Face_P0lluti0nsguidetoWeaponFinesse

Introduction Finessecombatants,likeswashbucklers,ninjas,sneakydaggerwieldingassassins,andgracefulmartial artistsaresomeofthemostbelovedarchetypesoffantasy.Iwouldalmostgosofarastosaythat outsideoffantasyliteraturespecificallydevelopedinsideofthetabletoproleplayingparadigm,these charactersaremoreiconicthanthegiantfighterwiththeolympicweightlifterphysiquewearingfullplate. Outsideoffantasyfictionspecificallydevelopedbygaming,Iusuallyonlyseethosecharactersintwo roles.Knightsandbigdumbguysthatarentusuallysympatheticcharacters.Asaculture,wetendto likefictionwhereclevereverymen(orwomen)defeatthebruiserwithagilityorwits.Itsnotevena geekvs.jockthing.PeoplewererootingforDavidtobeatGoliathlong,longbeforetherewerelockers forgeekstobestuffedin.Finessefightersareanincrediblypopulariconoffantasy.Theyshouldnotbe sounderpoweredthattheyarelaughedawayfromthetable. Thepurposeofthisguideistoshowthatevenwiththedeckstackedagainstthem,Finessecombatants canshowBSFshowitsdone,intruepluckyunderdogfashion.However,weneedtogetafewthings outoftheway. LikemostoftheotherguidesIhaveseen,ImonlygoingtobereferencingPaizoproductsthatare meantforusewiththePathfinderRPG.IwontlimitmyselftoPathfinderSocietyresourcesonly,though theguidewillemphasizechoicesorissuesthatwouldcomeupataPFStable,becausealotofreaders areprobablygoingtocareaboutthat. TheotherreasonImfocusingonPaizo/PFSisbecausetheresalotof3.5andthirdpartypublisher materialouttherethatmakesthingsWAYeasierfortheFinessecombatant.Iplayedina3.5game whereFinessecombatantsownedeverycombat,thankstofeatslikeShadowBladefromtheTomeof Battleandthe3.5SwashbucklerclasswhichaddsInttodamageinadditiontoStrength(orinaddition toDex,ifyouwereusingShadowBladetoo),andthefactthatPathfinderhadnotyetarrivedand thereforewearingheavyarmorwasbasicallydeathbyarmorcheckpenaltyandreducedmovement speedeverytime.

Itsatrap!
Mythsandfacts Yes,Iknow.WeaponFinesseisabadplayertrap,afeattax,adangeroussteptowardsmaking Dexteritytheonestattorulethemallandthank[insertyourdeityofchoice]thattheresnotaflat Dextodamagefeat,etc.Idontagreewithmostofthese.Illtakethemoneatatime. Myth#1:Itsabadplayertrap:Itshouldntbe(seeaboveforrant)anditdoesnthavetobe.Atthis stageinthePathfinderRPG,thereisacriticalmassofsourcebooksprovidingextrafeats,classes, archetypesandtacticaloptions.Complexbuildsarepossible,andsomeofthoseareeitherableto substituteDexforStrengthtoadegreethatitisworththeinconvenienceoffeatorclassleveltax,or

maximizetheadvantagesofahighDexinawaythatoutdoestheflatDPRfactorofhighStrengthbuilds. However,Iwanttolaydownafewgroundrules,somethingsthatIthinkarestilltraps,evenwhena Finessecharacterisbuiltright. Trap#1:StrengthcannotbeyourdumpstatunlessyoucanuseDexterityfordamageby secondlevel. Yeah,thisisalittlebitofpersonalinterpretation,soImgoingtodefendit. 1a.Iassumeyouwillbestartingatfirstlevel.Likeplaying3.5,startingabovefirstlevelmeansthatyou havesometrulyabsurdoptionsopentoyou.DervishDance,Agileweapons,andotherthingsmakeit sothatifyoudontneedtoworryaboutsurvivingtothelevelwhereyoucomeonlineyouhavemany moretoystoplaywith.ImgoingtoassumethatyouareplayingPFS,anAdventurePath,orahome gamewheretheGMmakesyouplaythewholezerotoheroarc.Notdoingsowouldbeunfairtothose ofyouwhoare. 1b.Ifyoucantdealdecentdamagebysecondlevel,youcantmelee.Atfirstlevel,manyofyour enemieswillbeveryweak,withsingledigithitpoints.ThetwohandedFighterorBarbariancangeta killinonehit.Youcanprobablygetakillintwo,evenifyourejustrollinganunmodifiedd6.Atsecond levelthough,mostofyourenemiesaregoingtomoveintothe2digitHPrange.TwohandedStrength buildswillstillbekillingmanythingsinoneshot.Butyouvejustmoveduptothreeorfourhits,maybe fiveifyourdicearecold.Atthatpoint,yourenotcontributingnearlyasmuchtotheparty.Ifmeleeisnt youdeal,thatscool,youreanarcheroracaster,providingsomeotherservicetotheparty.Ifyousay yourroleismeleeandthendontcontribute,though...well,atthatpoint,itmakesyouanineffective character. 1c.Powerattack.YoureallywantthismorethanyouwantPiranhaStrikeunlessyouarea TwoWeaponFighter.ForthoseofyouwhoareDervishDancingorusingtheElvenCurveBlade, PiranhaStrikedoesnothelpyou.Yes,IknowittechnicallyappliestoaCurveBlade,butyoudontget x1.5damage.YoustilldowithPowerAttack. Iwillgoforwardassumingthatunlessstatedotherwise,FinessebuildsstillhaveaminimumStrengthof 13.NoneofthebuildsoroptionsIcoverherewillrequireaStrengthofanygreaterthan13,though somemaybenefitfromhigherStrengthmods. Trap#2:AgileweaponsdonotfullyeventhegapbetweenStrengthbuildsandFinesse builds. Strengthcharacters,alreadyrunningevenwithFinessebuildsintheToHitdepartmentandhavinga majoradvantageondamage,willbeabletobuyanother+1tohitanddamage,whichyouaretrading outfortheAgileenchantment.Imnotsayingitsabadidea.IfyourenotDervishDancing,you probablywantthatenchantmentonatleastyourmainhandweaponASAP.WhatIamsayingisthatit doesntmakethetwoabilityscoresequal. Inaddition,unlessyouareusinganAmuletofMightyFists,youhavetohavea+2equivalentweapon. InPFS,orgoingbythenormalwealthbylevelchart,yourenotgoingtohavethatsortofaccessuntil around6thor7thlevel.UnlessyourGMletyoustartatthatlevel,youreallycantmakeAgileweapons avitalcomponentofyourbuild.Itsjustanicebonustomakethetransitionintothegonzodamagefests ofthehighlevelsgomoresmoothlyoncetheBSFsstartplayingwith22or24Strength,andyour20+ statisyourDexterity.

