Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Prescient Nov 16, 2014 16:24:40	How would you do it to be effective (up to level 10, I care more about the journey than the destination)? The concept: a sword wielding ninja warrior. Right now I'm thinking either Shadow Monk 5/Assassin Rogue 3/Fighter 2 or Open Hand Monk 3/Assassin Rogue 3/Battle Master Fighter 4 The only thing I'm worried about is the lack of ABIs in this build. Any ideas on how to optimize this?
#2 Yunru Nov 16, 2014 17:14:44	You're considering going Shadow Monk for a ninja concept without going to 6th level? O.o Monk 6/Rogue 4 would be my suggestion (although 2 in warlock lets you use Darkness with giving yourself disadvantage).
#3 Prescient Nov 16, 2014 18:35:55	That's a fair point. I really liked the idea of the Fighter bit, though. Maybe a Fighter 4, Rogue 6, and skip Monk altogether?
(Reply to #3) SpinG22	Prescient wrote:
#5 Prescient Nov 16, 2014 19:10:32	That's very true. Hmm...Fighter 5/Rogue 5?
#6 Danny_Montanny Nov 17, 2014 7:09:50	It's such a broad concept. I think you need more details. What are the key abilities you want to focus on? Magic or no magic? Disguise and deception? Martial Arts? Lurking in shadows?   If your main focus is combat, and only with your sword, a straight Fighter could be one. Strong and fast with training in Stealth and Athletics would be a basic "ninja warrior".   It all depends on what defining features you want them to have.
#7 Danny_Montanny Nov 17, 2014 7:27:17	Also, I've been reading a lot of your other posts. The spirit of this edition is about relying on the players and DM to craft their story. There's no list of things that say, "well, this is what you can do and you can't do anything else." The rules exist as a framework and you're fully expected to use whatever you need to make the game fun. The mechanics are there for support, use them, but it's up to you (and the DM) what effect they have on your story.   Case in point. You like ninjas. As do I. As you can imagine, my friends and I are into Naruto. We're currently finishing getting ready for a campaign where the'll be a newly formed squad of pre-teens ready for some D Rank missions. One's a White Dragonborn Fighter, but he looks completely human but wanted to come from the north and have cold powers (resistance and breath weapon). We're swapping the +1 Cha for +1 Int as it fits his concept better. He's gonna go EK to do some cool stuff with his sword. We'll alter and refluff his spells appropriately.
#8 1eejit Nov 17, 2014 7:55:22	If you want a bit more spellcasting in that concept maybe try shadow monk 6 / trickery cleric 4.
#9 BRJN Nov 17, 2014 10:03:29	You can go Shadow Monk 6 / Fighter 2 / Rogue 2.  You gain the BAMF but lose the Assassin critical hits.  You still have a whole bunch of extra actions to use on one turn for your Alpha Strike.   IMHO - which may be priceless or may be worthless - your DM will have a harder time dealing with shadow step than he would have at preventing you from getting Surprise on (almost) everybody.
#10 Prescient Nov 17, 2014 10:55:35	Sounds awesome! I'll play with it. Thanks for the advice!
#11 GTKA666 Nov 17, 2014 15:52:25	My only question is, if you multiclass with the shadow monk, do you wait until 6 to multiclass, or do you do it earlier? I plan on going Shadow 6/ assasin 3,5/ warlock 2,3.
#12 Yunru Nov 17, 2014 16:25:48	Definitely Monk 6. Stunning Strike, Extra Attack, Shadow'porting. So many front-loaded goodies.