Author Topic: Optimizing an Eye of the Xanathar  (Read 1409 times)

Offline 123456789blaaa

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Optimizing an Eye of the Xanathar
« on: February 06, 2013, 08:26:43 PM »
Recently re-found this cool little Prc (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20061107b). It seems really flavorfull and you don't really lose anything much by going into it from rogue. Some thoughts on it:

It's really MAD. It needs Wisdom for its perception and eye ray abilities and Charisma for save DC's. Wisdom is not that great a stat to boost (for rogues). Is dipping monk and taking Ascetic rogue worth it (obviously taking the invisible fist ACF as well)?. Does anyone know of any Wis to x abilities that would benefit a rogue? 

Since you have to take Iron Will why not take the feat Hardened Criminal? It fits thematically and more importantly allows you to take 10 on any checks  for one skill with it even under conditions when taking 10 would be impossible (oh and it also makes you immune to Intimidate). UMD anyone?

Since you need Charisma for save DC's and since you're taking ranks in Intimidate to get in, you might as well invest in some fear optimization. The only rogue friendly Prc's I can remember that specialize in fear are scarlet corsair, dread pirate, and avenging executioner. Do you guys think they would be good options?

Would the various SLA feats be worth it for this build?

Hmmm...what about spelltheif? That would allow you to steal unlimited uses of your eye-rays.

Thoughts on the PRC?
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Offline Kasz

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Re: Optimizing an Eye of the Xanathar
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2013, 10:06:51 AM »
Well, you don't need Rogue to enter the class... the requirements are:

Any evil alignment; sneak attack +1d6; Hide 6 ranks, Intimidate 4 ranks, Knowledge (local Waterdeep) 3 ranks, Move Silently 6 ranks, Spot 8 ranks; Great Fortitude, Iron Will.

So... 27 skillpoints, min level 5 due to 8 ranks in spot. Meaning any class that grants 4 Skill points per level will give you 32 by level 5 and be more than enough. 3 skill points wouldn't be enough... so any class with +2 int, or a 4+ skillpoint per level with +0 int is enough.

Great Fort + Iron Will - you can get these from domains... but being a spellcaster is a massive waste for this class. I guess you're burning 2 feats, human/strongheart halfling gives you a spare feat, if not your lvl 1 and 3 are taken by this feat tax.

Sneak attack +1d6 - you can get this from an item... like an Assassination weapon.. but thats 8000 gold... and is wasteful unless you have a death attack... unlikely.
Similarly Bracers of the Hunter grant +1d6 SA and cost 8,500 but are better because they also grant +2 initiative and +5 to hide checks.
or for 8,000gp Mantle of the Predator - 1d6 SA and +5 to hide and move silently.

There might be a cheaper way... at lvl 5 your WBL is only 9000... so this is possibly too much... with the weapon route you can obviously build that over time... start with a masterwork, enchant to a +1, enchant to a +2. The items cost 50% to craft along with XP...as an option... or your DM might grant you a special quest or some malarky for a specific item... or you could just find a cheaper one.

Evil alignment... well.... that's easy.

I've always liked Monk 2 combined with Ninja, decent Wis and Cha synergy, with lots and lots of invisibility, very flavourful as well by being a Ninja with monk weapons... also solves the sneak attack expense problem.

I like the spellthief idea but not sure how you'd build it.
« Last Edit: February 07, 2013, 10:08:46 AM by Kasz »

Offline awaken_D_M_golem

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Re: Optimizing an Eye of the Xanathar
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2013, 03:21:51 PM »
The level 5 Perfect Sneak Attack ability, looks kinda juicy.
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