Non-WM/rogue dexer melee

[Lythe Featherblade]

Hello

Trying my first self designed build, haven't really seen the high levels yet. Looking at a shadowdancer with whirlwind attack (for the SD special at 41+) but no actual weaponmaster levels.. is this a waste? Do weapon crits affect the SD negative energy whirlwind attack?

Current plan ends up a 4 rogue 8 fighter 28SD dexer, I know my damage output is already gimped even with a kukri, but am I making a huge mistake by not going WM as a dexer? The other option of taking WM instead of fighter would cost me 3 feats (handaxe instead of kukri to save exotic) that I'd have to make up in epic levels, namely blindfighting toughness and improved critical.

The other question is, how important is that 4th attack a round? If I went WM I'd go 7monk 7wm 26SD, would only get 3 base attacks with a non-kama, saves would be a bit better but ab is starting to hurt.

current race considered is a deep halfling, no secret races available to me. (already have a derrzagon, 1 ugly character is enough for me).

Finally, if a race gets a bonus like 2hide, how do people take advantage of that to get SD 2 levels early? It doesn't seem to raise my max, and if I level then relog for racial effects, they never seem to get applied.

Thank you

[Bakchuda]

Trying my first self designed build, haven't really seen the high levels yet. Looking at a shadowdancer with whirlwind attack (for the SD special at 41+) but no actual weaponmaster levels.. is this a waste? Do weapon crits affect the SD negative energy whirlwind attack?

Nope

Current plan ends up a 4 rogue 8 fighter 28SD dexer, I know my damage output is already gimped even with a kukri, but am I making a huge mistake by not going WM as a dexer? The other option of taking WM instead of fighter would cost me 3 feats (handaxe instead of kukri to save exotic) that I'd have to make up in epic levels, namely blindfighting toughness and improved critical.

It is simply a matter of damage output. Without the crit bonuses from WM, you will not be doing as much damage. And with only a 2x multiplier on the kukris, will may only do ANY damage on a crit, and it will still be meager.

The other question is, how important is that 4th attack a round? If I went WM I'd go 7monk 7wm 26SD, would only get 3 base attacks with a non-kama, saves would be a bit better but ab is starting to hurt.

The 4th attack by itself isn't that big of a deal, if you can make up more of the AB difference later. This point may be a matter of opinion, but remember the attack you are adding is at -15 of your base AB.

current race considered is a deep halfling, no secret races available to me. (already have a derrzagon, 1 ugly character is enough for me).

Finally, if a race gets a bonus like 2hide, how do people take advantage of that to get SD 2 levels early? It doesn't seem to raise my max, and if I level then relog for racial effects, they never seem to get applied.

The only way you can use a race to start taking a prestige class "early" is if you completely qualify for that class with your base skill ranks (4) + the bonus skill ranks. The skill ranks should be getting added after you re-log, you may want to double-check the spelling if you are not getting a "Please re-log for racial effects" message.

The bonus skill ranks also prevent you from adding more ranks to that skill until you are a high enough level to actually advance the skill. For example, if you have a +2 hide race, your ending level 1 hide ranks will be 6. When you level up, you will not be able to add ranks into hide until you gain your 4th level, because that is the level you can actually qualify for 7 ranks of hide.

Hope all that makes sense and helps.

[Lythe Featherblade]

Another question, is improved whirlwind worth it, and if so, when?
Whirlwind is supposed to give an attack against all opponents within 5 feet
improved whirlwind states 'within range of your weapons'
does that mean improved whirlwind is only worth it if you have really big weapons?