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Making A Swordsage

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
casualgatherer
May 04, 2009 22:03:28 32 point buy, in a huge group of 1 sorcerer, 1 wizard, 1 archivist, 1 cleric, 1 fighter, 1 swashbuckler, 1 rogue and 1 dragon shaman.

2nd level, either Human or Dwarf, 32 point buy. If Dwarf, 16's for Str, Dex, Con, 12 for Wis, 8 for Int, 6 for Cha. If Human, 16 Con and Dex, 14 Wis, 12 Str, 10 Int, 8 Cha.

Stance: Child of Shadow
Stance: Island of Blades(?) [Also considering Step of the Wind, Blood in the Water, Hunters Sense.]
Maneuver: Sapphire Nightmare Blade
Maneuver: Mighty Throw
Maneuver: Shadow Blade Technique
Maneuver: Wind Stride
Maneuver: Burning Blade (probably replaced later)
Maneuver: Moment of Perfect Mind (Because having +8 is better than +3)
Maneuver: Stone Bones (will be replaced later)

I can't decide between THF (with Dwarven waraxe if Dwarf) or TWF (with Shadow Blade.)

How are my maneuvers? Can i get the capstone abilities for every school i know? reccomended stats or something? Is Master of 9 worth pursuing?
#2
dandu
May 04, 2009 22:06:25 THF and TWF with a Dwarven Urgrosh (SRD)
#3
casualgatherer
May 04, 2009 22:12:02 Tempting, but i doubt it. If i go TWF, i will take Shadow Blade and go with Dagger+Shortsword.
#4
dr_rocktopus
May 04, 2009 23:42:03 Or or or you could go sunblade+sunblade and count them as short swords.
I'm also really enamored of the idea of a moonblade wielding martial adept gish. I think it'd be a whole fat torrent of awesome.
#5
casualgatherer
May 05, 2009 0:11:21 Sunblades are a good idea, but at level 2, a little out of price range.

I'm more interested in Maneuvers right now though. Come On, someone should feel something about the ones i picked. anything?

Also, Human or Dwarf? i need to choose relativly soon.
#6
jopustopin
May 05, 2009 0:24:14
Sunblades are a good idea, but at level 2, a little out of price range.

I'm more interested in Maneuvers right now though. Come On, someone should feel something about the ones i picked. anything?

Also, Human or Dwarf? i need to choose relativly soon.

You should really choose human or dwarf based on how you want to role play your character. I don't see one as being that much better than the other. A lot of people pick human for the bonus feet, but I have friends who simply love playing a dwarf. (strangely it's usually a dream dwarf they hate that dwarves get minuses to charisma)
#7
guide_seneschal
May 05, 2009 0:47:37 I adore dorfs, and play one whenever I get the opportunity. Likewise with bariur and illumians!
#8
dawnmor
May 05, 2009 0:48:58 Swordsages strength as a class as said in the TOB book, is Dex and Wis. 12 into Wis? Uhhh NO! if at all possible.

If your going for a pure Swordsage then Cha is a dump stat, Int I suggest you keep as at atleast a 14. 16 str is good, 16 dex is good, Con should be a 14, Wis a 14, Int 14, Cha is a dump.

Make sure you get Shadowblade, 2weapon fighting tree and your set.

Tho I would go Halfling or something for swordsage though.
#9
casualgatherer
May 05, 2009 1:05:54 So...
Human, 12 Str (4), 16 Dex (10), 16 Con (10), 10 Int (2), 14 Wis (6), 8 Cha I like my con at 16, if i drop it to 14 though, i can get int up to 14 as well.
Feat: TWF (b:Shadow Blade)
Swordsage 2 (Swordsage 15/Master of 9 5)
HP: 14 + 1d8
AC: 10 +3 (Studded Leather) +3 (Dex) +2 (Wis) = 18

To hit: BAB 1+3 str =+4 to hit
Damage: 1d6+1+3, 1d4+1+3 and also maneuvers.

Acceptable Damage, i think. It'll get better as i get more maneuvers readied, since i can just start blowing people away.

