Blade Bravo ... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Blade Bravo ... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
scrollreader
09-01-04, 03:50 PM I've been eying the blade bravo, lately. I'm seeing (I think) some definate possibilities for synergy between Lethal Riposite and Karmic Strike.

Swashbuckler 3
Ftr 2
IB 5
Blade Bravo 10

BAB +20, SA 5d6, Bluff check of 33+cha, and can take ten as a free action.

Feats: Combat Reflexes, Hold the Line, Dodge, Karmic Strike, Stand Still, Elusive Target and maybe Cloak dance.

If you hit him, he gets an attack of opportunity on you. If you miss him, he gets an attack of opportunity on you, with sneak attack. I'm trying to think of more ways to make this little guy annoying. I seem to remember SnowSavant having a build which could avoid being unloaded on by a full attack, though I don't remember what it was. That and a retributive amulet (and possibly a wrathful healing weapon) make this guy scary.

If anybody can offer some suggestions, or help me with the feat build, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
Blade2718
09-01-04, 04:01 PM Where's Blade Bravo from? Races of Stone?
PhoenixInferno
09-01-04, 04:08 PM It wasn't a build so much as a feat - Sidestep from the Miniatures Handbook.
Minotaur
09-01-04, 05:54 PM Where's Blade Bravo from? Races of Stone?

Yes, Races of Stone. Pg 99. Gnome only. Its an interesting PrC. Its got this funky melee only sneak attack. Lethal Riposte is the tenth level ability. Seems really deadly. Most of the Blade Bravos abilities only work in light or no armor.
insatium
09-01-04, 06:08 PM The build of Snow's the original poster meant is her Gatling Gun Chain Tripper build. The feat combo to avoid full attacks is Side Step plus Karmic Strike. Not knowing anything about Blade Bravo, I can't say anything else about this build.
scrollreader
09-02-04, 01:40 AM Well, Lethal Riposite (at Blade Bravo 10) lets you get an AOO on anyone who misses you in combat. Combine this with Karmic strike and well, you /always/ get an AOO against anyone who attacks you. Period. With the Sidestep feat, this means after one attack (and your counter) you can disengage. In addition, Any Lethal Riposite denies the opponenent their dex. The finished build has SA +5d6, and with double hit should be hitting the opponenet twice for every time they hit you. For every time they miss, you hit them twice with SA. Elusive target keeps them from power attacking you into the ground with that one attack. That's the plan, anyway.
The Lone Drow
09-02-04, 02:07 AM Not at all a bad plan I must say. :)
Wearer of Purple
09-02-04, 02:17 AM I just might have to purchase Races of Stone.

