Playing with Rogue: Assassin III

[Dworkin_of_Amber]

I have a few ideas running around in my head, and I want some input from the premier Rogue players and builders.

I have a build idea in my head that revolves around Assassin III (but has some other elements as well, so let's work with Rogue 18 for right now)... and I want to know some things about how to get the most out of my Assassin abilities.

1) I know Rogue's are feat starved, but what about "Improved Feint" to help get the special attacks off?
2) What about Precision, as a way to help NOT take Aggro, to let the special attacks go off more.
3) I know Diplo is key to a build like this... but why the hate against Bluff? Isn't Bluff just another way to lose aggro, and get the special attacks working again? I fully understand that there are times to Diplo/Bluff and times to not (like standing next to the Divine/Arcane caster).

Now, talk about splashes. Obviously Monk 1/2 is VERY popular for Assassin III for the AC boost (and the Martial Arts feat) and the stance... but what about an Arcane splash? For example, if I took a WF Assassin III, and splashed Wiz 1 for Repair Wands, Invis wands, stoneskin wands, etc. I know the build has UMD as well.... but is it worth it?

Just tossing some ideas for comment. I am completely unimpressed by the Rogue Capstone, and with True Respec, I could always fix it (and get +2 Build Points).

[Draccus]

My opinions:

Bluff and Diplomacy are nearly irrelevant when discussing Assassin III. The only thing that is relevant is to be carrying at least one, preferably two, Radiance II weapons.

Assassin III is a numbers game. You want as many chances to sneak attack as possible and as many chances to roll a 20 as possible. If you're building for Assassin III, you only need to focus on a few things:
1. Radiance II weapons with high crit range.
2. Improved Critical feat
3. Maximum number of attacks

It's all about increasing the number of chances your dice have to roll 20 while sneak attacking. RadII on a rapier or scimitar and IC+GTWF do that.

[Twerpp]

Wouldnt do the arcane splash. Even starting with 6-8 cha you will have no prob with stoneskin and shield wands.

[Timjc86]

I have a few ideas running around in my head, and I want some input from the premier Rogue players and builders.

I have a build idea in my head that revolves around Assassin III (but has some other elements as well, so let's work with Rogue 18 for right now)... and I want to know some things about how to get the most out of my Assassin abilities.

Rogue 19 has some very nice benefits: another rogue feat, more sneak attack, more skills, etc.

1) I know Rogue's are feat starved, but what about "Improved Feint" to help get the special attacks off?

I played with it a long time ago and it's not worth it. It requires two feats, only works for a very brief amount of time, and the effect can be reproduced to a greater extent with deception weapons and eventually radiance II.

2) What about Precision, as a way to help NOT take Aggro, to let the special attacks go off more.

I see no need for Precision. Against trash, aggro doesn't really matter once you get a radiance weapon. If you do have aggro and are ever in trouble, that's what Diplomacy's for. There are also very very few situations where you would purposely want to do LESS damage. There are much better feats you could take.

3) I know Diplo is key to a build like this... but why the hate against Bluff? Isn't Bluff just another way to lose aggro, and get the special attacks working again? I fully understand that there are times to Diplo/Bluff and times to not (like standing next to the Divine/Arcane caster).

Bluff has an annoyingly long animation (only a second or two, but it's noticeable in a fight) and (I think) only works on one target. It's kinda handy if you're using ranged weapons, but that should tell you more about Bluff's uselessness than anything else I can say. If you're really just oozing extra skill points, give it a shot. It's not something i would take though.

Now, talk about splashes. Obviously Monk 1/2 is VERY popular for Assassin III for the AC boost (and the Martial Arts feat) and the stance... but what about an Arcane splash? For example, if I took a WF Assassin III, and splashed Wiz 1 for Repair Wands, Invis wands, stoneskin wands, etc. I know the build has UMD as well.... but is it worth it?

An arcane splash is not worth it at all IMO - just take UMD. Monk depends on your build. I would figure out what kind of AC you can hit end game with and without a monk splash - on my strength rogue, it just wasn't worth it. Also bear in mind that to make use of the stances, you have to use monk weapons - a penalty which will usually outweigh the stance bonuses. A level of fighter is good for the feat and hitpoints. 2 ranger is nice early on for the TWF feat, but a -1 to my Assassinate DC was about the most I wanted to go. Barbarian is another option for faster movement, Rage, and hitpoints.

Just tossing some ideas for comment. I am completely unimpressed by the Rogue Capstone, and with True Respec, I could always fix it (and get +2 Build Points).

Lime.

[Dworkin_of_Amber]

Barbarian is another option for faster movement, Rage, and hitpoints.

Hrmm... That is actually quite interesting... 1 Barb for Fast Movement... that would be amusing... too bad you can't get Barb and Monk on the same toon though.