For maneuvers, the same list as above.
Stance: Child of Shadow
Stance: Island of Blades(?) [Also considering Step of the Wind, Hunters Sense.]
Maneuver: Sapphire Nightmare Blade [Prepared]
Maneuver: Mighty Throw [Prepared]
Maneuver: Shadow Blade Technique [Prepared]
Maneuver: Wind Stride
Maneuver: Burning Blade (probably replaced later)
Maneuver: Moment of Perfect Mind (Because having +8 is better than +3) [Prepared]
Maneuver: Stone Bones (will be replaced later)

There. Usual stance will probably be Child of Shadow, because i will need to stay mobile. Is Hunters Sense or Step of the Wind better than Island of Blades? I'm leaning slightly towards Hunters Sense for out of combat utility.

Skills are: Concentration, Hide, Jump, Tumble, Know: [History] 3 & [Local] 2, Sense Motive, Move Silently.

This covers the Concentration checks for Diamond Mind, the Sense Motive for Setting Sun, the Jump for Tiger Claw, Hide for Shadow Blade, and Tumble for Desert Wind. I need 4/5 of these for Mo9, and one must be jump, so i like what i have right now. History and Local are for my backstory, and knowledges are never bad.

Why Halfling? I don't understand why that is an option, considering that the only thing i can see synergizing is small size and save bonuses.
#10
casualgatherer
May 05, 2009 9:15:01 Is Shadow Sun Ninja worth it? What does the CO boards think of SSN?
#11
lormador
May 05, 2009 9:39:12 It looks to me to be playable, nothing too shattering.... I'd consider it if I had a way to reliably work around the limitations: Tomb-Tainted Soul to get infinite out of combat healing, Darkstalker/Hide in Plain Sight/Invisibility or something to blind people constantly, and what was that spell, Sheltered Vitality I think (?) to get immune to the Constitution damage at the end of the class.

I don't think it's as strong as JPM or RKV, if that's what you're looking for.
#12
artemisgaf
May 05, 2009 12:04:52 If you go TWF you need at least Sudden Leap and feycraft shortswords (1d4 19-20 x2 can use dex to attack without weapon finesse).
#13
casualgatherer
May 05, 2009 18:01:30 No, i was just wondering if it would be a good idea. RKV and JPM are insanely strong, i think. I was tempted to play a JPM, but the fluff of it is too painful to adapt.

For feats:
TWF, Shadow Blade
Imp. Init
Adaptive Style
Dodge
Improved Unarmed Strike
Blind Fight
Weapon Finesse

All for Mo9. I do not like this. My maximum is Mo9 3.

Going SS 20 doesn't look bad, but it is very boring. Advice?
#14
jopustopin
May 05, 2009 18:37:38
Going SS 20 doesn't look bad, but it is very boring. Advice?

It's not boring if you have an interesting character concept.
#15
casualgatherer
May 05, 2009 18:42:26 I like my PrCs, thank you very much.

Besides, it lloks nowhere near as exciting as Fighter 2/Monk 2/ Rogue 1/ Wizard 5/ Archmage 5/ rogue +3/Arcane Trickster 3

I might just go SS20. Mo9, though useful, doesn't look like its worth trying to grab.
#16
drakenkorin
May 18, 2009 10:05:15
I like my PrCs, thank you very much.

Besides, it lloks nowhere near as exciting as Fighter 2/Monk 2/ Rogue 1/ Wizard 5/ Archmage 5/ rogue +3/Arcane Trickster 3

I might just go SS20. Mo9, though useful, doesn't look like its worth trying to grab.

Ok i vote SS19/WB1. Build it well and then tell me how your "Fighter 2/Monk 2/ Rogue 1/ Wizard 5/ Archmage 5/ rogue +3/Arcane Trickster 3" can even dream to compare...
#17
casualgatherer
May 18, 2009 11:31:12 A little late, but that was a joke. Just so you know, even my small optimization skills would avoid that mess.
#18
dandu
May 18, 2009 17:09:08
You should really choose human or dwarf based on how you want to role play your character. I don't see one as being that much better than the other. A lot of people pick human for the bonus feet, but I have friends who simply love playing a dwarf. (strangely it's usually a dream dwarf they hate that dwarves get minuses to charisma)

