The sky was covered with clouds... rain falling in the night... the water could wash away the blood, but not the crime, not the guilt...
In the floor, a dead Dryad... killed by a savage half orc, looked more like an animal than like a man, a slight smile could be seen in the middle of the night, through the rain...
It was but a single noise, not very loud, not very close, from one side, then from the other, he knew he was not alone... somone saw the crime, someone could spread the word, but, how is this? that a noise is from the left, and another from the right? more than one it could be, only one chance left, run, cover with the night and the rain, and don't let them see your face.
The savage man ran as fast as he could, but the noise was heard closer everytime, almost as he he wasn't really moving, he knew he was too slow, running would not suffice, one alternative sprouts, kill the witnesses too...
Ready his axe, still confused by his position, sure he was that he could strike right, but things happened too fast...
A big Panther juped towards him, the distance was adequate, he was going to strike in time, axe ready on his hand, before the panther's claw could arrive, but suddenly, his body was not responding correctly... from foot to leg to arm to hand, a dozen of piercing slices hurt from his back, it was too fast... it was too fast...
The rain was washing blood again... righteous justice was laid there... but all he could see before the end was a man and a panther, the master and his pet, the Silent Guardian of the Forest.
----------
Silent Guardian of the Forest (Ranger 21 / Monk 2 / Rogue 17)
There are very few Ranger/Monk/Rogue combinations, and surprisingly, none of them has Bane of Enemies, a strong feat IMO, so this build has Bane of Enemies with max APR and Epic Dodge, as well as some sneak attack needed for damage.
He isn't very playable pre-epic, since his damage is very low, might stand around with his Animal Companion pre-epic, but the Animal Companion will be weak in epics.
I couldn't get around the XP penalty, even being human still 20% from level 25 to 40, you could change race to elf, for +2 DEX (+1 AB and AC), but you lose 40 HP (from Toughness), 40 skillpoints, and the XP penalty becomes huge.
PvM, untested PvP
Level 40 build
He can be played... but his abilities won't show more or less until he gets Epic Dodge, so let's say he's meant to be played at level 40.
Favored Enemies can be chosen as you like, but I'd suggest enemies immune to sneaks like undeads, constructs, dragons and elementals, or else go with PvP races.
HP: 448 BAB: 30 AB: +43 Mainhand AB: +41/+38/+35/+32/+29/+26 (+2 vs Favored Enemies) Offhand AB: +41/+36 (+2 vs Favored Enemies) AC: 31 (10 Base, +9 DEX, +2 WIS, +8 Tumble, +2 Armor Skin) Damage (works the same for both hands): 1d6 + 2d6+5 vs Favored enemies + 9d6 sneak attack, Critical threat 19-20 X2
Fair AB and AC, but HP is lowish, damage is good, but subject to sneaks and favored enemies. Carrying a bow might be a good option, since high APR builds like this can be suicidal against casters with Mestil's. Ranged AB: +39/+34/+29/+24
Some buffs to consider: Cat's Grace, Aid, Protection form elements, Blade Thirst (only useful with really low magical weapons), Freedom of Movement.
Buffs aren't very impressive, but they work fine, counting a good Cat's Grace roll, these buffs give: +3 AB, +2 AC, +1d8 HP, +3 enhancement, elemental resistance 30/ max 40, and freedom.
Advanatages: Max APR, able to deal a lot of damage Good base AC Epic Dodge and Improved Evasion
Disadvantages: Regularly low AB Regularly low HP No HiPS, that would be very helpful.
Feedback...
Feat selection moved to proper level - Kail Pendragon
Edited By Kail Pendragon on 05/30/06 17:44
Kamas are worthless unless you have at least one monk level, so playability until then is low. Then again, you did say the build was made for level 40.
Still, from a level 40 perspective, losing a feat to exotic weapon proficiency isn't worth the one AB that you'd lose from taking monk pre-epic. I'd say go dwarf and take your second level as a monk. You gain 40 HP and lose 1 AB, but playability is increased a bunch. _________________ CATS!
I quite like it. avarielo has a point, though Anyway I'm too tired to think of any suggestions, sorry _________________ "... C'est un pays plus nu que la terre polaire — Ni bêtes, ni ruisseaux, ni verdure, ni bois!
