The Cabal Crusader (A build by request)

[sigtrent]

From Sigtrent's Build Request Thread

Build Name: The Cabal Crusader
Author:Sigfried Trent
Requester: Cruidus
Last Updated: 06/29/10

Key Words [Trap, Rogue, Mechanic, Ninja Assassin]

Objectives
The original request was for a kukri wielding rogue that could handle the legendary trap room in Cabal for One. It was the most difficult trap to spot and disable in the game, and the box is inside a room filled with multiple spikes that do terrific damage with a difficult reflex save. It’s since been nerfed a fair bit and while still a challenge is no longer the supreme trapping challenge in game.

For this re-write I decided to change the Kukri part of it, only because the build represented a nice mix of trapping and damage dealing and I wanted to make a stronger build that straddled both sides of that fence. The core of the original was killer trap scores and hard core saving throws. Melee was secondary.

For this revision we have more levels and more tricks to play with so I made hard core trapper that also has a well rounded combat profile.


Design
For the original build I went with Drow as their stats naturally bent to Dex/Int/Cha and with this one I followed the same line. I also kept the original 2 paladin levels to give a hefty bump to saving throws along with enough charisma to make it count. The big change I made was to include monk to grab Ninja Assassin 1. I was mostly inspired to add monk for yet more save bonuses and because I was looking at a lot of synergy for short swords and having monk abilities to throw in helps make up for the sneak attack loss.

What I found was that it also added a lot of potential defense to the build, both from the direct AC boosts, but also from the added bonus feats buying toughness, dodge, and combat expertise. Between that and the great saves, this build has a decent defense profile for a trap specialized rogue. Hit points aren’t great, but you should be able to nudge them up to around 400 with some effort.

Of course you can still use kukri and there is the balanced kukri from the sentinels quests that would be perfect for the character so that is not entirely gone, it just isn’t a build feature so much.

Mechanic is giving me great trapping bonuses and also providing a nice ranged attack profile that the original build lacked. You loose out on centered bonuses but it’s not a huge loss. And there are traps. I’ve no idea the utility of them but this build should be excellent at making and using them.

But wait there’s more. Order now and you also get a wee bit of stealth, and a great diplomacy score for shedding agro at when your foes get uncomfortably close. And should you find yourself without a caster or healer, don’t worry you come equipped with scroll reading prowess of great renown. Dazzle friend and foe alike with your arcane and divine acumen.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.34
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Good Drow Male
(2 Paladin \ 6 Monk \ 12 Rogue) 
Hit Points: 242
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 25
Will: 15

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             10                    12
Dexterity            16                    26
Constitution         12                    14
Intelligence         16                    18
Wisdom               12                    15
Charisma             14                    16

Tomes Used
+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

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               7                    18
Bluff                 2                     3
Concentration         1                    25
Diplomacy             6                    26
Disable Device        7                    34
Haggle                2                     4
Heal                  1                     2
Hide                  7                    13
Intimidate            2                     3
Jump                  4                    24
Listen                1                     4
Move Silently         7                    14
Open Lock             7                    38
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                3                     8
Search                7                    35
Spot                  5                    30
Swim                  0                     1
Tumble                7                    15
Use Magic Device      6                    26

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Diplomacy (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Hide (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage I


Level 2 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Disable Device I
Enhancement: Rogue Open Lock I
Enhancement: Rogue Search I


Level 3 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+5)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Follower of Vulkoor


Level 4 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Elven Perception I
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense I


Level 5 (Rogue)
Skill: Disable Device (+3)
Skill: Open Lock (+3)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack I


Level 6 (Rogue)
Skill: Diplomacy (+3)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+3)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Acid Trap Lore I
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing I


Level 7 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+5)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Disable Device II
Enhancement: Rogue Open Lock II


Level 8 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Jump (+5)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Mechanic I


Level 9 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I


Level 10 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+2)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Enhancement: Way of the Clever Monkey I
Enhancement: Monk Jump I
Enhancement: Monk Tumble I


Level 11 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity II


Level 12 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Monk Jump II


Level 13 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Enhancement: Monk Tumble II


Level 14 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Combat Expertise
Enhancement: Adept of Wind
Enhancement: Ninja Assassin I


Level 15 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+7)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Adept of Rain
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training III