Humans get two feet standard, just like every other humanoid race.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 casualgatherer May 04, 2009 22:03:28	32 point buy, in a huge group of 1 sorcerer, 1 wizard, 1 archivist, 1 cleric, 1 fighter, 1 swashbuckler, 1 rogue and 1 dragon shaman. 2nd level, either Human or Dwarf, 32 point buy. If Dwarf, 16's for Str, Dex, Con, 12 for Wis, 8 for Int, 6 for Cha. If Human, 16 Con and Dex, 14 Wis, 12 Str, 10 Int, 8 Cha. Stance: Child of Shadow Stance: Island of Blades(?) [Also considering Step of the Wind, Blood in the Water, Hunters Sense.] Maneuver: Sapphire Nightmare Blade Maneuver: Mighty Throw Maneuver: Shadow Blade Technique Maneuver: Wind Stride Maneuver: Burning Blade (probably replaced later) Maneuver: Moment of Perfect Mind (Because having +8 is better than +3) Maneuver: Stone Bones (will be replaced later) I can't decide between THF (with Dwarven waraxe if Dwarf) or TWF (with Shadow Blade.) How are my maneuvers? Can i get the capstone abilities for every school i know? reccomended stats or something? Is Master of 9 worth pursuing?
#2 dandu May 04, 2009 22:06:25	THF and TWF with a Dwarven Urgrosh (SRD)
#3 casualgatherer May 04, 2009 22:12:02	Tempting, but i doubt it. If i go TWF, i will take Shadow Blade and go with Dagger+Shortsword.
#4 dr_rocktopus May 04, 2009 23:42:03	Or or or you could go sunblade+sunblade and count them as short swords. I'm also really enamored of the idea of a moonblade wielding martial adept gish. I think it'd be a whole fat torrent of awesome.
#5 casualgatherer May 05, 2009 0:11:21	Sunblades are a good idea, but at level 2, a little out of price range. I'm more interested in Maneuvers right now though. Come On, someone should feel something about the ones i picked. anything? Also, Human or Dwarf? i need to choose relativly soon.
#6 jopustopin May 05, 2009 0:24:14	Sunblades are a good idea, but at level 2, a little out of price range. I'm more interested in Maneuvers right now though. Come On, someone should feel something about the ones i picked. anything? Also, Human or Dwarf? i need to choose relativly soon. You should really choose human or dwarf based on how you want to role play your character. I don't see one as being that much better than the other. A lot of people pick human for the bonus feet, but I have friends who simply love playing a dwarf. (strangely it's usually a dream dwarf they hate that dwarves get minuses to charisma)
#7 guide_seneschal May 05, 2009 0:47:37	I adore dorfs, and play one whenever I get the opportunity. Likewise with bariur and illumians!
#8 dawnmor May 05, 2009 0:48:58	Swordsages strength as a class as said in the TOB book, is Dex and Wis. 12 into Wis? Uhhh NO! if at all possible. If your going for a pure Swordsage then Cha is a dump stat, Int I suggest you keep as at atleast a 14. 16 str is good, 16 dex is good, Con should be a 14, Wis a 14, Int 14, Cha is a dump. Make sure you get Shadowblade, 2weapon fighting tree and your set. Tho I would go Halfling or something for swordsage though.
#9 casualgatherer May 05, 2009 1:05:54	So... Human, 12 Str (4), 16 Dex (10), 16 Con (10), 10 Int (2), 14 Wis (6), 8 Cha I like my con at 16, if i drop it to 14 though, i can get int up to 14 as well. Feat: TWF (b:Shadow Blade) Swordsage 2 (Swordsage 15/Master of 9 5) HP: 14 + 1d8 AC: 10 +3 (Studded Leather) +3 (Dex) +2 (Wis) = 18 To hit: BAB 1+3 str =+4 to hit Damage: 1d6+1+3, 1d4+1+3 and also maneuvers. Acceptable Damage, i think. It'll get better as i get more maneuvers readied, since i can just start blowing people away. For maneuvers, the same list as above. Stance: Child of Shadow Stance: Island of Blades(?) [Also considering Step of the Wind, Hunters Sense.] Maneuver: Sapphire Nightmare Blade [Prepared] Maneuver: