NWN: A Monk/Rogue Assassin
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2003 5:03 pm
A Monk/Rogue is a very wicked combination. Especially since you can get 1d20 attacks at 16th level for Monk. - Dual class the other 4 levels in Rogue - And then watch as your character hits for Stunning Blow and his Sneak Attacks go through the moon. Don't even worry yourself over the XP penalty, you wont feel it much. If they save vs Stunning Blow, follow up with Improved Knockdown. If they save vs Improved Knockdown - use Power Attack.<br><br>If the foe is really tough, run away, you are the fastest thing in the game. Oh yeah, take One Point in Set Traps - and set down an escape route spike trap to slow your foe down and make a get away.<br><br>This character has it all, decent AC/HP - no penalties for Armor - impressive attacks - hide and sneak abilities. And you can dump some points into Use Magic Device (which in NWN is just too good a thing) and pump scrolls into your inventory for use. So, you can back up as a mage in a clinch.<br><br>But - once you hit Level 20 - you get Quivering Palm. The assassin prestige class has nothing on this ability. <br><br>Here is a fun trick. With two invisibility scrolls, you and your companion are in the shadows. You can cast the spell on yourself and your buddy. I love scrolls. <br><br>You find a mage gaurded by some fighters - you go for the mage while your buddy positions himself between the mage and the fighters to cover you. You use your Stunning Blow, and since the mage doesnt have a good Fort Save - he becomes stunned for three rounds of sneak attack love. Your buddy, being the Fighter of the group, gets attacks of opportunity on the incoming fighters. You join him quickly and using your Dodge/Mobility combo join in the fight and take the pressure off your fighter as they turn on you with the attacks of opportunity. You still get a sneak attack on them too.<br><br>The open slot is the Cleric or Ranger with True Seeing, then your stealth isn't as good and the Cleric, as we all know, is the ultimate powerhouse in the game. That is our target for assassination. Use the heavy crossbow from the shadows the moment the Cleric notices your Fighter escort. 1d10 of sneak attack love coming his way for not realizing you were there.<br><br>Oh sure, the sneak attacks themselves only add what - 2d6?? for you, but the combination of Stunning Blow + Sneak attacks makes that 2d6 something to look at. Then you add the Monks bare handed attacks per round - and three rounds of sneak attack love? OUCH.<br><br>I am testing out a 'weaker' character and going with a plain Rogue that will take Improved Unarmed Strike - Stunning Blow. Its weaker because there arent as many Blows available and there is a -4 Attack/Damage for a non-monk who uses the feats. Also, I had to dump 13 pts into WIS for my Rogue to get Stunning Blow. <br><br>But a multiclass Rogue(4)/Monk(16) should go PVP against someone who took the Assassin Prestige Class in Shadows of Undrentide. Should be interesting to see. <p>"Patience is a virtue ... for other people." -Ravok</p><i></i>