Harper Negotiator v2


Rogue25/Fighter10/Harper Scout5
Playable: 1-40, PvM
Race: Halfling
Alignment: Any non-evil

Attributes
Str12
Int14
Wis8
Dex20 (36)
Con10
Chr8

Levelling Guide
1 Rogue, Ambidexterity
2 Fighter1, Weapon Finesse
3 Fighter2, TWF, Weapon Focus: Daggers
4 Fighter3, Dex21
5 Fighter4, WS: Daggers
6 Rogue2, Blindfighting
7 Rogue3
8 Rogue4, Dex22
9 Rogue5, Iron Will
10 Rogue6
11 Rogue7
12 Rogue8, Improved TWF, Dex23
13 Rogue9
14 Rogue10, Improved Evasion
15 Rouge11, Called Shot
16 Rogue12, Dex24
17 Rogue13, Defensive Roll
18 Rogue14, Alertness
19 Rogue15
20 Fighter5, Dex25
21 Rogue16, Epic Dodge, Great Dex I
22 Harper1, Great Dex II
23 Harper2
24 Harper3, Great Dex III, Dex29
25 Harper4
26 Harper5, Great Dex IV
27 Rogue17, Self Concealment I
28 Rogue18, Dex31
29 Rogue19, Self Concealment II
30 Fighter6, EWF: Daggers, Self Concealment III
31 Fighter7
32 FIghter8, Dex32, EWS: Daggers
33 Rogue20, Self Concealment IV
34 Rogue21
35 Rogue22
36 Rogue23, Great Dex V, Dex34
37 Rogue24, Self Concealment V
38 Fighter9
39 Fighter10, Great Dex VI, Epic Prowess
40 Rogue25, Dex36

Combat Vitals
Melee AB: 44
Mainhand: 42/37/32/27: 7+1d4(19-20/x2) +13d6sneak
Off-hand: 42/37: 6+1d4(19-20/x2) +13d6
Shortbow AB: 41
Sling AB: 42
Naked AC: 32
AC w/Shield & +5 Gear: 64
Hit Points: 280

Saves
Fort: 21 (23)
Reflex: 35 (37)
Will: 18 (20)

Skills: 350
Discipline: 42 (43)
Hide: 43 (56)
Move Silently: 43 (58)
Tumble: 40
UMD: 36 (35)
Set Traps: 29 (44)
Disable Traps: 25 (29)
Open Locks: 20 (33)
Search: 15 (17)
Listen: 43 (46)
Lore: 6 (8)
Persuade: 8 (7)

Advantages:
Epic Dodge at Level 21
Self-Concealment V
Strong Dualwielding AB
13d6 Sneak
Self Buff with Harper Cats Grace/UMD

Disadvantages:
Low Will/Fort Save
Low Hit Points
No KD/IKD
No HiPS

This is a revision and improvement of an old build of mine, the Harper Negotiator. He was a prototype, and the first of his kind in the Guild. But rather than drag up the old thread, it seemed appropriate to give this revision new life. As for this new Negotiator, he is nothing more than a Fighter/Thief that showcases the value of the Harper Prestige Class. A Fighter/Rogue has the easiest time meeting the requirements for Harper because, A) all the skills are relevant to the two classes involved, B) Iron Will needs to be taken anyway, and C) the Halfling's Listen Bonus stacks quite nicely with the Alertness Feat.

But what holds the allure for me in such a build is the placement of Epic Dodge and Self-Concealment. Epic Dodge at Lvl 21 is as good as it gets. SC I at Lvl 27 with SC III by Level 30 is as good as it gets. This is what makes Harper's rock. If you are in a slow to moderate levelling environment, getting 3 of the 5 SC feats by Level 30 makes the pre-epic investment well worth it. This tremendously increases the playability and utitilty of an SC V build, where one typically waits till Lvl 32+ to take the first SC feat. Further, the two extra Great Dex's also raise AB, AC, Reflex and Stealth skill all by one, which makes for nice icing on the cake.

The Harper's Toolbox is complete by Level 26. A 42 dualwielding AB with 13d6sneak, Called Shot, EWS and a 36 Dexterity provide a dangerous offensive punch. All of this is then supplemented with the Rogue skill set-- UMD, Set Traps, Hide and Move Silently-- and the Harper Negotiator can deal with any situation.

One important note: KD/IKD were dropped from the build intentionally. I enjoyed success without it, though for any IKDaholics, there is room pre-epic if you drop Called Shot and Blindfighting, though I find the latter to be of more utility.
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Edited By Kail Pendragon on 10/14/07 13:40

A very nice build, impressive results regarding how soon you get ED/SC feats. Really nice AB dual wielding too.

I would probably start with 10 STR, CON 12 for extra HP, since they are really low. As a dexer you won't be carrying around much equipment and +1 DMG is no big deal to lose.
No spellcraft ranks? I would expect at least some, given the poor saves. You'll probably have an AC substantially higher than your discipline ranks, is it really worthwhile to spend all those points in discipline? I mean, if they manage to hit you you are going to fail your discipline check most of the times if not all (AC=64 with +5 gear, discipline 43). Also, choosing not to be able to set deadly gas traps could give you +10 skill points, could be worth it. I think some points for spellcraft can be found here and there.

If you've got easy access to darkness/ultravision KD/IKD is much less necessary. Calle dshot and blind fight though are difficult to substitute, so I am with you on that one.

An excellent build, giving the HS some prestige. Kudos to the Dwarflord!

Cheers,
Kail
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Dilegua notte
Tramontate stelle
Tramontate stelle
All'alba vinceṛ
Vinceṛ
Vinceṛ His AB and size doesn't make KD's to important anyway. Discipline can be a nice skill while leveling, but perhaps less important when you reach late epics. Anyhow, with a +discipline item it will protect against autohit on "20" at least, or give you the opportunity to carry discipline enhancing items for when the need arises.

I to strive to get epic dodge, and cinn has obviously taught you about the use of HS. This is better than the original, methinks. Well planned and well optimized for early access to powerful feats.

You show all who doubt the value of HS. All in all a good build, with the possibilty of using shield for a better AB against Hard-to-hit opponents and hard-hitting opponents. Good, Grizz.
Quote: 
...
Skills: 350
Discipline: 42 (43)
Hide: 43 (56)
Move Silently: 43 (58)
Tumble: 40
UMD: 36 (35)
Set Traps: 29 (44)
Disable Traps: 25 (29)
Open Locks: 20 (33)
Search: 15 (17)
Listen: 43 (46)
Lore: 6 (8)
Persuade: 8 (7)

...

is the 58 +2 due to halfling bonus (does it show up?)?

not terribly persuasive for a negotiator...but i suppose this guy 'negotiates' with a dagger over each jugular...

nicely redone. nifty little concept, and a really early ED and SC. goal accomplished i think.

-c