Author Topic: Blink Dog  (Read 7746 times)

Offline Dawnmor

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Blink Dog
« on: July 30, 2013, 03:38:27 PM »
Ok, it seems I am getting to play a blink dog using this http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8325734&postcount=330 as my character

All books are allowed, flaws are OK, dragon Magazines and the like are out which is fine because I dont have any. 

Stats are 16, 18, 18, 14, 16, 14.  I have arranged the stats as those numbers.

Due to being a level 2 blink dog I get 2/day dimension door and blink based off HD/Day.  AC Bonus + Con modifier due to them being tough.

So Stats are.

Str 16
Dex 18 + 4
Con 18
Int 14
Wis 16 + 2
Cha 14

I get a +2 due to the fact that our game revolves around us being in a I guess you could say planes and the like have collapsed onto each other and so I get a +2 bonus stat of my choice.

I am trying to figure out a class.  Its been suggested that I start out as a Unarmed variant Swordsage when I get to my next level and take advantage of the maneuvers but the class lacks the skill spot I believe.  But it has everything else I need.  But I was looking at Monk class and it does have everything I am looking for and may be easier to play but lacks the maneuvers of the Swordsage.

I was looking at the scouting *Not the class but the roll of the group* and I think that could be fun but im not sure which is better due to the fact all I got is teeth and it was suggested I took the swordsage variant due to the maneuvers and stances and I would get Shadowblade feat which gives +wis, dex and str to my damage.  So a total of 13 damage to each attack, but lacks BAB.  But so does Monk.  Ranger has the BAB but not the abilities to augment my character.  Which is where you guys come in.

My GM isnt into optimization but I would like to survive longt enough to level.  Thoughts?

Edit: Even contemplated a Dragon fire adept.
« Last Edit: July 30, 2013, 04:07:20 PM by Dawnmor »

Offline Rebel7284

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2013, 04:40:47 PM »
Monk 2/ then swordsage.
Take Invisible Fist alternate class feature.
Aim to get Sun School as soon as possible for miniature shadowpouncing.

Offline brujon

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2013, 04:56:51 PM »
Shit i lost all that i was typing...

But yes, go for Telflammar Shadowlord. It's the single best thing you can do, really.

You have two options with Telflammar Shadowlord and Blink Dog: Go for broke with Übercharger shenanigans, or go for broke with Sneak Attack, lots of attacks and elemental damage.

Option 1: Blink Dog 2/Rokugan Ninja3/Fighter 1/Warblade1/Telflammar Shadowlord 4/Warblade +X

Flaw: Dodge
Flaw: Mobility
1st Blind Fight
3rd Battle Jump
Fighter Bonus Power Attack
6th Spring Attack
9th Improved Bullrush
12th Shock Trooper


-> Your normal Übershadowpouncer. You start your routine by free action DDoor above your enemy, triggering two full attacks, one from Battle Jump, other from Shadow Pounce. You land, start Sudden Leap with a Swift, trigger Battle Jump again, and then make your normal full attack. Total of 4 possible full attacks per round. Of course, all of this is with Power Attack into Shock Trooper, and a Valorous Two Handed Weapon. You know, for maximum pwnage.

Option 2: Blink Dog 2/Martial Monk 2/Rokugan Ninja 3/Telflammar Shadowlord 4/Unarmed Swordsage 8

Flaw Dodge
Flaw Mobility
1st Two Weapon Fighting
3rd Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Monk 1 Spring Attack
Monk 2 - Greater Two Weapon Fighting
6th Craven
9th Snap Kick
12th - Sun School

-> Shadow Jaunt, Shadow Stride, Shadow Blink. -> This is what makes the Multi-Shadowpouncer tick. You can get up to 4 full attacks just with this. You get 4 attacks on a full attack, plus flurry, plus two weapon fighting, plus haste... With perma-blink, you can easily make all of those sneak attack for massive damage. You get 4d6 +20 damage per sneak attack if on Assassin's Stance, 6d6 + 20 with Assassination on your fists through Amulet of Natural Attacks. Do the math :P
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Offline zook1shoe

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2013, 05:16:11 PM »
there is that Criniti Shadow Marauder? PrC that also shadow pounces. you could go for double shadow pouncing?
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Offline Captnq

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2013, 05:20:40 PM »
How much you got for equipment, if any?

Also, did you read Blink? It sucks.

"Likewise, your own attacks have a 20% miss chance, since you sometimes go ethereal just as you are about to strike."

That sucks. Auto 20% chance of failure while blinking? Okay 50% chance for people to miss you. You attack as if you are invisible. That's good, but that 20% failure... That's a harsh pill to swallow.

Do you have to take those levels? Could you be a 0 level non-blinking blink dog?

Okay, assuming you're gonna suck it and eat those levels. You now can cast 3rd and 4th level spells. Does your DM allow Spell-Like abilities to count for qualifying for a class? I bet that opens up some interesting PrCs. There's a reason why I make things like that supernatural abilities. Just saying.

