Which fighter is better?

[AshenPlanet]

Looking for advice.

I'm about to make a fighter (2nd life) who will immediately be reincarnated at max xp.
I'm not thinking about end game, raids, etc. with this character, just solo mostly until he's finished.

I've narrowed this character down to 2 options:

Option 1: orc, s20 d14 c14 i6 w14 ch6, kensai 18, this option would have better ac and dps, decent saves, balance only skill (1 per level).

Option 2: dwarf, s18 d14 c16 i14 w8 ch6, kensai 16 rogue 2, this option would have 4 skill per level for search and disable device, evasion, good fort and reflex save, decent will save, less ac, and far less dps. Basically, trading orc racial damage enhancements (around +6) for dwarf +5 saves vs. spells (7 points). Good reflex save with evasion instead of extra 6 damage per swing, traps instead of balance.

Which option would be better, faster leveling, or more survivable?

PS. I only listed 18 levels, since I'll reincarnate as soon as I hit max xp.

[Goodheals]

Of the two? The second, I totally think a 2 rogue splash is worth it if its just for leveling. The pros definitely outweigh the cons.

Might I suggest Half Elf with Paladin Dilettante or Cleric Dilettante? This requires either a wisdom or charisma of 13 at character creation, but here is what it gets you.

Paladin gets you +2 all saves, and access to cure wands. This is really nice for a Fighter who won't have any meaningful UMD while leveling. You can enhancement bonus this to up to +5 all saves, but the wand usage is the same either way.

Cleric doesn't offer any saves, but gives access to a much broader range of spells. You still get wands, but also at ranks 5, 10, and 15 you can enhance the dilettante and gain access to higher level spells. Especially nice is a good enough chance on raise dead scrolls starting at level 10 (i think its 75% chance), no-fail at level 15, and a 95% for Heal scrolls at level 15. You can use wands starting at level 1.

To me, this just opens up a lot of nice self-sufficiency and doesn't have huge drawbacks for leveling. The drawbacks only shine at 20 when a different race can mix/max better and UMD with gear can start to outdue the dilettante benefits.

Half Elf also offers Healing Amplification enhancements (to make those wands/scrolls better), +1 STR racial enhancement, and a few nice perks like qualifying for both Human and Elf racial restricted items (with careful shopping you can find items with a ML of 2 less if its racial restricted), immunity to sleep, a bonus to Spot and Search for your trapping, and I'm not sure if you were planning on leveling Intimidate but Half-Elf gives you an extra use of it once per minute off of the normal cooldown in case the first one fails or you were out of range or something.

[AshenPlanet]

Thanks for the response.

I didn't know that paladin dilettante can give +5 saves, I'll read up on that dilettante stuff.

13 charisma would require me to drop to a 16 strength though.
I'm already losing damage from orc, having less damage and less to hit for a primary fighter might be a non-starter.

Cleric dilettante wouldn't be as good I think because the +5 saves goes a long ways towards making evasion useful.
I can live with using potions instead of wands, and I already have the raise dead ring from restless isles.

Another factor I didn't think of is dragonmarks, fighter is probably the only class where I'll have extra feats to take them.
Both dwarf and half-elf marks are weak, but the orc mark looks interesting, knock and loot upgrade...

I'm leaning towards dwarf kensai 16 rogue 2 right now, but I'll read up on paladin dilettante.

[azrael4h]

You can start with an 11 or 12, and eat a tome later, then swap your dilettante feat into Cleric/Pally/Goat/Whatever. Remember you get a free feat swap. Whether you want to chow down on some paper for a life that you're going to be there and out again in a few weeks time is another thing altogether.