Post/Author/DateTime	Post
prettyripples 09-07-05, 09:02 AM	I want to build a skilled character (in particular, Search & Disable Device, Dex skills, and Cha skills). For versitility, I want a bit of arcane magic thrown in, and for flavour, he loves the sea. I've picked out the Dread Pirate prestige class (Complete Adventurer) as one that fits reasonably well - although it doesn't help with the magic. Here's how I plan to get into it: R BB R HeHeHe Hu B DD B DD B DD B DD = Rogue 2 / Bard 6 / Half-Elf Paragon 3 / Human Paragon 1 / Dread Pirate 8 The Half-Elf Paragon (Unearthed Arcana) is for Persuasion (+2 racial bonus on Charisma-based skills) and the ability boost (into Int). The Human Paragon level would let me make Disable Device a class skill for the Bard and Dread Pirate (through Adaptive Learning). Questions: 1. What can I do to make this better? Are the Paragon classes a waste of time? Is there a better Prestige class than Dread Pirate (though I'd rather stick with the Pirate, for flavour)? Should I take the Bard classes sooner, to keep my magic up to speed? 2. The Dread Pirate isn't perfect - it neglects the magic, for starters, and it still only has 6+Int skill points. Can anyone think of tweaks (reasonable please!) that I could run past my DM - for example, the "Rally the Crew" already stacks with "Inspire Courage", and I could ask my DM to let the Dread Pirate levels stack with Bard for everything to do with Bardic Music. 3. I'm still reasonably new to all this, so any suggestions on feats or magic that might work particularly well here would be appreciated. Anything that plays of my skills (and possibly my sneak attack too) is great, and I don't mind playing party support either. Conditions: Core, Complete Series, and the Paragons from Unearthed Arcana only. &I've already taken two levels, Rogue 1/Bard 1, so you can't change those. Thank you!
Southernskies 09-07-05, 10:15 AM	If you choose to use Dread Pirate, you REALLY NEED the 9th level abilities (Fight to the Death or Motivate the Scum). The 10th level "Pirate King" helps to replace losses amongst your crew for free, but isn't mandatory. From the sounds, you want to be a "good" Dread Pirate. Until you get to DPirate 9, being a "bad" pirate can work better. Scourge of the Seas doesn't stack with itself, but it will let your individual crew use their own Intimidate skill to send foes from Shaken to Panicked and thence over the side without having to deal all those hp of damage. Isolated foes (or foes swimming/climbing) are easy targets for sneak attack damage. Rog2/Brd4/DPirate10/Exemplar1/+Nightsong Enforcer2 Get into DPirate as soon as possible for the free TWF and then dip back into rogue or nightsong enforcer every 2-3 levels to max out your Search/DDevice skills. Its much easier than dipping for only a single ability. Exemplar is great for the Take10 ability in combat on skills (Balance, Tumble, Jump) that you will always be using. Nightsong Enforcer2 gives you +1d6 Sneak Attack and reduces armor check penalty of light armor by 2 (handy if you don't get mithral armor or buy a mithral breastplate). If you need it, take "Practiced Spellcaster" to boost your CL (especially for spells like Expeditious Retreat, Insidious Rhythm and Tactical Precision. A Circlet of Persuasion gives you a +3 to Cha skills without needing a class ability.
prettyripples 09-07-05, 10:53 AM	it will let your individual crew use their own Intimidate skill to send foes from Shaken to Panicked Can I designate other PCs as 'crew' when they're on my ship? Thanks for the tip about the Circlet, btw - I'll see if I can get my hands on one.
Blade2718 09-07-05, 12:03 PM	If you can use Races of Destiny, I would take the first Half-Elf racial substitution level of Bard. It lets you defuse any potential combat before violence actually breaks out, which is good for the honorable Dread Pirate.