Evasion Tempest Kensai... Now with 100% More Rogue Skills!

[Impaqt]

I've seen a lot of Tempest Kensai Builds.. But None of em with Trap skills solid enough for the latest end game content on normal... This falls just a smidge short of that goal, but has options to take it that far if you really want to push it.

Please dont think getting to the rogue skill numbers is going to be easy. It will take Top Notch gear, a Bard, and A Shroud Item you'll get minimal use out of.

FUnny thing is I decided I can head start this guy anyway with no real impact on end game rogue skills... So I'm giving away 3 Skill points just to get to level 4.
Even if you need to eat your Int tome at level 7, this build still can acheive some useful rogue skills.(Search and Disable net -1 on each skill. Not a real big deal)

I alwanted to make sure I had a top notch UMD skill as I hate being reliant on others to heal me.

30 Saves were also on the Radar.. Unfortnatly, I fell short on Will, But with a +5 Racial modifier vs. Enchantments(Mostly WIll based Saves), I'm overall pretty happy with the Saving Throws.

I spent a few feats on my Saving throws... If you want to be a better trapsmith, you can sacrifice some of those saves and grab a Sill Focus feat in Search and Disable. Might be worth it to some folks.


Level 20 True Neutral Elf Male
(12 Fighter / 2 Rogue / 6 Ranger)
Hit Points:
20 HD
12 Rogue 2
120 Fighter 12
48 Ranger 6
100 Con Bonus
22 TOughness
60 TOughness Enh
---
382 Base HP's
20 Minos
30 GFL
---
432
45 Shroud Item
----
477

Spell Points: 45

BAB: 19/19/24/2929
19 BAB
12 Base STR Bonus
5 Weapon
2 Weapon Focus
2 Elf Enh
2 Kensai Mastery
--
+42
-2 TWF(-4 once you drop OTWF)
---
+40/+38 Before Buffs

Should be able to hit everything with only basic Buffs.



Fortitude:Reflex:Will
8:4:4 L12 Fighter
0:3:0 L2 Rogue
5:5:2 L6 Ranger
5:8:6 Attributes
0:0:2 Iron Will Feat
5:5:5 Resistance
1:1:1 Resist Ritual
-----
24:26:20
4:4:4 GH
2:2:2 Luck
------
30:32:26

Abilities
(32 Point)
{34-50+)Strength 16+5 Levels +2 Tome +6 Item +3 Fighter +2 Exceptional =36 +2 Rams +2 Rage +8 Kensai = 48 STR + Madstone
{26}Dexterity 15+2 Tome +1 Elf +2 Ranger +6 Item
{20}Constitution 12+2 Tome +6 Item
{20}Intelligence 12+2 Tome +6 Item
{11}Wisdom 9+2 TOme
{22}Charisma 14+2 TOme +6 Item

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 4(7)
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

Skill Progression:
Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)

Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 3 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+0.5)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 4 (Fighter)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

*Level 5 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

*Level 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

*Level 7 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 8 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 9 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 10 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 11 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Search (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 12 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 13 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 14 (Rogue)
Skill: Disable Device (+2)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+3)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 15 (Fighter)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 16 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 17 (Fighter)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 18 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 19 (Fighter)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

Level 20 (Fighter)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)

*Search - 58 +2 Boost - 60
20 Ranks +2 Elf +5 Int +15 Item +4 GH +2 Luck +1 Elf Enh +1 Rogue Enh +6 Shroud Item +2 Bard Song

*Disable Device - 57 +2 Boost 59
20 Ranks +5 Int +15 Item +4 GH +2 Luck +6 Shroud Item +2 Bard Song +3 Ventilated Bracers

Open Lock 49 +2 Boost +d20
13 Ranks +8 Dex +7 TOols +4 GH +2 Luck +15 Item

Spot
6 Ranks, Might take some random searching in some dungeons to find the boxes.

Use Magic Device
23 Ranks +6 CHR +3 SF =32 Standng +3 Cartouse +4 GH +3 Boost = 42 +6 Second Shroud Item =48


* NOTE: I include +1 Skill Point for Levels 5, 6,7 in this build as I decided I'd rather head start with a +2 No ML Int Tome. I figured the best I could do would be one more point of Open Lock in my rogue skills since l1-3 everything is already maxed.
If you start this Build AFter the ML Changes on Int Tome, Reduce Search and Disable by 1 during levels 5,6,7.

