Playable from level 1-40... PvM build

This build has been sitting on my hard disk for the better part of a year while I was debating whether or not to post it. I originally created this build in response to the statement that halflings couldn't make effective warriors. While this Halfling is a proficient warrior, I don't like Halfings and don't think that they should be able to be warriors that are comparable to the larger races. Hence I was reluctant to post this build. It works quite well, it has a high AC and a high enough AB that it doesn't have trouble landing knockdown attacks despite its size. The will and fortitude saves are a bit low, so it has some spell vulnerability there and, like all dex builds, it doesn't do well against critical hit immune opponents. Against the critical hit vulnerable, it has enough rogue levels that the sneak attack damage is sufficiently lethal and the critical hits do a fair amount of damage as well. It can't cast spells, but it can use scrolls through UMD and set traps to augment its offensive ability, hence the more magic items it has the better it gets. This build does the best in low to high magic settings where devastating critical has been disabled.

Advantages

-High AB. This build has a 46 AB while dual-wielding. It can hit most opponents.
-7D6 sneak attack. With improved knockdown (which works well due to the high AB) he can create opportunities for many sneak attacks.
-Epic Weapon Specialization. An extra 6 points of damage per hit, really helps out when this build can't rely on critical hits and sneak attacks for damage.
-Epic Dodge and a good AC. Against most opponents, this halfling is pretty hard to hit. It can also use expertise to increase the AC a bit more.
-Improved Evasion and a High Reflex Save. He doesn't have to worry about spells with a reflex save for half damage.
-High UMD. He can cast spells from scrolls and wands.
-Some Trap Setting Ability. He can use traps to augment his damage.

Disadvantages

-Mediocre Fortitude and Will Saves. He can always use a scroll of mind blank or potion of clarity to help with the will save. The fortitude save is a bit more of a problem, he has to watch out for death magic. Hopefully he can find some death ward scrolls, or some save boosting items.
-Halfling. 'Nuff said.

Shin Slasher

Race Halfling

Alignment Any

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

Leveling Guide
Level 1 Rogue
Levels 2-3 Fighter
Level 4 Rogue
Levels 5-8 Fighter
Level 9 Rogue
Levels 10-14 Weapon Master
Level 15 Rogue
Levels 16-20 Weapon Master
Level 21 Rogue
Levels 22-24 weapon Master
Level 25 Rogue
Levels 26-28 Weapon Master
Level 29 Rogue
Levels 30-32 Weapon Master
Levels 33-35 Rogue
Level 36 Fighter
Levels 37-39 Rogue
Level 40 Fighter

Final Level Distribution
Fighter 8
Rogue 13
Weapon Master 19

Attribute Bonuses
All 10 bonuses go to Dexterity

Feats
Level 1: Dodge
Level 2: Weapon Finesse
Level 3: Expertise, Weapon Focus (Dagger)
Level 6: Spring Attack, Mobility
Level 8: Weapon Specialization (Dagger)
Level 9: Whirlwind Attack
Level 12: Knockdown
Level 15: Improved Knockdown
Level 18: Two-Weapon Fighting
Level 21: Ambidexterity
Level 24: Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Epic Weapon Focus (Dagger)
Level 27: Improved Critical (Dagger)
Level 28: Epic Prowess
Level 30: Blind-Fight
Level 32: Armor Skin
Level 33: Great Dexterity I
Level 35: Defensive Roll
Level 36: Great Dexterity II
Level 39: Improved Evasion, Epic Dodge
Level 40: Epic Weapon Specialization (Dagger)

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

Final Saves (vs. Spells)
Fortitude 22 (26)
Reflexes 34 (38)
Will 17 (21)

Hitpoints 428 (maximum every level)

AB and Damage

(no buffs, 2 normal daggers)
46/41/36/31 7+1D4 (+7D6 Sneak Attack) (15-20 X3)
46/41 6+1D4 (+7D6 Sneak Attack) (15-20 X3)

(+12 to dexterity, 2 +5 keen daggers)
57/52/47/42 12+1D4 (+7D6 Sneak Attack) (13-20 x3)
57/52 11+1D4 (+7D6 Sneak Attack) (13-20 X3)

Maximum AB

(while dual wielding)
72/67/62/57
72/67

(with shield)
74/69/64/59

AC
(no armor, no buffs)
31 (32)
(+5 clothing, +5 ring of protection, +5 amulet of natural armor, +12 to dexterity, +5 boots of the sun soul, Haste)
61 (62)
(as above but with +5 small shield)
67 (68)

