Advice on changeling ninja [Archive] - Wizards Community

Advice on changeling ninja [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Aricanius
02-17-07, 07:09 PM There's a new campaign coming up and my DM has allowed me to play a changeling ninja with the dark template without LA. The goal of the character is to serve as a spy, assassinate people of influence, impersonate political figures, destabilize an enemy kingdom, and generally work against the party from within without it being too obvious. One problem is that there is a paladin in the group and I will have an evil alignment, so that's something I might need advice on handling.

Race: Dark changeling (ignoring +1 LA)
Class: Ninja
Starting Level: 1
Stats: 18, 17, 16, 15, 12, 10
Sources available: All 3.5 WotC except Expanded Psionics Handbook.

I've already made the character, but the game doesn't start for a bit so it's possible to change it.

Str: 10
Dex: 18
Con: 12
Int: 16
Wis: 17
Cha: 15

AC: 17
HP: 9
Initiative: +4
Speed: 50 ft

Feats: Point Blank Shot, Toughness
Flaws: Weak Willed

Traits: Quick (+10 ft, -1 hp/level), Dishonest (+1 Bluff, -2 Diplomacy)

Skills ranks:

4x Bluff
4x Craft (Poisonmaking)
4x Disguise
2x Forgery (CC)
4x Hide
4x Move Silently
4x Open Lock
4x Sleight of Hand
4x Tumble

Weapons: Kama, Shortbow, Punching Dagger

Any advice on what I should change? Any advice on surviving with a paladin in the group? Any advice on if I should multiclass later on, and if so, what as?
Alvarius
02-17-07, 07:16 PM Since you are evil, I would go with the Assassin PrC later on...I do not have My books here in front of Me, but I believe the Assassin gets Undetectable Alignment as a spell, if I am wrong I apologize...but on that note you need the ability to either cast that spell or have a magic item that has it cast on it
X-Codes
02-17-07, 07:23 PM Theres one big problem: AFAIK theres no way, at this level, to ward yourself against the Paladin's Detect Evil ability short of keeping him from using it on you in the first place. If you are found out, put that Bluff score to use by faking a vow to follow his orders while a member of the party, and continue your unseemliness while out of sight.

In the near future, there are three magical options: Nondetection, Undetectable Alignment, and Misdirection. IMO the best would be the Undetectable Alignment spell, which can be had via Wand for 1,500 gp and ward you for 50 days as such. If you would rather have it every day for free, then you'll have to look at investing 2-3 levels in either Cleric, Bard, or Assassin.
Aricanius
02-17-07, 07:33 PM Thanks for the advice. I don't think I want to go the assassin route, since it wouldn't be open until level 8. If I make it to level 8 then I think everything will be fine anyways. The wand idea seems good, but I don't want to put a level in cleric for it. Hm.

One tactic I was planning on using was just disguising as someone else if the paladin gets too in my face. With a +16 modifier (+18 with a kit) to disguise then it shouldn't be hard to fake my way along as an NPC, or another party member.

I might be able to get around the paladin by just talking my way around it by questioning the morality of attacking anyone who lights up when they detect evil. The character will not be acting sneaky openly in the group, and I might have to multiclass as something just to provide a cover identity.

But hey, if all else fails then my +9 the Bluff doesn't hurt. And I suppose the +16 hide with HiPS could also avoid an untimely death.
X-Codes
02-17-07, 07:58 PM UMD can always be purchased cross-class, but you will need to drop a level for Bard or Cleric if you want to bypass that need. Wizards can't use wands of Undetectable Alignment.

To add insult to injury, you can't even really get an Undetectable Alignment wand that early. You'll have to use Scrolls first, which are 50 gp a pop.
Jozzo
02-17-07, 08:07 PM Er, and what about carrying sheet of lead everywhere you go?
Aricanius
02-17-07, 11:26 PM Er, and what about carrying sheet of lead everywhere you go?

I don't have the extra feat for exotic weapon proficiency (metal sheet).

