Harper's Blessed Sneak - Rogue(25), Champion of Torm(10), Harper Scout(5)

Harper's Blessed Sneak
Human
Champion of Torm(10), Rogue(25), Harper Scout(5), Human
PvM 1-40

A unique, versatile concept build, surprising to see this has never been attempted in these boards. The Harper Scout brings a lot to the party, primarily the ability to take Epic Dodge at 25th level, as well as the combined innate ability and potion creation of Cat's Grace for his Dex bonus and Eagle's Splendour for his Divine Wrath ability.

Overall, quite a handy cat to have along, with a 13d6 sneak and base ranks of 63 in Hide and Move Silently. Very useful UMD score of 40, and able to open/ disable any locks or traps.

Can hold its own well in melee, with KD/IKD/ Blind Fight and the ability to go the Two Weapon route or sword and board if needed. Adequate base ranged AB also.

STR: 14
DEX: 16 (30)
CON: 14
WIS: 8
INT: 14
CHA: 10

01: Rogue(1): Iron Will, Toughness
02: Rogue(2): {Evasion}
03: Rogue(3): Weapon Finesse, {Uncanny Dodge I}
04: Rogue(4): DEX+1, (DEX=17)
05: Rogue(5)
06: Rogue(6): Weapon Focus: Shortsword
07: Rogue(7)
08: Rogue(8): DEX+1, (DEX=18)
09: Rogue(9): Knockdown
10: Rogue(10): Improved Evasion
11: Rogue(11)
12: Champion of Torm(1): DEX+1, Ambidexterity, (DEX=19)
13: Champion of Torm(2): Improved Critical
14: Champion of Torm(3): {Smite Evil}
15: Champion of Torm(4): Two-Weapon Fighting, Blind Fight
16: Champion of Torm(5): DEX+1, (DEX=20)
17: Champion of Torm(6): Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
18: Champion of Torm(7): Alertness
19: Champion of Torm(8): Improved Knockdown
20: Rogue(12): DEX+1, (DEX=21)
21: Rogue(13): Great Dexterity I, Defensive Roll, (DEX=22)
22: Harper Scout(1): Great Dexterity II, (DEX=23)
23: Rogue(14)
24: Rogue(15): DEX+1, Great Dexterity III, (DEX=25)
25: Rogue(16): Epic Dodge
26: Champion of Torm(9)
27: Harper Scout(2): Epic Will
28: Champion of Torm(10): DEX+1, Epic Weapon Focus: Shortsword, (DEX=26)
29: Rogue(17)
30: Rogue(18): Epic Skill Focus: Move Silently
31: Rogue(19): Crippling Strike
32: Harper Scout(3): DEX+1, , (DEX=27)
33: Rogue(20): Epic Skill Focus: Hide
34: Rogue(21)
35: Rogue(22)
36: Rogue(23): DEX+1, Epic Prowess, (DEX=28)
37: Harper Scout(4)
38: Rogue(24): Skill Mastery * or Slippery Mind
39: Harper Scout(5): Armor Skin, Great Dexterity IV, (DEX=29)
40: Rogue(25): DEX+1, (DEX=30)

Hitpoints: 400
Skillpoints: 393
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 27/26/39
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +2, Mind Effects: +2, Traps: +7
BAB: 27
AB (max, naked): 41 (melee), 38 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane armor/shield only): 30/33

Skill Spread:
Appraise 43(45)
Disable Trap 43(47)
Hide 43(63)
Lore 11(18)
Move Silently 43(63)
Open Lock 35(45)
Persuade 8(8)
Search 40(42)
Set Trap 31(43)
Spellcraft 8(10)
Tumble 40(50)
UMD 40(40)

Strengths
Saves are ok F27, W 26, R39
High Hide and Move Silently 63 unbuffed each
Acceptable melee AB, 41
Epic Dodge at 25th level- 2nd earliest level available from the required pre-reqs
Good HP
Sneak Attack 13d6 (max 78 points/ successful attack)
Stackable Cat's Grace ability and potion creation
Stackable Eagle's Splendour ability and potion creation - for Divine Wrath
Tymora's Smile - grants +6 to Uni Saving Throws for 5 turns, once a day through CoT/HS combination
Can cast Invisibility & Sleep
Evasion/ Improved Evasion
Crippling Strike
KD/ IKD/ Blind Fight for Melee
Has the option to two weapon fight
Divine Wrath as backup
Good overall skillset

Weakness
Damage Output - the curse of Dexers sadly

Feedback if you please

Edited By I...Samphus on 05/12/06 09:40

looks solid, but if I'm not mistaken you can take with your 13th lvl of rogue (so lvl 21) defensive roll + epic dodge if you have some points in tumble (and of course have improved evasion)

It's a bug/error form BioWare. I'd only change that imo. The earlier you have Epic Dodge the better.

Other than that, looks good

// Maniac_Mailman
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Member of the Epic Character Builders Guild You still need DEX 25 which he doesn't have at 21st lvl.

