Mage Killing Assassin Build. Is such a thing even doable?

[ConBrio]

Strength isn't all that important with Iaijutsu.  Neither is Charisma unless you go for Iaijutsu master, although Charisma gives bonuses to a LOT of very nice skills.  You'll want high Dex for a better Init roll.  Sure your Intelligence already applies, but getting both of them to decent levels is a better return on your point-buy investment.

Well my character is going to be bluffing or using diplomacy so I like Charisma.

Also why isn't Charisma needed for Iajutsu Focus? It is a CHA based skill and I would want the check as high as possible right?

And actually, yeah with the extra damage from IF I probably dont need as much STR. Dex also helps me with stealth.

On a side note, what book is IF listed in? I'd need to show my DM.

Also is straight factotum worth it or should I also take some levels in chameleon?

[Mooncrow]

Oriental Adventures - updated to 3.5 in Dragon 318.

[ConBrio]

Oriental Adventures - updated to 3.5 in Dragon 318.

Ooph so it is something from Dragon Magazine? I might not be able to use it then.

[Mooncrow]

Oriental Adventures - updated to 3.5 in Dragon 318.

Ooph so it is something from Dragon Magazine? I might not be able to use it then.

The original book is 3.0, so if you ignore Dragon entirely, it should be usable as is.  If you don't, then there are updated rules for OA there (none that change IF though, IIRC)

[ConBrio]

Oriental Adventures - updated to 3.5 in Dragon 318.

Ooph so it is something from Dragon Magazine? I might not be able to use it then.

The original book is 3.0, so if you ignore Dragon entirely, it should be usable as is.  If you don't, then there are updated rules for OA there (none that change IF though, IIRC)

Well hopefully I can get my DM to approve. Are there any other skills from non-core that I should keep in mind? Autohypnosis for example.

[X-Codes]

Also why isn't Charisma needed for Iajutsu Focus? It is a CHA based skill and I would want the check as high as possible right?

The least efficient way to optimize a particular skill check is to optimize it's associated ability score, especially if you're using Point Buy, and especially if you try to boost it higher than 14.  That said, if you want to optimize a host of different skill checks with the same key ability score, such as Iaijutsu Focus, Intimidate, Diplomacy, and Bluff, then investing in Charisma as a secondary ability score isn't a bad idea.

[Mooncrow]

Well hopefully I can get my DM to approve. Are there any other skills from non-core that I should keep in mind? Autohypnosis for example.

Not really, IF is pretty much the stand out.  Oh, to answer your earlier question - Chameleon is a really great versatile class - but he does play as a caster after a few levels.  So if eventually going into full caster is something that you're interested in, go for it. 

[ConBrio]

Also why isn't Charisma needed for Iajutsu Focus? It is a CHA based skill and I would want the check as high as possible right?

The least efficient way to optimize a particular skill check is to optimize it's associated ability score, especially if you're using Point Buy, and especially if you try to boost it higher than 14.  That said, if you want to optimize a host of different skill checks with the same key ability score, such as Iaijutsu Focus, Intimidate, Diplomacy, and Bluff, then investing in Charisma as a secondary ability score isn't a bad idea.

I don't know any other way to optimize them.

Anyway we are doing 4D6 keep 3 for stats.

Well hopefully I can get my DM to approve. Are there any other skills from non-core that I should keep in mind? Autohypnosis for example.

Not really, IF is pretty much the stand out.  Oh, to answer your earlier question - Chameleon is a really great versatile class - but he does play as a caster after a few levels.  So if eventually going into full caster is something that you're interested in, go for it.

Ah ok. And I'm really interested in full caster.

Side note: Should I stick with Changeling, or go with Human for the extra feat and skill points?

[X-Codes]

I don't know any other way to optimize them.

Anyway we are doing 4D6 keep 3 for stats.

Since you're doing 4d6 keep 3, then I'd suggest Int > Dex = Cha = Con > Str = Wis.

The other ways of optimizing them generally include competence bonus items.  For pretty much every skill in the game there's an item that grants a +5 competence bonus to that skill for 2500 gp, and some have an item giving a +10 bonus for 10000gp.  Obviously these are much better returns than 4000 gp for a +2 to an associated ability score.  That said, these items apply to one skill (and sometimes one specific use of a skill), while the +2 stat item applies an effective +1 bonus to all related skill checks.

Other items include such disgustingly powerful things as Wands of Divine Insight, which IIRC provide a +8 bonus to 50 individual skill checks for 4500 gp, and for Charisma based skills there's the circlet of persuasion granting a +3 competence bonus on all Charisma checks and skill checks for 4500 gp (if you want a +5 version, the extrapolated cost is 12500 gp).  Again, these are far more efficient that simple +2 stat items.

[ConBrio]

Ah I almost forgot to ask: What book can I find the gnomish quickrazor in, and the gnomish quickrazor proficiency feat?

[X-Codes]

Ah I almost forgot to ask: What book can I find the gnomish quickrazor in, and the gnomish quickrazor proficiency feat?

Races of Stone.

If you have Martial Weapon Proficiency, you can pick up Quickrazor proficiency by simply being a Gnome (Complete Warrior has rules on this next to it's exotic weapon listings).  If not, you become proficient by simply taking the Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat and picking the Quickrazor.

[Halinn]

Don't forget a +1 Focus katana in a sheath. Costs 3040 gp, and gives a +4 insight bonus to Iaijutsu Focus (OA p. 125). For other fun stuff, page 140 has a magic belt that gives +10 diplomacy for 2k gold.

