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View Full Version : Increasing Flanking Bonus



Amphetryon
2010-03-20, 10:04 AM
DISCLAIMER:
This is mostly a thought experiment, rather than a practical optimization exercise. As such, damage multipliers that would otherwise be key to a flanking build are of secondary importance. The primary concern here is increasing the to-hit bonus from flank, starting at 1st level. Any input on how to achieve that specific goal is welcome.

{table]Kenku Wolf Totem Barbarian 1 | Vexing Flanker |
Barb 1/Ranger 1 | Track, Favored Enemy [pick one] |
Barb 1/Ranger 2 | Adaptive Flanker, Two-Weapon Fighting |
Barb1/Ranger 3| Endurance |
Barb 1/Ranger 4| Riding Dog (tfw) companion |
Barb 1/Ranger 5| Martial Study (Clinging Shadow Strike), Ranger Spells |
Barb 1/Ranger 5/Rogue 1 | SA+1d6 |
Barb 1/Ranger 5/Rogue 2 | Evasion |
Barb 1/Ranger 5/Rogue 3 | SA+2d6, Martial Stance (Island of Blades)|
Barb 1/Ranger 5/Rogue 3/Warblade 1 | Leading the Attack, WRT, Hunter's Sense, Moment of Perfect Mind |[/table]

Currently that makes +8 to hit against flanked opponents, and they can be flanked from odd angles. From here, advance White Raven maneuvers to increase flanking benefits.

Thoughts? Improvements?

AslanCross
2010-03-20, 10:15 AM
I know you've already put down human, but the Kenku (MM3) gets AND gives a double flanking bonus from the beginning. (As well as granting +3 bonus when aiding another.)

boomwolf
2010-03-20, 10:15 AM
I believe ravinar (race from MM 2 methink) gain a +4 flank instead of +2. (and better "aid another" ability)

El Dorado
2010-03-20, 10:22 AM
Swashbucklers gain Improved Flanking at 8th level.

Amphetryon
2010-03-20, 10:27 AM
Which would be more advantageous: Kenku or Ravinar, and at a lower LA?

Gametime
2010-03-20, 10:35 AM
Can't find the ravinar, but kenku have no level adjustment. They only gain the flanking bonus, though; it doesn't say anything about the ally getting it.

They do give +3 when aiding another, though.

zagan
2010-03-20, 11:37 AM
The spell Tactical precision (Bard 2) in the Spc Increase the bonus by 2 when two creature affect by the spell are flanking.

Runestar
2010-03-20, 06:52 PM
Does the kenku's flanking bonus stack with vexing flanker or overlap? Both simply say to increase to +4. :smallconfused:

Bibliomancer
2010-03-20, 06:56 PM
Rilkan (Magic of Incarnum) gets +4 to flanking instead of +2, so you could use that instead of Kenku if you wanted to go into incarnum. However, it might overlap with Vexing flanker (like Kenku) depending on how you read it.

Soonerdj
2010-03-20, 07:08 PM
More of a Teammate bonus but I do believe the Nightsong Infiltrator and Nightsong Enforcer each gain bonuses to flanking.

Amphetryon
2010-03-21, 05:33 AM
So, assuming the RAW doesn't specify overlap with Vexing Flanker, and enough ranks in UMD to consistently activate a wand with the Bard spell Tactical Precision, we're up to +10 flank bonus to hit.

Is that as high as it gets?

Soonerdj
2010-03-21, 05:58 AM
Found the entry, Nightsong Enforcer from Cadv


Flanking Teamwork (Ex): When a nightsong enforcer
of 5th level or higher flanks an opponent, the enforcer
and all other allies who threaten the same opponent gain
a +1 circumstance bonus on their attack rolls (in addition
to the normal flanking bonus, if it applies).

Thurbane
2010-03-21, 08:15 PM
If you don't mind taking a -4 penalty to AC, Reckless Offense gives you +2 to hit (in general, not just on flanks).