Ranger/Rogue/Monk

[unifiedworld]

This is another build I’m thinking of trying out in Swordflight. Swordflight has an item you can wear that gives HiPS. (It’s class-restricted to assassins but rogue/bard multiclassers can also wear it thanks to UMD.)

This build is mostly based off of Silent Guardian of the Forest (https://world-of-greyhawk.github.io/builds/data/build242148.html). I also reviewed similar builds. I definitely want Bane of Enemies and Epic Dodge in the build and monk makes sense for the wisdom AC bonus and the ability to get 10 attacks a round with kamas (6 with main-hand kama from UBAB, 2 from off-hand kama, 1 from flurry of blows and 1 from haste).

Compared to Silent Guardian of the Forest my build has:

1. Higher Strength, lower Constitution (+2 damage, -80HP, -2 Fortitude save, +3 Discipline [+1 from my final level being a ranger level])
2. Higher final Dexterity score (+2AB, +2 Reflex save) but no Armor Skin (equivalent AC)
3. Less Sneak Attack damge (-2d6)
4. Higher Favored Enemy bonuses (+1)
5. Much longer until I can get flurry of blows and special monk attack progression (UBAB) with kamas
6. No Crippling Strike
7. Buffs resistant to Greater Dispelling and below.

I think +2AB is worth losing Crippling Strike but maybe I’m wrong? Would you rather use the original build or this altered version? Why? What kind of changes would you make?

Ranger(26), Rogue(13), Monk(1), Human

STR: 14
DEX: 16 (32)
CON: 10
WIS: 14
INT: 14
CHA: 8

Human: (Quick to Master)
01: Ranger(1): Weapon Proficiency Exotic, Weapon Finesse, Favored Enemy: Undeads, {Dual Wield}
02: Ranger(2)
03: Ranger(3): Blind Fight
04: Ranger(4): Dex+1, (DEX=17)
05: Ranger(5): Favored Enemy: Constructs
06: Ranger(6): Knockdown
07: Ranger(7)
08: Ranger(8): Dex+1, (DEX=18)
09: Ranger(9): Improved Knockdown, {Improved Two-Weapon Fighting}
10: Ranger(10): Favored Enemy: Elementals
11: Ranger(11)
12: Ranger(12): Dex+1, Weapon Focus: Kama, (DEX=19)
13: Ranger(13)
14: Ranger(14)
15: Ranger(15): Improved Critical: Kama, Favored Enemy: Outsiders
16: Ranger(16): Dex+1, (DEX=20)
17: Ranger(17)
18: Ranger(18): Toughness
19: Ranger(19)
20: Ranger(20): Dex+1, Favored Enemy: Aberrations, (DEX=21)
21: Ranger(21): Great Dexterity I, (DEX=22)
22: Rogue(1)
23: Ranger(22)
24: Ranger(23): Dex+1, Great Dexterity II, Bane of Enemies, (DEX=24)
25: Rogue(2): {Evasion}
26: Rogue(3): {Uncanny Dodge I}
27: Rogue(4): Great Dexterity III, (DEX=25)
28: Rogue(5): Dex+1, (DEX=26)
29: Rogue(6)
30: Rogue(7): Great Dexterity IV, (DEX=27)
31: Rogue(8)
32: Rogue(9): Dex+1, (DEX=28)
33: Rogue(10): Great Dexterity V, Improved Evasion, (DEX=29)
34: Rogue(11)
35: Rogue(12)
36: Rogue(13): Dex+1, Epic Dodge, Defensive Roll, (DEX=30)
37: Monk(1): {Cleave, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist}
38: Ranger(24)
39: Ranger(25): Great Dexterity VI, Epic Weapon Focus: Kama, (DEX=31)
40: Ranger(26): Dex+1, Epic Prowess, (DEX=32)

Hitpoints: 386
Skillpoints: 353
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 22/18/27
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +4, Traps: +2
BAB: 30
AB (max, naked): 45 (melee), 42 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane items only): 31/32
Spell Casting: Ranger(4)
Alignment Changes: 0

