make dex builds (semi) viable again?

[krud]

This may just be a hairbrained idea, but I thought of a possible way to make dex builds viable again.

How about some way to add your dex bonus as a %increase to your weapon attack speed for finessable weapons?

It would require weapon finesse as prereq, and it could either be another feat, or an enhancement line similar to divine might. The bonus could either be based off your total dex (1:1%?, or 2:1%?), or as in divine might, your base dex.

Since PnP doesn't have attack speed (it's an mmo construct), it's not like it would fly in the face of the PnP ruleset.

thoughts? flames?

[Sir_Chonas]

If you wanna play a dex build, try monk. The most often suggested monk build is a dexterity build.

[grodon9999]

I had the same thought today, % STACKABLE speed increase = 1/2 Dex bonus would be cool. Full would just be nuts and the Weapon finnesse feat should be required as it's easy to build a 30/30 STR/DEX toon.

[krud]

If you wanna play a dex build, try monk. The most often suggested monk build is a dexterity build.

strange you say that considering you said in an earlier thread:

Originally Posted by Sir_Chonas
But drow have negatives to important monk stats and positives to worthless monk stats built in.

[Vormaerin]

You do realize that Dex builds are only "not viable" because the player base generally adopts the "second place is failsauce" attitude. If you want it to be competitive, you need to restore the value of the Dex AC, since that is what the trade off is supposed to be.

[Shassa]

I kind of liked someone's idea of making Weapon Finesse a free level one Rogue feat.

[Sir_Chonas]

strange you say that considering you said in an earlier thread:

Originally Posted by Sir_Chonas
But drow have negatives to important monk stats and positives to worthless monk stats built in.

Int and Cha aren't monk stats are they?

In this particular post I was talking about a famous halfling post which doesn't have negatives to dex, con, or wis (three vital monk stats) but does have a negative to str (which can be overlooked/worked around by a monk focused on ki strikes/flanking/sneak attacking and if finessed). Hence it makes a wonderful dex build. It's going to have lower base damage due to the decrease to str, but by taking weapon finesse, this monk can actually be easier and cheaper to build if a player has build point/tome constraints. It can also be fun to play as a 32/tome heavy build, which is why it's the most recommended monk build I've seen.

[Samadhi]

If you wanna play a dex build, try monk. The most often suggested monk build is a dexterity build.

But that's why there are so many monks out there that can't hang. Just b/c it is a common suggestion does not make it a good idea.

You do realize that Dex builds are only "not viable" because the player base generally adopts the "second place is failsauce" attitude. If you want it to be competitive, you need to restore the value of the Dex AC, since that is what the trade off is supposed to be.

I would agree that the biggest limitation of dex builds is the "all or nothing" approach to AC that high level DDO has. I'm not sure I see a way around it; but I do think you have identified the source of the issue.


As to the OP, cool idea, I wouldn't hold your breath, but I do like it.