack has been fixed, I thought a build that made use of death attack might be fun.


Interesting build Mith. Could you please explain the sentence above? When/How/What is fixed with Death Attack?

Thanks,
Kaliban
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"Where there is life, there is hope." - Grover
Quote: Posted 06/17/05 17:39:49 (GMT) -- Kaliban99

Quote: Posted 06/17/05 08:58:10 (GMT) -- Mithdradates

..... since Death Attack has been fixed, I thought a build that made use of death attack might be fun.


Interesting build Mith. Could you please explain the sentence above? When/How/What is fixed with Death Attack?

Thanks,
Kaliban

IIRC, immunity to mind spells no longer protects you from the DA paralysis.
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It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!!
Quote: Posted 06/17/05 17:54:17 (GMT) -- Cinnabar Din

Quote: Posted 06/17/05 17:39:49 (GMT) -- Kaliban99

Quote: Posted 06/17/05 08:58:10 (GMT) -- Mithdradates

..... since Death Attack has been fixed, I thought a build that made use of death attack might be fun.


Interesting build Mith. Could you please explain the sentence above? When/How/What is fixed with Death Attack?

Thanks,
Kaliban

IIRC, immunity to mind spells no longer protects you from the DA paralysis.

You, sir, are correct. I tracked down the patch details. Thanks. Now if only they'd give the ShadowDancer summons Self-Concealment...
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"Where there is life, there is hope." - Grover The SD summons has concealment, the epic shadowlord summon doesnt. This actually makes the summon weaker in the SD level 10-20 ranger. Sorry for the off topic post.

Syrath
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It's SHADOWDANCER, dammit, shadowdancer!!!