I've been doing a bit of research the last few days, mostly looking into ToB and swordsage since i've never seen them in action, but it had been suggested for a build concept i have.
The concept is a high mobility harasser. Someone who can get in, do some damage or in some way debilitate the enemy and then get away again. I will also be the trapmonkey, sneaky person and scout for the group (who at this stage consist of a bard and a fighter/warblade with a 1 level Favored soul dip)
Im thinking about a 2 level dip in ranger to get swift hunter (skirmish applies to favoured enemies, ranger/scout levels stack for skirmish and fav enemy levels) free twf and the ability to use wands.
I'm level 1 human scout with rolled stats of:
Str 14
Dex 17
Con 13
Int 16
wis 13
cha 10 (the usual dump stat
)
GM
might allow slight rejigging of stats (shift a point or two or swap stats). We made enough xp in first session to go up a level so im ready to choose my class for level 2.
Basically my initial plan is:
Level 1 - Scout, Dodge, mobility (human bonus). At this stage i've chosen to go with kukri's for the big crit range.
Level 2 - Swordsage. Plan is to run up to enemy, use wolf fang strike to get two attacks at -2 and get skirmish (+1d6) on both, then use sudden leap to jump away as a swift action. Will use child of shadow stance to give 20% concealment. Discipline tiger style gives +1 to kukri's. I'll also have mighty throw so i can use that to put enemies down as well.
Level 3 - Scout, and take adaptive style (allows a full action to refresh all maneuvers).
Level 4 - Scout
Level 5 - Ranger
Level 6 - Scout, spring attack, swift hunter (scout bonus). At this stage most of my attacks will alternate using spring attack for 'drive-by' regular attacks, and the sudden leap/wolf strike combo.
Level 7 - Ranger twf
Level 8 - swordsage
Level 9 - Swordsage. Travel devotion feat. By this time my attack bonus should be enough that i can two weapon fight reliably so travel devotion allows me to move and full attack for 1 minute per day, the rest of the time i can use the wolf fang attack.
At level 9 my stats will be 15 naked ac, +7/2 base attack (which becomes +10/5 with kukri, or 8/8/3 dual wielded), fort 7, reflex 14, will 5 (but i will have the diamond mind maneuvers to replace will and fort with a concentration check)
When i skirmish i will have +2d6 damage to every attack, +1 to ac, and 20% concealment.
Alternate build is
Level 1 - Scout, Dodge, mobility (human bonus).
Level 2 - Swordsage
Level 3 - Scout, and take adaptive style (allows a full action to refresh all maneuvers).
Level 4 - Swordsage - take shadow jaunt (50ft teleport) and hunters stance (gives scent, good out of combat stance), get +wis to ac
Level 5 - Scout
Level 6 - Scout, spring attack, weapon finesse (scout bonus)
Level 7 - Scout, pick up evasion and increase skirmish to +2d6
Level 8 - swordsage
Level 9 - Swordsage. Travel devotion feat.
I lose the wands, have to wait till 12 to get twf (unless i take it instead of either weap finesse or travel devotion), lose 1 bab.
I gain better advancement of maneuvers, and evasion earlier
For the rest of the build i am still tossing up whether to continue swordsage/scout or to go dervish or tempest
I'd like a strong build that fits my concept, without getting into too much cheese.
Thoughts, suggestions, opinions?
