Shanker (Rogue Build)

Shanker

Human Rogue (Knife Master/Scout Archetype)

The Shanker is a dual knife wielding maniac who focuses on damage output. He is surprisingly tough for a rogue, he can match the damage output of most fighters when flanking and has far more skills. He feints or charges when he cannot flank for sneak attack damage, and uses a litany of special abilities to save his skin.

Feats/Rogue Talents

Take the Favored Class bonus to add 1/6 of a rogue talent every level.

1:  Combat Expertise, Two-Weapon Fighting
2:  Finesse Rogue
3:  Dodge
4:  Weapon Training -> Weapon Focus Dagger
5:  Toughness
6:  Resiliency / Offensive Defense
7:  Two Weapon Defense
8:  Combat Trick -> Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
9:   Improved Two Weapon Feint
10: Crippling Attack
11: Step Up
12: Another Day / Feat -> Following Step
13: Step Up and Strike
14: Opportunist
15: Greater Two-Weapon Fighting
16: Redirect Attack
17: Iron Will
18:  Knockout Blow / Feint Expert
19: Great Fortitude
20: Fast Tumble

Attributes

Dexterity>Constitution>Intelligence>Strength>Wisdom/Charisma. The only wrinkle here is that Intelligence should be 13. It doesn't need to be any higher, but it shouldn't be any lower.

Point Buy 15
Str: 10
Dex: 18 (16+2)
Con: 12
Int: 13
Wis: 10
Cha: 10

Point Buy 20

Str: 10
Dex: 18 (16+2)
Con: 14
Int: 14
Wis: 10
Cha: 10

Point Buy 25

Str: 10
Dex: 18
Con: 16
Int: 14
Wis: 10
Cha: 10

As you can seem we haven't really tanked any attributes. Constitution is nice and high, as is intelligence. Strength doesn't need to be too high - an extra one point of damage on each hit is not a big deal. If you can pick up an agile dagger, than Strength doesn't matter at all!

Attribute increases should go into Dex, favored class bonuses should go into hit points.

Skills

Max bluff, as it will allow you to feint. Acrobatics is useful for tumbling and maneuvering. You won't need sneak for in combat stuff, but it is still very useful out of combat. Besides that, just get the usual - perception, disarm device, climbing, anything else you want. We are getting 10 skill points each level, so go nuts!

Traits

Convincing Liar (+1 to Bluff), useful for feinting

Reactionary (+2 Initiative) or Dirty Fighter (+1 Damage when Flanking).

How to Play

Charge right in there. Make sure to get sneak attack every turn. From level 4 on, this shouldn't be a problem: You can feint, flank, or charge. From level 8 on, if you move more than 10 and attack, you get sneak attack. Flanking is still the best though, because it gives you your full-round-attack action.

At level 12 Step Up and Strike (move 10 feet and attack in response to enemy movement) in conjunction with the Scout ability (sneak attack when you move 10 feet) will let you sneak attack on enemy turns.

Still have to watch out for Fortitude and Will saves though!

What He Looks Like at Level...

(20 pt buy, no magic or masterwork items)

Level 2: Attacks at +3/+3, dealing d4 (+d8 on a sneak attack) for each hit.  AC: 18/14/14, 17HP, Saves: 2/7/0.  22 Skill points.

Level 4:  Attacks at +6/+6, dealing d4 (+2d8 on a sneak attack) for each hit.  Sneak attack on a charge.  AC 19/15/14, 31HP, saves: 3/8/1. 44 Skill points.

Level 8:  Attacks at +10/+10/+5/+5, dealing d4 (+4d8 on a sneak attack) for each hit. Sneak attack on a charge or when moving 10 feet.  Step up.  AC 20/15/15 (23/18/15 after sneak attacking), 67HP (75 with resiliency), Saves 4/11/2. 88 Skill Points.

Level 12:  Attacks at +13/+13/+8/+8, dealing d4 (+6d8 and 2 strength damage on sneak attack) for each hit.  Sneak attack on a charge or when moving 10 feet. Step up and strike for a surprise sneak attack on the enemies turn. Another Day to avoid a hit.  AC 20/16/14 (25/21/14 after sneak attacking), 99HP (111 with Resiliency), Saves: 6/13/4.  132 skill points. (DPR: 26 with sneak attack and 1.8 strength damage)

Level 16:  Attacks at +17/+17/+12/+12/+7/+7, dealing d4 (8d8 and 2 strength damage on sneak attack) for each hit. Sneak attack on a charge or when moving 10 feet. Step up and strike for a surprise sneak attack on the enemies turn. Another Day to avoid a hit.  Opportunist to attack on ally's turns. Redirect attack to avoid hits.  131 Hit points (147 with Resiliency), AC 20/17/13 (27/24/13 after sneak attacking), saves 7/16/5. 181 skill points.

Level 20:  Attacks at +20/+20/+15/+15/+10/+10, dealing d4 (10d8 and 2 strength damage on sneak attack) for each hit.  Sneak attack on a charge or when moving 10 feet. Step up and strike for a surprise sneak attack on the enemies turn. Another Day to avoid a hit.  Opportunist to attack on ally's turns. Redirect attack to avoid hits. Can knock out opponents, gains a bonus to feint and a bonus to tumble. 163 Hit points (183 with resiliency), AC 20/17/13 (29/26/13 after sneak attacking), Saves 10/18/8.  220 skill points