Trap#3:YouwillneverdealasmuchdamageasaStrengthbasedmeleefighter(unlessyou areaDervishDanceMagus) Itisnotpossibletowieldtwoweapons,oratwohandedweapon,anddealasmuchdamageperround withyourDexterityasaStrengthbasedcombatantdeals.Theclosestyoucangetisusinga twoweaponstylewithapairofAgileweapons,andtheStrengthfighterwillstillget+1moretohitand damageonhisorherweapons.DervishDancersareforcedtoleavetheiroffhandempty,whichmeans thattheresnohopeofoutdamagingtwoweaponandtwohandersuntilyouaredeepintotheDuelist class.EvenifyouareplayinganAPthatgoestolevel15,youwillspendmostofthegamewaitingto reachparitywiththeFalchionBarbarianwhohasbeenplayingatfullstrengthateverylevel.Thereis onlyoneotherexceptiontothisrule,andthatistheDervishMagus. Myth#2:IfyoucouldaddDextodamage,Dexwouldbeatotallycheesedupunfairgodstat: Nope.WeaponFinessecharactersarealreadyonefeatbehind,justbytakingWeaponFinesse.Lets say,hypothetically,thattherewasafeatcalledGreaterWeaponFinessethatallowedtheusertoadd DexmodifiertodamageinplaceofStrengthwithLightorotherwiseFinesseworthyweapons.Soto completelyreplaceStrengthwithDexterityasfarascombatisconcerned,youneedtoeattwofeats.If thisfeatappliestoFinesseweapons,Strengthusersstillgettousebiggerkillstickswithbetterdamage dice,powerattackwithtwohanderstoapplyx1.5StrengthmodandPowerAttackmodtodamage, andthentheycouldgowiththeTwoHandedWarriorarchetype,whichletsthemadddoubleStrmod todamage.InaworldwithGreaterWeaponFinesse,Strengthisstillkingofmelee.

WhyDexterity?
Themechanicalargument Dexterity,asanabilityscore,modifiesthefollowingthings: 1.YourArmorClassandtouchArmorClass 2.YourInitiativemodifier 3.TheskillcheckmodifiersforDexteritybasedskills,ofwhichthereareseveral Inaddition,therearetwofeatsthatmakeDexteritymodifyadditionalrolls. 1.WeaponFinesse,thesubjectofthisguide,allowsDexteritytomodifyyourrolltohitratherthan yourStrengthmodifier. 2.TheAgileManeuversfeatallowsyoutouseyourDexteritymodifierinsteadofyourStrength modifierwhencalculatingyourCMB.Yes,evenforGrappleandBullRushchecks. WhyisAgileManeuversyellow? Becausetwoofyourbestmaneuversdontneedit.SeeCombatManeuversbelow.Iwouldstilltake AgileManeuversinthelaterlevelsthough,becauseIwillnotbesofeatstarved,andbecausethebest maneuverforthelaterlevels,DirtyTrick,cantbeFinessedwithaweapon.

YourArsenal

WhatcanIdotomakeFinessegood? ThemainproblemthatFinessefightershavereallyboilsdowntothis:WeaponFinessemakesyou useonestattohitandadifferentstatfordamage. AnythingthatmakesFinessegoodneedstoleverageDexterityandthefeatsandclassabilitiesatyour disposaltoeithermatchthedamagethatStrengthbasedmeleebuildscandeal,orfindsomethingtodo thatisbetterthandealingdamage,andcannotbedonebetterwithahighStrength. Thatsit.Thosearethetwogoals.DoasmuchdamageasaBSF,ordosomethingbetterthandamage. Butfirst,awordaboutbooks. ThereareafewbooksIamgoingtodrawheavilyfrom.ThisisbecausethereareacoupleofPathfinder campaignworldbooksthatcontainfeatsorotherabilitiesthatreallygothedistanceforFinesse warriors.OneoftheseistheInnerSeaWorldGuide.ThisbookcontainstheDervishDancefeat.Its vitaltoprobablyathirdtoahalfofthebuildsinthisguide,includingtheonethatIMOisthebest argumentwevegotforFinessewarriors. TheothermusthavebookforFinesseWarriorsisthePathfinderSocietyFieldGuide.Thatbook containstheAgileweaponenchantmentaswellastheLoreWardenFighterarchetype.TheLore WardeninparticularisthecenterofseveralotherbuildsIamgoingtoheavilyendorse.Ifyouarenot playinginthePathfinderCampaignSetting,youneedtoaskyourGMtoincludetheseoptionalrules theyareprobablyofwhatkeepsthingsfairforFinessewarriors. Howtododamage: 1.DervishDance DervishDanceisafeatfromtheInnerSeaWorldGuide.ItallowsyoutouseyourDexteritymodifierto determinetohitbonusanddamagebonus,insteadofyourStrengthbonus.Thissoundsgreat,right? Theresonekillerdrawback.YoumustfightwithaScimitarinonehandandyoumaynothavea weaponorshieldinyourotherhand.Notevenabuckler.Thislimitsyouroptions.Atthispoint,there arethreewaystouseyouremptyoffhandforsomethinggoodenoughtojustifyleavingitempty. 1a.CastspellswithitviaSpellCombat. TheDervishMagusisabigcontenderforbestFinesseFighter.OnceyouhavetheDervishDancefeat, youcandoasmuchdamageasaStrengthbasedbuild.TheonlyadvantagethataStrengthfighterhasis twoextrafeats.IwillexplainlaterwhytwofeatsarenotasgoodasahighDexterityforaMagus. 1b.NeveruseitandbecomeaDuelist Duelistsalsohaveanabilitythatrequiresyoutonotuseyouroffhand.Itsanabilitythataddslarge portionsofdamage.Thismakesitacceptabletonotuseyouroffhandyourebasicallyusingyouroff handtoadd1pointofdamageperDuelistleveltoyourmainhanddamage.Theonlydrawbackisthat DuelistisaPrestigeclass,andusingyouroffhandtofightwillgiveyoumoredamageuntilyougetyour Duelistlevelmuchhigher.

