Avenos The Bloody Handed (Character Profile)

[sigtrent]

This build is one of my actual characters so it isn’t intended as a perfect template for a build, just what I decided to make when I made it. Comments are encouraged although I can’t really change too much since they already exist and I’m not much for re-rolling.

Avenos a True Neutral - Elven – Rogue 10 / Barbarian 2 / Ranger 2

Avenos started with the idea of being a rogue that uses two handed weapons for the beefy big damage. Well.. that turns out not to work especially well, and TWF turned out to be quite excellent, so while he still totes a few two handers he mostly runs dual rapiers. None the less I made pretty decent picks for rogue skill stats and he makes as good a trapper as a DPS character. I once though he was fatally flawed but at high level he’s proven to be quite effective in a group.

Starting Statistics (28pts)
STR 15 – DEX 18 – CON 10 – INT 14 – WIS 8 – CHA 8

Feats: Combat Expertise, Oversize Two Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse, Improved Two Weapon Fighting, Improved Critical Piercing

Class Abilities: Bow Strength, Two Weapon Fighting, Rapid Shot, Fast Movement, Rage

Skills: Balance 11, Bluff 4, Disable Device 17, Hide 17, Jump 8, Listen 5, Move Silently 17, Open Lock 17, Search 15, Spot 17, UMD 17

Enhancements: Energy resist boost 1, Rogue Skill Boost 2, Extend Rage 1, Extra Rage 1, Elven Dex 2, Melee Attack 2, Melee Damage 1, Elven Search 1, Elven Spot 1, Fire Trap Lore 1, Iron Companion, Subtle Backstabbing 2, Sneak Attack Training 2, Way of the Mechanic, Disable Device 2, Open Lock 2, Rogue Search 2, Rogue Spot 1, Constitution 1, Ranger Dex 1, Trap Sense 1

Commentary
Ultimately the barbarian levels aren’t all that useful, but the fast movement is a lot of fun, and the rages let me hit a lot of strength levers and such that other rogues can not. Skills wise the only thing that is especially weak is UMD. Spot is a bit shaky but generally sufficient.

Future Development
I’m not entirely sure where I’m taking avenos. I’ll likely pick up GTWF at 15 and take as many rogue levels as needed to keep my skills up. I may take another barbarian level at some point but ranger is pretty much dead at 2.

Number Crunching
Typical Statistics (32pts)
STR 24 – DEX 26 – CON 17 – INT 19 – WIS 8 – CHA 8

Attack Profiles (+4 Shocking Burst Rapier of Deception / +1 Flaming Rapier of Backstabbing 5)
+21/21/26/31 1d6 + 12 + 1d6 (15-20 X2 + 1d10) +5d6 + 12 (sneak attack)
+18/23/28 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 (15-20 X2) + 5d6 + 12 (sneak attack)

(+5 Holy Longbow)
+24 (rapid shot) 1d8 + 12 (20 X3)

Best Armor Class: Dex 8, Armor 5, Shield 7, Deflection 4, Expertise 5, Parrying 1, Improved Uncanny Dodge 6 = 46

Hit Points: 178

Fort Save: 16 (Resist 4)
Reflex Save: 21 (Resist 4)
Will Save: 6 (Resist 4)

When sneak attack is going the damage output is quite good, the best of any of my characters. When its not going he’s awfully squishy so I run with a fearsome robe most of the time to deflect agro. He can turtle up pretty well for running past dart traps or disarming in battle, it definitely comes in handy. He isn’t especially well equipped, some nice weapons, and skill items but his armor and stat items are rather poor. His will save is a joke, a really unfunny one but it makes it easy to use beholder cookies.

[Roguewiz]

1. I was about to comment on the dual wielding rapiers, since it is normally -4/-4, however, it looks like you have the elf melee enhancement (which reduces the penalty to base dual-wielding of -2/-2)

2. Where is the +1 Parrying to AC coming from? I don't see any parrying weapons in the setup

3. Overall the build doesn't look too bad. Luckily, you went with classes that have high skills per level, which helps offset the missing Rogue levels. I see only 13 levels on the base 28pt toon. Is he only 13th, if so, do you plan on going 10 Rogue at 14 (which is the best choice...improved evasion 4tw!)

4. Have you considered dropping Combat Expertise? AC doesn't appear to be a big deal for the character. Maybe you could pick up UMD Skil Focus or perhaps Power Attack?

Just some thoughts

[sigtrent]

1. I was about to comment on the dual wielding rapiers, since it is normally -4/-4, however, it looks like you have the elf melee enhancement (which reduces the penalty to base dual-wielding of -2/-2)

Yep, It seems to work out well, I hit most things wtih the dual rapiers so long as I'm getting sneak attack. I do have some rapier and light weapon combos but that off hand rapier is my best sneak attack bonus item.

2. Where is the +1 Parrying to AC coming from? I don't see any parrying weapons in the setup

That's my "defensive" stance.. aka shield CE and a parying weapon (I think its only a +1 holy light mace of parying or some such.) I run around like that if I'm just trying to stay out of trouble or when I'm sneaking.

3. Overall the build doesn't look too bad. Luckily, you went with classes that have high skills per level, which helps offset the missing Rogue levels. I see only 13 levels on the base 28pt toon. Is he only 13th, if so, do you plan on going 10 Rogue at 14 (which is the best choice...improved evasion 4tw!)

Just about a rank out of 14 at the moment. Since it isn't really a "build" I'm posting these "character profiles" as the character currently exists. Anyhow, definately taking rogue at 14 and exactly for the reason you state, I do occasionaly flub a reflex save and it would be nice not to get anialated by them.

4. Have you considered dropping Combat Expertise? AC doesn't appear to be a big deal for the character. Maybe you could pick up UMD Skil Focus or perhaps Power Attack?

Just some thoughts

I've considered it, I find it pretty handy. When I'm trying to sneak through a quest or running to rescue the parties stones or the like, its really nice to boost up my AC to where a drive by attack isn't too likely to hit. I recall on one occasion disarming traps with a hail of arrows coming down and was able to get it before bieng interupted, then the fighters could rush at the archers. Has its moments, but I don't use it when I actualy want to fight.

Thanks for the thoughts!