Looking for Swash + decent trap skills

[Krell]

I'm going to be in a 3 person group with my wife and daughter for a while. I've been looking forward to making a swash build but I'll need at least decent search, disable, open lock skills for this group. Doesn't need to be elite trapper skills, but good enough for most quests. I was thinking something like dwarven defender with more focus on trapper skill points. Maybe count of monte cristo build but with 2 rogue? I'm looking for input here.

[EllisDee37]

I would (will, eventually) do something like this.

[CThruTheEgo]

You could easily splash 2 rogue on Monte Cristo and still have a solid enchantment DC for Otto's sphere. There are a few other minor losses, but nothing significant and if traps are a priority for you, then the benefits outweigh the costs. My main reason for not going 2 rogue with the build was because I play a lot of trappers already and just wanted a break from trapping.

I would suggest planning out your skills before you start the character though. You may want to increase int just a little to make sure you can keep your trap skills up, taking into account whatever int tome you have. Most of the skills listed in the build are not essential so you can easily drop them.

I know others have gone this route and there is some discussion in the thread about this option. There may even be a template for it in there somewhere. If you decide to go with the Count as a 2 rogue splash variation, I'll be glad to help you work out any details if you need.

[Feithlin]

Personally, for my roguish bard, I went with PDK Bard 15/Fighter 3/Rogue 2, similar to the Icebreaker.

She is cha-based, has tier 5 warchanter, with freezes boosted by PDK, while maintaining SD stance (she uses a buckler) for added defense, and Rogue 2 for evasion and trap skills.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.20.02
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Ardence 
Level 28 True Neutral Purple Dragon Knight Female
(3 Fighter \ 2 Rogue \ 15 Bard \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 371
Spell Points: 813 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 12
Reflex: 13
Will: 10

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(34 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength             13                    16
Dexterity             8                    11
Constitution         15                    19
Intelligence         13                    16
Wisdom                8                    11
Charisma             18                    29

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+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
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 28)
Balance               1                    19
Bluff                 4                    17
Concentration         2                    27
Diplomacy             4                    17
Disable Device        n/a                  34
Haggle                4                    17
Heal                  1                    11
Hide                 -1                     8
Intimidate            4                    17
Jump                  5                    16
Listen               -1                     8
Move Silently        -1                     8
Open Lock            n/a                   23
Perform               n/a                  40
Repair                1                    11
Search                1                    34
Spellcraft            1                    11
Spot                 -1                     8
Swim                  1                    11
Tumble                0                     9
Use Magic Device      5                    40

Level 1 (Fighter)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Cleave
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Shield Mastery


Level 3 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Enchantment


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 5 (Rogue)


Level 6 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave


Level 7 (Bard)


Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 9 (Bard)


Level 10 (Bard)


Level 11 (Bard)


Level 12 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 13 (Bard)


Level 14 (Bard)


Level 15 (Rogue)


Level 16 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 17 (Bard)


Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Shield Mastery


Level 19 (Bard)


Level 20 (Bard)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 21 (Epic)


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Inspire Excellence


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Reflexes


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Tactician

[cru121]

My dwarven defender parody variant with heavy emphasis on traps is a 34 pb
12 str, 20 con, 16 int, 10 cha. I have +4 tomes in Int and Con, +3 elsewhere.

Here's how I leveled the dude:


I pushed the second rogue level as far as possible to benefit from my +4 tome.
Later I have ditched heal / intimidate for more open locks in an ETR.
If you go with less int and more dex, ditch insightful reflexes and pick up precision.

This build is a bit of a late bloomer (TYWA is costly).
At earliest levels I've used Skaldic Rage and Bull's Strength pots (combined with dwarven Iron Stomach - heroism) to quickly buff str to decent levels. I'm also picking up Cleaves ASAP. I was actually using Carnifex until level ~10. Self-healing isn't stellar in heroics (unless you have lots of heal amp).

[Krell]

Thanks for the great replies. It was very helpful. I'll have to take a hard look to figure out which of these strong options to go with.

[Krell]

You could easily splash 2 rogue on Monte Cristo and still have a solid enchantment DC for Otto's sphere. There are a few other minor losses, but nothing significant and if traps are a priority for you, then the benefits outweigh the costs. My main reason for not going 2 rogue with the build was because I play a lot of trappers already and just wanted a break from trapping.

I would suggest planning out your skills before you start the character though. You may want to increase int just a little to make sure you can keep your trap skills up, taking into account whatever int tome you have. Most of the skills listed in the build are not essential so you can easily drop them.

I know others have gone this route and there is some discussion in the thread about this option. There may even be a template for it in there somewhere. If you decide to go with the Count as a 2 rogue splash variation, I'll be glad to help you work out any details if you need.

18 Bard with SWF and 40+ in swash sounds like the direction I want to go. I'm guessing Rogue 1st level then the second after some tome points kick in. I have 36 points and +6 supreme so I have some flexibility there. The weapon links are helpful too. Any other suggestions?