Crafty Bloke (Fighter 12 / Weapon Master 25 / Rogue 3)

[unifiedworld]

This is my second attempt at making a build for double axes using fighter, weapon master and rogue. In this version, there is no attempt to be sneaky. Instead of relying on an (environment-provided) HiPS item, this build doesn’t only specialize in double axe but instead does a double major in both double axes and katanas. At one point, he was going to be a dwarf with Epic Damage Reduction III (without the double major!) but I didn’t feel that was good enough for what I needed.

This build, like my other builds, is built for Swordflight, and in Swordflight, getting elemental resistances is very important. One of the best (and only!) ways to get enough elemental resistances is by using one of two special tower shields that give a 50% immunity to a chosen element (you can change which element once a day). Then you can wear an amulet with 20 resistance to that element and you can tank up to 40 damage from that element. The problem is that with the double axe, you can only resist up to 20 damage and that just doesn’t cut it many times.

That’s why this build has its double major. It can use a shield along with a katana when necessary. I did something similar with my Ranger/Bard/RDD build and it worked well there so I’m sure it will work even better with a weapon master that can get weapon of choice bonuses for each majored weapon! Obviously, a shield also comes in clutch against enemies with a higher AB than average.

Since this build can’t use HiPS to avoid danger, it invests in Spellcraft and in the Epic Will feat. Because of the double major, it has a lower strength than my other fighter/WM/rogue build. But with more weapon master levels, the AB is higher: 49AB with katana and 47AB with double axe. That’s important when you can’t attack from stealth (and get flatfooted opponents!)

I realize that some people will not want to take rogue in pre-epic levels but 28 skill points are gained by taking rogue at level 1 instead of waiting until epic levels. In fact, I tried adjusting the build to only take rogue during epic levels but I couldn’t fit in enough skills for my liking as a result. Also, postponing disable device and open locks to epic levels feels wrong but so does investing 2 points each at 1st level to get them as cross-class skills. So in my mind, it’s worth the loss of 1AB to get 28 extra skill points. It’s 28 and not 24 because intimidate has to be taken as a cross-class skill to qualify for weapon master if rogue is not taken early enough.

There are lots of fighter/weapon master/rogue builds out there but I couldn’t find a single one that used double axes, dire maces or two-bladed swords.

Weapon master affects double axes and katanas as follows:

Double Axe: 1d8/1d8 (18-20/x4)
Katana: 1d10 (17-20/x3)

With Keen weapons, the critical range will improve to 17-20 for double axes and 15-20 for katanas.

This build has 10 extra skillpoints. Please assign as you wish!

Fighter(12), Weapon Master(25), Rogue(3), Human

STR: 16 (30)
DEX: 15
CON: 14
WIS: 8
INT: 14
CHA: 8

Human: (Quick to Master)
01: Rogue(1): Two-Weapon Fighting, Ambidexterity
02: Fighter(1): Weapon Proficiency Exotic
03: Fighter(2): Weapon Focus: Double Axe, Dodge
04: Fighter(3): STR+1, (STR=17)
05: Fighter(4): Weapon Specialization: Double Axe
06: Fighter(5): Mobility
07: Fighter(6): Expertise
08: Fighter(7): STR+1, (STR=18)
09: Fighter(8): Spring Attack, Whirlwind Attack
10: Weapon Master(1): Weapon of Choice: Double Axe
11: Weapon Master(2)
12: Weapon Master(3): STR+1, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, (STR=19)
13: Rogue(2): {Evasion}
14: Weapon Master(4)
15: Weapon Master(5): Knockdown
16: Weapon Master(6): STR+1, (STR=20)
17: Weapon Master(7)
18: Weapon Master(8): Blind Fight
19: Weapon Master(9)
20: Fighter(9): STR+1, (STR=21)
21: Weapon Master(10): Epic Will
22: Weapon Master(11)
23: Weapon Master(12)
24: Weapon Master(13): STR+1, Great Strength I, Epic Weapon Focus: Double Axe, (STR=23)
25: Weapon Master(14)
26: Weapon Master(15)
27: Fighter(10): Great Strength II, Epic Weapon Specialization: Double Axe, (STR=24)
28: Weapon Master(16): STR+1, Armor Skin, (STR=25)
29: Weapon Master(17)
30: Weapon Master(18): Weapon Focus: Katana
31: Weapon Master(19): Weapon of Choice: Katana
32: Weapon Master(20): STR+1, (STR=26)
33: Weapon Master(21): Great Strength III, (STR=27)
34: Weapon Master(22): Epic Weapon Focus: Katana
35: Fighter(11)
36: Fighter(12): STR+1, Weapon Specialization: Katana, Epic Weapon Specialization: Katana, (STR=28)
37: Weapon Master(23)
38: Weapon Master(24)
39: Rogue(3): Great Strength IV, {Uncanny Dodge I}, (STR=29)
40: Weapon Master(25): STR+1, Epic Prowess, (STR=30)

