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Hey guys I have a question what do you think about the purple dragon theme? Since the thief is a class that uses melee basic attacks a lot I thought it would be really nice with the choice of a +1 attack bonus or free shift with your melee basic attacks (defensive benefit is crap though). Also I think it would be a good idea themes section in this handbook because there are quite a few good themes for thieves that have already been mentioned like sohei, guardian, and fey beast tamer.

Which theme handbook?

Aug 14, 2012 -- 5:25PM, blazeninja wrote:

Also I have a question and I’m sorry if this is a n00bish question but why is escape artists trick so good?

Escape artist's trick is a terrific charge spam enabler (presumably also combined with Badge of the Berserker).  Being able to shift 2 before your attack every round means that you can nearly always get a charge off against your desired target.  Even on turns when you might not be able to charge your desired target (due to insufficient maneuvering room or whatnot), you still get enough mobility to hopefully get things lined up to charge on the subsequent turn.

Charging Thief builds typically also take Surprising Charge (for +1[W] on the hit) and play Pixies (for the feat which gives CA against targets you charge, and thus Sneak Attack damage).  This is a very potent charge spam combo.

Purple Dragon is a most excellent theme for melee Thieves, and I would say Sky Blue at the least!  Focused Discipline is a stance as a minor.  Thieves don't have many minors to use.  As a stance you don't have to redo it each turn, either.  It's on until you turn in off (or drop to 0)

Before level 10, +1 to hit may not be as important as the free shift, but that is your choice!  After you use up your Backstabs, the +1 to hit can come in really handy.  The free shift is nice because you can get out of harms way most of the time, or leave room for your defender.  You can effectively drop Boots of Adapt Charging for better footware aka Boots of the Fencing Master.  After level 10, you get to choose a second option, once per encounter., giving some flexibility.

It makes a great combo with Boots of the Fencing Master and Unbalancing trick.  Unbalancing trick of course prones, and shifting one square away makes it tougher for BBG to get up and hit you.  Plus, when you do shift, the Boots of the Fencing Master increases AC and Reflex by 1.  Since you are always shifting each turn, you have effectively increased those defenses by 1

OK so here's my build for a Thief PMCed Ranger, Martial Archetype

Tips be welcome.

Starting Stats: Str 13, Con 10, Dex 20, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 10 (not sure if legal, but well that's what I'm playing)
End Stats: Str 18, Con 12, Dex 28, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 12

 