Okay, assuming you don't want to be a blink dog spellcaster, or a blink dog druid. I just need to point out, that is some SWEET dex you got there. And if you ARE going to blink, why not take advantage of the main perk which is your enemies are gonna be flatfooted.

I'm talking sneak attack. Sure, you're gonna stack up on some weapon crystals to let you sneak attack undead and constructs and oozes and crap, but there are oodles of WSAs for Extra sneak attack damage.

But let's stick with monk. Why? The extra bites? Extra attacks? See, here's why I asked how much money you got...

Beast Claws: You can buy a pair and gain two claw attacks. Get your multi-attack on.

But Okay, lets assume you are broke. You're a Blink Dog. I'm NOT seeing you get any bracers any time soon. So. A pair of battle gauntlets. They do your unarmed damage, so they scale with your monk levels. They are one-handed, so you can wield one with two... er... paws? and do a power attack with them. You can still use your... paws, flurry of blows, yet you can stack some WSAs on them later if you wish. It takes up your hand/forearm slots, however. On the upside, it's a simple weapon, so no feats needed. Anyone who can use simple weapons can use it, which includes your first level of monk.

Now, I agree with the first two levels be monk, then move onto ToB. However, may I make a suggestion? Switch out the evasion 2nd level monk ability for Spell reflection? I know, normally, a bad choice. But if you are going to be getting your blink on all the time, which has a 50% fail rate anyways... See where I'm going?

I had a blinking Displaced wizard/rogue who had this. Nobody shot him with spells. Nobody. Even spells which normally never miss would reflect back because of the 50% miss chance for blinking and the 50% chance for displacement. It says the spell has to MISS, don't say there has to be a to hit roll.

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Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2013, 05:34:41 PM »
Shit i lost all that i was typing...

But yes, go for Telflammar Shadowlord. It's the single best thing you can do, really.

You have two options with Telflammar Shadowlord and Blink Dog: Go for broke with Übercharger shenanigans, or go for broke with Sneak Attack, lots of attacks and elemental damage.

Option 1: Blink Dog 2/Rokugan Ninja3/Fighter 1/Warblade1/Telflammar Shadowlord 4/Warblade +X

Flaw: Dodge
Flaw: Mobility
1st Blind Fight
3rd Battle Jump
Fighter Bonus Power Attack
6th Spring Attack
9th Improved Bullrush
12th Shock Trooper

Rokugan Ninja gets a special form of Dodge at 1st level, which counts as the feat for prereqs. So you have an extra feat there. Also, it should have a good Ref save, not Will. The online pdf is incorrect (I have the book).
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Offline brujon

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2013, 07:04:14 PM »
Hmmm, very nice. You know, this means that one level of fighter can just be dropped. This is something i did in my internship away from all books, so, yeah :P


Really, Blink Dog + Telflammar Shadowlord is just completely and utter Bonkers. Also, you might want to point out in the GiantITP thread, that the DDoor ability, as written, can be used infinitely many times in the same round after 8th level character. There's no limit, and it's a free action. So, by RAW...

It should say something like the Blink Dog ability, from the SRD: "A blink dog can teleport, as dimension door (caster level 8th), once per round as a free action. The ability affects only the blink dog, which never appears within a solid object and can act immediately after teleporting."

I'd suggest just adding this line at the end of the sentence "Regardless of a Blink Dog's level, this ability can only be used once per round."

And, it's suddenly fixed.
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Offline zook1shoe

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2013, 07:06:01 PM »
even if they ban the Shadowlord... just take Sun School as a feat, then you can make infinite attacks/round at 8th level just teleport and smack once, teleport smack again, rinse and repeat
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Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2013, 07:33:26 PM »
Also, you might want to point out in the GiantITP thread, that the DDoor ability, as written, can be used infinitely many times in the same round after 8th level character. There's no limit, and it's a free action. So, by RAW...
It's actually only useable once per HD/day.
Quote
Dimension Door: Blinkdogs are masters of dimensional movement and can leap from one point to another in the blink of an eye. A blink dog can use Dimension Door as a spell-like ability 1/day for each HD it possesses. Using this ability requires a move action. At 8 HD this ability can be used as a free action. The caster for this effect is the blinkdog’s HD
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Offline Dawnmor

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2013, 08:15:39 PM »
I dont plan on blinking much, Just the Dimension door.  Youd be surprised how useful a timed Dimension door is useful, and if I Read the spell right I can take any willing person with me unless they somehow changed it ?, charge in bitew a fallen comrade Dimension door out YAY!.

Also no shenanigans, fair play, no broken or bonker stuff.  Our GM Will escalate things to the point we cant defeat these guys if we tried to to increase things with such abilities.

Right now from what I am understanding if I go either Monk or unarmed variant swordsage im looking at about 28 AC by the time im level 2 Swordsage.

But as a unarmed variant swordsage does that mean I automatically get improved unarmed fighting for free? or do I have to pay a feat/monk level for it ?

Also would a Blink dog make for a decent tripper perhaps ?

