|
4 years ago ::
Dec 11, 2009 - 10:52AM
#131
|
Date Joined:
Jul 18, 2006
|
A lot of the problem with Hidden Insight is that its just something an Assassin should be able to do normally in many people's minds (your's truly included). Also, in some games, DMs who subscribe to this notion will just rule that Shrouds from Stealth arent detected.
So, picking that feat is kind of annoying because it doesn't help you do anything but something you probably should be able to do normally. It has no additional benefit that makes it useful outside that one single, admittedly "rare" opportunity. It should give a bonus of some kind or allow an additional shroud or something...
I'm a little confused as to what you're arguing here. Are you saying the effect of the feat doesn't warrant the rating, or are you saying the rating isn't deserved because a lot of people think you should be able to do what the feat does for free? If it's the latter, then that's just wrong. Many people think of the experitse feats as something that should have been free, and I'm willing to bet that many DMs do give them for free or something equivalent. Do they no deserve the high rankings they get in every guide, then? No, because they're still increadibly powerful feats and one of the top choices in any game where the DM doesn't give them for free. To say this in a different way, what you're talking about is a houserule; houserules shouldn't be the norm in a guide.
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Dec 12, 2009 - 7:05PM
#132
|
|
|
Well this is a little diffrent then expertise, in that it is in the direct control of the DM. To take expertise for free, implies the DM has to tell the players that he is changing the rules to allow it. The shrouds however, I know alot of DM's that I just walk up to a NPC and start shrouding it, or shroud it whlie hidden, and the NPC's dont react. Maybe the DM doesnt know the rule, or maybe the DM doesnt care because they think it shouldnt work that way, but it doesnt really matter to me. Even DM's that I know know the rule, tend to ignore it as what is the NPC spose to do? Someone somewhere that I dont know of is shrouding me?
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Dec 13, 2009 - 11:42AM
#133
|
Date Joined:
Jan 19, 2008
|
I'm probably going to be starting up in another game soon, and I was thinking of going with the Assassin. Definitely going for a Changeling route with Belt of the Brawler.
I was considering, though, splashing rogue with Ruthless Efficiency to let me use improvised weapons with rogue attacks (thanks to the belt). Pick up a minor action attack or two like Low Slash, and maybe some rattling attacks while I'm at it. I was thinking Str 14/Con 13/Dex 18/Int 8/Wis 10/Cha 16 for stats.
Does this seem like something that would actually be worth pursuing, or am I just wasting time? It seems like assassins have pretty good feat options, so I don't know how much room I'll have for Ruthless Efficiency plus multiclass swap feats. On the other hand, I've always wanted to play a build that uses Ruthless Efficiency and Belt of the Brawler!
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Dec 13, 2009 - 1:37PM
#134
|
Date Joined:
Nov 29, 2001
|
By the RAW, a creature would definitely know that a shroud was placed on it. RAW is that creatures always know exactly what effect a power has when it's used on them. I can see why in some cases, the fluff would make it seem like that might not be the case, but that's really a judgment call. Some DM's might think that Hunter's Quarry is unnoticable, describing it as the ranger just focusing on the target, but Warlock's Curse is noticable, because it's a big scary puff of smoke or something. But there's nothing specifically in the rules that says that's the case; and is that really fair to the Warlock? Why does the ranger get to stealthily use his power but the warlock doesn't?
The fluff says that the Shrouds are invisible, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're undetectable. They might cause a sudden chill in the air or a whispering around the target's head, or even a sudden feeling of impending doom. Creatures living in a world full of magic might understand these things to be the tell-tale signs of a hex being cast on them.
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Dec 19, 2009 - 6:25AM
#135
|
|
|
I got really excited last night when I suddenly realized that my favorite character from 1st edition might be viable again: Half Orc Cleric / Assassin, but I realize that its totally not viable... But what about an Assassin / Paladin MC? I've been working it over, but it doesn't seem to be working out. Anyone have any ideas to focus on?
Also, I haven't seen much mention of the Rogue MC. Death Dealer seems INSANE with an Assassin basis.
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Dec 19, 2009 - 6:33AM
#136
|
|
|
A nightstalker/chaadin would work for what you want to do. You could get a 18/16 dex/cha score if you min-max it. Could be a pretty cool class. I would say avanger, if only they were a dex class.
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Dec 19, 2009 - 12:48PM
#137
|
|
|
Death Dealer: "When you spend an action point to take an extra action, you gain a +2 bonus to each damage die until the start of your next turn"
Ouch. I know when I action point as an assass at level 1, I do like 8d6+2d10+3d8+static mods, so that is like 22 extra damage from that paragon path property, ouch. You wouldnt get that bonus damage on a miss though.
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Dec 19, 2009 - 1:02PM
#138
|
|
|
Yeah, my thoughts exactly  . I was looking at Half-Elf, Eyebite Diletante power (Versatile Master later), and going this route with Consign to Shadow to basically one-shot any individual critter (since the extra damage from the AP will typically be around 20 damage per attack, I believe, w/ proper setup). Devils in the details, though... I think it should be somewhere around 60 damage per action point usage (AP, standard to eyebite / blind, standard to super-schmackdown, then the follow-up round).
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Dec 19, 2009 - 1:19PM
#139
|
|
|
No not half-elf, you got to go revenant with grave dust assassin, so you get 2x your shroud damage on the action point. Shroud damage adds alot of extra damage to that paragon class as its 4 extra dice rolls.
|
|
|
|
4 years ago ::
Dec 19, 2009 - 1:49PM
#140
|
|
|
Oh, good call! And I can always still get the Eyebite in there, too... Not sure if I'd want to, though... Windrise ports to get the Warlock Pact and the Rogue MC, maybe? IDK...
|
|
|