• Class Features: Sneak Attack (+2d6 dmg if CA), Weapon Finesse (use dex mod for MBA, +2 dmg), First Strike (CA if not yet acted)
• Class Encounter: Backstab (+3 to hit, +1d6/2d6/3d6/4d6 dmg, lvls: 1/7/17/27)
• Racial Encounter: Heroic Effort (+4 to hit/saving throw)
• Class At-Will: Tactical Trick (CA if ally adjacent to enemy, no OAs when ally adjacent)
• Class At-Will: Ambush Trick (CA within 5 if enemy has no allies adjacent to them)
• Level 1 Human Feat: Light Blade Expertise (+1/2/3 to hit and +1/2/3 dmg when CA)
• Level 1 Feat: Backstabber (sneak attack dice go from d6s to d8s)
• Level 2 Feature: Thief Weapon Talent (+1 to hit)
• Level 2 Utility: Sneak in the Attack
• Level 2 Feat: Surprising Charge (+1[W] on charge)
• Level 3 Encounter: Improved Backstab
• Level 4 At-Will: Unbalancing Trick (shift 2, prone on hit)
• Level 4 Feat: Scoundrel Training (Low Slash {1[W]+dex, +str if flanking, slide target by 1 & slow})
• Level 5 Class Utility: Cunning Escape (ImmInt: +5 to defenses & shift 3 on attack)
• Level 6 Utility: Timely Dodge (ImmInt: shift half your speed on attack)
• Level 6 Feat: Warrior of The Wild (Train endurance, Hunter’s Quarry: +1d6 dmg to target until end of next turn)
• Level 7 At-Will: Acrobat’s Trick (+2/4/6 dmg)
• Level 8 Feat: Acolyte Power (Invigorating Stride [move: shift+2ndWind], Stalker’s Mist [minor: friendly fog burst1] or nothing)
• Level 9 Feature: Combat Readiness (+2 initiative)
• Level 9 Feature: Improved Finesse (+1 dmg)
• Level 10 Utility: Enter The Crucible (minor: resist 10 until end of encounter, daily)
• Level 10 Feat: Adept Power
• Level 11 Encounter: Disruptive Strike (ImmInt: 1[W]+dex ranged, 3+wis def) or Parting Strike (2[W]+dex melee, slow, shift speed)
• Level 11 At-Will Retrain: Heroic Effort for Dual-Weapon Attack (1[W]+dex attack on MBA)
• Level 11 Feat: Novice Power
• Level 11 Feat Retrain: Warrior of The Wild for Two-Blade Warrior (treat rapier as off-hand)
• Level 12 Utility: Root Gate (minor: create 2 ally-only teleport gates within burst 10, teleport as a free action)
• Level 12 At-Will Retrain: Ambush Trick for Escape Artist’s Trick
• Level 12 Feat: Deft Blade (strike reflex /RBA)
• Level 13 Encounter: Improved Backstab
• Level 14 Feat: Nimble Blade (+1 to hit with CA)
• Level 15 Feature: Paragon Finesse (+1 dmg)
• Level 16 Utility: Acrobat's Escape (ImmInt: Immobilize & shift on approach) or Leaping Dodge (ImmInt: jump away on attack)
• Level 16 Feat: Courageous Shooter (Prime Shot class feature, +1 to hit if closest)
• Level 16 Feat Retrain: Nimble Blade for Prime Punisher(melee Prime Shot)
• Level 17 At-Will: Sneak’s Trick (move at speed -2 and make a stealth check)
• Level 17 Encounter Retrain: Low Slash for Tumbling Strike (minor: 3[W]+dex anytime during shift speed through enemies)
• Level 18 Feat: Called Shot (+5 dmg for Prime Shot)
• Level 19 Feature: Evasive Backstab (shift 3 after using a backstab)
• Level 20 Daily: Surprising Arrow Stance (ImmInt: stance, 2[W]+dex on enemy moving within 5, stops movement) or Confounding Arrows (3 hits ranged, stun [save ends!] on second)
• Level 20 Feat: Light Blade Mastery (crit on 19-20) (Nimble Blade for the moment, retrain at level 21)
• Level 21 Feature & Encounter: Regain Encounter Power on crit, Steel Entrapment (3[W] close blast 5)
• Level 21 Feat: Whirlwind Sneak Attack (apply Sneak Attack dice to AoE rogue attack)
• Level 22 Utility: Indomitable Agility (Free: remove grab, daze, immobilize, restrain, mark, slow + shift speed through enemies)
• Level 22 Feat: Martial Mastery (regain an encounter power on action point)
• Level 23 Feature: Elusive Thief (roll twice on Acrobatics/Athletics checks, saving throws for immobilize, slow, restrain)
• Level 23 Epic Feature: Reliable Warrior (all single target encounter powers are now ‘reliable&rsquo
• Level 24 Feat: Rending Tempest (deal 1[W] extra damage after Dual-Weapon Attack)
• Level 25 Feature: Epic Finesse (+1 dmg)
• Level 26 Feature & Utility: Heal on crit, Fortress of Shadow (minor: permanent invisibility, sustain minor)
• Level 26 Feat: Slaying Action (re-Sneak Attack on action point)
• Level 27 Feature: Reliable Thief (roll twice on Thievery/Stealth checks)
• Level 28 Feat: Slashing Storm (wis dmg aura)
• Level 29 Feature: Epic Skill Mastery (+3 to all skills)
• Level 30 Feature & Encounter/Utility: MBAs Burst 1 on crit, Perfect Strike (5[W]+dex & stun), Master of the Hunt (+wis for every dmg roll, stance), or No Surrender (gain half your HP upon HP 0)
• Level 30 Feat: Improved Defenses (+3 to NADs) or Improved Prime Shot (+2 to hit Prime Shot) or Nimble Blade