1c.Unarmedstrikewithit Thefeatrequiresyoutohavenothinginyouroffhand.Itdoesntsayyoucantuseit.Ifyoutakeone levelofMonkandtheTwoWeaponFightingfeat,youcanmakeyoursecondweaponapunchor kick,orheadbutt,orwhatever.Thepointis,youwilladdyourDextodamagewithyourScimitar,and thenyoualsogetasecondattack.WearanAmuletofMightyFistsandaddyourfullDexterityto damagewithbothattacks. 1d.Useittodeflectattacks(compatiblewith1c) DeflectArrowsandtheCraneStylefeatCraneWingallowyoutonegatecertainkindsofphysical attacks(RangedandMeleerespectively).Botharemucheasiertogetifyoutakeoneortwolevelsof Monk,andbothrequirethatyouhaveatleastonehandfree,buttheydontbanyoufromusingthat handforanunarmedattackjustlikeDervishDance.Whilethisdoesntincreaseyourdamageoutput, ifyoucombineitwiththeideain1cusingyouremptyhandforpunchingyoucanincreaseyour damageoutputandpowerfullydecreasetheamountofdamageyoutake.Youcantwinwithdefense alone,butnegatingthescariestattackeachturnisaprettyattractiveoption. 1e.Carryaflag TheFlagBearerfeatstatesthatyoucancarryabannerorflagforbasicallyanygroupyoubelongtoand othermembersofthatgroupwithin30feetget+1toattacks,damage,andsavesagainstfearand charm,includingtheflagholder.Theonlydownsideisthatitrequiresa15Charisma,whichisabitofan investment.Sadly,thebestclassesandbuildstotakeadvantageofthisareBards,whoalreadyperform, whichdoesntstack.Still...somewhere,someonewillmakethiswork.Itsalegitimateoption. 2.TheAgileweaponenchantment TheAgileweaponenchantmentappearsinthePathfinderSocietyFieldGuide,whichisatreasuretrove forFinessewarriorsbelonging(ornotbelonging)toanyfactionorsociety,notjustPathfinders.The abilityrathersimplystatesthatyouuseyourDexmodifiertocalculateyourdamagebonusratherthan yourStrengthmodifier.Yup,thatsit.Dextodamage.Rightthere.Yourproblems,however,arenotyet fullysolved. 2a.Youcantaffordituntil6thor7thlevel. Itsa+1equivalentweaponenchantment,meaningtheminimumyoucanputonitisa+2equivalent weapon,costing8000gpforthemagicalone.Intheaveragebythebookshomegame,orPFS,you wontbeabletoaffordthatuntil6thor7thlevel.Youneedtobeaviablebuildthatisvaluableinsome waytoyourpartyuntilyoureachthelevelatwhichyoucanaffordanAgileweaponortwo.Havingthe bondeditemclassfeaturecutsthispriceinhalf,buttheminimumcasterlevelisstill7. 2b.Yourweaponis+1less AStrengthbuildcanpay8000gpandgeta+2weapon.Youpay8000gpfora+1weapon.Losingthat +1tohitanddamagebecomesabigproblemwhenyouaremakingmany,manyattackswiththat+1 less(oneachhand!).Atleastifyouareburningfeatslotsoncatchingupinthedamagerace,youcan stillreachthesamemaximum.WithAgileweaponsyoullalwaysbe+1behind.Notgoodwhenyoure tryingtojustifyyourexistencetoDPRfiends.

2c.AnAgileAmuletofMightyFistsisway,waycheaperthanaweapon Tothetuneof5000gp,becausethetextofAmuletofMightyfistsstatesthatitdoesnotrequirea+1 enchantmentbeforeaddingonotherabilities.Youllbeabletoaffordthatacouplelevelsearlier.In addition,ifyouFlurryofBlowswithit,youwillbeaddingyourFULLDexmodtoalldamagerolls. Otherwise,AgileweaponssufferfromthesameoffhanddamagecutasusingyourStrengthmodwith youroffhand.NotsoforMonks.YougetfullDextodamageeachtime. Granted,thiscomeswithsomeseriousdrawbacks.Oneisthatitdoesntreallyhelpanyonewhoisnota fullMonkfightingunarmedwithFlurryofBlows.Theotheristhatyouloseyouramuletslot,sono AmuletsofNaturalArmor,avitalcomponentofACatthehigherlevels.Definitelyworthconsidering, though,ifyoucanfindsomewayofmakingupforthatmissingarmor. 2d.Itdoesntgivex1.5damageforusingaweaponwithbothhands. 3.WieldanElvenCurveBlade Itdoes1d10damagewithan1820critrange,andcanbeusedwithWeaponFinesse.Theonly weaponthatcanmakeacaseforbeingbetteristheFalchion,andthatsnotreallyaFinesseweapon. But2ndplaceforbiggestmostdamagingweaponinthegameisstillaprettygoodfinishforFinesse. TheresnothingstoppingyoufromusingaCurveBladealongwithWeaponFinesse,PowerAttack, FuriousFocus,andalloftheothernastinessthatusuallymakestwohandedwarriorsclaimthattheyare thebest.Wellheresanideatakealloftheirtoys,andthengofirstintheInitiativeorder. 4.Fightwithtwoweapons TwoWeaponFightingisagreatwaytoclosethegap,becauseTWFmaximizesthebonusesthatyou willgetfromnonStrengthrelatedsources.FighterscantakeWeaponSpecializationandWeapon Traininginalightweapon,andmanyotherbonusesdonothalvethedamageontheoffhand. 4a.Fighterbonusestoweapondamage. WeaponTrainingandWeaponSpecializationaddaflatamountofdamagetoeachattack,makingitthe casethatmoreattackstranslatesdirectlytomorechancestoapplythedamageandmoreopportunities tocritandmultiplyalldamage.Itsnoteasytoreach,butthereisacriticalmassofdirectdamage bonusesthatmakesitworthitfromaDPRperspectivetotakethehittoweapondamagedice. 4b.PaladinsSmiteEvil 4c.CavaliersChallenge 4d.Rangeroptions(FavoredEnemyorGuidearchetype) 4e.DesperateBattlerfeat Howtodobetterthandamage: 1.Combatmaneuvers UsingWeaponFinesseorAgileManeuvers,itispossibletobe100%aseffectiveatmaneuveringasa