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness

Level 2 (Ranger)

Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Oversize TWF - Swap To Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons By Level 12

Level 4 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge

Level 5 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Mobility

Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device

Level 7 (Ranger)

Level 8 (Fighter)

Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Spring Attack

Level 10 (Ranger)

Level 11 (Ranger)

Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting

Level 13 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons

Level 14 (Rogue)

Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Iron Will

Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons

Level 17 (Fighter)

Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Luck of Heroes
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack

Level 19 (Fighter)

Level 20 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighterr Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Ranger Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance I
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance II
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack II
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Kensei Scimitar Mastery I
Enhancement: Kensei Scimitar Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II
Enhancement: Fighter Scimitar Specialization I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I
Enhancement: Rogue Open Lock I
Enhancement: Ranger Search I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness IV
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense I

[Tallyn]

...with no real impact on end game rogue skills...

Don't you mean with no real Impaqt on end game rogue skills.... ?

[hydra_ex]

I have a very similar (a bit out of date in terms of build layout) build in my sig, under Esigiles. Good thing I built him before the INT tome change

Main difference is that I went human with khopesh, although, now that the elf enhc are out, I can see a point to be made for elf as well.

[Impaqt]

I have a very similar (a bit out of date in terms of build layout) build in my sig, under Esigiles. Good thing I built him before the INT tome change

Main difference is that I went human with khopesh, although, now that the elf enhc are out, I can see a point to be made for elf as well.

Yup thats a nice build as well.... I dont like going all the way out to 20 For Evasion... and as we've found out, theres no +19 Rogue Skill items.... This guys does much the same, just with ELf/Scimmys instead of Human/Khopesh

[hydra_ex]

Yup thats a nice build as well.... I dont like going all the way out to 20 For Evasion... and as we've found out, theres no +19 Rogue Skill items.... This guys does much the same, just with ELf/Scimmys instead of Human/Khopesh

I actually stopped lvling him, having realized your first statement. Its almost as if I intentionally gimped him just to make minimal use of a skill. Also, he was so weak leveling up, as he doesn't get tempest and kensai until the lvl 13 area, thanks to the alternating lvling plan.

If I were to rebuild him (which I might, I just don't want to have wasted a pre-change tome), I might just take UMD and inti as my only class skills, which allows me to not put as much into INT. In doing that, I would be able to attain even higher DC's with my tactics, as well as damage, and get intimidate to boot.

And is evasion really worth it? You have to ask yourself that too, otherwise, a pure WF fighter, although bland, is probably better off lvling.

[Impaqt]

I actually stopped lvling him, having realized your first statement. Its almost as if I intentionally gimped him just to make minimal use of a skill. Also, he was so weak leveling up, as he doesn't get tempest and kensai until the lvl 13 area, thanks to the alternating lvling plan.

If I were to rebuild him (which I might, I just don't want to have wasted a pre-change tome), I might just take UMD and inti as my only class skills, which allows me to not put as much into INT. In doing that, I would be able to attain even higher DC's with my tactics, as well as damage, and get intimidate to boot.

And is evasion really worth it? You have to ask yourself that too, otherwise, a pure WF fighter, although bland, is probably better off lvling.

Yeah, This build is definitely a bit of a bore until l13 as well.. Thats one of the reasons I did the skill points with the Head Start... Luckily, I do generally level my characters pretty quickly. and as a Tempest I/Kensai I with Evasion, at L14, that still should be pretty fun....

[hydra_ex]

Yeah, This build is definitely a bit of a bore until l13 as well.. Thats one of the reasons I did the skill points with the Head Start... Luckily, I do generally level my characters pretty quickly. and as a Tempest I/Kensai I with Evasion, at L14, that still should be pretty fun....

I just hate lvling lowbies. I like the content, just not enough to power through it on N/N/N/H/E. Gets boring after the second iteration.

[Barron]

Yup thats a nice build as well.... I dont like going all the way out to 20 For Evasion... and as we've found out, theres no +19 Rogue Skill items.... This guys does much the same, just with ELf/Scimmys instead of Human/Khopesh

What about just taking khopesh as one of your feats instead of soemthing else. How would that gimp your build?