Skillpoints 268
Craft Trap 9 (11) (C)
Disable Trap 1 (3) (DT)
Discipline 43 (44) (D)
Hide 42 (52) (H)
Intimidate 4 (3) (I)
Move Silently 42 (52) (MS)
Set Trap 10 (20) (ST)
Spellcraft 18 (20) (S)
Tumble 40 (50) (T)
Use Magic Devices 41 (40) (U)

Skillpoint Distribution
Level 1: C 4, DT 1, H 4, I 4, MS 4, ST 4, S 2, T 4, U 4, Save 7
Level 2: C 1, D 5, Save 5
Level 3: C 1, D 1, S 1, Save 5
Level 4: H 3, MS 3, ST 3, T 3, U 3
Level 5: D 2, S 1
Level 6: D 1, Save 3
Level 7: D 1, S 1, Save 4
Level 8: D 1, Save 7
Level 9: H 4, MS 4, S 1, T 3, U 4
Level 10: D 2, Save 2
Level 11: D 1, S 1, Save 3
Level 12: D 1, Save 6
Level 13: D 1, S 1, Save 7
Level 14: D 1, Save 10
Level 15: H 4, MS 4, S 1, T 5, U 5
Level 16: D 2, Save 2
Level 17: D 1, S 1, Save 3
Level 18: D 1, Save 6
Level 19: D 1, S 1, Save 7
Level 20: D 1, Save 10
Level 21: H 4, MS 4, S 1, T 5, U 5
Level 22: D 2, Save 2
Level 23: D 1, S 1, Save 3
Level 24: D 1, Save 6
Level 25: H 2, MS 2, S 1, T 5, U 5
Level 26: D 2, Save 2
Level 27: D 1, S 1, Save 3
Level 28: D 1, Save 6
Level 29: H 2, MS 2, S 1, T 5, U 5
Level 30: D 2, Save 2
Level 31: D 1, S 1, Save 3
Level 32: D 1, Save 6
Level 33: H 2, MS 1, S 1, T 6, U 5
Level 34: H 4, MS 4, T 1, U 1
Level 35: H 4, MS 4, T 1, U 1
Level 36: D 4
Level 37: H 3, MS 3, T 2, U 2
Level 38: H 4, MS 5, U 1
Level 39: C 3, H 2, MS 2, ST 3
Level 40: D 4
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Edited By Mithdradates on 08/05/05 07:55

Mith, I like the end result, though perhaps it's not the prettiest build in pre-epic, and will definitely have some issues there. Thus, I see your reluctance in posting it. He doesn't get his 2nd sneak dice until Level 9, and doesn't get IKD until Lvl 15, and doesn't get to dualwield effectively until Lvl 24, so he more or less is relying on his skills and decent items to save his butt. This is unavoidable, however, unless you want to completely restructure the design with Rogue-heavy up front and save the bulk of the WM levels for Epic(which would be a differnt concept entirely).

What you manage to accomplish, though, are some outstanding AB numbers for a dualwielder by level 40. It seems that he doesn't really mature until Level 39, when he has both Epic Dodge, ITWF, 7d6 sneak, and daggers x3 crits at a super AB all working at once. At the loss of 1AB and a WM bonus feat, I would consider dropping 3WM and replacing them with Rogue instead in order to "speed" up the Rogue side of the build and acquiring Epic Dodge sooner.

However, for a PvP Lvl 40 build, I'd leave it right where it's at.

Thanks for sharing this build. I think, if anything, it's an exercise and demonstration to stretch the design of classes and races, and a worthy illustration of the costliness of making and playing the Dualwielding, dex-based, weapon master builds. It requires a special breed of player to have the patience and skill to play one. I'd take one over a strength-based build anyday.
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Edited By grizzled_dwarflord on 08/06/05 01:52

This is truly a fantastic combination. If we had a vote for most ingenius concept that is SUCCESSFULLY done, this one should win, hands down! Who would have ever thought, a mighty halfling meleeist! Just the thought astounds me!

I know why i dont do halfs, i would be interested to hear what you dont like in them!

Peace Mith, the only thing I can see which may help the playablility slightly is adjusting where you take those Rogue levels (for Tumble maxing, of course). I'd put them in at levels 7, 12, 17, etc. I don't think it would change anything significant in the build.
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It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!! Just wanted to point out Zhoreb's Halfling Daggermaster build (Fighter 12 / Weapon Master 25 / Rogue 3)
for comparison:
Click Here

Kaliban

There may be other similar builds out there. I remembered Zhoreb's specifically and thought it would be of interest to link to it.
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"Where there is life, there is hope." - Grover