Playable from levels 1-40 (XP penalty though)... PvM

I present to you the ultimate dexterity based "ranger". Note that there are no ranger levels, because you can't make a halfway decent ranger that's dexterity based. Instead, I set out to make a character that can fill the role of dexterity based ranger. what you end up with is a build that is a better scout, does more damage and has better spells. I originally intended to use druid instead of cleric, but, without a wisdom focus, the cleric spells are far more useful that the druid spells and the lists overlap to some degree. This build should do best in a no magic or low magic setting where devastating critical is banned.

Advantages

-8D6 Sneak attack. Coupled with improved invisibility, improved knockdown and word of faith, this build can get a large number of sneak attacks.
-Good Damage for a Dex Build. With Bull's strength and Divine power he can increase his strength by 12 to add some bonus damage. Darkfire, greater magic weapon, epic weapon specialization, divine favor, battletide and prayer also contribute to this build's damage potential. Even without critical hits or sneak attacks, this build does well in the damage department.
-Level 8 Cleric spells. I originally wanted to use druid spells, since ranger magic is supposed to be druidic, but the spell lists are similar and the melee buffs help out this build much more than the offensive druid spells ever could.
-Epic Dodge. He can avoid the first attack from his opponent each turn.
-Improved Evasion and a good reflex save. He doesn't take much damage from evocations.
-Can set traps. He can use traps to augment his melee abilities
-Excellent scouting abilities. He has a good hide and move silently skill, and with find traps, true sight, improved invisibility and greater sanctuary, he can scout as well as any ranger or rogue.

Disadvantages

-Low Hitpoints. This is a result of being an elf with rogue levels. Not much can be done about this, but he does have endurance, heal, greater restoration and mass heal as well a good AC if he uses a shield.
-Low Caster Level. He can be dispelled, though this will not affect his armor and weapon buffs, and he can have trouble with SR.
-Low AB. He has a 40 AB with a single mace, 38 while dual wielding. With cleric buffs, this should be fine for a low or no magic world, but it can be problematic.
-Mediocre Fortitude and Will saves. He can cast clarity and death ward, and he has okay fortitude saves and will saves vs. spells but this is a weak point.
-XP penalty from level 15 onwards.

Comparison of this "Ranger" to a Ranger

-Spells. I don't need to show the superiority of level 8 cleric spells to level 4 ranger spells
-Damage. Favored enemy and Bane of Enemies does 9+2D6 points of damage to favored enemies. With epic weapon specialization and darkfire alone he does 14+1D4 points of damage to all opponents. Throw in the sneak attack and other cleric buffs and the "Ranger" wins hands down
-Attack Bonus. The Ranger would have a 4 point higher AB than the "Ranger". The Ranger can only use blade thirst and aid to buffs his AB, while the "Ranger" has bless, aid, divine power, divine favor, prayer, battletide and greater magic weapon to buff his AB.
-Hit Points. The Ranger with the same CON would have 102 more hit points, The "Ranger" cam cast endurance to decrease that gap to 22, but the Ranger wins out here.
-Animal Companion. The Ranger can summon a powerful animal, the "Ranger" can summon an elder elemental.
-Stealth. The Ranger has high hide and move silently skills which he can augment with camoflage. The "Ranger" has high hide and move silently skills, which he can augment with invisibility spells.
-Detection. The Ranger has a high spot, listen and search skill. The "Ranger" can cast true sight and find traps.
-Trap Setting. Both builds can set traps.
-Defense. The Ranger has a similar AC, but the "Ranger" has uncanny dodge, epic dodge and improved invisibility.

Ultimate Dex "Ranger"

Race Elf

Alignment Any

Base Attribute
STR 10
DEX 18
CON 12
WIS 14
INT 14
CHA 8

Leveling Guide (complicated, but you only get an XP penalty at level 15 and it doesn't get higher than 20%)
Level 1 Rogue
Level 2 Fighter
Level 3 Cleric
Level 4 Rogue
Level 5 Fighter
Level 6 Cleric
Level 7 Rogue
Level 8 Fighter
Level 9 Cleric
Level 10 Rogue
Level 11 Fighter
Level 12 Cleric
Level 13 Rogue
Level 14 Cleric
Level 15 Rogue
Level 16 Cleric
Level 17 Rogue
Level 18 Cleric
Level 19 Rogue
Level 20 Cleric
Level 21 Fighter
Level 22 Rogue
Level 23 Cleric
Level 24 Rogue
Level 25 Cleric
Level 26 Rogue
Level 27 Cleric
Level 28 Fighter
Level 29 Rogue
Level 30 Cleric
Level 31 Rogue
Level 32 Cleric
Level 33 Rogue
Level 34 Cleric
Level 35 Fighter
Level 36 Rogue
Level 37 Cleric
Level 38 Cleric
Level 39 Rogue
Level 40 Fighter

Final Level Distribution
Cleric 16
Fighter 8
Rogue 16


Clerical Domains
Trickery and Animal (Trickery and War are better choices though)


Attribute Bonuses
levels 4, 8, 12, 16, 28 and 40 go to dexterity
levels 20, 24, 32 and 36 go to wisdom