And what feats do you think I should take? Im leaning towards Imp initiative and Cosmopolitan (Spot) for Swordsage but if I take atleast a level of monk I dont need that feat

And as for money standard level 2 money, im thinking of doing a healing collar (Belt)
« Last Edit: July 31, 2013, 12:59:29 AM by Dawnmor »

Offline Dawnmor

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #10 on: July 31, 2013, 08:18:25 PM »
Ok I Managed to do some of the work so here it is. Minus equipment.

Race: Blink dog
Special abilities: Blink and Dimension Door 2/day/HD

AC: 10 + 6 Dex + 5 Con (Blink dog ability) = 21

HP 26

Flaws: Shaky, Murky eyed

Str: 16
Dex 18 + 4 Racial = 22
Con 18 + 2 Chaos # = 20
Int 14
Wis 16 + 2 Racial = 18
Cha 14

I have Wis to AC from two different sources what does that mean? Do they stack?

I have Improved Unarmed fighting from two sources what does that mean ? (Unarmed Variant Swordsage *Imp Unarmed Strike*, Monk *Imp Unarmed Strike*)?

Now onto leveling progression: (Dog 2, Monk 2, SS 16)

Blink Dog 1: Flaw (Combat Expertise or Imp Initiative, Imp Natural Attack), 1st feat: Cosmopolitan (Move Silently)
Blink dog 2:
Sword Sage 1: Feat (Shadowblade)
Monk 1: +1 Wis
SS 2:
Monk 2: Evasion, Bonus Feat (Combat reflexes), Normal Feat Bonus: Imp Trip or Superior Unarmed Strike.
SS3:
SS4: +1 Wis
SS5: feat (Imp Initiative or ?)
SS6
SS7
SS8 Feat? +1 Wis
SS9
SS10
SS11 Feat?
SS12 +1 Wis
SS13
SS14 Feat?
SS15
SS16 +1 Wis

And of course you dont know the skills but im concentrating on Hide, Move silently, Spot, Listen, Tumble, not sure about Concentration.

Ill be trying to provide flanking and fighting unarmed but my knowledge of feats for such characters is slightly limited.

Offline brujon

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2013, 08:50:41 PM »
even if they ban the Shadowlord... just take Sun School as a feat, then you can make infinite attacks/round at 8th level just teleport and smack once, teleport smack again, rinse and repeat

He can always go Decisive Strike Monk, give up all other attacks, deal double damage. Then still get the extra attack from Sun School and Snap Kick. So, three attacks at double damage, all in all. Combine with normal Power Attack shenanigans, and he's still dealing damage in Übershadowpouncer territory. Oh, also Valorous enchantment on an Necklace of Natural Attacks, Leap Attack... The Mongoose Boosts from Tiger Claw...
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Offline Rebel7284

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #12 on: August 01, 2013, 08:28:45 AM »
Swordsage Wis to AC only works in light armor.  Monk Wis to AC only works with no armor.  They don't stack.

Offline brujon

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #13 on: August 01, 2013, 11:30:43 AM »
Swordsage Wis to AC only works in light armor.  Monk Wis to AC only works with no armor.  They don't stack.

By RAW, yes, but it doesn't really make sense that Swordsage Wis to AC works in light, but not unarmored. RAI, i think it works Unarmored and Light Armor. YMMV though.
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Offline snakeman830

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #14 on: August 01, 2013, 11:41:32 AM »
Just remember, Blink Dog can only Dimension Door 1/round as a free action.
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Offline brujon

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #15 on: August 01, 2013, 12:09:39 PM »
Just remember, Blink Dog can only Dimension Door 1/round as a free action.

The homebrew he linked has no such restriction. Instead, he can only DDoor once per day per HD, or 1xHD/Day. Arguably, much more powerful. By 8th level, a possible 8 teleports in a single round, amazingly powerful with Shadowpounce/Sun School+Snap Kick+Decisive Strike Monk. Using Battle Jump as an enabler and DDooring above an enemy to initiate a charge, means double-damage on a Charge shenanigans are possible. Use the Savage Species Ritual to get to count as an Orc for feat purposes, get Headlong Charge and a Valorous Weapon, and that's x3 damage on a charge just there. Decisive Strike bumps that to x4 damage, with 3 attacks if you go Snap Kick & Sun School.

Decisive Strike bumps the DC on Stunning Fist by 2, as well, which helps a lot. Arguably, it would apply to Freezing the Lifeblood (Which Paralyzes instead of Stunning). In any case, also get Touch of Golden Ice if you're playing an Exalted monk -> INSANELY POWERFUL. Cripples any Evil creature you encounter.
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Offline Dawnmor

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #16 on: August 01, 2013, 02:38:07 PM »
That Battle Jump made me giggle.  Where is the Sun school thing that keeps being mentioned ?

Offline snakeman830

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Re: Blink Dog
« Reply #17 on: August 01, 2013, 03:41:22 PM »
That Battle Jump made me giggle.  Where is the Sun school thing that keeps being mentioned ?
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