Or il n'est pas d'horreur au monde qui surpasse La froide cruauté de ce soleil de glace Et cette immense nuit semblable au vieux Chaos; ..."
Edited By FinneousPJ on 05/29/06 20:34
I actually was thinking on equipping a greatsword pre-epic to make as much damage as possible with that low STR, no matter the focus is on kama, until I get Monk levels, a greatsword will deal much more, or longsword with a shield.
Dwarf gets a nasty XP penalty, with Monk at level 2 you'll have 20% Xp penalty since level 4, and 40% at level 25.
Every AB is worth it IMO, as his AB isn't high, besides, Mithdradates gave me an argument I could not deny, that you do invest in Epic Prowess, which is a feat that gives 1 AB, and Exotic Proficiency works the same here, so I chose to take all Ranger pre-epic.
What I would recommend to make it playable is to mix your classes alittle. You need Rogue pre-epic to get by. You need UMD and sneak-attack. A ranger can rely a bit on his animal and traps, but the animal dies quickly.
I have tried a DEX-based ranger once (I was very very ill ), and it is really hard to level. As a lvl 40 build this is good, but it becomes quite okay long before that, as soon as your options start to appear, really. Taking Rogue pre-epic will cost AB and you won't get BoE until 27 or 30, so it's a trade-off. As a level 40 build it is quite fine as it is. But like I said, after you get BoE, a monk-level and some sneak attack, then it's good to play. Around 27 or so.
Rock on Thax. _________________ I see the fear you have inside, you can run but never hide. I will hunt you down and tear you limb from limb.
I run the Pre-Epic Builders guild. Join and share your experience.
I actually was thinking on equipping a greatsword pre-epic to make as much damage as possible with that low STR, no matter the focus is on kama, until I get Monk levels, a greatsword will deal much more, or longsword with a shield.
Greatsword? Longsword? Your attack bonus will cease to exist with such a low strength. If you use anything pre-epic, make it short swords, or a rapier and shield. Damage is less important than AB, especially pre-epic. _________________ CATS!
Just a minor note, Great Dex II, Epic Dodge and Armor Skin should be one level later. Also you can drop your spellcraft by 2 and free up 4 skillpoints.
For a level 40 build it looks good. Playability is a bit of an issue in a no or low magic setting. If you can get a weapon with an elemental damage mod and/or a good enhancement bonus it would be quite playable. I would recommend investing some points in trap setting abilities. They can really help a dex ranger do damage. _________________ Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do.
Forgot for a moment that Weapon Finesse only works with short weapons... grrrr, in that case the kama will be the best looking, either dual or one kama with a shield, damage will be crap at any rate then.
Heh, it didn't go exactly as I thought it would... when I finished I noticed he was crap pre-epic and decided to clasify him as a level 40 build... then I realized, that 40 builds end playing in PvP most, if not all of the times... at which point my "I thought ingenious" way of countering sneak immunities with BoE went down as that works mostly in PvM... I don't know if shifters count as their shifted class for Favored Enemy effects... if they do, at least dragon should be considered IMO.
Quote: A ranger can rely a bit on his animal and traps, but the animal dies quickly.
I'm thinking that using a shield I'll use my Panther as my sneak damage... might work... in any case, rest often, and feed the little guy very often. I actually found some sort of "trick", as you can feed your companion in the midst of battle, if you stop attacking (i.e. rely on your AC only while you run, and order your companion to follow you) you leave combat mode and are able to talk with the companion to feed him.
EDIT: Well, I was posting when you posted Mithdradates. Fine observation, I didn't notice, a mere writing error, as I went with the idea that Rogue and normal feats were at the same levels... Trap Settings eh? ok, I stated 24 spare points, should go on that.
I'm still unsure about what kinds of sacrifices Kail likes... I need that info for next time, anyway, I ask thee, Kail Pendragon, to modify that... and thanks, I'll go hunting something for you in return.
Anyway I'm too tired to think of any suggestions, sorry 
), and it is really hard to level. As a lvl 40 build this is good, but it becomes quite okay long before that, as soon as your options start to appear, really. Taking Rogue pre-epic will cost AB and you won't get BoE until 27 or 30, so it's a trade-off.