Bluff, Tumble and Balance

[Aladon]

Hi,

I'm making a melee specialized, rog based toon w/ rgr and ftr splashes. I have more skill points than I 'need' and can't figure out where to spend them.

I have never used bluff other than on NPC's for quests.

I only use tumble in Reaver, and then usually as a buffed skill.

I don't have any toons w/ any/many points in balance.

If I was going to spend points on these, which would you recommend and why? And how many points in the skill is 'enough'? Put another way, do I need to max out points in which ever one(s) I choose or how do I know how many I need at a given level? For example, other than cool animations, why would tumble 35 beat tumble 5?

Thanks in advance!

Aladon

PS This toon wouldn't have the CHA for a solid UMD score. What do you folks think about getting a UMD around 20 at level cap just to use RR weaps? (W/ rgr splash he'll already be able to use healing/divine wands).

[Angelus_dead]

Do you have Diplomacy? Intimidate? Haggle? Those are all probably more useful than what else you're looking at.

I have never used bluff other than on NPC's for quests.

Bluff is non-useful, but you can test it now. Just get a +10 bluff item and go into some level 3-4 quests and try bluffing the hobgoblins. You'll see what it does, which is almost nothing, and not even worth the time it takes to click the icon.

I only use tumble in Reaver, and then usually as a buffed skill.

It's helpful to have a few points of Tumble, just so you can roll around when you've been slowed by some debuff.

I don't have any toons w/ any/many points in balance.

Balance is OK for recovering from trips. Run out into the Vale of Twilight and let a Bezerika trip you for a while- see how fast you get up.

PS This toon wouldn't have the CHA for a solid UMD score.

Incorrect. Everyone has enough charisma for UMD. If you're a rogue or bard, it is a fatal mistake not to take full UMD ranks.