Elven sneaky Tempest/Kensai concept - is this possible?

[GlassJaw]

Hi all, I've been thinking about a build concept and was just wondering if it would be a) possible and b) viable.

The concept is an elven Ftr 12/Rng 6/Rog 2 Kensai/Tempest that dual wields scimitars, takes the Shadow Dragonmarks, and maxes out Hide and Move Silently.

Feats: TWF chain, Spring Attack, Power Attack, etc - the usual stuff - in addition to the dragonmark feats.

Skills: Max Hide, Move Silently, and UMD, as well as ranks in Balance, Jump, Intimidate, and Tumble.

Basically, the idea is to have solid DPS, be self-sufficient and self-healing, good at soloing, and provide other tactical options to a party with stealth abilities.

I think one of the biggest challenges for a build like this is when to take the class levels because of the skill requirements. Ideally, you want the range levels as soon as possible to get the bonus feats and Tempest but that won't leave may skill points with the later fighter levels to put into Hide and Move Silently.

Thoughts?

[Angelus_dead]

Basically, the idea is to have solid DPS, be self-sufficient and self-healing, good at soloing, and provide other tactical options to a party with stealth abilities.

It's an acceptable character, but be warned that the Hide and Move Silently skills don't really help it at useful tasks.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

Easier with a 14 Int. But doable without.
And you don't need max stealth skills.
My Wiz was able to sneak by anything in the Vale with only 9 ranks in hide/MS. Just use equpiment to boost it up. 28-38 are good target numbers. Actually 28 is ok for most monsters.

Spot is important though. But again a good spot item can go a long way too.

Of course the smartest tactic in DDO is just to charge into every fight and have a Cleric spam heals on you.

[jakeelala]

wait. can you take 2 different PrE's like tempest AND kensai?

[doppleganger]

wait. can you take 2 different PrE's like tempest AND kensai?

Yes you can take multiple PrE's, as long as they are not from the same class. So, tempest (Ranger) and Kensai(fighter) is ok.

[Emili]

wait. can you take 2 different PrE's like tempest AND kensai?

Yes, kensei II/tempest I are possible as are other combos... what you cannot do is take two within same class... I.E. Deepwoods/Arcane Archer... etc...

[Depravity]

Easier with a 14 Int. But doable without.
And you don't need max stealth skills.
My Wiz was able to sneak by anything in the Vale with only 9 ranks in hide/MS. Just use equpiment to boost it up. 28-38 are good target numbers. Actually 28 is ok for most monsters.

Spot is important though. But again a good spot item can go a long way too.

Of course the smartest tactic in DDO is just to charge into every fight and have a Cleric spam heals on you.

Half rank move/hide are both quite useable for pretty much everything (including saving skill points for umd). Classic ghoste build gets along fine with nothing but wizard levels.

Iirc, 38 was the target for ghaele clerics in running with the devils, and 46-48 for monks in the reaver's refuge quest whose name I forgot.

My stealth (pure) wizzy has low 40s, and hasn't had any (stealth related) difficulty (razzenfratzin mariliths. ) in any of the shavarath quests, although I have yet to do most of them on elite.

[spifflove]

Viable, even high powered. But true seeing will make it less useful at high level. A fun build altogether.

[GlassJaw]

Cool, thanks for the responses so far.

For a build like this, what is the best level advancement? Rogue first obviously but would you take all six ranger levels after that to get the bonus feats and Tempest ASAP?

Staggering the Ranger levels would allow for better skill allocation but that would seriously delay Imp TWF and Tempest.