Rogue skill concentration?

[noobinberg]

Hello, I'm getting ready to re-roll my level 23 Assassin (2nd life.) I'm using D&D Character Planner v. 4.20.02. I've got it down pretty well now and would like some advice/critique on my build. I've read up on a few different builds and really don't think I'm leaning toward a strength based build. I'm going with dex/int build for now. Mostly because with the str penalties of going Halfling, trying to go strength is kind of pointless. Maybe third life I'll go as a Human or something stronger than a friggen hobbit.


As far as my weapons go, I was thinking of going Kopesh in each hand but now I'm going to go with shortsword/rapier and daggers, (my original thinking was to go 2 epic Midnight Greetings but, the grind is too much, I think, for me.) I'm right now using these http://ddowiki.com/page/Balizarde] http://ddowiki.com/page/Agony]. They seemed to be the only weapons that benefit my rogue atm. Advice on where I could get some better gear? or what I could craft (has to be unbound as I don't really have any crafting levels)...any suggestions would be welcome. I thank you for any help and encourage you to pick this apart and give me insight as I have not yet done the LR.

Here is my build, so far:

EDIT: I've adjusted the build to focus more on concentration and less on diplo. Moved ability points from CHA to CON. Switched Improved Critical to Piercing Weapons from Slashing. Shifted enhancements as well.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.20.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Kuranjahsin Tensakir
Level 23 True Neutral Halfling Female
(20 Rogue \ 3 Epic)
Hit Points: 282
Spell Points: 0
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 24
Will: 7

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(34 Point) (Level 1) (Level 23)
Strength 6 9
Dexterity 18 21
Constitution 15 18
Intelligence 18 32
Wisdom 8 11
Charisma 8 11

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 11

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 23)
Balance 8 33
Bluff 3 28
Concentration 2 23
Diplomacy -1 17
Disable Device 8 39
Haggle -1 5
Heal -1 5
Hide 8 40
Intimidate -1 5
Jump 2 29
Listen 3 31
Move Silently 8 38
Open Lock 8 33
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 4 16
Search 8 40
Spellcraft 4 16
Spot 3 29
Swim -2 4
Tumble 8 33
Use Magic Device 3 31

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 2 (Rogue)


Level 3 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse


Level 4 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: INT


Level 5 (Rogue)


Level 6 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Precision


Level 7 (Rogue)


Level 8 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: INT


Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Improved Evasion


Level 11 (Rogue)


Level 12 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 13 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Opportunist


Level 14 (Rogue)


Level 15 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Skill Mastery


Level 17 (Rogue)


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Insightful Reflexes


Level 19 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Skill Mastery


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: INT
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Knife in the Darkness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Dagger in the Back (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Assassin's Trick (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Nimbleness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Lethality (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Deadly Shadow (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Stealthy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Stealthy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Stealthy (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Venomed Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Venomed Blades (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Venomed Blades (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Damage Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Damage Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Damage Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Critical Accuracy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Critical Accuracy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Critical Accuracy (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Intelligence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Execute (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Critical Damage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Critical Damage (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Critical Damage (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Killer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Killer (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Killer (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Sneak Attack Training (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Intelligence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Assassinate (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Measure the Foe (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Measure the Foe (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Measure the Foe (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Assassin (Rog) - Knife Specialization (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Arbalester (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Thunderstone (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Thunderstone (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Thunderstone (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Awareness (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Wand and Scroll Mastery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Wand and Scroll Mastery (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Wand and Scroll Mastery (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Skill Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Skill Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Skill Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Ooze Flask (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Ooze Flask (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Ooze Flask (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Use Magical Device (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Use Magical Device (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Use Magical Device (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Intelligence (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Mechanic (Rog) - Intelligence (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Improved Sneak Attack


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)

[Krelar]

As far as my weapons go, I was thinking of going Kopesh in each hand (my original thinking was to go 2 epic Midnight Greetings but, the grind is too much, I think, for me.) I did pull a couple of nice items out of those chests they gave us with epic weapons in them, (can't remember the names of the ones I took. One was a short sword or rapier, maybe?? and the other was definitely a dagger. They seemed to be the only things in there that would benefit my rogue.) Gear? any suggestions would be welcome. Remember this build will be going all the way up to level 23. It's just stuck ATM on 13 because of my dilemma with the skill choices. After I decide what I'm doing I will post the entire build for you to pick apart. But I really need to address the Concentration vs. Haggle issue first.


If you're making an assassin don't bother with khopeshes unless you already have a nice selection and hate looking for new stuff. The tier 5 from the assassin tree will gives daggers and kukris a better crit range and the same crit multiplier compared to khopeshes.

[Xyy]

Concentration for any scroll healer is invaluable in all difficulties. Disregard the nay-sayers that in EE you can't get it high enough to matter. Some archers in Storm Horns will plink you for an EE tickle of ~100 hp. Some DR and PRR will bring that down to something you can beat with a decent Concentration score. The sneakiest rogue can't always avoid being targeted by an archer and it sucks to fail a heal at a critical time.

