Shadow Sentinel... Worth it?

[ArqArturo]

For those that don't know it, it's a full BAB PrC from Complete Desitny that gives you a weapon, the problem with the weapon is that you can't improve upon it the usual way, it must be done via class progression. Other than that, it doesn't offer much, and it's aimed towards illumians, so there's the chance to some sort of multiclassing shenanigans, but even then the PrC doesn't quite work on its own, although it's not as bad as the Shining Blade of Heironeous, since at least you can change types of buffs you can put in your weapon, as well as the weapon itself (as long as it's a slashing weapon).

Is there a way to make this PrC work, or it's a waste of time for anyone that wants to go melee?.

[Fax Celestis]

If you're going to ubertize your weapon, you probably want to focus on that. Kensai is an obvious choice.

If don't have it in front of me: can you get into Shadow Sentinel at 5th? Do something like Duskblade 5/Shadow Sentinel 5/Kensai 10?

[Piggy Knowles]

There is some potential for Haberdash-the-Masked (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?88633-Haberdash-the-Masked-The-3-5-Kitchen-Sink) style shenanigans, using the ability to transform your bonded weapon into any slashing weapon of your choice alongside proficiency in all exotic weapons to switch combat styles on a whim. The Haberdash thread has some good examples of what you can do with that.

Here's (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=12990087&postcount=150) a build I put together based on that idea for Iron Chef a while back. It uses Master's Touch rather than Master of Masks for proficiency in any weapon. The final build is Ranger 5/Trapsmith 1/Earth Dreamer 4/Shadow Sentinel 10.

[ArqArturo]

Well, it does ask for a +5 in the BAB, as well was Weapon Focus in any slashing weapon, so I'm guessing a Duskblade/Kensai might work.

Reading the Tome of Battle (just got a copy, what was I doing without it all these years!?), I think a Warblade/Kensai Might also work.


There is some potential for Haberdash-the-Masked (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?88633-Haberdash-the-Masked-The-3-5-Kitchen-Sink) style shenanigans, using the ability to transform your bonded weapon into any slashing weapon of your choice alongside proficiency in all exotic weapons to switch combat styles on a whim. The Haberdash thread has some good examples of what you can do with that.

Here's (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=12990087&postcount=150) a build I put together based on that idea for Iron Chef a while back. It uses Master's Touch rather than Master of Masks for proficiency in any weapon. The final build is Ranger 5/Trapsmith 1/Earth Dreamer 4/Shadow Sentinel 10.

I really liked the fluff of your build, and I never really thought that the Trapsmith would work well, but the build is pretty solid :).

[Fax Celestis]

I'm partial to Duskblade entries because it means I can take a Gish prc later if I want, but warblade should work just fine too. Actually, swordsage gets a bunch of weapon foci at first level, doesn't it? You could do something like warblade 4/swordsage 2/shadow sentinel 5/kensai 9.

[ArqArturo]

It also opens up the possibility of: 1.- Dimension Hop 2.- Arcane Strike.

All awesome reasons to use Duskblade too.

I'm thinking that Duskblade/Warblade could work as well, especially since warblade uses Int sometimes, though Swordsage has multiple Weapon Foci.