I'm tinkering with a high-seas based character starting at 12th level and have hit something of a brick wall. Here's the build I have so far:
CN Human
S15 D17 C11 I15 W6 Ch14 starting (stats randomly generated using the standard rolling mechanism)
S16 D20 C11 I16 W6 Ch14 modified.
1 Rogue, TWF and Dodge
2 Rogue
3 Rogue, Mobility
4 Swashbuckler, +1 Dex
5 Swashbuckler
6 Swashbuckler, Spring Attack
7 Dread Pirate
8 Dread Pirate, +1 Dex
9 Dread Pirate, Improved TWF
10 Scarlet Corsair, Improved Feint
11 Scarlet Corsair
12 Tempest, Daring Outlaw, +1 Int
13 Tempest
14 Scarlet Corsair
15 Swashbuckler, Greater TWF
16 Swashbuckler, +1 Str
17 Swashbuckler
18 Swashbuckler, Improved Initiative
19 Swashbuckler
20 Nighsong Enforcer, +1 Dex
The build grants 9d6 sneak attack and a +19 BAB as written, but reviewing the build I'm starting to question if the 2 levels of Tempest are really adding anything to the build. I added them by rote because TWF and Tempest kind of go hand in hand, but I'm wondering if they're more of a detriment in this build because of the heavy feat requirements. If I were to swap them out for, say, 2 more levels of Swashbuckler then that would free up Dodge, Mobility and Spring Attack for other feats that synergize with TWF and/or Sneak Attacking. If I were to swap them out with 2 levels of Fighter, that would be 5 extra feats to play with. There's also other PrCs that I might be overlooking.
All books are available with the exception of Magic of Incarnum, Unearthed Arcana and campaign specific books that aren't Forgotten Realms (i.e. Eberron, Dragonlance, et cetera). Variant class options need DM approval, but he's pretty lenient as far as that goes. The DM is uncomfortable with psionics as well (mostly because he isn't very familiar with them), but hasn't said "No psionics". Thoughts?