Shadow Stinger (fighter 11/WM 7/SD 22)

[Lythe Featherblade]

This build is as of yet untested, but is next on my agenda (i.e. 2 months from now as far as playing time allows) for characters to build. So far it's only been planned out on paper, (beyond in-game tests to figure out levels of each class needed)

My first shadowdancer was a dexer, and while it was nice defensively, the damage output was mediocre at best. This should take the best of both worlds, STR weaponmaster damage with full plate and concealment

Pros:
Hellsworthy saves
Decent AC (for a str tank) by getting the full 12 tumble ac
52% conceal (and the other SD goodies)
full plate physical immunities
10-20x4 critical range
19 BAB pre-20

Cons
only 52% conceal (and only 22+20 SD levels plus respective goodies)
896 geared hp at 60 (low for a tank)
rogue/monk LL AB progression
no shadow decoy

Race is stinger primarily for the large size to allow using a dire weapon 1-handed for the 10-20x4 crit range

Progress 1-10 fighter, 11-17 WM, 18-39 SD, 40 fighter

1 luck of heros, exotic weapon proficiency, weapon focus dire (your choice)
2 dodge
3 mobility
4 expertiese
6 blindfighting whirlwind
8 toughness
9 improved expertiese, intimidate to 4
10 improved critical
12 iron will
15 great fortitude
17 Discipline to 20, tumble to 5, hide to 10, move silent to 8, parry to 20
18 lightning reflexes

21 armor skin
24 epic weapon focus
27 epic prowess
30 great str 1 epic reflexes
33 great str 2 skill focus discipline
36 great str 3 Skill Focus Parry
39 epic will epic shadowlord
40 fighter disc dump parry dump

42 LL weapon focus
45 LL luck
48 LL will
51 great str 4
54 great str 5
57 great str 6
60 *free feat*

Stats
starting 20/14/18/14/6/6
60bare 46/14/18/14/6/6

saves at 60 61fort 61will 64reflex



I've been working on this build mentally in the back of my mind for a while now, any criticism is welcome now that it's finally on paper

[Lythe Featherblade]

pre-20 class progression is as it is because you can't meet the prerequisits for SD until 17 (10 hide crossclass) otherwise I'd go a few less fighter levels.

Maybe one-eye might be more suitable with the hide/move silent bonus but you won't be able to use a dire weapon then. For one-eyed you could make it 6fighter 7wm 27SD, at a cost of 4 str (2 racial 2 feat) and epic prowess and some BAB, plus you won't be able to use dire weapons and a shield. More defense, less offense. Conceal will jump to 57 (and around 33 against blindfighters) from 52 (and roughly 27 against blindfighters) and you'd have shadow decoy.

[starlandra]

would rather just use a handaxe adn not have the large size. Also any reason for 11 Fighter other than just a few extra ab? Only need 4 pre epic to get the 4 attacks a round, and the more sd in an sd build the merrier

[Lythe Featherblade]

One primary purpose for this build is to get the biggest, nastiest criticals in the game (other than assassin), then add some defensive measures so it can survive a bit... mainly the conceal, the 4 extra ac over regular str builds, using a shield with a dire weapon, better choice in boots (due to SD shadow evade ac) and the etherialness (i.e. greater sanctuary).

10 fighter and 7 WM levels pre-20 are needed so you can cross class your 10 hide to qualify for shadowdancer, the 11th is for a discipline dump (unless you're happy with 20 discipline). As I said in my post above, if you want more defensive and less offensive the next best choice is 1-eyed, you lose the large size and 4 points of strength but you can keep everything else, with a bastard sword you can still get 13-20x4 crits, and the 10 hide/MS means you only have to get high enough to cross-class 5 tumble before you can take SD levels. I'll work out the exact details when I have a little more time.

Also all those fighter levels do allow for extra feats, this build does get up to great strength 8 AND saves of 61+, dropping too many fighter levels and you'll have to sacrifice one or the other. The main downside of SD is that the only bonus epic feats worth anything on a strength build are epic reflexes and skill focus (discipline), you can't even use them for basic stuff like epic weapon focus or armor skin.