Asterion feats

[craig234]

AI (but a bit awkward at 17 DEX), dual wielder, lucky, mage slayer, savage attacker...

Each useful, rank each? (Second feat, already took mobile).

[Tax evasion]

Honestly, just respec him to get 16 dex, and 16 in an other stat.

Then, it depends for his build. If you go pure ranged, then ASI until 20 dex, then sharpshooter (or ASI, sharpshooter, ASI)

[id795078477]

-- Dual-wielder: I'd pass on it. You will be only using DW with x-bows, there's little sense in doing it on melee. DW feat does not add damage to off-hand and the +1 AC you can replace with the shield if you really need it.

-- Savage attacker: could be useful but only later on. A must have for that is stuff like risky ring so that he (almost) always gets his sneak attack and so this feat will get those dice rolls.

-- Lucky: depends. I wouldn't go for it if he's equipped with items that give him an advantage anyways. But in case you don't have it - it's a good choice for his sneak attacks.

-- Mobile: I honestly wouldn't take it because I'd make him use his x-bows and only engage in melee when there's no other way. I'd throw this one away.

-- Mage slayer: would pass on it because I'd build him around ranged combat anyways. It's workable if you want to go melee - but he's just too fragile for melee to my taste.

What I'd think could be other feats to consider:

-- Sharp-shooter would be a must have feat, I'd take it on level 8 latest. Again, needs equipment to bolster ranged attacks.

-- Crossbow expert (if you find space for it) - not a priority because positioning is key if you play a ranged character. So I wouldn't hold it high in the least but it could be useful.

-- ASI (up to 18), this one is obvious. The +1 (attack/ini/damage) from 16 would be a good investment. This has a huge "BUT" though: there are gloves which set DEX to 18 which means if you plan to use them on him - you can make DEX a dump stat at all.

-- Tough: generally useful feat, more relevant for his melee options. I guess it would depend on his AC.

-- Alert: same as tough, you can almost never go wrong with this one. But Astarion builds in DEX meaning he generally will have high ini anyways + there are items to up that too, so if you use those you can skip this one too.

If you'd ask me to choose four feats, that'd be:
1. ASI (DEX 16 to 18 if no gloves, could forego or dump into CON otherwise)
2. Sharp-shooter
3. Lucky if no risky ring, Tough otherwise
4. Savage attacker or another ASI,

I'd also consider not going for pure class but instead adding 2 levels of say fighter. That'll give you the two-weapon fighting style which I think is a good trade for the savage attacker because the damage added will be a flat bonus anyways. And you get action surge too which is arguably the best anyways.

[craig234]

Thanks, but my char is a ranger, so they're doing the main ranged while Asterion is more for sneak melee. From your comments, it seems like Dex from 17 to 19?

[Govi]

I think you owe them an award

[craig234]

Originally posted by Govi:

I think you owe them an award

I did say thanks, but id put a good amount in, so fair enough, gave one.

[kbiz]

1. Alert (best in my opinion because Alert + DEX = always having initiative - which means you can scout Astarion alone and initiate combat - which means everyone else can sneak up and attack first - with preferred positioning.






2. Sharpshooter
3. DEX
4. dealer's choice

[id795078477]

Originally posted by kbiz:

1. Alert (best in my opinion because Alert + DEX = always having initiative - which means you can scout Astarion alone and initiate combat - which means everyone else can sneak up and attack first - with preferred positioning.

Well, I'd argue that while in general this is a good line of thinking, with a sneak-proficient character you'll position it properly anyways in almost every case. And given his DEX build and ini items later on, the ini bonus diminishes quite a bit on Astarion.

The only irreplaceable benefit there would be "can't be surprised" but if it's your 833th run - you know what and where exactly wants to "surprise" you.

[ahsanford]

Originally posted by craig234:

AI (but a bit awkward at 17 DEX), dual wielder, lucky, mage slayer, savage attacker...

Each useful, rank each? (Second feat, already took mobile).

Like all origin characters, re-spec for 'stat even-ing' alone if nothing else.

But with Astarion, my main has Sleight / Percep safecracking detail already covered, so I almost always re-spec Astarion either straight to Fighter or some Fighter/Rogue (Thief) dual wield build. Ends up F8/R4 for max # feats.

So I'd be going Dual-Wield, Savage Attacker and other 2 feats in ASI STR (or DEX if I really want to ride it out with just light/finesse weapons).

- A

[kbiz]

Originally posted by id795078477:

Originally posted by kbiz:

1. Alert (best in my opinion because Alert + DEX = always having initiative - which means you can scout Astarion alone and initiate combat - which means everyone else can sneak up and attack first - with preferred positioning.

Well, I'd argue that while in general this is a good line of thinking, with a sneak-proficient character you'll position it properly anyways in almost every case. And given his DEX build and ini items later on, the ini bonus diminishes quite a bit on Astarion.

The only irreplaceable benefit there would be "can't be surprised" but if it's your 833th run - you know what and where exactly wants to "surprise" you.

You should try the Alert feat at lvl 4 with Astarion and have him initiate every battle alone. I think you'll like it.

[ahsanford]

Originally posted by kbiz:

You should try the Alert feat at lvl 4 with Astarion and have him initiate every battle alone. I think you'll like it.

Don't mean to argue, but picking Alert with a high dex character (that could first strike start the battle from stealth anyway) seems a bit overkill.

Sure you could do it, but it feels like having a 95% chance to hit and smashing Reckless Attack for advantage anyway.

Surely there are more basic things Astarion can't do than win initiative, right? Why not improve damage, size of weaponry he can hit with, ability to get across the battlefield better, crank up his AC, etc.?

- A

[kbiz]

Originally posted by ahsanford:

Originally posted by kbiz:

You should try the Alert feat at lvl 4 with Astarion and have him initiate every battle alone. I think you'll like it.

Don't mean to argue, but picking Alert with a high dex character (that could first strike start the battle from stealth anyway) seems a bit overkill.

Sure you could do it, but it feels like having a 95% chance to hit and smashing Reckless Attack for advantage anyway.

Surely there are more basic things Astarion can't do than win initiative, right? Why not improve damage, size of weaponry he can hit with, ability to get across the battlefield better, crank up his AC, etc.?

- A

By all means. I like different perspectives.

Overkill is exactly what you want because you want to rely on 100% success. Give Astarion the feat -and- an Initiative item. Heh. What's the downside? Extra DEX? Sharpshooter?

Personally, I think Astarion should be a Rogue-Assassin too.

[Chillearth]

L4 Thief - then switch to monk - take Tavern Brawler feat - carry club of hill giant strength in the off hand and knife of the undermountain king in the main hand. Use your double bonus actions to do two flurry of blows for lots of damage as long as you have ki to fuel it.