Rogue 17/ bard 1/ red dragon disciple 22

This is It is a very unforgiving build though there is room for minor variations. It is best to stick to the detailed level progression provided. Optional feats have been marked with italics.

In gameplay, this character is designed to be primarily defensive. An excellent scout who can hold his own if discovered.

Strengths: Epic Dodge, Devastating Critical in a rogue weapon, Epic Damage Reduction III.

Weaknesses - limited attack bonus, moderately difficult to level. Maximum experience penalty.

Basics:

Dwarf Rogue

Strength: 16 Dexterity: 16 Constitution: 18 Wisdom: 8 Inelligencet: 8 Charisma: 6

Progression

Level 1 Rogue - Power attack - save skill points

Level 2 Bard Spellcraft 5, Lore 5, Perform 5, Hide 5, Tumble 5, Use Magic Device 5, Parry 4

Level 3 Rogue - Cleave

Level 4 Rogue - Dex 17

5-6 Rogue - Weapon focus short sword

Level 7 Rogue Hide 10, Tumble 10, Use magic device 10, Lore 8, Parry 10

Level 8 Red Dragon Disciple (RDD) Dex 18 Start working the parry skill

Level 9 RDD Great Cleave

Level 10 RDD (Dragon Breath)

Level 11-12 RDD Dex 19 (Optional Feat #1) Ambidexterity

Level 13-15 RDD Str20, Dex 19, Con 20 Improved Critical Short sword

Level 16 RDD STR 21 (Dragon ability increase) Int 10

Level 17 (RDD level 10) Immune to fire and paralysis Parry 20

Level 18 Rogue (Optional Feat #2) Two-Weapon Fighting. Increase Use Magic Device (UMD)

Level 19 Rogue Use Magic Device 20, Tumble 20

Level 20 Rogue Con 21 Hide 18

Level 21 Rogue Hide 22 Tumble 20 UMD 24 Overwhelming Critical, Improved Evasion

Level 22-23 RDD Parry 24

Level 24 RDD Dex 20 Devastating Critical Short sword

Level 25-26 RDD Save Skill Points Bonus RDD Feat: Epic Damage Reduction I

Level 27 Rogue Tumble 30 Epic Weapon Focus Short Sword

Level 28 Rogue Dex 21 Hide 30 Parry 28

Level 29 Rogue Keep working Parry and Use Magic Device Defensive Roll

Level 30 RDD Great Dexterity I for Dex 22

Level 31-32 RDD Dex 23 Epic Damage Reduction II

Level 33 RDD Great Dex II for Dex 24

Level 34-36 RDD Dex 25 Epic Damage Reduction III + Epic Dodge

Level 37 Rogue Tumble 40 Parry 40 Use Magic Device 32

Level 38 -39 Rogue (Optional Feat #3) (Optional Feat #3) Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Crippling Strike

Level 40 Rogue Strength 26 Parry 43, Use Magic Device 40, Move Silently 13 Sneak attack +9d6

Outcome at level 40:

Rogue 17/ Bard 1/ Red Dragon Disciple 22

Unequipped: AC 31, AB 31 (34 with non magical short sword or 32 in each hand with two short swords)

Strength 26/ Dex 25/ Con 21/ Wis 8/ Int 10/ Cha 8

Notes: Naturally, parry is to be used for single combat, so use your sneakiness to divide and conquor. When reposte ability is very high, combat is not drawn out any longer than normal melee. Optionally, use those RDD skill points for discipline instead of parry, especially for game worlds where you expect to be disarmed regularly.

Note on optional feats - The parry build demands many attacks per round, as you can only parry as many attacks as you can dish out each round. The three two weapon fighting type feats arechosen for the 5 attacks with minimal penalty, as is the choice of shortsword over rapier. If you intend to use your free bard shield instead of parry, consider rapier as a weapon and one of the following optional feat sets:

Option 1 (Called Shot, Knockdown, Improved Knockdown) Option 2 (Thug, Improved Initiative, Superior initiative) - beat opponent after surprise and drink an inviso potion. Rinse, Repeat. Option 3 Point blank shot, Rapid shot, Improved critical shortbow Option 4 Rapid Reload, Improved critical X-bow, Overwhelming critical X-bow