ColossusCrusher
2015-11-02, 06:11 PM
So we all know it's pretty clear that Shadow Sun Ninja is meant to enter through a Monk/Swordsage or (Un)armed Swordsage with(out) Superior Unarmed Strike, but I was wondering what the Playground thinks of this entry:
Whirling Frenzy Spirit Lion Wolf Totem Barbarian 2/Unarmed Swordsage 3 - that gets you the requirements pretty easily (BAB 3, Hide 8 and a bunch of Shadow Hand/Setting Sun maneuvers), even though the loss of those sweet, sweet level one skill points hurts. It's pretty clear how this concept works - throw on Snap Kick, Adaptive Style, Knock-Down (if you have the Strength for it), Shadow Blade for less MAD, Extra Rage if you've got the extra feat slots. The +4 Strength from Whirling Frenzy offsets the -2 to the bonus attack, leaving you with only the -2 from Snap Kick, but at least you have an extra point of BAB from the Barbarian levels that the Monk entry doesn't get.
Since Unarmed Swordsage doesn't technically change the AC Bonus class feature, you can even use those armor proficiencies that Barbarian gives you! Unfortunately it doesn't look like you can hit BAB 16 without taking less Swordsage levels, but that's the way it works.
End result seems to me an unarmed warrior with a ton of attacks and mobility without losing the ability to use armor and still being pretty good at tripping. Any thoughts, critiques, improvements? Any glaring mistakes?
Whirling Frenzy Spirit Lion Wolf Totem Barbarian 2/Unarmed Swordsage 3 - that gets you the requirements pretty easily (BAB 3, Hide 8 and a bunch of Shadow Hand/Setting Sun maneuvers), even though the loss of those sweet, sweet level one skill points hurts. It's pretty clear how this concept works - throw on Snap Kick, Adaptive Style, Knock-Down (if you have the Strength for it), Shadow Blade for less MAD, Extra Rage if you've got the extra feat slots. The +4 Strength from Whirling Frenzy offsets the -2 to the bonus attack, leaving you with only the -2 from Snap Kick, but at least you have an extra point of BAB from the Barbarian levels that the Monk entry doesn't get.
Since Unarmed Swordsage doesn't technically change the AC Bonus class feature, you can even use those armor proficiencies that Barbarian gives you! Unfortunately it doesn't look like you can hit BAB 16 without taking less Swordsage levels, but that's the way it works.
End result seems to me an unarmed warrior with a ton of attacks and mobility without losing the ability to use armor and still being pretty good at tripping. Any thoughts, critiques, improvements? Any glaring mistakes?