Dex Rogues and DR question

[Depravity]

I've seen mention on a few threads about rogues having problems with DR, with an emphasis towards maladroit/weakening/wounding. When I got my drow unlocked, I built an 8 str dex based assassin build (yes, assassin is probably not worth the AP until next mod, but I enjoy the extra stealth), and I'm now worried that I've sunk 7 levels into something that won't work at higher levels.

Basically, how much 'base' (weapon+str) damage do I need to worry about?
Am I going to lose out on sneak attack damage because I can't use that dagger to generate a 'basic' 15 points of damage?
If that sneak damage goes through, will it trigger the stat damages?

Or should I just throw my hands up and use my newly acquired 32 pt build to make a halfling sneak attack specialist with something noteable in the str column?

Thanks in advance.

[Lewcipher]

There are so many answers to your questions, but if you enjoy playing the character, that's all that matters!

If you want to increase str a little bit, keep trying to find better str items. You will cap with a +6 item. If you can find rage clickies though, this can increase your str to 16 for a short time with 8str (+6 item/ +2 from rage).

High dex doesn't hurt, and make sure you take the weapon finesse feat.

Enjoy the game!

[tihocan]

Note that you can use enfeebling/puncturing weapons, which on weapons with a broad crit range (3x2 with improved crit) basically do the same amount of stat damage as weakening/wounding, and don't require you to go through the DR.

[Depravity]

I'll assume I didn't phrase properly, so I'll make this a theoretical question.

Say i'm a str 10 rogue with bull strength and a +1 dagger.
I swing and roll well, getting a 6 on my dagger damage, along with 2 from strength, 29 from sneak attack dice and another 8 from sneak enhancements. I'm also wielding a weakening weapon and using the rogue crippling strike.
I do all this against a DR 10 mob.

"basic" damage - 9 points from weapon die, weapon enhancement, and strength
sneak damage - 37 total
possible stat damage - 3 str

Do I:
A) fail completely because "the basic" damage doesn't go through the DR
B) Get 36 points through the DR, after subtracting 10 from the basic+sneak damage
C) Something else.

And if it's B, since the weapon by itself isn't getting through, will I still get the 1 str damage from the weakening?

I'm hoping it's B and I get all the strength sapping goodness.

Thanks

[Angelus_dead]

And if it's B, since the weapon by itself isn't getting through, will I still get the 1 str damage from the weakening?

36 damage goes through, and your strength damage applies too, because the sneak attack is part of the weapon's own physical damage.

[Aranticus]

answer is B

note that its good to keep with you the crit equivalent weapons as some mobs are immune to sneak attack ie elementals. the crit equivalent weapons do not need to punch thru DR to activate the effect. this is why i run my ranger with puncturing rapiers

[KatellaZeyn]

answer is B

note that its good to keep with you the crit equivalent weapons as some mobs are immune to sneak attack ie elementals. the crit equivalent weapons do not need to punch thru DR to activate the effect. this is why i run my ranger with puncturing rapiers

Does a mob being immune to crits affect crit-triggered effects in any way?

[Laith]

Does a mob being immune to crits affect crit-triggered effects in any way?

no.

immunity to crit/fortification only blocks the multiplication of the base damage, not any special effects that crits may cause.

constructs & elementals, for instance, are immune to crits, but are 'killed' by smiting & banishing respectively (which are crit triggered).
burst weapons do extra damage on crit, no matter the target.

crit immune monsters do tend to have other immunities as well though (like stat drain, for instance)... which may stop your effect from working.