Leveling up

[LrdSlvrhnd]

My character (a neutral good dwarf who uses twin DAxes pretty much exclusively) is currently Ranger 12/Rogue 1. And I've got enough XP to level up, which I'm banking until, well, I need to level up, basically. But... I'm not sure *how* I should level up.

I started this way back when the Tempest line added extra off-hand attacks and increased speed (Yes, I'm a slow leveler)... but now Tempest III doesn't really seem all that worth it to me nowadays. But I'm not quite sure when to draw the line.

15/5 for the extra favored enemy and L4 spell, at the expense of rogue prestige?

14/6 for FoM and a rogue prestige line, at the expense of a sneak attack bonus?

13/7 for the sneak attack, at the expense of FoM?

12/8 for Improved Uncanny Dodge, at the expense of favored damage/defense enhancements?

Some other breakdown entirely incorporating another class? (No, Monk isn't really an option, unless I change his alignment, which I'm not too terribly keen on doing. Although using 'wraps on oozes and rusties would simplify his life CONSIDERABLY...)

His stats, if those matter, are STR 20, DEX 16 (19 w/ Ranger Dex III), CON 19 (20 w/ Dwarf Con I), INT 14, WIS 16, CHA 8 - he started as a 32-point build, and ate a +2 Supreme Tome.

I mostly solo, but I've been starting to PUG lately; as a soloer, I tend to sneakify my way around when possible, and try to bluff to winnow down large groups. As a grouper, I tend to just jump into the middle of things and whale away, preferably while somebody else has the aggro (hey, my small amount of sneak attack is HELPFUL! Plus, y'know, that way somebody else is getting hit and not me...)

I appreciate anybody's input here. I'm currently leaning towards 14/6, but I'll consider pretty much anything.

[Feithlin]

Another option would be: Ranger 12/Fighter 7 (Kensei)/Rogue 1. 2nd rogue level isn't necessary since you get evasion from ranger, and fighter 7 gives you haste boost III, kensei I PrE and 4 extra feat (among which 2 will be used for WF and WS). Or alternatively, Ranger 12/Rogue 7/Fighter 1 for better skills, the same haste boost III, and 1 extra feat.

You could also go for Ranger 15/Fighter 4/Rogue 1, to get access to WS while geting another +2 damage to FE.

[Faent]

I really like RNG 15 for the two level four spells. You should not underestimate the benefits of FoM and CSW on a fleshie ranger. A rangers self-healing can be amazing, properly geared.

Some of your considerations appear moot. You cannot take Ranger Tempest II *and* a Rogue Prestige Enhancement line. If you're a 12 RNG, you should be taking RNG Tempest II.

If you can give up the fourth level spells, I'd consider RNG 12 / ROG 7 / FTR 1. This nets you an extra feat and some hella nice sneak attack damage.

Alignment changes are cheap. This could get you 15 RNG / 4 FTR / 1 MNK. That's three extra feats, potential for a useful and high AC, and awesome self-sufficiency. The problem here is your UMD will be hard to get to no-fail on Heal scrolls, although it's still possible to do.

[Armiger]

Some of your considerations appear moot. You cannot take Ranger Tempest II *and* a Rogue Prestige Enhancement line. If you're a 12 RNG, you should be taking RNG Tempest II.
Errr...whaaa? You certainly can take Tempest II and Assassin I, for instance. The restriction is "You may possess only one prestige enhancement line at a time for each class." No restriction against having multiple prestige enhancements from DIFFERENT classes.


If you can give up the fourth level spells, I'd consider RNG 12 / ROG 7 / FTR 1. This nets you an extra feat and some hella nice sneak attack damage.
This is what I'm leveling right now. He won't tack on the Assassin PrE until level 19, but he's a lot of fun on the way there. Excellent solo'er, and works quite well in balanced groups also.