Post/Author/DateTime	Post
johnnype 06-15-04, 06:10 PM	...that is NOT a reach weapon. No spiked chains please. I'm also not fond of pole arms of any kind. Ideally I'd like a sword of somekind or perhaps a kukri. Any 3.5 compatible book is allowed. Magical enhancements are allowed. What would you recommend?
rilem 06-15-04, 06:42 PM	More info needed. Recommending a Greatsword for a PC that turns out to be spring-attacking rogue isn't a very good idea. A kukri is most likely not a good idea. You'll want a big weapon that does good damage since you're probably only going to be making one attack per round — it has to count.
johnnype 06-15-04, 07:16 PM	Sorry about that. Yes, the NPC is a spring attack rogue. I picture him as an assassin (without the assassin levels). You don't really see him or feel him until it's too late. Something like this: Rogue10/ Ranger 2/ Fighter 4 Drow (although race is not important yet) Str 15, Dex 21, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 9 Feats (in case it matters): Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Improved initiative, Iron Will, Mobility, Spring Attack, Track, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization Of course anything and everything can be changed. This guy is not set in stone yet. Any thoughts?
PeggeyandScott 06-15-04, 09:09 PM	I am running a spring-attacker myself right now. The most universal advice for spring attack is that you want everything possible to make your one attack do a lot of damage since you cannot attack twice in one round. One question first...why Ranger 2? You do not show either TWF or Rapid Shot in your list of feats, so which combat style did you choose? Neither archery nor TWF lends itself to spring attacking. If the combat style does not matter and you only wanted Tracking and a Favored Enemy, then why not just one level of Ranger. Or, better yet, how about Rog 12/Ftr 4 and save yourself the XP penalty? Anyway, with spring attack, you want to deal a lot of damage in one hit, then get out of dodge. To do that, the following is helpful: A big weapon. Does not matter all that much what it is, but a greatsword, greataxe, halberd, bastard sword, or most anything that requires two hands. Depending on what kind of magic you have access to, a Keen Falchion has a lot of one-hit damage potential with its huge threat range. Power Attack: The big trade off at higher levels is whether to forego the possibility of your 2nd, 3rd, etc attacks hitting to get a bunch of damage on your first swing. When you spring attack, you know you don't get another swing anyway, so go ahead and power attack as much as you can and still be comfortable that you will hit. Things that can stretch your one attack into more than one: specifically, Cleave can be used, even with a spring attack. Also, Expert Tactician from the old Song and Silence book (since you already have Combat Reflexes) gives an extra attack if the opponent is flat footed. I presume since this is a high level rogue, that the intent is for the opponent to be flat footed most of the time. Things that increase your movement rate: the Dash feat, a level of Barbarian, several levels of Monk, Boots of Striding and Springing, Haste spells. Spring attack gets REALLY fun when you can start from outside of your opponents normal movement range, run up and attack, then run away to the point where they have to charge to even reach you. With that many rogue levels (and the 5d6 sneak attack damage that goes with it), I would give some thought to following a TWF tree instead of a spring attack tree. Maybe something like a Rog 10 / Rgr 6. That will give you Improved TWF and a +13 BAB which translates into five attacks. Throw in Expert Tactician for a 6th attack if they are flat footed and that is 30d6 of sneak attack damage alone. Tough to top that with a spring attack. Sure, you lose your Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization, but you have two favored enemies...just make one of them humans and you have a pretty good assassin using only core classes.
johnnype 06-16-04, 11:46 AM	Nice! You've given me a lot to think about. I'm sure I'll have a couple more questions soon. Thanks for the help.
rilem 06-16-04, 12:08 PM	Note that the favored class for drow is either wizard (male) or cleric (female). Either way, you're going to have big XP penalties for this build, as you've got three classes that are more than one level apart. You'd be better off with Rogue3 or 5/Fighter4 or Ranger2/Fighter2/Rogue3, going into a PrC that continues sneak-attack progression.
Scandal 06-16-04, 02:27 PM	a favorite build of mine for a spring attacker is: swashbuckler 3/ fighter 2/ Rogue 15 Race - Half elf, Human, Halfling or Tiefling Feats: Combat expertise Improved Init Quick draw Dodge Mobility Spring attack Improved Feint Improved Disarm Combat reflexes Elusive Target Can be taken in any order really but makes for a great spring attacker I used a Rapier with this Rogue focus on Dex and Int. Swashbuckler gives you weapon finess and Int to Damage.. If not human you will loose one of the above feats.. NO problem There are a few you don't need.. -Scan