Lictor of Thrax
2011-11-08, 06:52 AM
I can't get the search function to work so I can't find relevant threads but I'm looking for some guidance on a spiked chain feat tree and/or some PrC help to get some extra feats for an unusual character concept.
Right now I'm playing a homebrew design that pretty much combines and improves the swashbuckler and rogue classes into a strong tier three class. He's a gray elf with high INT and DEX, horrible STR. Feats and relevant abilities thus far are:
Rogue base sneak attack
Fighter BAB
Weapon Finesse
Abjurant Jaunt
Canny Combatant (INT bonus to opposed combat maneuvers)
Two Weapon Fighting
Craven
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188150
Originally I was just playing a two-weapon fighter but the DM dropped a really nice spiked chain and I decided to use the feat I had that I didn't have any particularly useful available feats for on EWP: Spiked Chain.
When I started reading up on just how to really use the spiked chain I started to get a bit worried that a lot of the cooler features, like the ability to trip and such, would be wasted on my low strength Char until I remembered that my class allows me to use my INT modifier (my character's primary stat) for all opposed combat maneuvers - this actually becomes the most important stat for this character's viability and was a completely accidental little realization.
My DM is allowing me to use the homebrew suggestion of allowing the spiked chain to be switched into a double weapon that is 1d6/1d6 with 5 feat threat for a move action. So right now, at least at a lower level Char(4th level total with 3 in Daring Outlaw homebrew and 1 Wizard), he has a lot of versatility as not only an effective two-weapon sneak attacker but I can use the spiked chain as a range/control weapon.
I'd really like to find the most effective way to keep this as viable as deep into my char's life as possible. Pure optimization isn't the most important thing here - I just really like the fluff/versatility aspect of a stealthy, sneak attacking, zone-controller that uses his skills (and maybe even Charge, as this class gets acrobatic charge as well) and spells to move all over the field and cause chaos with opportunity attacks while also being an effective two-weapon sneak attacker when the situation allows/calls for it.
The difficult is that he's feat starved. I'm wondering if there's suggestions on the best feats to focus on for this concept, as there's a ton of feats that the spiked chain find useful - combat reflexes seems like a no brainer - but there's just so many that I'm a bit overwhelmed. Feats that blend stealth, sneak attack and a tons of skills with spiked chain are key.
Also, if there's any class or prestrige class dips that people would suggest (especially PrC because our DM enforces EXP penalties) that are particularly useful for spiked chain users (that don't also suck) would be great. Even just PrC's/Classes that could backdoor some extra feats needed to build the spiked chain feat trees, like one that would help me get towards greater whirlwind or something.
**we have pretty much anything available and our DM is very flexible with our group if we can explain why we should have it, especially because we're a very small party and need to cover a lot of ground with only a few characters. About the only thing that's off-limits would be ToB, simply because neither of us want to start jumping into all that stances stuff.
Sorry, I tend to ramble. Thanks in advance if anyone has any suggestions.
Right now I'm playing a homebrew design that pretty much combines and improves the swashbuckler and rogue classes into a strong tier three class. He's a gray elf with high INT and DEX, horrible STR. Feats and relevant abilities thus far are:
Rogue base sneak attack
Fighter BAB
Weapon Finesse
Abjurant Jaunt
Canny Combatant (INT bonus to opposed combat maneuvers)
Two Weapon Fighting
Craven
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188150
Originally I was just playing a two-weapon fighter but the DM dropped a really nice spiked chain and I decided to use the feat I had that I didn't have any particularly useful available feats for on EWP: Spiked Chain.
When I started reading up on just how to really use the spiked chain I started to get a bit worried that a lot of the cooler features, like the ability to trip and such, would be wasted on my low strength Char until I remembered that my class allows me to use my INT modifier (my character's primary stat) for all opposed combat maneuvers - this actually becomes the most important stat for this character's viability and was a completely accidental little realization.
My DM is allowing me to use the homebrew suggestion of allowing the spiked chain to be switched into a double weapon that is 1d6/1d6 with 5 feat threat for a move action. So right now, at least at a lower level Char(4th level total with 3 in Daring Outlaw homebrew and 1 Wizard), he has a lot of versatility as not only an effective two-weapon sneak attacker but I can use the spiked chain as a range/control weapon.
I'd really like to find the most effective way to keep this as viable as deep into my char's life as possible. Pure optimization isn't the most important thing here - I just really like the fluff/versatility aspect of a stealthy, sneak attacking, zone-controller that uses his skills (and maybe even Charge, as this class gets acrobatic charge as well) and spells to move all over the field and cause chaos with opportunity attacks while also being an effective two-weapon sneak attacker when the situation allows/calls for it.
The difficult is that he's feat starved. I'm wondering if there's suggestions on the best feats to focus on for this concept, as there's a ton of feats that the spiked chain find useful - combat reflexes seems like a no brainer - but there's just so many that I'm a bit overwhelmed. Feats that blend stealth, sneak attack and a tons of skills with spiked chain are key.
Also, if there's any class or prestrige class dips that people would suggest (especially PrC because our DM enforces EXP penalties) that are particularly useful for spiked chain users (that don't also suck) would be great. Even just PrC's/Classes that could backdoor some extra feats needed to build the spiked chain feat trees, like one that would help me get towards greater whirlwind or something.
**we have pretty much anything available and our DM is very flexible with our group if we can explain why we should have it, especially because we're a very small party and need to cover a lot of ground with only a few characters. About the only thing that's off-limits would be ToB, simply because neither of us want to start jumping into all that stances stuff.
Sorry, I tend to ramble. Thanks in advance if anyone has any suggestions.