Strengthbuild.Theresonlyonerollinvolvedinmaneuvering,nottwo,andthatrollcanbeturnedintoa rollmodifiedbyDex.SomeManeuverscanbeabsolutelydevastating.Atlowlevels,thescariest maneuversareTripandDisarm. Trip:Succeedingatatripattemptmakesthetargetprone.Thismeanstwoveryimportantthings.The firstisthatattackingapronetargetgivestheattackerawhopping+4tohit.Thesecondisthatstanding fromprone,whichwillgenerallyberequiredtorejointhecombatinaneffectivemanner,provokesan attackofopportunityfromanyonewhothreatens.Meaningasuccessfultripresultsinyougettingyour attackanyway,andallofyouralliesgetafreeattackattheirhighestbonus.ThismakesyouaBSFs bestfriend,becauseyougivehimorheryetanotherattackwiththegreatswordorfalchionorwhatever, andyoustillgettotakeyourattackatyourtargetonitswaybackupfromprone.Ifyouarea twoweaponcombatant,trippingonlycountsasoneofyourattacks!Ifyousuccessfullytripwithyour primaryhand,thenyouroffhandattackwillgeta+4,alongwithanyofyouralliesthattaketheirturns beforeyourtargetdoes. That.Is.Insane. Butwait,theresmore! YoudontneedAgileManeuverstouseyourDexwhentripping! Thereasonisbecausethetripmaneuverusesaweapon,andtherefore,allweaponrelatedbonuses, includingmasterwork/enhancementbonuses,weaponfocus,andWeaponFinesseallapply. (ThishasbeenclarifiedtobeavalidreadingoftherulebyaDev) ThisisoneofthereasonsTripandDisarmaregoodatlowlevels,whenyouarestillwaitingtogetthe goodmaneuverbonuses.ThetargetstillonlygetsnormalCMD,butyourCMBisbasedonDexifyou haveWeaponFinesse,andaddsmostofyourrelevantmeleebonuses. Ifyouwanttofocusontripping,andmaneuveringingeneral,takeCombatReflexes.Youwontbe sorry.By6thlevel,whenyouareabletouseGreaterTripandGreaterDisarm,youcancompletelyruin ahumanoidsturn,andthentakemoreattacksofopportunityagainstthemthenyouwouldhavebeen abletotakewithafullattack...andCombatReflexesworksfromyourDexmodifier. YoucantmakethemostofCombatReflexeswithamediocreDexterity WhoneedsiterativeattacksatalowBAB,whenyoucantakeahandfulofattacksonanopponent,all ofthematyourfullBAB! Disarm:ItsalmostasdevastatingasTrip.Whatmakesitnotblueisthatthepooloftargetsismuch smaller.However,itretainstheadvantageofbeingusablewithWeaponFinesse,becauseyouusea weapontoDisarm.Inaddition,thesetwoaredevastatingwhenusedtogether.AsuccessfulTrip, followedbyasuccessfulDisarm(ata+4duetothetargetbeingprone)meansthetargetmustspend twomoveactionstogetbacktocombatcapability.Thatsatargetswholeturn,andyougettwo

attacksofopportunityandsodoallofyourfriends,summonedcreatures,eidolons,andanimal companions.Ouch. DirtyTrick:IMO,thisisoneforManeuverMasterMonks,andanybodyhighlevelenoughthatthey candipinto12levelsofthatclass.Thereasonsaretwofold.ThefirstisthatDTisnotverygooduntil youcangetGreaterDirtyTrick.ThesecondisthatitsaStandardAction,notareplacementforan attackunlessyoureaManeuverMasterMonk,inwhichcaseyoucanfullattack,andthendoone maneuverat2BAB,evenifthatmaneuverwouldnormallybeaStandardAction.Mostofthe conditionsyoucouldinflictareprettynasty,butnonearequiteworthoneofyourattacksexceptBlind. YoubasicallyforcetheenemytotakeanactiontoremovetheconditionASAP,unlesstheywould reallylovetolosetheirDexbonustoAC,grantattackers+2tohit,suffera50%misschance,andbe incapableofaimingspellsandspelllikeabilities.Brutal. ThereasonGreaterDirtyTrickreallymakesthisawinner?TakesaStandardActiontoremove. Congrats.IfyouwintheCMBcheck,youjustkilledtheirturndead.IfyoureaManeuverMaster,you killedtheirturndeadINADDITIONtotakingyourfullattack. Thinkaboutthat. Asa7thlevelcharacter.Attacktwiceandthenrolltoseeifyourtargetlosesthemostimportantpartof theirturn. WhilecreaturesofsizeabovemediumdogetsizebonusestotheirCMD,thisisnotasmuchofalost causeasTriporDisarmwhenyouretanglingwithGiantsandDragons.Especiallybecausebythetime yougettothelevelwhereyouarefightingGiantsandDragons,youshouldhavelotsofbonusesto CMBfromGreater[Maneuver]featsandlotsoflevelsofLoreWarden. AnotherbonusofthisfeatisthatunlikeTripandDisarm,youdonotsuffersomesortofpenaltyifyou rollwaylowerthanthetargetsCMD.Otherthanthatactionthatyoutaketoattemptthemaneuver, youstandtolosenothingotherthantheaction. Plus,ifyouhaveanyRoguesorNinjasintheparty,theywillreallyappreciateanythingthatnegatesa Dexbonus,like,say,Blindness. Grapple:ThisisbetterforFinessecharactersthanyoumightthink.Yes,itrequiresAgileManeuvers, anditdoesntworkoutsowellagainstbigmonsters(henceitisnotblue),butitcompletelyshutsdown bothcastersandanybodywithabigweapon,whileFinessecharacters,withLightweapons,are allowedtoretaintheuseofalloftheirweaponsandattacksinagrapple. Intermsofsizeissues,itdoesworkagainstbigmonsters,unlikeTrip,thoughthosebigbeastiesgeta sizebonusagainstyouaswellasthefactthattheyusuallyhaveabsurdStrengthscores.Still,itsan option.Youllneeditsomeday! BullRush Drag