I have not seen a build to examine, yet, but until then I agree with The Lone Drow; great concept.
Largegnome
09-02-04, 03:05 AM Well, Lethal Riposite (at Blade Bravo 10) lets you get an AOO on anyone who misses you in combat. Combine this with Karmic strike and well, you /always/ get an AOO against anyone who attacks you. Period. With the Sidestep feat, this means after one attack (and your counter) you can disengage. In addition, Any Lethal Riposite denies the opponenent their dex. The finished build has SA +5d6, and with double hit should be hitting the opponenet twice for every time they hit you. For every time they miss, you hit them twice with SA. Elusive target keeps them from power attacking you into the ground with that one attack. That's the plan, anyway.
However, sidestep only works once per round. And since the FAQ clarifies that you can place a 5-feet step at any time during your full round attack (3.5 FAQ, pg 20) you should be sure your opponent has used his 5-feet step for the round before you use this tactic.
It's an interesting build, though...I' d love if they included "Agile Riposte" (D20 modern,SWRPG) in a future supplement, so this kind of build would be available even without taking 10 levels as a Blade Bravo...but I guess it's not going to happen.
scrollreader
09-02-04, 03:22 AM You don't get a normal five foot step if you've already moved in the round. So they charge, and I double hit and sidestep them (combat reflexes). They can't take a five foot step, so they're done. Next round, they take a five foot step to close, either hit me and I double-hit and sidestep (karmic strike), or they miss and I double hit and sidestep (lethal riposite). Tumblers can of course, avoid the AOO from combat reflexes. And someone with the pursue feat from Eberron will also cause me pain. And things with reach hurt. This is by no means an invincible build. But it's, IMO, a strong one, and very, very good againt humanoids.
Largegnome
09-02-04, 03:52 AM Uhm...IIRC, tumble should not negate an AoO against Hold the line..in only works against AoO's caused by movement, so, if he charges you, you'll AoO twice. I agree it's a powerful combo (played something similar in a high level one-shot adventure, and it worked pretty well, although I didn't AoO when i was missed...oh, well, I had high AC, anyway :D ) . I wonder if "Sidestep Charge"[ExPsiHB] would work along with this build...If it works, that's 3 AoO when he charges you and misses...wow...
Lakom
09-02-04, 08:06 AM IIRC Lethal Riposte can be used just once per round...doesn't that make it considerably weaker?
Largegnome
09-02-04, 10:05 AM IIRC Lethal Riposte can be used just once per round...doesn't that make it considerably weaker?
Uh...no. He' s using the AoO from Lethal Riposte to activate Sidestep. So, he won't be attacked anymore. He doesn't really need more than one use x round, unless he's fighting against multiple opponents.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
scrollreader 09-01-04, 03:50 PM	I've been eying the blade bravo, lately. I'm seeing (I think) some definate possibilities for synergy between Lethal Riposite and Karmic Strike. Swashbuckler 3 Ftr 2 IB 5 Blade Bravo 10 BAB +20, SA 5d6, Bluff check of 33+cha, and can take ten as a free action. Feats: Combat Reflexes, Hold the Line, Dodge, Karmic Strike, Stand Still, Elusive Target and maybe Cloak dance. If you hit him, he gets an attack of opportunity on you. If you miss him, he gets an attack of opportunity on you, with sneak attack. I'm trying to think of more ways to make this little guy annoying. I seem to remember SnowSavant having a build which could avoid being unloaded on by a full attack, though I don't remember what it was. That and a retributive amulet (and possibly a wrathful healing weapon) make this guy scary. If anybody can offer some suggestions, or help me with the feat build, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
Blade2718 09-01-04, 04:01 PM	Where's Blade Bravo from? Races of Stone?
PhoenixInferno 09-01-04, 04:08 PM	It wasn't a build so much as a feat - Sidestep from the Miniatures Handbook.
Minotaur 09-01-04, 05:54 PM	Where's Blade Bravo from? Races of Stone? Yes, Races of Stone. Pg 99. Gnome only. Its an interesting PrC. Its got this funky melee only sneak attack. Lethal Riposte is the tenth level ability. Seems really deadly. Most of the Blade Bravos abilities only work in light or no armor.
insatium 09-01-04, 06:08 PM	The build of Snow's the original poster meant is her Gatling Gun Chain Tripper build. The feat combo to avoid full attacks is Side Step plus Karmic Strike. Not knowing anything about Blade Bravo, I can't say anything else about this build.
scrollreader 09-02-04, 01:40 AM	Well, Lethal Riposite (at Blade Bravo 10) lets you get an AOO on anyone who misses you in combat. Combine this with Karmic strike and well, you /always/ get an AOO against anyone who attacks you. Period. With the Sidestep feat, this means after one attack (and your counter) you can disengage. In addition, Any Lethal Riposite denies the opponenent their dex. The finished build has SA +5d6, and with double hit should be hitting the opponenet twice for every time they hit you. For every time they miss, you hit them twice with SA. Elusive target keeps them from power attacking you into the ground with that one attack. That's the plan, anyway.
The Lone Drow 09-02-04, 02:07 AM	Not at all a bad plan I must say. :)
Wearer of Purple 09-02-04, 02:17 AM	I just might have to purchase Races of Stone. I have not seen a build to examine, yet, but until then I agree with The Lone Drow; great concept.
Largegnome 09-02-04, 03:05 AM	Well, Lethal Riposite (at Blade Bravo 10) lets you get an AOO on anyone who misses you in combat. Combine this with Karmic strike and well, you /always/ get an AOO against anyone who attacks you. Period. With the Sidestep feat, this means after one attack (and your counter) you can disengage. In addition, Any Lethal Riposite denies the opponenent their dex. The finished build has SA +5d6, and with double hit should be hitting the opponenet twice for every time they hit you. For every time they miss, you hit them twice with SA. Elusive target keeps them from power attacking you into the ground with that one attack. That's the plan, anyway. However, sidestep only works once per round. And since the FAQ clarifies that you can place a 5-feet step at any time during your full round attack (3.5 FAQ, pg 20) you should be sure your opponent has used his 5-feet step for the round before you use this tactic. It's an interesting build, though...I' d love if they included "Agile Riposte" (D20 modern,SWRPG) in a future supplement, so this kind of build would be available even without taking 10 levels as a Blade Bravo...but I guess it's not going to happen.
scrollreader 09-02-04, 03:22 AM	You don't get a normal five foot step if you've already moved in the round. So they charge, and I double hit and sidestep them (combat reflexes). They can't take a five foot step, so they're done. Next round, they take a five foot step to close, either hit me and I double-hit and sidestep (karmic strike), or they miss and I double hit and sidestep (lethal riposite). Tumblers can of course, avoid the AOO from combat reflexes. And someone with the pursue feat from Eberron will also cause me pain. And things with reach hurt. This is by no means an invincible build. But it's, IMO, a strong one, and very, very good againt humanoids.
Largegnome 09-02-04, 03:52 AM	Uhm...IIRC, tumble should not negate an AoO against Hold the line..in only works against AoO's caused by movement, so, if he charges you, you'll AoO twice. I agree it's a powerful combo (played something similar in a high level one-shot adventure, and it worked pretty well, although I didn't AoO when i was missed...oh, well, I had high AC, anyway :D ) . I wonder if "Sidestep Charge"[ExPsiHB] would work along with this build...If it works, that's 3 AoO when he charges you and misses...wow...
Lakom 09-02-04, 08:06 AM	IIRC Lethal Riposte can be used just once per round...doesn't that make it considerably weaker?
Largegnome 09-02-04, 10:05 AM	IIRC Lethal Riposte can be used just once per round...doesn't that make it considerably weaker? Uh...no. He' s using the AoO from Lethal Riposte to activate Sidestep. So, he won't be attacked anymore. He doesn't really need more than one use x round, unless he's fighting against multiple opponents.