Post/Author/DateTime	Post
PainTrain 04-24-06, 03:29 PM	What is the best base class selection to take in order to become a dervish? So far I've come together would multiple combinations including the following classes; Ranger, Fighter, Monk, and Swashbuckler. I think for this character I'm going to go human, however I'd be open to any other suggestions on the matter. I'd like to take dervish levels as soon as possible, looks like a fun PrC, so I'm trying to keep my base class levels to the mininum of 5, but would be willing to take up to 7. More if somone has a killer suggestion on how to make a strong dervish combo. Stats can be arranged in any combo as long as the bonus totals +10 (not including lvl4), and charisma can kinda be whatever we want (nothing higher than 18), not sure why the DM decided this.
PainTrain 04-24-06, 05:19 PM	Bump: Sorry it went to the second page, if you need anymore information to work with please let me know, although I think I about covered it.
PhoenixInferno 04-24-06, 05:21 PM	Can't forget Scout levels. Skirmish + Dervish Dance scream synergy. Falling to the 2nd page isn't a reason to bump - you probably don't want advice from someone who doesn't read past the 1st page anyway. 12 hours at the earliest if you're desperate, 24 is the accepted rule.
Rusher 04-24-06, 05:42 PM	If human, like Ranger2/ftr1/Swash3 then Dervish at 7th. You can go 2ftr/3Swash and get Dervish at 6th(soonest possible), but you miss out of a ton of skill points, Track and slows down when you can get Grt. TWF. I keep seeing the Scout mentioned for this build. I really need to check it out! :) Hope that helps. What is the best base class selection to take in order to become a dervish? I'd like to take dervish levels as soon as possible, looks like a fun PrC, so I'm trying to keep my base class levels to the mininum of 5, but would be willing to take up to 7. More if somone has a killer suggestion on how to make a strong dervish combo.
PainTrain 04-24-06, 06:14 PM	forgive my ignorance but what book is scout in?
xanadu 04-24-06, 06:28 PM	Scout in in Complete Adv. I think Swash 3/fighter 2 is the most elegant entry into the class. It's arguably optimal and no DM will have a problem with it. If you dont mind BAB loss (I do) Scout 5/Ranger 2 gives you a bunch of skills, TWF, and neat things like skirmish damage and evasion. IF you go lawful, Monk 2 (Cobra varient) is good (BAB loss though) If you aren't lawful, Barb 2 is good with unnamed speed, uncanny dodge, decent skills, and rage backup when you dont dance. The way you do your stats is wierd. Well exploit it and take all odd numbers: 13, 18, 17, 15, 11, 11
Meangenes6 04-24-06, 06:54 PM	Is Scout 1/Swashbuckler 3/Fighter 2. It also doesn't hurt to take Able Learner at 1st level (which synergizes very nicely with your high int). I don't prefer to go higher than 1 level in scout because the enhancement bonus to movement from scout doesn't stack with the same bonus to movement from Dervish. With the remaining 4 levels, I'd take Tempest so that your TWF penalties are gone (which will make up for losing 1 BAB with Scout).
Mr. Dog 04-24-06, 08:00 PM	Monk2/Paladin of Tyranny 2 (UA)/Hexblade 3 Evasion, mettle, cha to saves, cha to saves again vs. spells and spell-like abilities, wis to AC when unarmored, good saves and HP, and only 1 BAB lost. Lawful Evil.
