Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sargon 06-13-06, 10:54 PM	I've been invited to an open game this friday and i'm alittle stumped as to what i want to play. The group is 'unvalor' which from the way it was discribed to me meant unlawful. I'de kind of like to play an Assassin but i can't find a good base class for it. (duh rouge anything alittle less clique?) The current players are 3rd level so i don't have much to work with. I thought Sorcerer might be good but i couldn't meet the skill point requirments till like lvl 16 so i tossed that idea by the time i got to level 16 sorceror i could cast all the assassin spells anyway (not glibness though). I thought wizards might be alittle better since INT is the main skill for both classes but again hide and MS are cross class. i'm beging to see why the DMG says cleric's sorcerers and wizards make the most terrifing assassins you'll be level 16 before you can get in.
Galroth 06-13-06, 11:06 PM	Monks and rangers can make the skill req's just about as easily as rogues I believe.
Sargon 06-13-06, 11:15 PM	Ranger is intresting, it you be even better if there wsa a way to increase the range of sneak attack to 60' or so. delivery of poisoned tipped arrows would be a plus. I think part of my problem stems from i've DMed so much i've forgotten how to be a PC.
Kazeofwinds 06-13-06, 11:18 PM	Anything with hide and move silently as class skills can make the prereqs assasin at level 5 Monk, Rogue, Scout, Druid, Ninja, Ranger, Soulknife,Dragon Shamans(of the right color dragon) Shadowcaster, and...well, those are all I can think of off the top of my head. Oh yeah, and Beguilers, but 1/2HD BAB progression kinda sucks for Assasins.
Wood 06-14-06, 12:33 AM	i'm beging to see why the DMG says cleric's sorcerers and wizards make the most terrifing assassins you'll be level 16 before you can get in. kinda answered your own question there hoss :whatsthis
ashcat_lt 06-14-06, 12:37 AM	Spellthief could do it, too
crow04 06-14-06, 12:45 AM	Ranger is intresting, it you be even better if there wsa a way to increase the range of sneak attack to 60' or so. delivery of poisoned tipped arrows would be a plus. spiffy feat from phb2. Crossbow Sniper does exactly that, plus dex to damage
Encard 06-14-06, 01:39 AM	What level are you starting at? At level 13+ a Soulknife will actually make a handy assassin with Knife To The Soul and dual-mindblades for enough Int/Wis/Cha damage to quickly drop many enemies. Dual mindblades + Knife to the Soul + ITWF/TWF + Mind Blade, Focused + Mind Blade, Swift is actually fairly handy. Of course, this is more a mid/high-level setup. This isn't really a lead to the Assassin PrC, though. For the PrC lead-in, maybe Lurk? Can't recall for certain, but think they might be interesting.
slimgoodbody 06-14-06, 01:59 AM	I'd point out that you'll want to avoid things like wizard, cleric, sorcer, etc. because your casting will suck verily. Pretty much any casting class with really be a waste of time in the long run, since Assassin doesn't advance your spell levels from those classes. If Beguiler didn't have 1/2 BAB, it might be one of the few casting classes that I'd say would make a decent exception, cause that swift feinting schtick is golden. A Dragon Shaman doesn't use spells to my knowledge, and they get some neat abilities, so that could definitely make a very cool, unique Assassin. Does Swashbuckler have the necessary skills as class skills? Maybe an Incarnum class? Incarnum is a little more doable as a "dip" than standard casting.
Furion Thamior 06-14-06, 02:15 AM	I've been pondering a Ranger/ Assassin myself... The build I thought of takes Ranger to 6th level before starting as an Assassin, taking Point Blank Shot (1st), Precise Shot (3rd), Improved Rapid Shot (6th), Deadeye Shot (9th), Improved Favored Enemy (12th) and Improved Precise Shot (15th). Don't have any ideas for the 18th level feat yet, and I'm none too sure about Improved Favored enemy. I thought about the Crossbow Sniper route, however, you've got to sink feats into Weapon Focus (crossbow) and Rapid Reload to do that, and there is a 1st level Assassin and Ranger spell in the Spell Compendium, Sniper's Shot, that allows for sneak attacks with ranged weapons - up to *any* distance for one round, which is hopefully all you'll need. Sniper's Eye, a 4th level Assassin spell in the compendium, even allows death attacks up to 60 feet.
kelvinaw273 06-14-06, 02:58 AM	If you have access to the Complete Adventurer, Ninja makes a good base for an assassin with the added ki-abilities enhancing them. Scout could make a dandy hit-and-run killer, too.
big_bluto 06-14-06, 08:40 AM	I played a Ranger/Assassin in the last D&D Campaign I did. From the viewpoint of playing a character, it really interesting because you can sit out in the open as a Ranger, you're pretty handy in every situation, and it also allows you to get that Sneak Attack damage in, use poison, and a few nifty spells. Basically you've got a broad range of skills, abilities, and feats to choose from, and if you consider the bonuses that the favoured enemy gives you, you end up with quite a lot of firepower too. Go for it - you'll probably enjoy it quite a lot.
Zendu 06-14-06, 07:34 PM	Screw all that noise, Ninja all the way, grab halfling and the fighting underfoot feats and you can make one hell of a giant killer. Ninjas get so many tactical advatages (+2 will, awsome jump thingy, and a great offence/defence ability in ghost step, not to mention Wis to ac!)