Animal Empathy 1(0), Craft Armor 10(12), Craft Weapon 10(12), Disable Trap 22(24), Discipline 43(45), Hide 43(54), Move Silently 43(54), Open Lock 5(16), Pick Pocket 1(12), Search 11(13), Set Trap 1(14), Spellcraft 21(23), Spot 43(45), Tumble 40(51), UMD 36(35)

01: Animal Empathy(1), Disable Trap(1), Discipline(4), Hide(3), Move Silently(3), Open Lock(1), Search(4), Set Trap(1), Spellcraft(2), Spot(4),
02: Discipline(1), Hide(2), Move Silently(2), Search(1), Spot(1),
03: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1),
04: Craft Armor(2), Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spot(1),
05: Craft Armor(2), Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spot(1),
06: Craft Weapon(2), Discipline(1), Search(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1),
07: Craft Weapon(2), Discipline(1), Search(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1),
08: Discipline(1), Move Silently(2), Spot(1), Save(3),
09: Discipline(1), Move Silently(2), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(4),
10: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(8),
11: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(10),
12: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(14),
13: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(16),
14: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(20),
15: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(22),
16: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(26),
17: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(28),
18: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(32),
19: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(34),
20: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(38),
21: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(41),
22: Disable Trap(4), Pick Pocket(1), Spot(1), Tumble(25), UMD(21),
23: Discipline(2), Move Silently(2), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1),
24: Craft Armor(1), Craft Weapon(1), Discipline(1), Move Silently(2), Search(1), Spot(1),
25: Hide(2), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), UMD(5),
26: Craft Armor(1), Craft Weapon(1), Hide(7), Move Silently(1), Spot(1),
27: Hide(2), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Tumble(5),
28: Hide(4), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), UMD(5),
29: Hide(7), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1),
30: Disable Trap(6), Hide(3), Move Silently(1), Spot(1),
31: Disable Trap(6), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1),
32: Disable Trap(3), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Tumble(5),
33: Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), UMD(5),
34: Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Open Lock(4), Spot(1), Save(3),
35: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(9),
36: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(17),
37: Discipline(13), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(5), Save(2),
38: Craft Armor(1), Craft Weapon(1), Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(2), Save(2),
39: Craft Armor(1), Craft Weapon(2), Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1),
40: Craft Armor(2), Craft Weapon(1), Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1),

[unifiedworld]

I started playing this character and realized I wanted to make some changes. In the following edit, I have:

1. Moved the monk level up to level 22 for faster access to flurry of blows, UBAB and the monk AC bonus.
2. Moved Epic Dodge to level 39, allowing for a final adjusted UMD score of 40 (it’s valuable in Swordflight).
3. Moved Epic Weapon Focus: Kama from level 39 to level 28.

Negative changes include:

1. Bane of Enemies moved from level 24 to level 25
2. Epic Dodge moved from level 36 to level 39
3. 20% xp penalty starts at level 29 instead of level 37

Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Ranger(26), Rogue(13), Monk(1), Human

