Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Righter8 Mar 18, 2008 16:28:40	I am playing an 11th level character (Thri-kreen 1 ranger/6 ninja/2 monstrous humanoid, +2 LA) and am looking for practical ways to use my sudden strike ability. Essentially, Sudden Strike allows for extra damage to be dealt when I strike a foe who is denied his dex bonus to my attack. I would like to rely mainly on self-activated items or feats as opposed to having spells cast on me or needing to drink potions. Or maybe weapons that cause a foe to lose their dex if struck. Anything really. Anyone have any ideas? Right now, the only things I can think of would be The ninja "ghost step" ability Invisibility potions
#2 wih Mar 18, 2008 17:06:26	5 levels of Invisible Blade + Suprising Riposte works if you've got a good bluff skill, but the easiest way is getting your party mage to cast Greater Invisibility on you even if that's not to your preference. Blurstrike weapons from Races of the Wild (IIRC) will also make the opponent you target with your first attack of the round denied their DEX.
#3 jameswilliamogle Mar 18, 2008 18:30:26	The feat Neraph Charge (Planar Handbook) denies an opponent 1/opponent/encounter their dex bonus.
#4 fricot_1 Mar 18, 2008 18:47:49	It would be better optimized if you played a Rogue 3, Fighter 4, Ninja 3, Shadow Thief of Amn 1 Rogue +2d6 Ninja +2d6 Shadow Thied of Amn +1d6 Swap all three fighter bonus feats for +1d6 Sneak Attack (its in UA somewhere) Equals: +8d6 Sneak Attack. Congratulations. Be a human, use your feats to qualify for Invisible Blade, ignore the eratta, and your set.
#5 Nathreet Mar 18, 2008 22:27:23	Ring of blinking but it's around 30k and takes a standard action to activate. Level of shadowdancer for HiPS. +10 hide & move silently enchantments on your armor. Now you're practically invisible as long as you're around shadows. You can take a -5 to sneak at full speed or a -20 to hide right after attacking with a bow.
#6 swifthunter Mar 18, 2008 22:58:48	you could also use feats for: martial study (any shadow hand, i like shadow jaunt) martial stance (assassins stance - +2d6 sneak attck) shadow blade (dex to damage when in shadow hand stance)
#7 jaronk Mar 19, 2008 0:40:42	Two levels of Unarmed Varient Swordsage would give the following: Assassin's Stance (+2d6 sneak attack) and one other level one stance, probably Child of Shadow Cloak of Deception, which would effectively give you that same invisibility once per encounter Shadow Jaunt, for easy teleportation Wis to AC in Light Armour, so you could wear some armour and a wide variety of other benefits. JaronK
#8 swifthunter Mar 19, 2008 11:46:28	and if you're going jaronk's route you could pick up shadow blade at another time. iirc thri-kreen get a good bonus to dex and wis so jaronk +1
#9 deathtrap Mar 19, 2008 11:56:27	See below for my contribution to the Ninja Handbook. Can a Thri-Kreen Grapple and Attack at the same time? If so, your set. A Grappling animal companion (like a Bear with animal growth) might help too. I once played an Ascetic Stalker who relied on Stunning Fists to set up SS. Optimizing Sudden Strike Classes that advance Sudden Strike Ninja (CA) Ghost-Faced Killer (CA) Unseen Seer (CM) Avenging Executioner (CS) Hand of the Winged Masters (DM) Dread Commando (HoB) Dragon Devotee (RotD) Shadowblade (ToM) Dread Fang of Lolth (DotU) Conditions that cause a defender to lose DEX bonus to AC Attacker is Invisible Defender is Blinded Defender is Cowering Defender is Flat-footed (Surprised, Balancing, Climbing) Defender is Grappling Defender is Helpless (Paralyzed, Sleeping, Bound) Defender is Pinned Defender is Stunned Attacker successfully Feints Exclusive Ninja Feats Ascetic Stalker (CS) - You can use SS vs. Stunned opponents. Expanded Ki Pool (CS) - Gives you more uses of Ghost Step. Enduring Ki (CS) - Makes your Ghost step last an extra round. Martial Stalker (CS) - Fighter levels can potentially give you access to other Fighter feats which can be used to trigger the above conditions.