Shadow Knight

[Sairyx]

The following build is my Shadow Knight build. It takes advantage of Tempest I for TWF DPS and Defender of Siberys for Tanking, as well as having the ability to us displacement from the Dragonmark. I'm not sure if the build will be able to be main tank in the hardest raids, but with excellent saves and strong versatility this build has proven very effective. I'd be happy to hear any feedback you may have.

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Shadow Knight Final
Level 20 Lawful Good Elf Female
(12 Paladin \ 2 Monk \ 6 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 326
Spell Points: 140 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 28
Reflex: 24
Will: 18

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             15                    22
Dexterity            15                    17
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence          8                    10
Wisdom                8                    11
Charisma             15                    20

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 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               6                    20
Bluff                 2                     5
Concentration         2                     6
Diplomacy             2                     5
Disable Device       n/a                    n/a
Haggle                2                     5
Heal                 -1                     2
Hide                  2                     5
Intimidate            4                    28
Jump                  5                    11
Listen               -1                     2
Move Silently         2                     3
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                     0
Search               -1                     2
Spot                 -1                     2
Swim                  2                     6
Tumble                3                     4
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Skill: Jump (+3)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Shadow
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Breezes
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Candles
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Pebbles
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Puddles
Feat: (Automatic) Elven Keen Senses
Feat: (Automatic) Enchantment Save Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Kama
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Shuriken
Feat: (Automatic) Finishing Moves
Feat: (Automatic) Flurry of Blows
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Immunity to Sleep
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Handaxe
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Longbow
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Longsword
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Rapier
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortbow
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Club
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Dagger
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Heavy Crossbow
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Light Crossbow
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Quarterstaff
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Unarmed
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Unarmed Strike


Level 2 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Mobility
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Evasion
Feat: (Automatic) Meditation
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip


Level 3 (Paladin)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Aura of Good
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Smite Evil


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+2.5)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Automatic) Bow Strength
Feat: (Automatic) Wild Empathy
Enhancement: Paladin Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use I
Enhancement: Follower of the Undying Court
Enhancement: Paladin Focus of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Paladin Devotion I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I


Level 5 (Ranger)
Skill: Intimidate (+2.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Rapid Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Lesser Dragonmark of Shadow
Feat: (Automatic) Diehard


Level 7 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Aberration


Level 9 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Spring Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Manyshot


Level 10 (Paladin)
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Grace
Feat: (Automatic) Lay on Hands
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I


Level 11 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Aura of Courage
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Health
Feat: (Automatic) Fear Immunity
Enhancement: Extra Dragonmark Use II
Enhancement: Paladin Item Defense I
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Tempest I


Level 12 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Turn Undead
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: Paladin Devotion II
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness II


Level 13 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might I


Level 14 (Paladin)
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Feat: (Automatic) Remove Disease
Enhancement: Undying Call
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Righteousness I
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite I
Enhancement: Paladin Defender of Siberys I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Light I


Level 15 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil III


Level 16 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands II


Level 17 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Redemption I


Level 18 (Paladin)
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma III
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might II


Level 19 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good III
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good III


Level 20 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice II
Enhancement: Paladin Defender of Siberys II

Edit: Revised based on Eonfreon's feedback. This character has been soloing up to level 18. So the self buff displacement can be very handy. Added 19-20 back.

[eonfreon]

Taking Tempest 1 without having access to GTWF will actually be lower dps then staying Paladin and taking the GTWF feat. Tempest 1 only raises the offhand chance to proc by 10%, bringing ITWF to 70%, while GTWF brings it to 80%. Thus a Paladin with GTWF does more dps then a Tempest 1 Paladin with ITWF. Without 12 levels of Ranger or a Base 17 Dex you will never qualify for GTWF.

The old idea was that it used to be a static 10% increase to TWF attack speed, thus it was equal to Zeal, but permanent rather then having to cast and refresh the spell. Another old idea was to go Ranger 6/Paladin 14 for Zeal + Tempest.

With the TWF nerf this is no longer very viable.

Also, your Wisdom is too high. With 12 levels of Paladin you'll only be able to cast lvl 3 spells. You need a 13 Wis after items are added, thus a 8 Wisdom and +5 Item = 13. Considering you're using a +2 Wisdom Tome all you'll need is a +3 Item.

Take that Wisdom and add it to your Con. Your starting 12 Con and one Toughness will make you a very squishy Tank. Even with a +2 Con Tome and Greensteel HP item, GFL, +6 Con Item, Draconic Vitality, etc you'll be hardpressed to hit 500 HP.
Let's see:
20 Heroic
120 Paladin 12
48 Ranger 6
12 Monk 2
20 Con 12
20 +2 Tome
60 +6 Con Item
30 GFL
45 GS
10 Draconic
22 Toughness
40 Toughness Enhancements
20 Minos
---
467
20 DoS Stance
---
487
20 Rage spell/pot
40 Madstone Rage
40 Double Madstone
---
587

With less then 600 hp you won't be tanking anything beyond Normal, maybe.

Or at least add those points in Wisdom to Dex and get GTWF. You're an Elf. Take advantage of the cheaper Dex cost to get higher dps.

Also your DC for your Stunning Blow will be very low since you have no enhancements, no PrE, and no Strength Surges to improve it. Your DC will be 10 + 9 = 19 + 10 for a Stunning Weapon = 29. By comparison most Fighters get it into the high 30s. You're basically at least 6-8 DC points below a Fighter, generally more really.

As far as the Dragonmark of Shadow, I can't really say much except it'll be cool while leveling up then higher level it will sort of a waste because more often then not you'll be Displaced by a high-level Caster. And you can also craft Displacement clickies. However, if you solo alot it can be rather helpful. And then you don't have to worry about crafting those clickies.

Also I see you take Khopesh. The Valenar dmg enhancement will only apply to Scimitars and Falchions. Not a big deal, but I'm sure there's something better to spend 2 AP on.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Steveohio]

did you use that name in everquest?

[Sairyx]

No I used it in Wow. My main was Oryn in Everquest.

[eonfreon]

Edit: Revised based on Eonfreon's feedback. This character has been soloing up to level 18. So the self buff displacement can be very handy.

I like the revisions. Taking GTWf will greatly increase your dps, especially compared to Stunning Blow which will seldom land, especially as you get into harder content and/or do Raids.

For some reason your build stops at 18. I assume you'll be using your last level up point on STR.

Anyway, looks decent. I can't say how I think it'll perform, but that's irrelevent. Since you're playing it you are the best judge of it's performance. Since you are indeed primarily soloing then those Dragonmarks sound very handy indeed.

Sounds like a fun build.