Reposition Allthreeofthesemaneuversdobasicallythesamethingtheyalterthepositionoftheenemyonthe battlefieldwithoutweakeningtheenemyordealinganydamagetoit.Thegreaterversionofeachof themprovokeAttacksofOpportunity,buteachonecoststwofeatstogettothatpoint,eachofthem takesaStandardAction,notanattack,anditsalmostalwaysabetterchoicetouseoneofthe maneuversabove.Positioningcounts,butnegatingwholeturnscountsmore.Ifyouhavelotsofpeople thatusetheprecisestriketeamworkfeatand/orsneakattack,upgradetogreen.Otherwise,Blindem instead,andleaveBullRushingfortanks. IfyouarewieldingaweaponwiththeTripfeature,youCANuseWeaponFinessetoaddyourDex modratherthanyourStrengthmodtoyourCMBforDragandReposition,whichmakesbothofthese maneuversslightlybetter.Themainproblemwiththesemaneuversisthattheeffectcouldbebetter.Not horriblethough,ifyourealreadyallsetonyourothermaneuvers. Steal Twoproblemshere.Thefirstisthatthebestthingtotakeaway90%ofthetimeisthethingthatletsthe enemytakeactionagainstyoutheweapon,whichiscoveredbyanothermaneuver.Secondly,Steal doesnotuseyourweapon,meaningyouneedAgileManeuverstomakethemostofit.Itmightbea nicethingtohaveifyourLoreWardenhasfeatstoburnlaterinhisorhercareer,butthereareusually betterthingstodo. Feint TotallynotworthitunlessyouhavetheSneakAttackability,andthen,onlybecauseyouhavenoother choiceifyouwanttosneakattackwithoutaflankatlowlevels.JustasktheWizardtocastImproved Invisibility.Givehim/herscrolls,buythewandatreallyhighlevels,orbeaScout. Sunder Overrun PleasedontdotheseifyouarenotaBSF.Yourlowdamagebonusesandsmallerweaponswillmake theseallbutworthless. 2.WinInitiative Inalmosteverygame(Roleplaying,board,video,CCG)Ihaveeverplayed,goingfirstisagoodidea. Ifitsagamewithalifepointordamagemechanic,yourealwaysoneturnaheadindealingdamage.In anysortofstrategygame,goingfirstmeansyougettodecidemanyofthetermsofthebattleyouact andyouropponentmustreact.Magic:theGatheringtheoristshaveaprettygoodanalysisofwhyits goodtobeontheoffensivethatIwontgointoingreatdetailhere,butsufficetosay,Idontthink Pathfinderisanydifferentyouaremorelikelytowinadamageraceandtosufficientlycontrolthe battlefieldifyouwentfirst. ThisisonlypossiblebymaxingoutyourDexterity! AstartingDexmodifierof+3or+4willonlymeana1015%greaterchanceofgoingfirstthanthe Strengthwarriorwith1214Dex.However,astheBSFpumpshis/herStrintothetwenties,youwillbe raisingyourDexbysimilaramounts.Sowhenyouhitthedoubledigitlevels,youwillbelookingata+5

to+7modifier,meaning2030%greaterchanceofgoingfirst.Ifyouhaveabuildthatreallycares aboutgoingfirst,takeImprovedInitiativeforanother20%chance,andtheReactionarytraitforanother 10%thatstackswitheverythingelseyouhave.Nowyoure4050%morelikelytogofirstthanthe BSF.NowTriphim!:P Themajorissuehere,ofcourse,isthatgoingfirstismeaninglessifyouhavenowayofaffectingthe combatinameaningfulway.Thatsaid,goingfirstisvitallyimportant,butsoishavingsomethingtodo withit.CastingMagusspells,dealingvastamountsofdamage,andleavingyourenemiesprone,blind, anddisarmedaresomereallygoodwaystotakeadvantageofturnone.

Thepointbypointbreakdown
AbilityScores
ButthisguideisallaboutDexterity,right? Yes,butotherabilityscoresareoftennecessarytomakethemostofyourDexterityenhancingoptions. Strength:AsImentionedearlier,Powerattackisareallygoodidea.Itsalsoabadideatocompletely dumpstatStrengthbecauseyouneedtohavesomesortofdamagebonusuntilyoucangetDervish DanceorAgileweapons.IwouldrecommendaStrengthof1214formostbuilds.Thatsreallynot thatexpensive. Intelligence:TwoofyourbestoptionsarecombatmaneuversandMagusspells.Eachofthese requiresadecentamountofIntelligencetogetright.TripandDisarmrequire13Inttogettheir Improved...feats,andMagusspellswantasmuchIntasyourewillingtogivetothem.Itsonly appropriate,reallyFinessewarriorsinfantasyareusuallycleveraswellasquick.Notallaregeniuses (thoughIsuggestthattheMagusonesshouldbe),butIknowofveryfewstupidFinessewarriorsin fantasyliterature.Usually,iftheyhaveadumpstat,itsWidsom:P Constitution:Youreplayingameleecharacter,andunlessyougowiththeCraneWing/Deflect Arrowsbuild(andgetEvasionfromMonklevels),youaregoingtobetakingdamage.Lotsandlotsof damage.YourAC,wearingLightorMediumarmor,willbecomparabletothatofaTwoHanded warriorinheavyarmor,notbetter,soyoustillneedtobereadytotakepunishment. Wisdom:Wisdomhaslotsandlotsofuses,andifyoucangetawaywithhavingahighWisdom,gofor it.Thereasonitsyellowhereisthatnoneofthoseusescontributedirectlytomaximizingyour Dexteritybasedmeleeabilities.ItboostsyourWillsaveandifyouareaMonk,addstoyourACif yourenotwearingarmor.However,anybuildthatisnt20straightlevelsofMonkwillendupwitha betterACbywearingaMithralChainShirtorcastingACbuffingspells.ManyofthebuildsIwill suggesthavegoodWillsaveprogressions,andtherearealsofeatsandtraits,likeIronWilland IndomitableFaith,toshoreupyourWillbonus.IfyoutrytohaveahighWisdominadditiontothree physicalabilityscoresandIntelligence,youwilllikelyenduptooMADtosurvive. Charisma:Seeabove,butCharismadoesnthavethebonusofaddingtoWillsaves.Theproblemis

thatmanyFinessewarriorsofliteraturedo,infact,alsohavealotofpersonality.However,youcando justfinewitha12ifyoucanfindwaystomakesocialskillsintoclassskillswithtraitsorcareful multiclassing.RaiseCharismaforroleplayingpurposes,justdontexpectittomakeyourcombatbuild anymoreeffective...unlessyoureaBard,inwhichcase,youllhavetodumpstatWidsom.Gototown. YougetthegoodWillsavechartanyhow!