STR: 14
DEX: 16 (32)
CON: 10
WIS: 14
INT: 14
CHA: 8

Human: (Quick to Master)
01: Ranger(1): Weapon Proficiency Exotic, Weapon Finesse, Favored Enemy: Undeads, {Dual Wield}
02: Ranger(2)
03: Ranger(3): Blind Fight
04: Ranger(4): Dex+1, (DEX=17)
05: Ranger(5): Favored Enemy: Constructs
06: Ranger(6): Knockdown
07: Ranger(7)
08: Ranger(8): Dex+1, (DEX=18)
09: Ranger(9): Improved Knockdown, {Improved Two-Weapon Fighting}
10: Ranger(10): Favored Enemy: Elementals
11: Ranger(11)
12: Ranger(12): Dex+1, Weapon Focus: Kama, (DEX=19)
13: Ranger(13)
14: Ranger(14)
15: Ranger(15): Improved Critical: Kama, Favored Enemy: Outsiders
16: Ranger(16): Dex+1, (DEX=20)
17: Ranger(17)
18: Ranger(18): Toughness
19: Ranger(19)
20: Ranger(20): Dex+1, Favored Enemy: Aberrations, (DEX=21)
21: Ranger(21): Great Dexterity I, (DEX=22)
22: Monk(1): {Cleave, Evasion, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist}
23: Rogue(1)
24: Ranger(22): Dex+1, Great Dexterity II, (DEX=24)
25: Ranger(23): Bane of Enemies
26: Ranger(24)
27: Rogue(2): Great Dexterity III, (DEX=25)
28: Ranger(25): Dex+1, Epic Weapon Focus: Kama, (DEX=26)
29: Rogue(3): {Uncanny Dodge I}
30: Rogue(4): Great Dexterity IV, (DEX=27)
31: Rogue(5)
32: Rogue(6): Dex+1, (DEX=28)
33: Rogue(7): Great Dexterity V, (DEX=29)
34: Rogue(8)
35: Rogue(9)
36: Rogue(10): Dex+1, Great Dexterity VI, Improved Evasion, (DEX=31)
37: Rogue(11)
38: Rogue(12)
39: Rogue(13): Epic Dodge, Defensive Roll
40: Ranger(26): Dex+1, Epic Prowess, (DEX=32)

Hitpoints: 386
Skillpoints: 353
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 22/18/27
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +4, Traps: +2
BAB: 30
AB (max, naked): 45 (melee), 42 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane items only): 31/32
Spell Casting: Ranger(4)
Alignment Changes: 0

Animal Empathy 1(0), Craft Armor 10(12), Craft Weapon 10(12), Disable Trap 20(22), Discipline 43(45), Hide 43(54), Move Silently 43(54), Open Lock 3(14), Pick Pocket 1(12), Search 10(12), Set Trap 1(14), Spellcraft 21(23), Spot 43(45), Tumble 40(51), UMD 41(40)

01: Animal Empathy(1), Disable Trap(1), Discipline(4), Hide(3), Move Silently(3), Open Lock(1), Search(4), Set Trap(1), Spellcraft(2), Spot(4),
02: Discipline(1), Hide(2), Move Silently(2), Search(1), Spot(1),
03: Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1),
04: Craft Armor(2), Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spot(1),
05: Craft Armor(2), Discipline(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spot(1),
06: Craft Weapon(2), Discipline(1), Search(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1),
07: Craft Weapon(2), Discipline(1), Search(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1),
08: Discipline(1), Move Silently(2), Spot(1), Save(3),
09: Discipline(1), Move Silently(2), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(4),
10: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(8),
11: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(10),
12: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(14),
13: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(16),
14: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(20),
15: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(22),
16: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(26),
17: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(28),
18: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(32),
19: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(34),
20: Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(38),
21: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(41),
22: Discipline(1), Tumble(25), Save(22),
23: Disable Trap(4), Pick Pocket(1), Spellcraft(1), UMD(26),
24: Craft Armor(1), Craft Weapon(1), Discipline(2), Spot(3),
25: Craft Armor(2), Craft Weapon(1), Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1),
26: Craft Armor(1), Craft Weapon(2), Discipline(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(1),
27: Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Tumble(5), UMD(4),
28: Discipline(2), Hide(2), Move Silently(2), Spot(1),
29: Hide(4), Move Silently(3), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), UMD(1),
30: Hide(6), Move Silently(4), Spot(1),
31: Hide(7), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1),
32: Hide(4), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Tumble(5),
33: Hide(2), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), UMD(5),
34: Disable Trap(5), Hide(4), Move Silently(1), Spot(1),
35: Disable Trap(6), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1),
36: Craft Armor(2), Craft Weapon(2), Disable Trap(4), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1),
37: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Open Lock(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Tumble(5),
38: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Open Lock(1), Spot(1), UMD(5), Save(2),
39: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spellcraft(1), Spot(1), Save(8),
40: Discipline(12), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1),

[CtrlAltDefeat]

I appreciate your frequent posting. You are the only active one here.

I gotta try some of your builds out one day.

