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wilbur07 wrote:

Why does your 1st and 10th level snapshot list 2d6 sneak attack and 2d8 sneak attack? I thought the rulebook states it's 1d6 and 1d8 with Backstabber feat?

Sneak attack damage at levels 1-10 is +2d6. Backstabber will make that +2d8. Perhaps you are thinking of the ranger ability called hunter's quarry? That is +1d6 at levels 1-10.

Comment freely, everyone! If you like things about this build, let me know. If you have any corrections or improvements, no matter how small, let me know that as well. I'm hoping to get plenty of feedback.

Loriness wrote:

FE: At Lvl 1, how did u get HP=29 even with toughness? and Initiative=+14?
would have thought that HP would be more like 18=12(base)+1(con)+5(feat) and initiative=+4
attack basic would be +8 = 4(dex) + 3(dagger) +1 (class)

Loriness, thank you for posting! For hit points, you now add your consitution ability score (not modifier) at first level. So 12 base + 12 con + 5 feat = 29. On the initiative, you are quite right. That is a typo, I copied the initiative from the L10 snapshot. I'll edit that right away. Concerning the attack modifier, as I mentioned in the first post, combat advantage is assumed in these calculations. Hence, an additional +2 for a total of +10.

SongNSilence wrote:

Very nice build and analysis over the levels. Good job !

Thank you!

SongNSilence wrote:

Since the build is not completely dependent on Blade Cascade and Frost Weapon, and my DM ruled them out (i guess most DMs will rule out at least Blade Cascade), could you perhaps show the next best strategy in your higher level snapshots ?

Sure, I can do that. You are right. The build is well rounded and robust without those strategies.

Blade Cascade is what puts the build head and shoulders above other strikers, no doubt, but to remove that aspect is simple in the extreme. Choose a different level 15 rogue power. That's it. No other alterations are necessary because everything else that goes along with that combination is good on its own. I'd still keep Warrior of the Wild. I was happy not to have to choose a level 15 exploit because they are all good in their own way. Slaying Strike is probably your safest bet.

Replacing Lasting Frost and Wintertouched is only a little more involved. Obviously, you won't need frost daggers. Replace them with duelist's daggers or wraith blades (dragon magazine.) Replace gloves of piercing with gauntlets of destruction at appropriate levels.

These changes will make room for three new feats to replace Adept Power and the frost feats. Try this:

L11 danger sense
L12 blood thirst
L14 light blade precision
L16 fleet-footed
L18 back to the wall
L20 Iron Will

By the way, when you say your DM ruled out these things, did he just remove them altogether as an option or did he make replacement effects? It would be a shame if the poor ranger lost a daily exploit option compared to everyone else.

Hopefully, he at least realizes that Blade Cascade combos are completely legal. Perhaps this can lead you two to come to an agreement on some house-rule limitation that can keep it in line. That way you can still use it to an acceptible effect. I know there is a lot of talk on options to nerf this exploit.

The frost combo, just so you and your DM know, is also perfectly legal. The rules are on page 226, in the third paragraph under "Power." Here is a quote from customer service that is posted in the Q&A forum.

Q: Does a Frost weapon trigger effects based on the Cold keyword such as Wintertouched and Lasting Frost?

A: As PHB page 226 states, using a weapon with a keyword in an attack made with a racial or class power, the power you are using does gain the weapon's keyword.

Thus making using attack with a Frost Weapon makes that power be Cold as well as whatever other types of damage it was. If you use the weapon's free action power, all damage will be cold.

This will function with both the Winter Touched and Lasting Frost feats.