Feats
WeaponFinesse:Theentirepointofthisguide.YoucantbeaFinessewarriorwithoutit. DervishDance:TheHolyGrailofFinessebuildstheabilitytoaddyouDexmodtodamagerather thanyourStrength.Donttakethiswithoutthinkingthoughyouhavetofightwithonehandtotally empty.Findsomethingtodowithit.Ifyoucan,youwinatFinessewiththisfeat. CombatExpertise:Itsnotsousefulforitseffectasitisasaprerequisiteforthefeatsyoureallywant, theImproved/GreaterversionsofTrip,Disarm,andDirtyTrick,yourthreebestmaneuversasa ManeuverMasteroraLoreWarden(ideally,ifyouareplayingone,youwilleventuallybecomeboth). PowerAttack:Letsgetthisoutoftheway.InPathfinder,unlike3.5,youmayPowerAttackwithany weapon.IncludingLightweapons.ThereisnorestrictionintherulesagainstPowerAttackingwitha weaponthatyouarealsousingWeaponFinessewith.Also,unlikePiranhastrike,ifyouare twohandingitwithaCurveBladeorAldoriDuelingSword,youdogetthex1.5damage,eventhough youareusingWeaponFinessewithit. VitalStrike:VitalStrike(andthereastofthefeatchain)isgenerallyregardedasasubparfeat.For mostofthesebuilds,Iagree.Idconsiderit,though,ifIweredoingtwohandedcombatwithanElven CurveBlade.Thatsanextrad10foreachlevelofthefeatchain,andtwohandedwarriorsarenotas featstarvedasmaneuveringandtwoweaponbuilds.Imnotsayingitsgreat,justthatitsnotquiteas badasnormal. TwoWeaponFighting:Ifyouhavealotofstaticbonusestodamage,thenitwillbemoreimportantto hitoftenthantohithard. ImprovedInitiative:Initiativeissomethingyoucanneverhavetoomuchof,especiallyifyoucanstart afightbydoingsomethingreallydevastating.SeethesectionaboveformyrantaboutInitthoughyou cantjustwinInit,youthenhavetodosomethingawesomewithit.

Classes
YoureplayingawhatMonk? Magus:TheclassthatcangetthemostoutofDervishDance.Onceyouhavespentthetwofeatsand twoskillrankstogainDervishDance,thereisnodifferenceintheamountofdamageanoptimal StrengthMaguscandoandtheamountofdamageanoptimalDervishMaguscando,andtheDervish hasbetterAC,Reflex,Initiative,andrangedattacks.Spellcombatissimplymindblowingonceyour

spellsperdayandConcentrationcheckaredecentsayaroundlevelfourwhenSpellRecallisgained. ImpersonallyputtingmyvotebehindDervishMagusasthecurrentbestFinessebuildasfaraspure optimizationgoesyoucanmelee,youcancastspells,youcandobothatthesametime,youhave goodinitiative,andmanytacticalandmovementoptions. EvenwithoutDervishDance,theDexMagusisstilldecent.IdmakeitGreenifyoucantgetDervish Danceforsomereason.AlotofthisisbecauseeventhoughtheDervishisameleecombatant,weapon damageisreallyatthebottomofthelistoffactorsthatcontributetotheclassusefulness.Hittingatall (forthepurposeofSpellstrikingsomeabsurdlypainfultouchattack)andgettingalotofcriticalhits (again,forSpellstrike)arevastlymoreimportantthanthedifferenceoftwoorthreepointsofmelee damage.Inaddition,theMaguswants,veryverybadly,togofirstandhaveadecentAC.Withalow Dex,theMaguswillspendasignificantamountofhis/hercareergettinghit.Withad8hitdie,thatsnot anattractiveoption.ThisisonesituationwhereACwillbesosuboptimalthatsqueezingoutanother pointoftwoofDPRisnotasimportantasa24pointACboost.Yourbigdamagecomesfromspells, notfromthemetalstickyouareusingtodeliverthosespells.Theweaponwilllikelyjustbeonemored6 torollfordamage. Fighter(LoreWarden):ThebigbluehereisbasedontheideathatyouwillbetakingtheLore Wardenarchetype.Ifnot,seebelow.AsIexplainedabove,itsaloteasiertomakeaDexbased maneuveringcharacterequalwithhis/herstrengthbasedbuddies.Gainingameansofattackingor maneuveringmorethanonceinaturn,throughtwoweaponfightingortheManeuverMasterMonk archetype,meansthatyouwillspendmanyofyourturnsmakingmoreofadifferencethanthebig bruiseryougettoattackandmaneuver.EveryoneelseneedstowaituntildoubledigitBABstoeven thinkaboutthat. ThereasonthatIregardLoreWardensasaFinesseoptionarethesameastheMagus.Lightarmor proficiencyisagoodreasontohaveahighDexterity,andLoreWardensdonothavedefensivespells tomakeupthedifferenceliketheMagusdoes.LoreWardensarealsothebestclassatmaneuvering thatthereis,becausetheygetafullBABprogression,bonusfeats,andanuntypedbonustoCMBthat scalesupwiththeirlevel.Imprettysurethatthereisnootherclassthatcangrantthesortsof classgivenbonusestoCMBthatLoreWardendoesatafullBABprogression. Inaddition,theLoreWardenwantstogofirstasbadlyastheMagusdoes.UnlikeaTWFdamage machine,theLoreWardenshouldbeperfectlyhappygoingfirst,movingtoanenemy,andtrippingor disarmingthem.Atminimum,youstillgetanattack,andtheylosetheoptionforafullattack.Ifyour friendsgofirstwithyou,theygettowalkover,taketheirattacksat+4,andthentakeanotherfull tablesworthofhighestbonusattackswhentheunluckytargettriestostandup.Cananyonesurvive that? Fighter(Other):StaticdamagebonusesarereallyniceforthetwoweaponFighters.Theproblemis thatunlikeRangers,dualwieldingFighterswillhaveabitofMAD(multipleabilitydependency) becausetheyneedtohavehighDexteritytomeetthefeatrequirements,andifyoureFinessing TwoWeaponFighting,youdonthavethestaticdamagebonusestojustifydumpingyourStrengthuntil very,verylateinyourcareer.Youwillalsoalwaysbe+1behindbecauseyouaredumpingonepointof yourweaponsenhancementbonusesintoAgile.However,allofthatsaid,aFinesseFighterusing