Feats
Level 1: Knockdown
Level 2: Weapon Finesse
Level 3: Weapon Focus (mace)
Level 5: Ambidexterity
Level 6: Two-Weapon fighting
Level 9: Improved Knockdown
Level 11: Weapon Specialization (mace)
Level 12: Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
Level 15: Blind-Fight
Level 18: Extend Spell
Level 21: Epic Weapon Focus (mace)
Level 24: Great Dexterity I, Improved Evasion
Level 27: Great Dexterity II
Level 28: Epic Weapon Specialization (mace)
Level 30: Great Dexterity III
Level 31: Defensive Roll
Level 33: Great Dexterity IV
Level 36: Great Dexterity V
Level 39: Great Dexterity VI, Epic Dodge
Level 40: Epic Prowess

Final Attributes
STR 10
DEX 30
CON 12
WIS 18
INT 14
CHA 8

Final Saves (Vs. Spells)
Fortitude 23 (31)
Reflexes 29 (37)
Will 23 (31)

AB and Damage

(No buffs, two normal maces)
38/33/28/23 6+1D6 (+8D6 sneak attack) (20 x2)
38/33 6+1D6 (+8D6 sneak attack) (20 x2)

(+4 to Dex [Cat's Grace], +12 to STR [Bull's Strength, Divine Power], Bless, Aid, Prayer, Battletide, Divine Power, Divine Favor, Greater Magic Weapon x2, Darkfire x2, two maces)
59/54/49/44 17+1D6 (+1 slashing +7 magic +8+1D6 fire +8D6 Sneak Attack) (20 x2)
59/54 14+1D6 (+1 slashing +7 magic +8+1D6 fire +8D6 Sneak Attack) (20 x2)

Maximum AB: 66 (64 while dual wielding)

AC
28 (no armor, no buffs)
31 (robes, tower shield, no buffs)

39 (+4 to Dex [Cat's Grace], magical vestments, shield of faith, robes)
47 (+4 to Dex [Cat's Grace], magical vestmentsx2, shield of faith, robes and tower shield)

53 (+12 to DEX, +5 Robes, +5 Ring of Protection, +5 Amulet of Natural Armor, Boots of Speed)
61 (As above with +5 tower shield)

Hit Points 338 (Max Every Level)

Final Skillpoints 286
Concentration 43 (43)
Craft Trap 18 (20)
Disable Trap 1 (3)
Discipline 43 (43)
Hide 42 (52)
Move Silently 42 (52)
Set Trap 19 (29)
Spellcraft 38 (40)
Tumble 40 (22)


Skillpoint Distribution
Level 1: Craft Trap 4, Disable Trap 1, Hide 4, Move Silently 4, Set Trap 4, Tumble 4, Save 19
Level 2: Concentration 5, Discipline 5, Save 13
Level 3: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 6, Save 10
Level 4: Craft Trap 2, Hide 3, Move Silently 3, Set Trap 2, Tumble 3, Save 7
Level 5: Concentration 2, Discipline 3, Save 6
Level 6: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 3, save 6
Level 7: Craft Trap 2, Hide 3, Move Silently 3, Set Trap 2, Tumble 3, Save 3
Level 8: Concentration 2, Discipline 3, Save 2
Level 9: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 3, Save 2
Level 10: Craft Trap 1, Hide 3, Move Silently 3, Set Trap 1, Tumble 3, Save 1
Level 11: Concentration 2, Discipline 3
Level 12: Concentration 1, Spellcraft 3
Level 13: Hide 3, Move Silently 3, Set Trap 1, Tumble 3
Level 14: Concentration 2, Spellcraft 2
Level 15: Craft Trap 1, Hide 2, Move Silently 2, Set Trap 1, Tumble 2, Save 2
Level 16: Concentration 2, Spellcraft 2, Save 2
Level 17: Craft Trap 1, Hide 2, Move Silently 2, Set Trap 1, Tumble 2, Save 4
Level 18: Concentration 2, Spellcraft 2, Save 4
Level 19: Hide 2, Move Silently 2, Set Trap 1, Tumble 2, Save 7
Level 20: Concentration 2, Spellcraft 2, Save 7
Level 21: Concentration 1, Discipline 10
Level 22: Hide 3, Move Silently 3, Tumble 3, Save 1
Level 23: Concentration 2, Spellcraft 3
Level 24: Craft Trap 1, Hide 2, Move Silently 2, Set Trap 1, Tumble 2, Save 2
Level 25: Concentration 2, Spellcraft 2, Save 2
Level 26: Craft Trap 1, Hide 2, Move Silently 2, Set Trap 1, Tumble 2, Save 4
Level 27: Concentration 2, Spellcraft 2, Save 4
Level 28: Concentration 1, Discipline 7
Level 29: Hide 3, Move Silently 3, Tumble 3, Save 1
Level 30: Concentration 2, Spellcraft 3
Level 31: Craft Trap 1, Hide 2, Move Silently 2, Set Trap 1, Tumble 2, Save 2
Level 32: Concentration 2, Spellcraft 2, Save 2
Level 33: Craft Trap 1, Hide 2, Move Silently 2, Set Trap 1, Tumble 2, Save 4
Level 34: Concentration 2, Spellcraft 2, Save 4
Level 35: Concentration 1, Discipline 7
Level 36: Hide 3, Move Silently 3, Set Trap 1, Tumble 3
Level 37: Concentration 2, Craft Trap 1, Spellcraft 1
Level 38: Concentration 1, Craft Trap 2, Save 1
Level 39: Hide 3, Move Silently 3, Set Trap 1, Tumble 1, Save 3
Level 40: Concentration 2, Discipline 5
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Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do.