[SoftControl]

this build has a huge dps ?
Edit: and why the tomes must be used at lvl 7 ?

sry im supernoob =~

[LAWPRE]

The +2 tome(s) do not HAVE to be used at level 7 but that is when you first become able to use them.

If you are not using some quick level plan, it is best to use the tome(s) as soon as possible.

Also, some would add use +1 tome(s) at level 4 but others would consider that a waste of resources as when you get access to the +2 tome(s) it only adds another +1 as tome(s) do not stack.

[SoftControl]

hey, this build works fine with a drow using rapiers instead scmitar ? and taking weapon focus on piercing weapons ?

[richieelias]

I'm curious as to why you have fluff feats like iron will, luck of heroes... but no improved crit slashing?

[Impaqt]

I'm curious as to why you have fluff feats like iron will, luck of heroes... but no improved crit slashing?

Because Mineral II's willbe my primary damage dealers.

[Crann]

I have a few questions about this build, if you have the time. I am a big fan of your posts, and appreciate any wisdom you may be able to share.

How effective will this build be as a back-up trap/lock mechanic on higher end content on norm/hard setting without access to top end gear? I have come to the realization that some of the builds listed in the forums are heavily gear dependant, and am looking for advice on how they will play with limitted access to the uber-gear.

I have a similar build, only dwarf, that I am playing as part of a static group. This will limit the amount of top end gear...no twinking/no AH...and the best mechanic items we find will go to our rogue. We will be using the Brokers, but I will not have ten toons worth of money to pool for really expensive items. I never expected this toon to be a mechanic as he was designated for a dps role. But with a limited group I wanted redundancy built into our positions in the event of absences. I have mid level(10) game experience with the exploiter build, and have been pretty consistently hitting locks/traps on norm and hard settings. I was wondering what expectations I may have for this build in higher level content, in the event that our (more than capable) rogue is unable to make session.

The next question is concerning the Tempest/Kensai issue. I am on the same leveling plan now as you detailed, and had planned on the 12/6/2 Fighter/Ranger/Rogue. I have played a toon using tempest, but never one with Kensai. I wanted to make sure that the Kensai II/Tempest I was the way to go, or if Tempest II/Kensai I was more feasible. We played Sharne's sat and as I chose my Nicked Long/short swords (no nicked Dwarven Axes, lol) I realized that these were most likely the best weapons that I would see for some time being twink/AH free. My original plan was to specialize with Dwarven axe, but now I am having second thoughts, as my access to the +5 Dwarven Axes of Awesome will be limited at best. Will this toon be better served with a more flexible "use what we find" mentality if I went Tempest II, or even dropped the Kensai altogether and went for Tempest III. I currently am level 4, so I now sit at Rogue/Ranger/Fighter 1/2/1. I am hoping to figure the most efficient way to progress being the least gear dependant.

[Josh]

How are you putting full points into UMD on non rogue levels?

[Impaqt]

How are you putting full points into UMD on non rogue levels?

2 Skill points = 1 Rank.

[Josh]

2 Skill points = 1 Rank.

Gotcha. Thanks for the heads up.

[Woundwolf42]

Im playing this build currently, and am about 3 ranks from cap. It can be very gear dependant. Even if you focus on your rogue skills the whole way, 12 levels of fighter really hurt you, You only get 3 or 4 skill points a level here, and with all the nessecary trap skills being cross class, your just not gonna be able to keep them maxxed. You can be an adequate trapsmith on normal, and sometimes find things on hard, but just forget about elite, it isnt happening unless you forgo everything but search/disable. No UMD/balance at all and you can barely keep up even with +15 skill items. DPS wise this build is a beast, it relys on crit damage , so scimitars/rapiers/khopeshes with improved critical is pretty much a must have. It really comes into its own once you have T2 shroud weapons. Sneak attack damage is your bread and butter, so try to focus your attacks on mob you dont have aggro on, if a mob start attacking you move on to another one and let the rest of te group finish it off unless its close to dieing. If you want those trap skills, you are gonna have to forgo diplomacy, so your gonna need some hps to be able to take a few hits. Toughness feat and enhancements are your friends, along with a greater false life item.