Level 16 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Subtle Backstabbing II
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense II


Level 17 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+5)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Disable Device III


Level 18 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+3)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Cripling Strike
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Rogue Open Lock III
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 19 (Rogue)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training IV


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Jump (+5)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Ten Thousand Stars
Enhancement: Unbalancing Strike
Enhancement: Rogue Mechanic II

Play
Play here is pretty varied. I’d run with CE on much of the time, leading the party and using diplo to shed agro to the tanks who should be right behind you. Take those traps out and when things are too hot, use the crossbows to pepper foes with various status effects and a good bit of damage. When solo use the environment to your advantage and ply your stealth. Kill directly when you can and kite when you can’t.

Variations
It’s a bit hard to do a lot of variation without changing the builds character pretty heavily and there isn’t much it’s missing. You can do fine without the tomes, although skill points will be spent a little bit differently and you will end up with less jump and diplomacy.

[MasterofDungeons]

Pretty good looking build, the AC hurts a little but I'm not sure you can do much about that. I also think it's sort of refreshing to see a rogue type without puncturing as a focus.

[sigtrent]

I am pretty pleased with how it came out. You can't get much better at traps than this, but it still manages to be servicible in combat if you play smart.

[binnsr]

12th Level: Rogue
Dex +1 : Skill Focus Disable Device

Build Commentary
Skills are a bit tight here and I would have liked one more point of Int but I managed to squeeze in everything but spot which as a cross class skill was just too expensive to invest in. I wasn’t sure if I wanted a melee or casting feat at 12. I like versatile characters so I felt improved crit would add more overall than spell focus (my other likely choice). At higher levels a puncturing rapier is a very strong weapon for anyone with improved critical piercing and high level bards are at least decent in combat due to their powerful buffs even if not specifically built for it. I didn’t quite have the points to focus on buffing attack, so I didn’t invest at all and will let Greater Heroism take care of that.

Are you sure you intended that paragraph to read that way?

[sigtrent]

Are you sure you intended that paragraph to read that way?

Doh, leftovers from the last build.

[SableShadow]

bump for upcoming maintenance

[ghettoGenius]

Has there ever been any discussion as to whether or not they will add Way of the Mechanic II and III? Reason I ask is because then this build could scrap the 3rd lvl of pally and end up 18 rogue instead. You'ld lose bulwark right, and have to adjust some enhancements but if the bonuses from Mechanic II and/or III were good enough you'ld have the trapmonkey of the year on your hands.

I have a feeling they left Mechanic II and III out to keep it more difficult to attain legendary trap skills. As it is now you sacrifice alot to be able to do every trap there is currently. Your thoughts?

[SEMPER]

just curious why u went with kukri instead of rapier since drow get enhancemetns for them ?

[QuantumFX]

Has there ever been any discussion as to whether or not they will add Way of the Mechanic II and III?

Some loser started a thread about Mechanic II a while back.

[KatellaZeyn]

just curious why u went with kukri instead of rapier since drow get enhancemetns for them ?

I would wager that 1) some people absolutely love Kukris and don't care if another weapon is technically better and 2) drow enhancements for rapier/shortsword are way too expensive to ever be worth taking. 12AP total for +2 damage/+2 to hit. If you're that concerned with boosting acc/damage, you'd be better off spending that 12 AP on Sneak Attack Accuracy/Training, where 12AP would get you +3 to hit and +9 damage while sneak attacking.

[gosapparition]

Can you update this to the new level cap of 20? Im currently using this build and I love it.

[Gorstag]

Actually this is an outdated and subpar build. And please stop bumping old outdated and best forgotten post.

[AbsynthMinded]

Actually this is an outdated and subpar build. And please stop bumping old outdated and best forgotten post.

For someone who's not played in a few years, came back and just unlocked 32 pt builds..

Whats the new thing then? Cuz all that looks pretty good..

[Kovalas]

Maybe you could elaborate as to what makes this build subpar in your opinion. I am actually curious.

It is a Rogue built for one trap, it's subpar in every other area except that one trap, it is truly awful. (IMO)

Edit: I just saw the post date, no wonder.

[sigtrent]

Updated...

I though I'd bump it since I found this new build interesting and it uses update 5 material.

Not a prize winner, but I thing its good for someone who wants to do great with traps but not pigeon hole themselves.