[3.5] Wanted : Build Critique

[knightMARE]

After seeing the Dualist homebrew prestige class (http://wiki.faxcelestis.net/index.php?title=Dualist) , I had to try making a build focused around it.

The current build uses kukris, and dodge doesn't exist in my games.

Fighter 4 / Swordsage 1 / Dualist 5 / Teflammar Shadowlord 4 / Swiftblade 6

1. Two Weapon Fighting
Human. Weapon Finesse
Flaw. Weapon Focus
Flaw. Combat Reflexes
Fighter. Mobility
Fighter. Blindfight
3. Mageslayer
Fighter . Weapon Specialisation
6. Sidestep
Dualist . Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Dualist . Double Hit
9. Spring Attack
12. Greater Two Weapon Fighting
15. Greater Weapon Focus
18. Greater Weapon Specialisation

I'm also contemplating using Kusari-gama, but that requires another feat.

Any tips/advice/opinions?

[gorfnab]

You're missing the feat Dodge. Which way are you going about getting Dimension Door? Also how are you getting sneak attack?

[knightMARE]

You're missing the feat Dodge. Which way are you going about getting Dimension Door? Also how are you getting sneak attack?

1. When I said dodge doesnt exist, I should've specified that meant that it's not longer needed as a requirement.
2. Two possible paths - the template mentioned in the shadowlord requirements, using LA buyoff, or hoping one of the shadow hand manuevers will appease my GM.
3. "Every +3 Opportunistic Strike damage is equivalent to +1d6 worth of precision damage for the purpose of pre-requisites and the activation of certain feats (such as Ambush feats)." From Dualist

[gorfnab]

1. When I said dodge doesnt exist, I should've specified that meant that it's not longer needed as a requirement.
2. Two possible paths - the template mentioned in the shadowlord requirements, using LA buyoff, or hoping one of the shadow hand manuevers will appease my GM.
3. "Every +3 Opportunistic Strike damage is equivalent to +1d6 worth of precision damage for the purpose of pre-requisites and the activation of certain feats (such as Ambush feats)." From Dualist
Okay then

Let's see if I can clear up the build a little.
Human Shadowwalker
1. Rogue - Two Weapon Fighting, Darkstalker, Mobility, Twin Sword Style
2. Swashbuckler - B: Weapon Finesse
3. Rogue - Craven
4. Rogue - Penetrating Strike ACF (DS)
5. Swashbuckler
6. Swashbuckler - Spring Attack
7. Fighter - Hit and Run Tactics ACF (DoTU) - Blindfight
8. Swordsage - B: Weapon Focus in Shadow Hand Weapons
9. Swordsage - Shadowblade, Assassin's Stance
10. Telfammar Shadowlord
11. Telfammar Shadowlord
12. Telfammar Shadowlord - Improved Two Weapon Fighting
13. Telfammar Shadowlord
14. Telfammar Shadowlord
15. Telfammar Shadowlord - Combat Reflexes
16. Dualist - B: Greater Two Weapon Fighting
17. Dualist - B: Weapon Specialization
18. Dualist - Gloom Razor, B: Double Hit or Two Weapon Rend
19. Dualist
20. Dualist

This will net you 4d6+20 sneak attack damage. Dex and Int to damage, and potentially Dex to damage twice. You can use Aptitude Kukris if you want to otherwise Shortswords or Daggers will work as well.

[knightMARE]

Okay then

Let's see if I can clear up the build a little.
Human Shadowwalker
1. Rogue - Two Weapon Fighting, Darkstalker, Mobility, Twin Sword Style
2. Swashbuckler - B: Weapon Finesse
3. Rogue - Craven
4. Rogue - Penetrating Strike ACF (DS)
5. Swashbuckler
6. Swashbuckler - Spring Attack
7. Fighter - Hit and Run Tactics ACF (DoTU) - Blindfight
8. Swordsage - B: Weapon Focus in Shadow Hand Weapons
9. Swordsage - Shadowblade, Assassin's Stance
10. Telfammar Shadowlord
11. Telfammar Shadowlord
12. Telfammar Shadowlord - Improved Two Weapon Fighting
13. Telfammar Shadowlord
14. Telfammar Shadowlord
15. Telfammar Shadowlord - Combat Reflexes
16. Dualist - B: Greater Two Weapon Fighting
17. Dualist - B: Weapon Specialization
18. Dualist - Gloom Razor, B: Double Hit or Two Weapon Rend
19. Dualist
20. Dualist

This will net you 4d6+20 sneak attack damage. Dex and Int to damage, and potentially Dex to damage twice. You can use Aptitude Kukris if you want to otherwise Shortswords or Daggers will work as well.

I like this. However, the last 2 levels of Telfammar Shadowlord don't add too much to the build, and the twin sword style feat doesn't seem too fantastic. Would replacing them with 2 levels off Swiftblade , and retraining to Greater Weapon Focus work better? (Unless I'm missing something here)

[gorfnab]

I like this. However, the last 2 levels of Telfammar Shadowlord don't add too much to the build, and the twin sword style feat doesn't seem too fantastic. Would replacing them with 2 levels off Swiftblade , and retraining to Greater Weapon Focus work better? (Unless I'm missing something here)
Actually you wouldn't have to retrain anything since Swiftblade says that if you already have Spring Attack as a feat you can instead choose a different feat that you qualify for. Swiftblade would add an extra point of BAB and advance enough spellcasting to get the 3rd level TFSL spells. However I happen to like the 5th level of TFSL since I played one in a campaign and Shadow Discorporation saved my ass. Then again, the Blurred Alacrity ability of Swiftblade would stack nicely with the Lingering Gloom from the Gloom Razor feat. If Twin Sword Style is not your thing (however AC is a little tight with this build) then move Combat Reflexes or Blindfight down to first level and choose something else, like Elusive Target (http://www.realmshelps.org/cgi-bin/feats.pl?Elusive_Target) or an Ambush feat maybe.

[knightMARE]

Actually you wouldn't have to retrain anything since Swiftblade says that if you already have Spring Attack as a feat you can instead choose a different feat that you qualify for. Swiftblade would add an extra point of BAB and advance enough spellcasting to get the 3rd level TFSL spells. However I happen to like the 5th level of TFSL since I played one in a campaign and Shadow Discorporation saved my ass. Then again, the Blurred Alacrity ability of Swiftblade would stack nicely with the Lingering Gloom from the Gloom Razor feat. If Twin Sword Style is not your thing (however AC is a little tight with this build) then move Combat Reflexes or Blindfight down to first level and choose something else, like Elusive Target (http://www.realmshelps.org/cgi-bin/feats.pl?Elusive_Target) or an Ambush feat maybe.

The only major negative of the build as a whole is getting dualist so late, atleast for me.