Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Matwal1 Feb 26, 2015 15:29:13	Hello, Im new to D&D and this was my frist character I made for 3.5e. http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=1111436.   Now that Ive looked into the game and couple of rules and stuff better I see that there are a lot of different paths and items to go for.   So my question is what items should I be going for and feats in order to be a sneaky rogue (I also plan to get the Prestige Class Shadowdancer when I get lvl 10) I like to be the rogue that scouts ahead and is able to initiate the fight with a sneak attack or steal things in a crowded room without getting caught. (kind of like a rogue assassin just without being evil.)   My idea of doing shadowdancer class is cause I think it would be awesome to teleport around in the shadows and be able to move silently in dark places without worrying about getting caught.   (Also note that the skills are messed up cause my DM failed to tell me there was a number limit depending on level)(Its his first time DMing so I think he just over looked it cause its me and couple of friends just now starting out and this is a relaxed campaign meants for learning and passing free time)
#2 Tempest_Stormwind Feb 27, 2015 11:31:01	Welcome to the game.   Which books are allowed? Because a lot of concepts get much easier to pull off in other books, especially since older ones tend to be clunky. Your concept perfectly describes a Shadow Hand swordsage (possibly with a rogue level or two if you want some specific skills, but they weren't explicitly mentioned in your request), and you'd be able to do a limited form of the shadow teleport as early as level 3.   Part of the problem with the older stuff is that they were always overly expensive. In this case, Shadowdancer requires three feats, and you have a total of four slots for feats before it shows up. Since you've spent a feat on Weapon Finesse and another on Combat Reflexes (both good feats, I might add!), your remaining two feats - if you really want Shadowdancer instead of swordsage - are already spoken for, as they have to be Dodge and Mobility (neither of which is good, and neither really supports this playstyle).   While you're still learning the game, I'd suggest looking through the links in my signature. There, we build potent and thematic characters from start to finish, and every choice is annotated explaining not just what we took, but why. They'd be a good resource to read if you're looking for new material beyond the basic guides you've probably seen.
#3 Matwal1 Mar 01, 2015 22:08:38	Any of the 3.5 books are allowed. I have a whole library here. http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=1111436. And alright ill check out that class. I just want somethign that can close gaps and get away for a second so that my tank can pull aggro.
#4 Matwal1 Mar 01, 2015 22:51:15	I really like the look of Shadow hand Swordsage! Though would it  be a good idea to multiclass into that as a rogue? and ill have to do it as my next lvl up my DM said. So ill be lvl 6. What feat should I take along with it?
#5 Matwal1 Mar 01, 2015 22:59:32	The basic reason Im wanting to be able to get away at times Is cause the group Im playing with now are also new and since I usually look into a lot of things they like for me to go first... and me being a rogue and all I get caught as engaging in a battle first. For example last time a drow attacked me first and was able to use his poison to put me asleep for 7 hours. So instead of allowing that to happen I would like to be able to vanish for a sec so I can get behind my tank and let him go first.
#6 Andarious-Rosethorn Mar 02, 2015 3:11:49	It may be more optimal for you to hit Rogue 6 and then take at least 2 levels of Swordsage. The reason for this is IL progression, Initiator Level advances by 1 for every 2 non-class levels, and 1 for every class level or PRC level that advances IL, A level 6 Rogue is a level 3 initiator, and then adding a single Swordsage takes you to 4, the second Swordsage has you to 5, qualifying you for level 3 maneuvers and Stances. This means you can at CL 7 grab a handfull of Shadow Hand maneuvers and probably the Island of Blades stance (it's solid for teamwork) and at CL 8 grab Assassin's Stance (Better if you have to work alone). Get maneuvers like Cloak of Deception and definately get some Desert Wind maneuvers as well (Distracting Ember, Burning Brand, Burning Blade).
#7 Matwal1 Mar 02, 2015 11:58:19	Andarious-Rosethorn wrote:
#8 Tempest_Stormwind Mar 02, 2015 18:05:25	Matwal1 wrote:
#9 Andarious-Rosethorn Mar 02, 2015 19:44:00	Since you won't have any Shadow Hand Stance yet save Shadow blade for 9, if you don't already have Craven, get that. If you do, think Dex synergy. Combat Reflexes is good but Serpent Armor covers that (and can be upgraded for further enhancement). Weapon Finesse is good but again Feycraft weapons do that job without costing a feat. Two Weapon Fighting's good for precision damage, and while Gloves of the Balanced Hand emulate it they upgrade it to Improved Two Weapon FIghting, so go for that if you have Craven and get the three pieces of gear I mentioned if possible.
#10 Andarious-Rosethorn Mar 02, 2015 20:19:42	Rethinking things slightly, take Swordsage at 5 and again at 8. No major benefit to waiting until 7 over just taking your first level at 5th. So 4 Rogue 1 Swordsage, +2 Rogue, +1 Swordsage. And going that way you can get Shadow Blade as early as 6, but I'd still get Craven first if you don't have it yet.
#11 Matwal1 Mar 03, 2015 13:08:51	Andarious-Rosethorn wrote:
#12 Tempest_Stormwind Mar 03, 2015 13:54:21	Matwal1 wrote:
#13 Matwal1 Mar 03, 2015 13:56:15	Oh ok that explains it. Thanks! And I was lvl 4 when I began this post but then I leveled on our last session and since I didnt see this in time I couldnt reverse my level yet. Sorry for all the confusion. Thanks for the reply that should be all the questions I have now about the class!