Author Topic: Usually the tank Needs to build a skillmonkey please assist  (Read 4520 times)

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CrimsonDeath

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Re: Usually the tank Needs to build a skillmonkey please assist
« Reply #20 on: April 14, 2011, 03:35:49 PM »
Half-Minotaur
Dragon Magazine, so probably not allowed.  Even if it is allowed, I wouldn't expect to get the ability score bonuses listed in the template and the ones for increasing in size.

Jotunbrud
Even if you use Human Heritage (Races of Destiny) to qualify (which I believe would require flaws, since I'm pretty sure you have to take both at level 1), this would be largely pointless because (as I recall) it allows you to count as Large.  Not one size category larger, just Large.

If you put ranks in Iaijutsu Focus (from oriental adventures, and why wouldn't you?) You can hit them for extra damage while they are down.
Iaijutsu Focus works when the target is flat-footed, not (necessarily) prone.  Still not a bad idea to put in a few ranks.

Another good skill for a Factotum build is Autohypnosis (Expanded Psionics Handbook).  It can replace the stabilization check when you're dying, let you ignore the speed reduction from a caltrop wound, replace the Fort save against a poison's secondary damage, or let you memorize things (the example is a page of text) and perfectly recall them later.

Spellthief 1/Bard 1/Wizard 3/Unseen Seer 4/Ultimate Magus 1/Sublime Chord 1/Ultimate Magus +9
Where are you getting spontaneous level 1 spells to qualify for UM?  And how are you dividing caster levels of UM between Wizard and SC?

If you're getting the spontaneous level 1 spells from Bard, then I don't think you can get level 9 Wizard spells as you'll have to burn an Unseen Seer level to get Bard up to caster level 2.  (You can still get level 9 Sublime Chord spells, but then your Wizard spells top out at level 7.)  I don't see any way to get spontaneous casting from Spellthief out of this build unless Steal Spell qualifies.

Another big problem with this build is that it builds very slowly in power (you spend most of your career a full spell level or more behind a full caster without much else to show for it).

Caster level around 60
I'd like to see the math on this.  Something tells me it's predecated on a somewhat shady reading of the interaction between Master Spellthief and Sublime Chord.

Zaxter

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Re: Usually the tank Needs to build a skillmonkey please assist
« Reply #21 on: April 14, 2011, 06:46:26 PM »
Why not just play a Swordsage as RP him as a ninja? Everyone knows ninjas are supposed to be skillmonkeys with some combat prowess. You can get trapfinding with any of a variety of dips (Factotum, as mentioned many many times in this thread, is a good option).

awaken DM golem

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Re: Usually the tank Needs to build a skillmonkey please assist
« Reply #22 on: April 14, 2011, 07:56:23 PM »

I'm going to be completely contrarian here and say you should roll up a Thrallherd.

Then have your first Thrall be a tank.

Then Dominate the DM's gf's character and force her to be the skillmonkey.

Heh...I'm  not  being serious, of course.


Right.
Make the Thrall a lesser version of the "gf" and have her (it?) act just little more X________ !!
 :smirk

ninjarabbit

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Re: Usually the tank Needs to build a skillmonkey please assist
« Reply #23 on: April 17, 2011, 12:26:53 PM »
A human barbarian with 14 int and the nymph's kiss feat is getting 8 skill points/level. With the trapkiller ACF and the track feat you're pretty much using your survival skill for everything.

syntax_error

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Re: Usually the tank Needs to build a skillmonkey please assist
« Reply #24 on: April 17, 2011, 05:11:31 PM »
I'd vote for a rogue/bard build. Probably using one of these:
Rogue 1/Bard 19 - Simplest model.
Rogue 1/Bard 17/Chameleon 2 - This one gets a reselectable feat (great for making magical items)
Rogue 1/Bard 6/Chameleon 2/Unseen Seer 1/Sublime Chord 2/Unseen Seer +8 - 9th level sor/wiz casting, the floating feat and near epic ready

Stats aren't much of an issue, with the first build getting by with being Human with 10 int and 12 cha. There are skill points aplenty. Probably focus on Disable Device, Search, Spot, Listen, Use Magic Device, Perform, Diplomacy. 7 usually essential skills for the bardic skill monkey, and all are able to be maxed on a Human with Able Learner and 10 int. As the builds get more complex, you will need more int to provide skill points for prerequisites, and more charisma for higher level casting.

Alternate Class Features to look into:
Bardic Knack - use half your bard level rounded up as your effective ranks for all skills you can use (if they don't have higher ranks). All your secondary skills now have a level scaling bonus.
Healing Hymn - Have the healer use less resources healing. Most useful when you don't have top up items (e.g. wands of cure light wounds/lesser restoration)

Feats to look into:
Able Learner - Pre-req for chameleon, plus you can max all the rogue skills your bard side doesn't have, without paying twice the skill points. Human only.
Song of the Heart - Boost your inspire courage bonuses. Everyone loves you.
Craven - Your level in extra damage on sneak attacks. Which is easy with Glitterdust, Grease, (Improved) Invisibility, or Blink.
Knowledge Devotion - like weapon focus and specialisation, only as one feat. And better. And fed by bardic knack.
Melodic Casting - Replace concentration with perform for casting spells. And cast spells whilst using bardic music.
Precise Shot - Avoid shooting your allies. Is also needed for a splitting bow, which is probably a good item for you.

1st to 3rd Level Spells to look into:
Improvisation - A floating pool of bonuses to rolls, useful for when you know your going to need to be rolling above average.
Inspirational Boost - More inspire courage boosting. More people loving you.
Grease - Disarm, Un-grapple, or best yet, make targets prone or make them lose their dex bonus. Yay sneak attack.
Glitterdust - Blind people. The party takes half the hits from martial enemies. And they lose their dex bonus. Yay sneak attack.
Invisibility - Good for sneaking. Also, yay sneak attack.
Alter Self - Added mobility or defence.
Haste - Extra attacks, mobility and minor number boosts. Fantastic.
Blink - Get missed by attacks and targeted spells half the time. Take half damage from area damage. Strike as an invisible, ethereal creature. Yay sneak attack.


tealjohn

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Re: Usually the tank Needs to build a skillmonkey please assist
« Reply #25 on: April 18, 2011, 10:12:36 PM »
scout (CAdv) gets 8+int skills & disable device via errata.
Its skirmish damage is nice...and then there's swift hunter http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=103.0.

enough said.
well, you know, I'd pick factotum anyway.
STUPID TWOS!!!!

Solo

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Re: Usually the tank Needs to build a skillmonkey please assist
« Reply #26 on: April 18, 2011, 10:31:43 PM »
At some point, Giacomo will show up and suggest a monk.

"I am the Black Mage! I cast the spells that makes the peoples fall down!"

The Legend RPG, which I worked on and encourage you to read.

tealjohn

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Re: Usually the tank Needs to build a skillmonkey please assist
« Reply #27 on: April 18, 2011, 10:34:07 PM »
At some point, Giacomo will show up and suggest a monk.

you can't beat 50 AC
STUPID TWOS!!!!