[unifiedworld]

Thanks for your comment. This particular build is an attempt at a dex-based ranger. I looked up existing builds of that nature and tried to come up with a good version for my use. This build would be stronger (+2 dex) at level 40 as an elf but the xp penalties would be harsh – more than I would be willing to endure, and there would be some tradeoffs, of course (-2 con, -1 feat -43 skillpoints)

Also, please note that this build was made with the Swordflight environment in mind. In any other environment, I would opt for shadowdancer instead of monk as the third class. That would probably mean a switch to halfling and kukris but anyway that would be a different build.

I’d love to hear about your experiences playing any one of my builds. I don’t mind negative feedback, either, since I would like to know if I made some sort of mistake or if some improvement can be made.

[CtrlAltDefeat]

No problem 🙂

I’ll let you know how one of your builds performs in Swordflight. Swordflight is a strong test for builds due to how challenging, yet balanced, it is compared to most modules.

[unifiedworld]

I got this guy through Chapter One about a month ago. Since then, I’ve been playing some of my other Swordflight characters (I have a lot that are in the process of going through Chapters 1~5). I’m going to start him in Chapter Two now.

As far as I remember, chapter one wasn’t hard for this character. The “Undoer of Undeath” dire mace is very very nice against undead, especially for a ranger who has undead as one of his favored enemy choices. I think I may have used traps for some of the harder encounters (like the Asabi chieftain, for example). Next level (level six) will be a big deal for this ranger, of course, since his animal companion will come online. Since his strength and dexterity are close to each other, he can still use strength-based weapons without much inconvenience (though, of course, he will need to transition to “finesse-able” weapons asap).

[unifiedworld]

The beginning of Chapter Two is always hectic. So many boxes to check off. Did I hit all the level-based xp bookcases? Did I buy all the xp-rewarding books? Did I do all the level-based xp-rewarding quests?

This character has a favored enemy in constructs, meaning he can do Mazar’s quest (which he did) which rewards more than 1500xp at level 5 (level-up deliberately not done until reward was grabbed…)

Fighting wererats was too much for me until I got the Countering Crossbow. Rajar wasn’t too hard, although I messed up because I gave my animal companion the second Mage Armor buff instead of giving it to the Watch Golem. I ended up having to use a bunch of healing kits on the watch golem that could have been preserved instead…

Buying all the essential items and using the anvil to upgrade everything as much as I could took a while but I finally got to where I feel comfortable to do the in-city quests. My current objective is to do Zarala’s questline until I get Eastern Storm (I think that’s what it’s called), the magical kama held by one of the assassins that goes after the player character. After that, I’ll do the slums quests then go after Sadarash for the awesome loot he will have for me….

I find that my ranger isn’t really that strong on his own but having an animal companion I can heal via conversation after every fight and the Countering Crossbow to buff my AC up to an acceptable level makes dual-wielding work. My damage output will be greatly improved with the bracers I will soon find in the noble sewers (that allow for the casting of a level 10 Bull’s Strength once a day) and with Eastern Storm.

[unifiedworld]

All objectives in my previous post are complete. I’ve recruited henchmen, ended the threat of Sadarash and his shadow druids and am ready to face the challenges outside of Calimport. The hardest part was traversing Dark Calimport to free Barazh from his predicament. Ever since I added him to my party, it’s been (mostly) smooth sailing.

The fights in and around the village of Tebnas and Fort Akhaz are some of my favorite in the entire Swordflight storyline. With other characters, I often have first completed quests and areas within Calimport, but with this ranger (who is a little challenged when it comes to his damage output) I will immediately go after the prized double-axe at the end of the Fort Akhaz adventure. It’s a double-axe that allows its wielder to cast a 10th level Flame Weapon spell twice a day, which will, for the most part, solve my issue of lacking sufficient damage.

I’d say this character, overall, isn’t so strong at this point, and his AC will continue to be something of an issue until he gets Tumble AC in the epic levels. But I believe it will all be worthwhile in the end.

P.S. I’ve decided to move the monk level to level 21 so I can get some Tumble AC sooner rather than later. Level 22 will be a ranger level and the rest of the level scheme will remain the same.

[Author]

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