Elf Kensei - Pure or Ftr18/Rog2 ?

[Draccus]

I recently started a 32-pt. elf fighter with the intent of becoming a kensei (longsword focus) in Mod9. Yes, I know that longswords aren't as uber as khopeshes, rapiers, or even scimitars but they are different, which is why I chose them.

Anyway, as I'm playing him, and really enjoying playing him, I'm wondering if I should add a couple of levels of rogue. The benefit would be evasion, skill points, and a d6 of SA damage. The problem would be the loss of a feat and missing out on the fighter capstone.

So would evasion be worth the 10% speed increase from the capstone?

I'll probably have a reflex save of around 22-24.

Stay pure or splash rogue?

[GunboatDiplomat]

22/24 reflex save isn't high enough to get the best use out of evasion. Also you'd be limited to light armour which means you'd probably lose a few points of ac.

Finally, if you're going to splash rogue its best to take one rogue level as your first so you maximise the skill point gain. In particular you really want max ranks in umd without affecting other important skills like initmidate.

Personally I'd stay pure fighter for this build. That 10% capstone is sweet. You can build an evasion fighter another time.

[Kriogen]

Roll both. Both versions will work, but only you can decide whats more fun for you.

At the end of the day, it's offence(+10% attack speed) vs defence(evasion, UMD for Heal scrolls).

Rogue should/must be at level 1.

[noinfo]

I recently started a 32-pt. elf fighter with the intent of becoming a kensei (longsword focus) in Mod9. Yes, I know that longswords aren't as uber as khopeshes, rapiers, or even scimitars but they are different, which is why I chose them.

Anyway, as I'm playing him, and really enjoying playing him, I'm wondering if I should add a couple of levels of rogue. The benefit would be evasion, skill points, and a d6 of SA damage. The problem would be the loss of a feat and missing out on the fighter capstone.

So would evasion be worth the 10% speed increase from the capstone?

I'll probably have a reflex save of around 22-24.

Stay pure or splash rogue?

At the end of the day I believe that a kensai is all about offense, unlike ranger if you want to get that evasion you are going to sacrifice 10% of your dps, your ac isn't going to be uber anyway so wearing light armour isn't necessarily an issue but I think that you will be limiting the key area of your prc by doing this. I am a big fan of evasion but not when it comes to losing the fighter capstone.

[Draccus]

Thanks all. I'll stay pure.

[Aerendil]

Is Evasion worth the 10% alacrity capstone? Maybe. Hard to say.

There is a way to get both, though: 12 Fighter / 6 Ranger / 2 Rogue or Monk.
You lose out on Kensai III though, and some extra Fighter feats, but you'll have to decide if it's worth the tradeoff.
Personally I think it is for a huge Reflex save boost, sprint boost, spells (Ram's Might / Jump / Resist Energy), 10% haste while TWF, 2 favored enemies, heal wand access, Evasion, and then the other Rogue or Monk bonuses (extra skill points / SA damage from the former; free feat + wis bonus to AC if unarmoured if the latter).

Also keep in mind that Ranger 6 = +2 dex enhancements; Elf enhancements = +2 dex; a +2 tome eventually; plus the reflex save boosts from some Ranger and either Rogue/Monk levels should be enough to do the trick.