Mighty Throw [Prepared] Maneuver: Shadow Blade Technique [Prepared] Maneuver: Wind Stride Maneuver: Burning Blade (probably replaced later) Maneuver: Moment of Perfect Mind (Because having +8 is better than +3) [Prepared] Maneuver: Stone Bones (will be replaced later) There. Usual stance will probably be Child of Shadow, because i will need to stay mobile. Is Hunters Sense or Step of the Wind better than Island of Blades? I'm leaning slightly towards Hunters Sense for out of combat utility. Skills are: Concentration, Hide, Jump, Tumble, Know: [History] 3 & [Local] 2, Sense Motive, Move Silently. This covers the Concentration checks for Diamond Mind, the Sense Motive for Setting Sun, the Jump for Tiger Claw, Hide for Shadow Blade, and Tumble for Desert Wind. I need 4/5 of these for Mo9, and one must be jump, so i like what i have right now. History and Local are for my backstory, and knowledges are never bad. Why Halfling? I don't understand why that is an option, considering that the only thing i can see synergizing is small size and save bonuses.
#10 casualgatherer May 05, 2009 9:15:01	Is Shadow Sun Ninja worth it? What does the CO boards think of SSN?
#11 lormador May 05, 2009 9:39:12	It looks to me to be playable, nothing too shattering.... I'd consider it if I had a way to reliably work around the limitations: Tomb-Tainted Soul to get infinite out of combat healing, Darkstalker/Hide in Plain Sight/Invisibility or something to blind people constantly, and what was that spell, Sheltered Vitality I think (?) to get immune to the Constitution damage at the end of the class. I don't think it's as strong as JPM or RKV, if that's what you're looking for.
#12 artemisgaf May 05, 2009 12:04:52	If you go TWF you need at least Sudden Leap and feycraft shortswords (1d4 19-20 x2 can use dex to attack without weapon finesse).
#13 casualgatherer May 05, 2009 18:01:30	No, i was just wondering if it would be a good idea. RKV and JPM are insanely strong, i think. I was tempted to play a JPM, but the fluff of it is too painful to adapt. For feats: TWF, Shadow Blade Imp. Init Adaptive Style Dodge Improved Unarmed Strike Blind Fight Weapon Finesse All for Mo9. I do not like this. My maximum is Mo9 3. Going SS 20 doesn't look bad, but it is very boring. Advice?
#14 jopustopin May 05, 2009 18:37:38	Going SS 20 doesn't look bad, but it is very boring. Advice? It's not boring if you have an interesting character concept.
#15 casualgatherer May 05, 2009 18:42:26	I like my PrCs, thank you very much. Besides, it lloks nowhere near as exciting as Fighter 2/Monk 2/ Rogue 1/ Wizard 5/ Archmage 5/ rogue +3/Arcane Trickster 3 I might just go SS20. Mo9, though useful, doesn't look like its worth trying to grab.
#16 drakenkorin May 18, 2009 10:05:15	I like my PrCs, thank you very much. Besides, it lloks nowhere near as exciting as Fighter 2/Monk 2/ Rogue 1/ Wizard 5/ Archmage 5/ rogue +3/Arcane Trickster 3 I might just go SS20. Mo9, though useful, doesn't look like its worth trying to grab. Ok i vote SS19/WB1. Build it well and then tell me how your "Fighter 2/Monk 2/ Rogue 1/ Wizard 5/ Archmage 5/ rogue +3/Arcane Trickster 3" can even dream to compare...
#17 casualgatherer May 18, 2009 11:31:12	A little late, but that was a joke. Just so you know, even my small optimization skills would avoid that mess.
#18 dandu May 18, 2009 17:09:08	You should really choose human or dwarf based on how you want to role play your character. I don't see one as being that much better than the other. A lot of people pick human for the bonus feet, but I have friends who simply love playing a dwarf. (strangely it's usually a dream dwarf they hate that dwarves get minuses to charisma) Humans get two feet standard, just like every other humanoid race.