unusualsuspect 04-24-06, 09:34 PM	There are two builds i've got that involve the Dervish class, both using Monk 2 (the variant where you get dodge and mobility as 1st and 2nd level bonus feats), but one involving the Iaijutsu Master 1, Swashbuckler 3, and Kung Fu Genius to give Int to AC twice and int to damage. Jin Monk 2/OA Samurai 1/Swashbuckler 3/OA Samurai 2/Iaijutsu master 1/Dervish 10/YYY 2 BAB 17-19 Saves all above 10, 10/16/14 if you use my choices Dropping Iaijutsu master loses one instance of int to AC and katana finesse (especially useful with Swashbuckler's 1st level Weapon Finesse bonus feat). I planned on taking 2 scout levels after Dervish 1 because Scout 2 gives you tons of skill points, skirmish, and most importantly uncanny dodge. With weapon finesse and high unarmed AC, getting a high Dex is useful, especially with Iaijutsu Master 1. Your initiative bonus will be awesome (1d20 + dex +1 battle fortitude +2 improved reaction), and you'll have access to the Iaijutsu skill, as well as room for a few feats that take advantage of that skill. Mugen Scout 1/Fighter 1/Monk 2/Fighter 2/Scout 2/Barbarian 1/Dervish 2/Champion of Corellon Larethian 2/Dervish 10/YYY 1 BAB 17-18 Saves all above 12, 14/15/13 with my choices Dervish at level 8 instead of 9, with a speed bonus from barbarian that stacks with the Dervish speed bonus. Elf or Half-elf required, either way using whatever finessable weapon seems best to you. I chose an Elven Courtblade for flavor, but i suppose a Spiked Chain would be better in several ways, and using an easier weapon (like a shortsword or rapier) would save you a feat. Isn't there some sort of whirling frenzy that gives dex bonuses instead of strength? That might help this build out a ton.
Neeek 04-24-06, 10:20 PM	My favorite is the Halfling Cobra Strike Monk 1(using the Halfling Monk replacement level)/Scout 3/Swashbuckler 3, with Kung Fu Genius or Carmedine Monk. You get +2d6 damage to all attack made when moving 10 or more feet in a round, Int to AC and Damage.
Kurama Youko 04-24-06, 11:41 PM	since we are talking variants in most replies. Human Kensai 5/Dervish 10/Kensai 10 simply yet horribly effective. Able Learner at 1st lv to help make getting ranks in perform easier.. and you might want to spend some skill points on other cross class skills like UMD or whatever.. but Kensai making tumble a class skill makes becoming a dervish hellla easy.
Stexe 04-25-06, 12:06 PM	Is Scout 1/Swashbuckler 3/Fighter 2. It also doesn't hurt to take Able Learner at 1st level (which synergizes very nicely with your high int). I don't prefer to go higher than 1 level in scout because the enhancement bonus to movement from scout doesn't stack with the same bonus to movement from Dervish. With the remaining 4 levels, I'd take Tempest so that your TWF penalties are gone (which will make up for losing 1 BAB with Scout). I like going Barb 1 (Fast Movement, Rage, good skill points and d12 HD)/Fighter4 then into Dervish (if you have enough DEX to get TWF as a bonus fighter feat). Luckily, the Barb "Fast Movement" isn't an "enchantment bonus" (atleast it doesn't say it is, even though the extraordinary ability is named the same [Fast Movement] as other abilities that give the speed bonus as enchantment). Scout is nice for the extra damage, but the cost of BAB hurts. Swashbuckler 1 is good (for the Weapon Finese) if you were going to go Scimitar and get ITWF and GTWF (thereby having a huge DEX, much more than your STR). There are other ways, but it depends what type of Dervish you want to make. P.S. Why are people going Swashbuckler 3? Is INT bonus on damage (which wouldn't be that high anyways) more important than 3ish feats?
PainTrain 04-25-06, 10:07 PM	I think the standard build for dervish is Swashbuckler3/Fighter2/Champion of Correlon2/dervish10, and maybe some scout levels. This build seems to work well if you managed to get pretty solid abilities. 15str,20dex,15con,15int,11wis. Dex becomes an uber ability, controlling your AC bonus, attack bonus, and damage bonus. Int Simply adds extra damage Str also of course adds extra damage Boosting up abilities gets harder, and more expensive the higher you go it seems, So you get dex as high as possible, and then also throw some items to work on str and intelligence. having three abilities contribute to damage is a good thing.
beezly 04-25-06, 10:42 PM	Int. is also good for TWF. You're fighting with two light weapons. Say you decide either 16 str. or 16 int. Against crittables, with a Rapier and a shortsword, your off hand does 1d6 (1/2 damage for off hand, 1/2 damage for light, rounded down is 0), while with int, you get an extra 3 damage from all of your attacks.
Nazzareth 04-26-06, 03:11 AM	The highland stalker PRC gives skirmish and full BAB, this could be added to any scout based build.