[Gizeh]

In my experience Concentration is a worthwhile skill for scroll-healing rogues in order to prevent casting failure. Also, while Haggle may look nice, you'll probably end up making more plat by posting decent items on the AH instead of selling them to regular vendors.

[noobinberg]

Concentration for any scroll healer is invaluable in all difficulties. Disregard the nay-sayers that in EE you can't get it high enough to matter. Some archers in Storm Horns will plink you for an EE tickle of ~100 hp. Some DR and PRR will bring that down to something you can beat with a decent Concentration score. The sneakiest rogue can't always avoid being targeted by an archer and it sucks to fail a heal at a critical time.

Ok, so that settles the Haggle vs. Concentration problem. Thanks!

It does, however, bring to light the fact that I focused more on diplomacy than concentration at this point. Should I focus more on the Concentration and divert some of those points I gave to Diplomacy? Or is it good the way it is?

[Stoner81]

Try not to leave skill numbers at half's because the point to get the half is wasted since the half isn't used only full ranks are counted. As for feats it depends on what you want to use at end game but right now I would ignore Khopesh because there are no good named ones at end game at all, my Assassin runs with dual Celestia's most of the time since the blinding on it works a treat which means more Sneak Attack and of course the inherent DR bypass. She also has dual Agony too when the need arises due to the enhancements bonuses with daggers.

Overall a similar build to my own (link in my signature if you want a nosy).

Stoner81.

PS - I would dump CHA too since Rogues get loads of UMD anyway and put the points in to CON.

[noobinberg]

Try not to leave skill numbers at half's because the point to get the half is wasted since the half isn't used only full ranks are counted. As for feats it depends on what you want to use at end game but right now I would ignore Khopesh because there are no good named ones at end game at all, my Assassin runs with dual Celestia's most of the time since the blinding on it works a treat which means more Sneak Attack and of course the inherent DR bypass. She also has dual Agony too when the need arises due to the enhancements bonuses with daggers.

Overall a similar build to my own (link in my signature if you want a nosy).

Stoner81.

PS - I would dump CHA too since Rogues get loads of UMD anyway and put the points in to CON.

That's funny you should comment on this. I used your build as a base to this build. :D I will reroll to boost con as you suggested. I only put into cha because I have the +3 supreme tome. Just wanted to make sure that I never bork a heal or raise dead scroll.

[noobinberg]

I would ignore Khopesh because there are no good named ones at end game at all, my Assassin runs with dual Celestia's most of the time since the blinding on it works a treat which means more Sneak Attack and of course the inherent DR bypass. She also has dual Agony too when the need arises due to the enhancements bonuses with daggers.

Just a thought; Would you still go with the feat Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons? Or shouldn't this be changed to Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons, as I wouldn't be using slashing weapons at all.

Also a thought; what about boosting STR? It gave me 23 hp to invest those 2 ability points into CON. Wouldn't I be getting better base damage if I put those 2 points into STR? Sorry I'm not really sure how this works. I do know, however that I've switched my SA attack and damage bonus over to my DEX modifier with Weapon Finesse. But my base damage is still adjusted with STR modifier, isn't it? Wouldn't the bonus to base damage be more valuable than 23 hp? I mean, I rarely even get hit anyway, right? If I do get hit, it's usually by something that hits big. Is a mere 23 hp even going to make a difference?

These are the things that I think about while I'm falling asleep at night...LOL!

[Stoner81]

Just a thought; Would you still go with the feat Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons? Or shouldn't this be changed to Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons, as I wouldn't be using slashing weapons at all.

Also a thought; what about boosting STR? It gave me 23 hp to invest those 2 ability points into CON. Wouldn't I be getting better base damage if I put those 2 points into STR? Sorry I'm not really sure how this works. I do know, however that I've switched my SA attack and damage bonus over to my DEX modifier with Weapon Finesse. But my base damage is still adjusted with STR modifier, isn't it? Wouldn't the bonus to base damage be more valuable than 23 hp? I mean, I rarely even get hit anyway, right? If I do get hit, it's usually by something that hits big. Is a mere 23 hp even going to make a difference?

These are the things that I think about while I'm falling asleep at night...LOL!

Assassin enhancements allows DEX to hit and to damage with daggers add in Weapon Finesse and you can use DEX to hit and damage for all weapons that can use Weapon Finesse (e.g. Celestia and Balizarde), Rogues get very little in the way of HP so every little bit you can get goes a long long way. This is also why so many "Rogues" go with a 6 level Monk splash for the added HP and all the extra goodies, but Assassins really need to stay pure for the Assassinate DC as well as Sneak Attack damage.

As for IC:Slashing/Piercing if you have the CiTW weapons already then go with IC:Piercing since that should effect Celestia since it's basically a short sword, everything else already has Keen on it which doesn't stack with the IC feats.

A INT/DEX based Rogue only uses STR for carrying capacity and that's pretty much it.

As for your last sentence... welcome to the wonderful world that is DDO!

Stoner81.