ShayneP

OK, continuing my theme of pure-class builds, I present a very small parcel designed to make grumpy Barbarians stamp their feet in frustration.

This build is for a specific PvP scenario only and as such is pretty much unplayable PvAnythingElse.

The conditions for the Deathmatch are this:
* Pure Rogue v Pure Barbarian
* No Magical equipment
* First to die loses

I've built this little guy with the following goals in mind:
* Be hard to hit - SCV and Epic Dodge.
* Increase Will saves to avoid Terrifying Rage - be a halfling and whatever feats I can spare
* Increase Fort save to avoid Dev Crit
* Be sneaky, won't win unless get sneak attacks in
* Increase chance of hitting as much as possible to get sneak attacks in...
* Try to set traps (I know the Barb will have evasion, but even half damage is better than none)

Please have a look with the battle conditions in mind.

Rogue(40), Halfling

STR: 10
DEX: 20 (32)
CON: 14
WIS: 12
INT: 8
CHA: 8

Feat choices:
(1): Dodge
(3): Mobility
(6): Weapon Focus: Dagger
(9): Ambidexterity
(10): Improved Evasion
(12): Two-Weapon Fighting
(13): Defensive Roll
(15): Weapon Finesse
(16): Crippling Strike
(18): Iron Will
(19): Slippery Mind
(21): Great Dexterity I
(24): Great Dexterity II, Blinding Speed
(27): Epic Prowess
(28): Epic Dodge
(30): Epic Fortitude
(32): Self Concealment I
(33): Epic Weapon Focus: Dagger
(36): Self Concealment II, Self Concealment III
(39): Self Concealment IV
(40): Self Concealment V

Hitpoints: 320
Skillpoints: 301
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 23/20/34
Saving Throw bonuses: Traps: +5, Fear: +2
BAB: 25
AB (max, naked): 41 (melee), 39 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane armor/shield only): 30/30
Spell Casting:
Alignment Changes: 0

Concentration 21(23), Discipline 21(21), Heal 43(44), Hide 43(54), Move Silently 43(56), Set Trap 43(54), Tumble 43(54)

**Tactics**
- Start "hidden", sneak attack, run away, hide sneak attack again etc.
- Blinding speed for a quick getaway (once)
- Set a few traps around the place for a bit of fun
- Have a ready supply of healing kits, because I may need them!

PS Why Spiked Barbarian Food? Because I am probably going to get eaten, but it is going to hurt going down!


***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Kamiryn

Quote: Posted 01/13/06 08:43:12 (GMT) -- ShayneP

* Increase Will saves to avoid Terrifying Rage - be a halfling and whatever feats I can spare
The Terrifying Rage is not really to be feared because you've the same level as the barbarian. Of course the -2 AB penalty would hurt a little bit. But your will save is still very low compared to the possible Terrifying Rage DC (>40). So Iron Will doesn't help much (does Slippery Mind help? I'm not sure, the rage isn't a spell after all). Better take Great Fortitude to avoid Dev. Criticals.

Quote: * Try to set traps (I know the Barb will have evasion, but even half damage is better than none)
A pure barbarian does not have Evasion. However he has Uncanny Dodge VI, so +5 to reflex saves vs. traps (better use traps without reflex saves). But why not take the skill mastery feat if you want to set lots of traps?

I would also drop Mobility (you don't take SD levels, you won't provoke AoOs, so imho the feat is not really useful) and take for example Luck of Heros or perhaps Skill Focus: Discipline. Not sure if your Concentration skill will help much vs. the barbarian's taunt attempts (unless you 'd take both Skill Focus and Epic Skill Focus Concentration).


***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

FinneousPJ

Quote: Posted 01/13/06 08:43:12 (GMT) -- ShayneP

The conditions for the Deathmatch are this:
* Pure Rogue v Pure Barbarian
* No Magical equipment
* First to die loses
Now that is what I call unlikely!


***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

ShayneP

Quote: Posted 01/13/06 10:55:07 (GMT) -- Kamiryn

The Terrifying Rage is not really to be feared because you've the same level as the barbarian.
...
Better take Great Fortitude to avoid Dev. Criticals.

Good point. Fail vs Dev Crit == DEAD. More of a problem really!

Quote: Posted 01/13/06 10:55:07 (GMT) -- Kamiryn

Quote: * Try to set traps (I know the Barb will have evasion, but even half damage is better than none)
A pure barbarian does not have Evasion. However he has Uncanny Dodge VI, so +5 to reflex saves vs. traps (better use traps without reflex saves). But why not take the skill mastery feat if you want to set lots of traps?

Got my bonus feats mixed up, and didn't realise there were non-reflex traps. Good idea. And I will go for skill mastery, I think I left it out imagining I would always take 20 anyway (ie out of combat), but maybe not...

Quote: Posted 01/13/06 10:55:07 (GMT) -- Kamiryn
I would also drop Mobility (you don't take SD levels, you won't provoke AoOs, so imho the feat is not really useful) and take for example Luck of Heros or perhaps Skill Focus: Discipline. Not sure if your Concentration skill will help much vs. the barbarian's taunt attempts (unless you 'd take both Skill Focus and Epic Skill Focus Concentration).

Do you provoke an AoO by turning and running? I assumed you would. But I suppose with Epic Dodge, I could afford to give him one hit at me anyway and put that feat to better use.

An as for (Epic) Skill Focus, I had planned to have a couple, but feats were too limited, perhaps when I rearrange everything.

Quote: Posted 01/13/06 14:08:19 (GMT) -- FinneousPJ

Quote: Posted 01/13/06 08:43:12 (GMT) -- ShayneP

The conditions for the Deathmatch are this:
* Pure Rogue v Pure Barbarian
* No Magical equipment
* First to die loses
Now that is what I call unlikely!

Well, that's what comes from extolling the superiority of rogues over all other forms of life. You sometimes have to put your money where your mouth is.

I quote from the brother's (the Barbarian) latest email on the subject:

Quote: 
your rogue *** will be Barbarian snack food!

I hope that doesn't mean he reads this forum!

BTW, does anyone have any suggestion for a good PvP module/arena. Something simple, perhaps with a shopkeeper, so I can strip all equipment coming in and only sell non-magical stuff once there...?

Thanks all

Shayne


***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Grimnir77


Advice: Focus on shortbow. Combined with Stealth Focus and Trap setting he would be in for a treat if you can create epic traps. Wouldn't even need SC. Without magic equipment he'll be easy to hit anyway. Trap up the place with epic traps, and shoot your heart out. Get around a corner or lure him into a trap and hide, trap and shoot. One problem is that he's faster than you, so melee weapons will get you in trouble. Drop mobility, with modified tumble at 15 you won't generate AoO. Drop further increases in tumble, he'll only miss you on a roll of 1 anyway.