Okay - here we go. I was going for a sort of commando theme with this build. Infiltration, ambush, demolition, being able to set up surprise rounds, win initiative with ease, and kick a pile of trash before the opposition gets a chance to act. And I really wanted to do it with a crossbow. I'm not really fond of dread commando's abilities - but the initiative boost helps, and I've been wanting to fit it into a build for a while. I'll be using the adaptation for get rid of Armored Ease in exchange for concealment in natural terrain - but I might be able to get natural terrain switched to something a hair more useful / common.
What I've got so far fits that pretty well, I think - but loses a lot of firepower once the enemy stops being flat-footed. Starting level is 10 (which is all I really have planned out), free +1 LA, Starting stats are 18, 16, 14 ,12 ,10 , 8. Pretty high-powered IMO, but that's what the DM is giving us. Any WotC source is permissible, including Dragon. LA buyoff and Weapon Group Proficiency from UA are both in use, flaws allowed and capped at 5 per character. Flaws can be assigned after 1st level, so flaw feats aren't restricted to things you qualify for at level 1. Oh - and fighters can pick just about anything that isn't blatantly "un-fighter-y" for bonus feats, so no metamagic or what have ye.
And here's the build:
Khaedra Shadowscale
Lesser Tiefling (WoTC Web, Savage Progressions), Chameleon Template (FR: Underdark)
Rogue 2 / Fighter 4 (DotU variant) / Dread Commando 4
Ability Scores (10th Level)STR 12 (12, No Adjustment)
DEX 24 (18, +2 Levels +2 Racial + 2 Enhancement)
CON 16 (14, +2 Enhancement)
INT 16 (16, No Adjustment)
WIS 10 (10, No Adjustment)
CHA 6 (8, -2 Racial)
Class Levels & FeatsRogue 1 Blooded (1st), Point-Blank Shot (flaw), Dodge (flaw), Mobility (flaw)
Rogue 2 Dead Eye (flaw), Hand-Crossbow Focus (flaw)
Fighter 1 (DotU Variant) Precise Shot (Bonus), Rapid Shot (3rd)
Fighter 2 - Crossbow Sniper
Fighter 3 -
Fighter 4 - Improved Initiative (6th), Weapon Specialization (Hand Crossbow) (Bonus)
Dread Commando 1 -
Dread Commando 2 -
Dread Commando 3 - Craven (9th)
Dread Commando 4 -
Weapon Proficiency:Rogue gets two weapon groups, so I'm taking Crossbows and Exotic Weapons. don't know if I get additional groups for multiclassing into fighter - but the essentials are already covered anyways.
Equipment (10th Level, 49k starting gold):+1 Aptitude (ToB), Pitspawned (DMGII), Great-Crossbow (RoS)
Masterwork Hand-Crossbow
Crapload of Bolts
Gloves of Dex +2
Haversack
Ring of Anticipation (DotU)
Ring of the Darkhidden (MiC)
Cloak of Resistance +1
Bracers of Murder (DotU)
+5 Boots of Elvenkind
+1 Shadow Nightscale Armor (FR:Und) w/ camouflage & muffling (Hide & Move Silenly MW tools).
Least Weapon Augment Crystal of Return (MiC)
Climber's Kit (MW Tool)
+1 Death Ward (MiC) Buckler
Lesser Sheild Augment Crystal of Arrow Protection
MW Dagger
MW Thieves Tools
Amulet of Health +2
Gimmick: Being able to reload a Great-Crossbow as a free action via Aptiude cheese - Full attacking with a 2d8 base damage and 18-20 threat range on a crossbow. Need to get Splitting on this thing ASAP.
Initiative:Total: +19, roll twice and take best. Should foil everything but F$*#ing Celerity.
+7 DEX
+4 Dread Commando
+2 Fighter Variant
+4 Improved Init
+2 Blooded
Full Attack Routine (10th level) - Assuming Targets are within 30', not crit/SA-immune, and Flat-Footed:Total:+19 / +19 / +14
+9 BAB
+7 DEX
+1 Weapon
+1 Weapon Focus
+2 Bracers of Murder
+1 Point-Blank Shot
-2 Rapid Shot
Damage Per shot (10th level)- Assuming Targets are within 30', not crit/SA-immune, and Flat-Footed:Average 54
+2d8 Weapon
+7 (DEX via Dead Eye)
+7 (DEX via Fighter Variant)
+3 (1/2 DEX via Crossbow Sniper)
+3d6 (Sneak Attack / Sudden Strike)
+10 (Craven)
+1 PBS
+2 WS
+2 Bracers of Murder
+1 Weapon
Important Skills:Hide: +39
Move Silently: +31
Climb: +24, Has racial climb speed.
Sources Used:Core, Obviously
WotC Website - Lesser Tiefling
Forgotten Realms: Underdark - Chameleon Template, Nightscale armor, Camouflage + Muffling.
Players Guide to Faerun - Blooded
Heroes of Battle - Dread Commando
Drow of the Underdark - Fighter Variant, Bracers of Murder, Ring of Anicipation, Hand-Crossbow Focus
Complete Adventure - Crossbow Sniper
Dragon Compendium - Dead Eye
Magic Item Compendium - Assorted Stuffs
There are a couple real weak points in this build. Optimal damage output has some hefty qualifications that have to be met - but liberal application of sneaking and planning should help make that happen as often as possible. Will save is in serious need of help - Right now it's a disaster waiting to happen. Darkstalker needs to be picked up ASAP - Weapon Specailization and it's obvious follow-up (Ranged Weapon Mastery) are likely to see themselves crowded out pretty fast. Suggestions on what to do with the remaining 10 levels are most welcome - I'd like to finish off Dread Commando and probably sneak in a level of Nightsong Enforcer, but I'm not dead-set on either. The chameleon template - which is mostly there for flavor & massive hide / climb benefits - gives the reptilian subtype, which doesn't feel exploitable. The tongue with a 10' reach it gives has to be good for something besides delivering touch spells (which I don't have), delivering any contact poisons I manage to get immunity to, and. . . other stuff.
Anyhow, this is my first time posting a build for review.
Be gentle.