Hitpoints: 468
Skillpoints: 251
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 21/19/24
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +4
BAB: 29
AB (max, naked): 49 (melee), 32 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane items only): 22/32
Spell Casting:
Alignment Changes: 0

Craft Armor 5(7), Craft Weapon 5(7), Disable Trap 5(7), Discipline 43(53), Intimidate 4(3), Open Lock 4(6), Pick Pocket 1(3), Search 7(9), Set Trap 1(5), Spellcraft 21(23), Spot 43(42), Tumble 40(42), UMD 41(40), remaining skillpoints 10

01: Craft Armor(4), Craft Weapon(4), Disable Trap(4), Intimidate(4), Open Lock(4), Pick Pocket(1), Search(4), Set Trap(1), Spellcraft(2), Spot(4), Tumble(4), UMD(4), Save(2),
02: Craft Armor(1), Craft Weapon(1), Discipline(5),
03: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(2),
04: Discipline(1), Save(6),
05: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(8),
06: Discipline(1), Save(12),
07: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(14),
08: Discipline(1), Save(18),
09: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(20),
10: Discipline(1), Spot(9), Save(15),
11: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(16),
12: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(19),
13: Disable Trap(1), Search(3), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(12), UMD(12),
14: Discipline(2), Spot(2), Save(1),
15: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(2),
16: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(5),
17: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(6),
18: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(9),
19: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(10),
20: Discipline(1), Save(14),
21: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(2), Save(14),
22: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(17),
23: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(18),
24: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(21),
25: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(22),
26: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(25),
27: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(27),
28: Discipline(1), Spot(2), Save(29),
29: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(30),
30: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(33),
31: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(34),
32: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(37),
33: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(38),
34: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(41),
35: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(43),
36: Discipline(1), Save(47),
37: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(3), Save(46),
38: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(49),
39: Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Tumble(24), UMD(25), Save(8),
40: Discipline(2), Spot(1), Save(10),

[unifiedworld]

Well, I decided to play this toon in Swordflight. I got through the beginning area without too much trouble and made it to the bandit cave. I buffed up with Barkskin and Bull’s Strength and almost got the bandit chief on the first try but sadly failed. After reloading, I chugged a potion of speed and was able to make quick work of the bandit chief. That felt good!

Here’s my character sheet and inventory for reference. I have bought myself a double axe (plain non-magical) and a suit of chainmail. I found a katana, a large shield, some darts and some throwing axes as well. I have been using darts (since I hadn’t yet found the throwing axes!) as my main ranged weapon so far.

That is in fact a Bag of Holding but it was lent to me by the questgiver for this area. He’ll be taking it from me when I’m done with this quest. *grumble grumble*

[unifiedworld]

I’ve adjusted the build a bit. I got rid of weapon specialization and epic weapon specialization for the katana. That freed up two epic feats so I got two more Great Strengths as a result. Essentially lost 5 damage with the katana (6-1) but gained 1 AB. However, gained +1 AB with the double axe and +1 damage on its “main hand” half.

Moreover, I moved the second rogue level to level 23 for a more substantial skill dump. This doesn’t hurt saving throws at all, by the way.