TwoWeaponFightingoranElvenCurveBladeisstilllikelytobeeffectiveenoughtojustifyinclusionin anoptimizedparty. Rogue:IwouldaskifWorldofWarcraftcreatedthisexpectationthatRoguesoughttobedual wieldingdamagemaniacs,butIdontwanttostartanotherTTvs.MMOflamewar.Sufficetosay,its whatmostpeopleexpectoutofRogues,butitsjustnottrue.Thetraditionaldualwieldershavealways beenRangers,buthonestly,FightersandPaladinsarebetteratitnow. ThereareseveralproblemsthathamperaRoguesabilitytodealeffectiveamountsofdamage.They startwithhavingnoreliableabilitytomakeafullsetofSneakAttacksagainstanenemywithoutafriend. Usuallythismeansflanking,thoughImprovedInvisibilitycertainlydoesnthurt. PaladinandCavalier:Ilumpthesetwoclassestogetherbecausetheirclaimtofameinthefinesse departmentisalmostthesameeachofthemhastheabilitytogainabonustodamagethatissolarge thatitisworthgivingupStrengthbaseddamageinordertowieldtwoweaponsanddealthatstatic damagetwiceinaturn.ForPaladins,thisdamageisSmiteEvil,andforCavaliers,itstheChallenge ability.Theirarmorproficienciesandgeneralcombatstyledontplayparticularlywellwithfinesse builds,andwhennotusingtheirspecialabilities,theywontbethatspecialincombat,buttheseclasses tendtoshineinbossfightsandothertanglesinvolvingasmallnumberofreallyscarycombatants. Theirbigweaknessisthattheygetonlysomanyusesoftheirbigspecialpowerperday,meaningthat finesseCavaliersandPaladinsspendalotoftimebeingmedicore,andthenbecomeutterly gamebreakingduringthespecialfights.Ifyoureokaywiththat,goforit.Yourpartywillthankyou whenyoutakedowntheimpossiblebossmonsterintwocombatrounds. Ranger:Blasphemy,right?Notreally.ThebigadvantageofTWFingasaRangeristhatyoudonthave toFinessebecauseyougetthefeatswithoutqualifyingforthem,whichmeansthatyoudontneeda19 DextomaxoutyourTWFchain.TheonlyreasonameleeRangerneedsDexisforinitandbecause theyreprobablywearingsubstandardarmor.IdassumemostTWFRangershaveDexinthe1214 range.ItsjustnotenoughtojustifydumpingStrength.DexterityforRangersisreallymoreofanarchery thing. Monk:ThecommonoptimizationwidsomisthatMonksshouldjustsuckitup,accepttheirlowAC, andmaxoutStrengthandWis.Ok,Icanacceptthat,butMonksarealsodecentFinessewarriors,and oneofmyfavoriteFinessedips.ForunarmedMonks,flurrymeansusingyourwholeStrbonusoneach damagerollbecauseyouneverattackwithyouroffhand,andthatappliestoAgileAmuletsofMighty Fiststoo.ItwontletyououtdamageaStrengthMonk,butyoumightlivealotlongerthanaStrength Monk. MonkalsomakesagooddipforDervishbuilds,allowingyoutomakeattacksusingyourfreehandif youtaketheTwoWeaponFightingfeat.ItshighlyrecommendedthatifyoudipMonkthisway(12 levels),youtakeeithertheManeuverMasterorMasterofManyStylesarchetype.Thereasonforthisis thatFlurryofBlowscantbeusedwiththeScimitaritismuchbettertojustloseFlurryinfavorof somethingthatwillactuallyhelpyou.ThebestforDervishesistwolevelsofMasterofManyStyles,to pickupCraneStyleandCraneWing.Thisallowsyoutofightwithtwoweapons(Scimitarinmainhand, UnarmedStrikeinoffhand)whilesimultaneouslyusingyouroffhandtoautomaticallynegateone

successfulmeleeattackagainstyoueachturn.Notabadtankingstrategy. AlsonotableistheManeuverMasterMonk.WevegoneoverhowFinessecharactersaremuchcloser totheirStrengthbasedcousinsinthemaneuveringdepartment,thankstotherulingthattheWeapon Finessefeatappliestoanymaneuverthatusesaweapon:Disarm,Sunder,Trip,Drag,andReposition. ThereasonthisisimportantisthattheFlurryofManeuversabilitydoesnotrequireyoutousea specialMonkweapon,andcanbeusedaspartofafullattackwhichaddsonemaneuverontoyour fullattackwithoutpenalizingtheattackrollsofthenormalattacks.The2onlyappliestomaneuvers. Finally,themaneuveruseddoesnothavetobeamaneuverthatreplacesanattackyoucanadda StandardActionmaneuverontoafullattackwithoutdetractingfromyourfullattacksequence atall.WhyisthisspecialforFinessecharacters?LoreWardens!ManeuverMasterMonksmakea stunninglygoodtwoleveldip,andIMO,itstheonlywaytogettheabsolutemostoutofmaneuversin Pathfinder. Onenicethingaboutany2levelMonkdipisthe+3toallsavesandEvasion,which,really,isonly appropriateforanytrulydedicatedFinessewarrior.