Edited By Bromium on 10/12/07 20:10

I love it Mith, I think I will have to test him, but the first impression is great.

I think I will better switch from maces to shortswords (I play on an rp server).
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Over Seven Years of High Quality RP. www.mytharria.org We offer a unique world with player based religions & governments. wow! truelly great. A really cool and fun build. Nothing extraordinary about classes and levels, but the way you "made" the build rocks! I tested it PvP in a training hall vs several opponents, and with max buffs IKD is tough to resist, so this is doable even in PvP, from what I could see, since you can hit and damage most opponents (as with all clerics). Epic dodge gives an edge. Of course, those who can debuff you will make mayhem, but with a few heals, you can last awhile even then. From an rp perspective, I think short-swords would be better, but that is only flavor. Very clever. Proving yet again that, "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself."
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Ariel, Ookla, RIDE! I really like the build (I have toyed around with a similar build (paladin instead of fighter). what about taking of Cleric to 15 instead of 16 - doesn't level 15 get you level 8 spells (and 16 doesn't get you level 9)? You could take rogue to 17 for an extra d6 of sneak attack. That is a pretty marginal call. What about rapier with a shield for a weapon, too? Does rapier work with weapon finesse?
Quote: Posted 06/29/05 14:48:33 (GMT) -- Ithacan
What about rapier with a shield for a weapon, too? Does rapier work with weapon finesse?

Yes, it does, and is probably the ideal weapon for you to use if you want to go sword and board with this build.

Excellent build Mith. I've been looking around at a number of cleric/fighter/rogue builds, and I really like this one. Just one question:

Quote: Posted 06/29/05 10:53:48 (GMT) -- Mithdradates
Level 38: Great Dexterity VI

Is this an error? As far as I can tell, there's no reason for you to have a level 38 feat with this build.

Steve
Quote: Posted 06/29/05 17:30:41 (GMT) -- Stravinsky00

Quote: Posted 06/29/05 10:53:48 (GMT) -- Mithdradates
Level 38: Great Dexterity VI

Is this an error? As far as I can tell, there's no reason for you to have a level 38 feat with this build.

Steve

I would say that's meant to be the level 39 general feat, with Epic Dodge as the Rogue 16 bonus feat on character level 39 as well.

Very nice build Mith. Kudos.
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It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!! Like the build a lot, Mith. Good to see that after all this time you're STILL having original ideas.
Quote: Posted 06/29/05 18:08:02 (GMT) -- Cinnabar Din

Quote: Posted 06/29/05 17:30:41 (GMT) -- Stravinsky00

Quote: Posted 06/29/05 10:53:48 (GMT) -- Mithdradates
Level 38: Great Dexterity VI

Is this an error? As far as I can tell, there's no reason for you to have a level 38 feat with this build.

Steve

I would say that's meant to be the level 39 general feat, with Epic Dodge as the Rogue 16 bonus feat on character level 39 as well.

Very nice build Mith. Kudos.
Whoops.. that would be me.. I messed the edit up
sorry Mith
Quote: Posted 06/29/05 14:48:33 (GMT) -- Ithacan

I really like the build (I have toyed around with a similar build (paladin instead of fighter). what about taking of Cleric to 15 instead of 16 - doesn't level 15 get you level 8 spells (and 16 doesn't get you level 9)? You could take rogue to 17 for an extra d6 of sneak attack. That is a pretty marginal call.

(with apologies to Mith for answering in his stead)

You'd be trading a level 7 and a level 8 spell for 1d6 sneak attack and a few more skill points (something this build doesn't lack).

Personally, I'd take the 2 high level spell slots over an average 3.5 situational damage any day.
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It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!! agreed with CD.
you should try and compare the spell layout of a lvl 15 and 16 cleric. a lvl 16 cleric can go on for a bit longer.
my sualy spell layout has 3 extended divine favors, 3 extended prayers, 3 extended divine powers, 3 extended battle tides, 2 imp invis and then some other stuuf. but an extra few spells from lvl 16 really help out. I have a Ranger23/Cleric13/Fighter4 that is very similar, but you summarized the differences very well. Your "Ranger" gets sneak attacks, Epic Dodge, Tumble, and more spells. The few advantages of the Ranger class are definitely overshadowed by the advantages of your "Ranger". To me the Tumble and Epic Dodge alone are better than the +2 AB, +5 DMG +2d6 DMG, +5 Spot/Listen checks, and + Hide spells of the Ranger, especially when you don't have the hitpoints to spare.

This is really a good build to show how weak the Ranger class really is.

It's hilarious how this is a better "Ranger" than you can get using the Ranger class. Good one Mith!