And I think they might catch on :P

What about a lead-lined cloak?
PhoenixInferno
02-17-07, 11:40 PM http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0202.html

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aricanius 02-17-07, 07:09 PM	There's a new campaign coming up and my DM has allowed me to play a changeling ninja with the dark template without LA. The goal of the character is to serve as a spy, assassinate people of influence, impersonate political figures, destabilize an enemy kingdom, and generally work against the party from within without it being too obvious. One problem is that there is a paladin in the group and I will have an evil alignment, so that's something I might need advice on handling. Race: Dark changeling (ignoring +1 LA) Class: Ninja Starting Level: 1 Stats: 18, 17, 16, 15, 12, 10 Sources available: All 3.5 WotC except Expanded Psionics Handbook. I've already made the character, but the game doesn't start for a bit so it's possible to change it. Str: 10 Dex: 18 Con: 12 Int: 16 Wis: 17 Cha: 15 AC: 17 HP: 9 Initiative: +4 Speed: 50 ft Feats: Point Blank Shot, Toughness Flaws: Weak Willed Traits: Quick (+10 ft, -1 hp/level), Dishonest (+1 Bluff, -2 Diplomacy) Skills ranks: 4x Bluff 4x Craft (Poisonmaking) 4x Disguise 2x Forgery (CC) 4x Hide 4x Move Silently 4x Open Lock 4x Sleight of Hand 4x Tumble Weapons: Kama, Shortbow, Punching Dagger Any advice on what I should change? Any advice on surviving with a paladin in the group? Any advice on if I should multiclass later on, and if so, what as?
Alvarius 02-17-07, 07:16 PM	Since you are evil, I would go with the Assassin PrC later on...I do not have My books here in front of Me, but I believe the Assassin gets Undetectable Alignment as a spell, if I am wrong I apologize...but on that note you need the ability to either cast that spell or have a magic item that has it cast on it
X-Codes 02-17-07, 07:23 PM	Theres one big problem: AFAIK theres no way, at this level, to ward yourself against the Paladin's Detect Evil ability short of keeping him from using it on you in the first place. If you are found out, put that Bluff score to use by faking a vow to follow his orders while a member of the party, and continue your unseemliness while out of sight. In the near future, there are three magical options: Nondetection, Undetectable Alignment, and Misdirection. IMO the best would be the Undetectable Alignment spell, which can be had via Wand for 1,500 gp and ward you for 50 days as such. If you would rather have it every day for free, then you'll have to look at investing 2-3 levels in either Cleric, Bard, or Assassin.
Aricanius 02-17-07, 07:33 PM	Thanks for the advice. I don't think I want to go the assassin route, since it wouldn't be open until level 8. If I make it to level 8 then I think everything will be fine anyways. The wand idea seems good, but I don't want to put a level in cleric for it. Hm. One tactic I was planning on using was just disguising as someone else if the paladin gets too in my face. With a +16 modifier (+18 with a kit) to disguise then it shouldn't be hard to fake my way along as an NPC, or another party member. I might be able to get around the paladin by just talking my way around it by questioning the morality of attacking anyone who lights up when they detect evil. The character will not be acting sneaky openly in the group, and I might have to multiclass as something just to provide a cover identity. But hey, if all else fails then my +9 the Bluff doesn't hurt. And I suppose the +16 hide with HiPS could also avoid an untimely death.
X-Codes 02-17-07, 07:58 PM	UMD can always be purchased cross-class, but you will need to drop a level for Bard or Cleric if you want to bypass that need. Wizards can't use wands of Undetectable Alignment. To add insult to injury, you can't even really get an Undetectable Alignment wand that early. You'll have to use Scrolls first, which are 50 gp a pop.
Jozzo 02-17-07, 08:07 PM	Er, and what about carrying sheet of lead everywhere you go?
Aricanius 02-17-07, 11:26 PM	Er, and what about carrying sheet of lead everywhere you go? I don't have the extra feat for exotic weapon proficiency (metal sheet). And I think they might catch on :P What about a lead-lined cloak?
PhoenixInferno 02-17-07, 11:40 PM	http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0202.html