Builds
Practicalexamplesoftheabove! AwordaboutcolorcodingthebuildsImsavingBlueforthebuildsthatIactuallybelieveareasgood orbetterthanStrengthbuildsthataimtoaccomplishthesamething.GreenisforanythingthatIstillfind tobeusableinahighpowered,optimizationheavygame.AnythingbelowGreenmightstillwork,but anybodywhowantstopickonyoufornotchoosingcompletelymaxedout,optimizedchoiceswillhave alotofammotoworkwithforbuildsbelowthegreenlevel.Ifyouneedarmoragainstthereallyrabid, optimizeordiecrowd,chooseaGreenbuildtominimizearguing,orabluebuildtojustkeepthem quiet. DervishMagus Really,allitboilsdowntoisthis: Level1:WeaponFinesse Level2:TworanksofPerform(Dance) Level3:DervishDance Afterthat,wieldaScimitarfortherestofyourcareer.BecauseofthespecificinteractionofDervish DancewiththeMagussSpellCombatandSpellstrikeclassfeatures,yourdamagewillbeexactlythe sameasaStrengthbasedMagus.Thisisbecauseonlyonehandwilleverbeusedfordealingdamage theotherhandisusedforspellcasting,which,ofcourse,usesneitherDexnorStrength. IpersonallythinkthattheDervishbuildoftheMagusisslightlysuperiortotheStrengthversion.Magi haveanACproblem,especiallyearlyintheirlives,andhighDexsolvesthathandily.Mostimportantly, though,havingaHigherDexgivesabetterInitiative,which,IMO,isevenmoreessentialforMagithan

forotherclasses.Magiaregoodatbuffs,debuffs,andburstdamage,allofwhicharemuchbetterwhen doneproactivelyasopposedtoreactively.AMagusgoingfirstcouldmeanthedifferencebetweenthe BBEGbeingabletofullattackornot,orinabattlewithmanyenemies,aMagusgoingfirstcouldmean oneofthoseenemiesisat0HPbeforethefightingevenreallystarts.StackinghighDexontopof ImprovedInitiativeandthereactionarytraitmeansalmostalwaysbeingfirst.Thatsreallynicewhen youleadwithHasteonthewholeparty. IMO,DervishMagusisthe#1wayforaFinessewarriortoprovethemselvestheequalofaStrength warrior,followedcloselybytheLoreWarden.WhatImeanbythisiscompletelymaximumoptimization therearemanyotherDexbuildsthataresoclosetoaStrengthwarriorseffectivenessthatitslikely thatnobodysgoingtonoticeifyourDPRisacoupleofpointslowerinactualplay,especiallyifyou haveotheradvantages(Init,Dexskills,touchAC)thatmakeupforit.JustdontplayaTWFRogue... LoreWarden Theotherbigstaroftheshow.TheLoreWardenarchetypeisabigwinforDexteritybasedFighters, becauseitaddssomereallyuniqueandusefulbonuseswhilestrippingoutallofthereasonsaFighter doesntneedDexterity.Noshields,lightarmoronly,noArmorTraining.Instead,atallofthelevels whereyouwouldgetarmortraining,youget+2toCMBandCMD.Plus,atlevel2,freeCombat Expertisefeat,whichreallycutsdownonthefeatstarvation. MybasicskeletonfortheTwoWeaponTripperLoreWardenlookssomethinglikethis: HumanFighter Level1:Fighter1,WeaponFinesse,TwoWeaponFighting,WeaponFocus SinceyourewaitingforCombatExpertiseatlevel2,yourestartingoutasanunderwhelming TwoWeaponFighter.Level1snotsoscary,though,andmostbuildsreallyhaventcomeonlineyet anyway.Level1willalwaysberuledbytheBSFwiththebigsword. Level2:Fighter2,CombatExpertise(Bonus),ImprovedTrip Nowyougetmaneuvers.Yourenotgoingtobedoingsogreatyetbewaretryingtotripbigscary things,youmightendupdroppingyourweaponifyoufailtherollby10ormore,unlessyoureusinga pairofSickles,theonelight,TWFableweaponwiththeTripquality.Imnotsoldonthatone,Imight juststickwithShortSwords. Level3:Fighter3,LoreWardenbonustoCMB+2,IronWill TheimportantpartofthislevelistheLoreWardensbonustoCMB.IronWillisjustamustfor Fighters,mightaswellgetitearly. Level4:Fighter4,WeaponSpecialization Notreallyimportanttomaneuvering,butveryimportanttodealingdamage. Level5:Fighter5,WeaponTrainingclassfeature,CombatReflexes Oneleveluntilthereallygoodmaneuverstuffcomesonline!However,WeaponTraining,asanattack rollbonusthatinvolvedyourweapon,willapplytoTripandDisarmrolls.Nice.

Level6:Fighter6,GreaterTrip Level7:Monk(ManeuverMaster)1,ImprovedDirtyTrick,AgileManeuvers Level8:Monk(ManeuverMaster)2 Level9:Fighter7,GreaterDirtyTrick Ok,nowwegettothepointwheretripisprobablystartingtohavelimitedusefulnessmanymonsters aregoingtofly,havemanylegs,bereallybig,havehighStrength,andprobablyseveralofthesethingsin combination.WhileTripwillbeutterlydevastatingwhenitworks,youneedabackupplan. GreaterDirtyTrick.WithFlurryofManeuvers,youcanaddaDirtyTricktoafullattacksequence andyoucantakethatDirtyTrickattemptatthebeginningofyourattacksequence,sothatifitis successful,theenemylosesitsstandardactioncancellingtheblindness,andyouget+2(anddeniedDex ACmod)toallofyourattackslaterinthesequenceasanaddedbonus. Tripisstillagreatwaytogeneratealotofextrapain,butthelaterpartofaLoreWardenscareeris likelytofocusonusingDirtyTricktolockoutthestandardactionofwhoeverismostdangerousatany givenmoment.PFSWardenswillprobablygetmoreopportunitiestoTrip,butatleast,withDirtyTrick, youhaveaonesizefitsallmaneuverthatisreallydevastatingunlessyourefightingamookhorde. Afterlevel9,thefeattreekindofopensup.Idsuggestgoingforthecriticalstrikechainandimproved critsoyoucanstackDirtyTrickconditions,ortrip+blindsomeunluckytarget.Actually,youcan technicallydothatwithaFoM+TWFattacksequenceDT,Trip,Attack.Ouch. AnalternatebuildforthefeatstarvedmightbetogowithanElvenCurveBladeinstead,tocutoutthe TWFtreedependency.ThisisntreallyeconomicalforanyoneotherthanElvesandHalfElvesthough, sinceanybodyelseneedstospendafeatbuyingECBproficiency.AgoodwaytomaketheLore Wardenbuildworkwithnonhumansthough. DualSmitePaladin FeralAlchemist TwoWeaponTempest CurveBladeWarrior SwitchHittingRanger CraneStyleDervish DawnflowerDervish MonkoftheAgileFist

Thisreallydoesntworkaswellasonemightthink.MonkmakesabetterDervishorLoreWardendip. KnifeMaster Cavalier