Purely Build Mechanic Question

[taoofbalance]

I have a character I am playing just hit level 6. The plan is to be Rogue/Fighter.

Don't want' to post the entire build here. But, anyone willing to take a look let me know and I'll shoot you a PM. As he is level 6, certain things are in stone.

But, I am wondering if Rogue/Fighter is viable for the long run. Or will I be gimped by not going the Rogue/Fighter/WM route?

I will say that though the plan is to use all weapons for flavor, he will be focused on duel wielding short swords.

Level Spread was something like 20 Rogue/10 Fighter.

With it being 13 Rogue/7 Fighter pre-epic.

The Build does get Epic Dodge at level 30.

[Valo65]

I'm generally decent with builds, though I have little first-hand experience with builds in the level 20-30 range (as in, actually using them, but I can make ones that seem good no problem, and have a lot of experience in the level 40 range).

Rogue/Fighter is viable, Rogue/Fighter/Weapon Master is also perfectly good, but not inherently better.

Epic Dodge makes you extremely powerful.

13 Rogue/7 Fighter pre-epic isn't exactly making the most of your pre-epic BAB, I would recommend 12 rogue/8 fighter.

Shortswords are fine, but if that aspect of your build isn't crucial and you decide on being a weapon master, I would recommend using Kukris or hand-axes.

[What_Evil_Lurks]

Shoot me the build thus far in a PM and we can see what's up.

[Seven Sons of Sin]

These sorts of builds depend less on what # of what you take, and more so how you invest skill points, feats, and your gear composition.

You can have two 15 rog/15 fighters standing side by side, and one can be extremely more effective than the other.

[Winter83]

You cant do anything wrong with Rogue/Fighter.

I played a dex fox halfling rogue. Found that after a certain ammount of rogue levels it does not matter what weapon you have if you are a dexer. You can backstab for a lethal dose of damage even with a dagger. One-on-one, though rogues and dexers in general wont do much damage. (unless of course kukri and mix in WM-s)
How you imagine your toon? Backstabber or you want to have him to be effective when he cannot sneak-damage?

[taoofbalance]

Why is Kukri so great? Just because of the crit range?

The reason I ask, is because I have a friend that has a near epic rogue/fighter, but has been having difficulties lately. Though, I will be going for Epic Dodge where as he did not plan for it.

Still, from a pure mechanical stand-point. Would adding WM really make the character that much more powerful, able to dish out the damage at Epic?

Truthfully. I want the best of both worlds. Greedy, I know. But, I'd like to be able to pop out from stealth and get the sneak-attack off, and, failing that I'd like to be able to stand toe to toe at least for a little bit while PVE. PVP would also be nice...but this is a primarily DEX build, with Int as a secondary cause I love me some juicy skills, and then following up with Str. Cha is a dump stat...and Wis, not sure about.

Edit: If need be I can always remake the character too. He is only level 6. Still early enough where it wont cause a significant drop in the RP.

[The Rambling Midget]

Why is Kukri so great? Just because of the crit range?

It's the only wide crit range weapon that can be wielded with minimal penalties by medium races.

[What_Evil_Lurks]

Problem for Kukri is that it is exotic requiring another feat. If going WM every preepic feat is important. Add in that you need Weapon Finesse and your looking at a starved charater. On top if that they are tiny weapons putting you at serious risk, coupled with lower discipline from being dex based, for being disarmed.

[Winter83]

Adding WM would highly increase your damage. Especially that bladed weapons start with a good crit range, going dual wielding them.
The point above however is important. Unless ranger levels in the mix, you'll need +3 feats aside the WM necessities to properly dual wield weapons.
+1 for exotic +1 for finesse. But you can always pick small axes, they are decent.

[Aelryn Bloodmoon]

So the thing I noticed about your build is that you're going 20 into rogue. Assuming you're going finesse for the ambi feats w/dual wielding, and not STR, while weaponmaster levels -will- increase your max DPS, since you aren't str-based you really aren't adding that much.

Your thing is sneak attack damage. And that's a good thing, because you've got 10d6 of it on every attack.

But sneak damage isn't multiplied by criticals.

Assuming some magical gear and a bull's str potion, we'll say your str hovers somewhere around the +5 benchmark at epic level.

With a shortsword and weaponmaster levels, you'll go from 1d6+5 damage to 3d6+15 damage.... with +10d6 to your damage either way, as long as you sneak attack.

Handaxes would make that 4d6+20 damage... which is worth looking at twice. But if you stack keen, improved crit, and your WM bonus that leaves you with 16-20, which is a 25% chance. Which means you'll proc that extra damage an average of once per round, or 5 times every 4 rounds assuming you have 4 base attacks and haste. (As an epic weapon master, if you're critting something for 4 rounds and not killing it, you've done it wrong).

It seems to me like if you want your thing to be Rogue/Fighter, you can easily get away with doing just that. WM is nice, but I think you'll benefit significantly more by going 20/10, rather than giving up sneak damage (which you will consistently ensure with IKD) or bonus fighter feats.