Cheers,
Kail
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Well depending on where you play this build I'd suggest using elf/halfing then and start with 20 dex. But thats me (I play too much pvp atm

)

But then yeah lvl 25 is nice for a human to get epic dodge

Solid build then

Quote: Posted 04/26/06 12:05:52 (GMT) -- Ithacan

[...]Harper Scout, the only class so powerful it's capped at five.
[...]

Quote: Posted 05/12/06 09:37:11 (GMT) -- I...Samphus

Saves are ok F27, W 26, R39

Actually, these are excellent for 25 levels of Rogue.

Quote: Epic Dodge at 25th level- 2nd earliest level available from the required pre-reqs

Actually, no. A human can start with a 17Dex and still get Epic Dodge at 25th without the assistance of Harper Scout. I've played several characters that could get ED at 21, 22, 24, etc. ED at 25th is good for a human or Dwarf, but if you're using HS, then you might as well exploit it and go for broke and get it at 21st or 22nd.

Overall, still a solid scrapper and I would play it after a few adjustments, as noted. Under the hood, it's similar to the Harper Negotiator, only uses 10CoT levels instead of 10Fighter. What I like about this version are the high saves, which, depending on your environment, may be more important that things like WS/EWS (but then I think of being mobbed by the hordes of constructs, elementals and undead and quickly changes mind).

Niec job.
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Ariel, Ookla, RIDE! Thanks all for the comments.

Pre-reqs for ED:

DEX 25, 21st level, Improved Evasion, Defensive Roll and also Tumble 30 - as set out in that ancient tome of knowledge, The Grimoire. I am well aware that it is fallible, and that the Dodge Feat is not required for qualifying for this feat.

I have always assumed it is 30 selected ranks in Tumble to qualify, or is it an adjusted value?

Some clarification on this would be nice please.

That was the basis for my comment regarding 24th level as the earliest level, ie. the first time you can take 30 ranks in Tumble across the life of the build.

Grizz, the Fort save was higher originally until I dropped Epic Fort in favour of ESF: Hide. No, it's one rank in Tumble.
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Quote: Posted 04/26/06 12:05:52 (GMT) -- Ithacan

[...]Harper Scout, the only class so powerful it's capped at five.
[...]

Yes, one only needs 1 rank in Tumble. Anybody going for Epic Dodge will have that automatically unless they're completely daft.

Another thing I just noticed is that this guy can still get SC V without even trying or changing your starting values. Finish taking the other HS levels after ED at 25, take Great Dex at Lvl27 and 30, and at Lvl 32 can be Rogue 19 for SC I, 33 for SC II, 36 for SC III, Rogue24 for IV, and 39 for V. The only thing you lose are some of the gadget feats like Crippling, Slippery, Epic Will. It also has a nifty side effect of raising your Dex to 32 and increasing AB and AC by 1.

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Quote: Posted 05/12/06 14:12:11 (GMT) -- grizzled_dwarflord

The only thing you lose are some of the gadget feats like Crippling, Slippery, Epic Will.

Crippling Strike is the best feat a rogue can ever have

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Quote: Posted 04/26/06 12:05:52 (GMT) -- Ithacan

[...]Harper Scout, the only class so powerful it's capped at five.
[...]

Quote: Posted 05/12/06 15:28:23 (GMT) -- FinneousPJ

Quote: Posted 05/12/06 14:12:11 (GMT) -- grizzled_dwarflord

The only thing you lose are some of the gadget feats like Crippling, Slippery, Epic Will.

Crippling Strike is the best feat a rogue can ever have

Not always (that would be Epic Dodge), and particularly with a lot of Rogue levels it's less of an issue. Sneak damage will typically make short work of everything. And that which is immune, CS is useless anyway.
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Edited By grizzled_dwarflord on 05/12/06 15:34

Quote: Posted 05/12/06 15:33:47 (GMT) -- grizzled_dwarflord

Quote: Posted 05/12/06 15:28:23 (GMT) -- FinneousPJ

Crippling Strike is the best feat a rogue can ever have

Not always (that would be Epic Dodge), and particularly with a lot of Rogue levels it's less of an issue. Sneak damage will typically make short work of everything. And that which is immune, CS is useless anyway.

Well okay, perhaps after ED. Anyway Crippling Strike is damn great

I do agree that going with SC5 is a fine alternative route for this build.
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Quote: Posted 04/26/06 12:05:52 (GMT) -- Ithacan

[...]Harper Scout, the only class so powerful it's capped at five.
[...]

something to think on... I'll have to get back to you on this

I'm a fan of crippling strike in many regards (particularly as it makes it easier and easier to land knockdowns...), but like Griz, in a build with so many rogue levels I can't imagine fights where you land SAs dragging out that long. Maybe if your server environment has enemies with disgustingly high amounts of hitpoints that are not sneak-attack immune it will be more valuable.

SC 5, however, is some pretty good stuff and really shows its value in those fights where SA doesn't work - lets you last long enough that you can whittle things down.

I like this build. Good use of Harper Scout. I think I like it more than I'd like one using fighter, at least in an environment where I can get flame weapon scrolls or good elemental damage weapons, the lack of specialization won't hurt too horribly much.
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