[X-Codes]

Don't forget a +1 Focus katana in a sheath. Costs 3040 gp, and gives a +4 insight bonus to Iaijutsu Focus (OA p. 125). For other fun stuff, page 140 has a magic belt that gives +10 diplomacy for 2k gold.

The former is a good idea, although the latter is obviously out-of-line with similar items and will probably get nerfed to +5/2500 gp.  Remember that OA is a 3.0 book.

[ConBrio]

Ah I almost forgot to ask: What book can I find the gnomish quickrazor in, and the gnomish quickrazor proficiency feat?

Races of Stone.

If you have Martial Weapon Proficiency, you can pick up Quickrazor proficiency by simply being a Gnome (Complete Warrior has rules on this next to it's exotic weapon listings).  If not, you become proficient by simply taking the Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat and picking the Quickrazor.

I'm going human. Anyway here is what I am thinking in terms of feats:

Weapon Finesse (I'm using a quickrazor, but my STR is kind of low. I want a decent attack roll), Poison Use, Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Virulent Poison, Poison Master, and then the rest can be Font of Inspiration.

Should I bother with Finesse, or Poison Master/Virulent Poison/Poison Use?

[Mooncrow]

Ah I almost forgot to ask: What book can I find the gnomish quickrazor in, and the gnomish quickrazor proficiency feat?

Races of Stone.

If you have Martial Weapon Proficiency, you can pick up Quickrazor proficiency by simply being a Gnome (Complete Warrior has rules on this next to it's exotic weapon listings).  If not, you become proficient by simply taking the Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat and picking the Quickrazor.

I'm going human. Anyway here is what I am thinking in terms of feats:

Weapon Finesse (I'm using a quickrazor, but my STR is kind of low. I want a decent attack roll), Poison Use, Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Virulent Poison, Poison Master, and then the rest can be Font of Inspiration.

Should I bother with Finesse, or Poison Master/Virulent Poison/Poison Use?

Poison, possibly, but you're starting to spread yourself awfully thin.  Finesse, I would say no, not unless your DM allows re-training.  Just get a feycraft razor and get the feat that way. 

[ConBrio]

Ah I almost forgot to ask: What book can I find the gnomish quickrazor in, and the gnomish quickrazor proficiency feat?

Races of Stone.

If you have Martial Weapon Proficiency, you can pick up Quickrazor proficiency by simply being a Gnome (Complete Warrior has rules on this next to it's exotic weapon listings).  If not, you become proficient by simply taking the Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat and picking the Quickrazor.

I'm going human. Anyway here is what I am thinking in terms of feats:

Weapon Finesse (I'm using a quickrazor, but my STR is kind of low. I want a decent attack roll), Poison Use, Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Virulent Poison, Poison Master, and then the rest can be Font of Inspiration.

Should I bother with Finesse, or Poison Master/Virulent Poison/Poison Use?

Poison, possibly, but you're starting to spread yourself awfully thin.  Finesse, I would say no, not unless your DM allows re-training.  Just get a feycraft razor and get the feat that way.

feycraft? Is this in core? And yeah, I may be spreading myself thin. What do you recommend?

Sidenote: What is a good rank to cap skills at? I get a lot of skill points, but I'll need to probably still ration them out. Knowledge skills can probably be capped at 5. But what about things like Open Lock, Hide, Move Silently, Listen, Search, Spot?

Oh and is there any other way to make characters count as flat-footed besides attacking them before they have made an attack?

[Mooncrow]

feycraft? Is this in core? And yeah, I may be spreading myself thin. What do you recommend?

Sidenote: What is a good rank to cap skills at? I get a lot of skill points, but I'll need to probably still ration them out. Knowledge skills can probably be capped at 5. But what about things like Open Lock, Hide, Move Silently, Listen, Search, Spot?

Feycraft is in the DMGII.  I would suggest going ahead and writing out a sample build including feats and skills and see where that gets you.  Then you can focus in on the things that you really want to do, versus things that might be neat.  Factotums as a whole can do anything; but each individual has to pick a few things to be good at.

[ConBrio]

Feycraft is in the DMGII.  I would suggest going ahead and writing out a sample build including feats and skills and see where that gets you.  Then you can focus in on the things that you really want to do, versus things that might be neat.  Factotums as a whole can do anything; but each individual has to pick a few things to be good at.

Concept: Assassination

Skills: Hide, Bluff, Diplomacy, Escape Artist, Spot, Listen, Search, Disguise, Iaijutsu Focus, and Move Silently. Those are the ones I'd want to max, or at least have a +20 whenever I roll.

Feats: Not really sure what feats would aid my character concept besides Poison Use, Exotic Weapon Focus, and Font of Inspiration (which can be taken multiple times). Any suggestions?

Level 1: Poison Use, Exotic Weapon Focus.
Level 3: FoI
Level 6 and on???

[carnivore]

here is a build you can tailor to your needs as you see fit:

Human
Ranger(Arcane Hunter) 1/ Crusader 2/ Warblade 2/Occult Slayer 5

Feats:
Improved Initiative
Exotic Weapon(Spiked Chain)
Weapon Focus(Spiked Chain)
Master of Poisons
Adaptive Style


6th lvl Warblade Initiator lvl(3rd lvl Manuvers)
6th lvl Crusader Initiator lvl(3rd lvl Manuvers)

BAB +10
Auravision 60'
Nondetection
Mindblank

 

[Satori]

I just noticed something.  A Silver Key from Dragaonmarked, has the ability to use any magical portal or enter any extradimensional space with a  portal-like entry, even if she would normally be barred.

This means she can walk right into your Magnificent Mansion.  How many mages would expect that?