There were also a few more class level and feat adjustments. I’ll be going with this version now:

Fighter(12), Weapon Master(25), Rogue(3), Human

STR: 16 (32)
DEX: 15
CON: 14
WIS: 8
INT: 14
CHA: 8

Human: (Quick to Master)
01: Rogue(1): Two-Weapon Fighting, Ambidexterity
02: Fighter(1): Weapon Proficiency Exotic
03: Fighter(2): Weapon Focus: Double Axe, Dodge
04: Fighter(3): STR+1, (STR=17)
05: Fighter(4): Weapon Specialization: Double Axe
06: Fighter(5): Mobility
07: Fighter(6): Expertise
08: Fighter(7): STR+1, (STR=18)
09: Fighter(8): Spring Attack, Whirlwind Attack
10: Weapon Master(1): Weapon of Choice: Double Axe
11: Weapon Master(2)
12: Weapon Master(3): STR+1, Knockdown, (STR=19)
13: Weapon Master(4)
14: Weapon Master(5)
15: Weapon Master(6): Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
16: Weapon Master(7): STR+1, (STR=20)
17: Weapon Master(8)
18: Weapon Master(9): Blind Fight
19: Weapon Master(10)
20: Fighter(9): STR+1, (STR=21)
21: Weapon Master(11): Epic Will
22: Weapon Master(12)
23: Rogue(2): {Evasion}
24: Weapon Master(13): STR+1, Great Strength I, Epic Weapon Focus: Double Axe, (STR=23)
25: Fighter(10): Epic Weapon Specialization: Double Axe
26: Weapon Master(14)
27: Weapon Master(15): Great Strength II, (STR=24)
28: Weapon Master(16): STR+1, Armor Skin, (STR=25)
29: Weapon Master(17)
30: Weapon Master(18): Great Strength III, (STR=26)
31: Weapon Master(19): Epic Prowess
32: Fighter(11): STR+1, (STR=27)
33: Fighter(12): Great Strength IV, Weapon Focus: Katana, (STR=28)
34: Weapon Master(20)
35: Weapon Master(21)
36: Weapon Master(22): STR+1, Great Strength V, Weapon of Choice: Katana, (STR=30)
37: Weapon Master(23)
38: Weapon Master(24)
39: Rogue(3): Great Strength VI, {Uncanny Dodge I}, (STR=31)
40: Weapon Master(25): STR+1, Epic Weapon Focus: Katana, (STR=32)

Hitpoints: 468
Skillpoints: 251
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 21/19/24
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +4
BAB: 29
AB (max, naked): 50 (melee), 32 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane items only): 22/32
Spell Casting:
Alignment Changes: 0

Craft Armor 5(7), Craft Weapon 5(7), Disable Trap 5(7), Discipline 43(54), Intimidate 4(3), Open Lock 4(6), Pick Pocket 1(3), Search 7(9), Set Trap 1(5), Spellcraft 21(23), Spot 43(42), Tumble 40(42), UMD 41(40), remaining skillpoints 10

01: Craft Armor(4), Craft Weapon(4), Disable Trap(4), Intimidate(4), Open Lock(4), Pick Pocket(1), Search(4), Set Trap(1), Spellcraft(2), Spot(4), Tumble(4), UMD(4), Save(2),
02: Craft Armor(1), Craft Weapon(1), Discipline(5),
03: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(2),
04: Discipline(1), Save(6),
05: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(8),
06: Discipline(1), Save(12),
07: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(14),
08: Discipline(1), Save(18),
09: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(20),
10: Discipline(1), Spot(9), Save(15),
11: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(16),
12: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(19),
13: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(20),
14: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(23),
15: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(24),
16: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(27),
17: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(28),
18: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(31),
19: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(32),
20: Discipline(1), Save(36),
21: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(2), Save(36),
22: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(39),
23: Disable Trap(1), Search(3), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Tumble(21), UMD(22),
24: Discipline(2), Spot(1), Save(2),
25: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(4),
26: Discipline(1), Spot(2), Save(6),
27: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(7),
28: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(10),
29: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(11),
30: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(14),
31: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(15),
32: Discipline(1), Save(19),
33: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(21),
34: Discipline(1), Spot(3), Save(22),
35: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(23),
36: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(26),
37: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(27),
38: Discipline(1), Spot(1), Save(30),
39: Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Tumble(15), UMD(15), Save(8),
40: Discipline(2), Spot(1), Save(10),

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