Author Topic: [3.P] Shadow Blade daggers or criticals with kukris  (Read 3313 times)

Offline ImperatorK

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[3.P] Shadow Blade daggers or criticals with kukris
« on: February 29, 2012, 07:04:49 PM »
I'm creating a PC. He's got 34 Str and 33 Dex. I gave him Shadow Blade and two daggers (obviously), but also want him to use two kukris and crit-fishing as an alternative option.
Assuming decent optimization on both options, which is better?
Are those two options even different enough from each other to bother with optimizing both?
What optimization can be done to the Shadow Blade route, besides heightening your Dex score?
What optimization can be done to the critical kukri route? (the PC has some levels in Warblade, dips Swordsage and has more then enough feats to spare, so maneuvers up to 4th level are fair game)
« Last Edit: March 02, 2012, 03:30:41 PM by ImperatorK »
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Offline Endarire

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Re: [3.P] Shadow Blade daggers or criticals with kukris
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2012, 01:29:31 AM »
+1 Aptitude Kukris with the Lightning Mace weapon style feat work well.

Aptitude weapons are an enhancement from Tome of Battle.  Lightning Mace is from Complete Warrior.

Offline Snowbluff

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Re: [3.P] Shadow Blade daggers or criticals with kukris
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2012, 03:23:09 PM »
I'd like to point out that Time Stands Still is a Ninth level Mave. Not taking it as a Full Attacker is a sad thing indeed.

+1 on Kukri and Lightning Mace. Don't forget to pick up Blooding the Water, it's must-have for TWF Crit-fishing.

Personally, I wouldn't go with either, instead opting for Scimitar. Take a -2 to hit for the ability to Power Attack is a good trade-off, even if you lose Shadow Blade (Your Strength is high as well, why waste the feat slots on using dex?).  :twitch
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Offline ImperatorK

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Re: [3.P] Shadow Blade daggers or criticals with kukris
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2012, 03:25:12 PM »
Quote
I'd like to point out that Time Stands Still is a Ninth level Mave. Not taking it as a Full Attacker is a sad thing indeed.
I'm not high enough level for 9th level maneuvers.

Quote
(Your Strength is high as well, why waste the feat slots on using dex?).
Because it's high and can get higher.

A little fail on my part. The effective IL of this PC allows only for up to 4th level maneuvers with feats and 6th level maneuvers from Warblade, unfortunately. :(
Swordsage has up to 4th-5th maneuvers.
And he's got 1 level of Crusader with up to 3rd level maneuvers.
« Last Edit: March 02, 2012, 03:36:10 PM by ImperatorK »
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Offline RobbyPants

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Re: [3.P] Shadow Blade daggers or criticals with kukris
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2012, 03:47:53 PM »
Personally, I wouldn't go with either, instead opting for Scimitar. Take a -2 to hit for the ability to Power Attack is a good trade-off
If the -2 is a problem, it can be mitigated with Oversized TWF (Complete Adventurer, IIRC) or I suppose a Dervish dip.


even if you lose Shadow Blade (Your Strength is high as well, why waste the feat slots on using dex?).  :twitch
I can't remember if Shadow Blade adds Dex on top of Str or replaces it for damage. Even if it replaces it, you will deal full Dex damage on your off hand instead of half Str.

If he uses Aptitude Scimitars, they'll still qualify for Shadow Blade.
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Offline ImperatorK

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Re: [3.P] Shadow Blade daggers or criticals with kukris
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2012, 04:11:01 PM »
Quote
I can't remember if Shadow Blade adds Dex on top of Str or replaces it for damage. Even if it replaces it, you will deal full Dex damage on your off hand instead of half Str.
Adds.
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Offline sirpercival

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Re: [3.P] Shadow Blade daggers or criticals with kukris
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2012, 04:44:03 PM »
If he wants to roll with kukris, though, aptitude kukris qualify for shadow blade so just use them all the way.
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Offline Rejakor

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Re: [3.P] Shadow Blade daggers or criticals with kukris
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2012, 03:40:44 PM »
Hit And Run Fighter 1 gives dex to damage when target is flat-footed.  Oh so many ways.

There was a guide to this over on BG...

Aha!