Dark Lurker/Alchemist (19/1) VS Dark Lurker (20)

[siebenperidot]

I play as a Dark Lurker. Now I'm wondering whether I want to keep this class until level 20 or whether I should invest one level in Alchemist.
The advantage of one level in Alchemist is that I get a 6 point bonus in Armor Class from Shield and Mutagen.
The benefit of level 20 Dark Lurker is the blindsight passive ability.
Is blindsight really so good that it outweighs the armor points and damage bonus which I gain from my finesse build? Any ideas?

[Sorry for my english. I’m not a native speaker.]

[Erei]

-Blindsight is useless. You can cast "true seeing communal" and do everything it does. Echolocation also do that. There might be an edge case, but that's so rare it's not worth it
-vivisectionist is straight up better than alchemist for the purpose you have in mind (+1sneak attack, lose bomb you won't use anyway)
-the real lvl 20 perk is "master strike". Apparently, dark lurker can have it to. Sound OK on paper (never played rogue that far in level). The DC isn't too bad, but fortitude tend to be very high, especially for the mob you want dead right now.
However you are right that you'll be incredibly squishy without multiclassing and in melee. If you play on normal and above that will hurt.

-one of the best "dip" for melee with no armor (let's face it, you'll have less AC with your light armor than without, not to mention arcane spell failure chance), is witch (only 1 lvl needed).
Witch + iceplant hex is +2ac. If you take the iceplant ring (icy protector) you get very early that's +4 total. Then you get a familiar, for either +1ac (lizard) or +4initiative (hare). Total of +5ac if you go all in, +3 without the ring
Stigmatized witch with powerless prophecy, which is the "meta" is of less value as you get uncanny dodge already.
Witch also give you mage armor, with archmage armor mythic you are looking at up to +14 armor (but can't wear armor for it, which isn't a big deal as previously mentioned). With the clothing that add +1ac when under mage armor, you have up to+15 right there. Closer to + 10~ for most of the game tho.
You lose access to shield spell (but scroll exist and you can have a friendly alchemist to give it to you).


So, in conclusion, I suggest your ignore the rogue capstone entirely. Pick either vivisectionist (alchemist) or witch to help with your armor issue.

Also, if you don't want your level 20 feat, you might want to consider multiclassing earlier. You get most of the class at level 14 (greater blind fight+blade from the shadow). From there it's a classic rogue progression. Which leaves you 6 level to play with. Which also mean you can be witch 1 + vivisectionist 1 + whatever (or continue vivisectionist, I would advise against taking more than 1 in witch).
At that point it's up to you. And it depends of your difficulty setting to.

[siebenperidot]

If blindsight can be countered with true seeing, then there is no reason to go till level 20. I actually completely forgot about True strike, but I think I can do without it.
I didn't even consider a level in Witch, but it seems like a good choice.
So my decision probably will be: 5 levels in Vivisectionist, 1 level in Witch, 14 levels in Dark Lurker.
The difficulty setting is Core. In general, I suspect that some things have been downgraded (like in Kingmaker). But even then, for a squishy build like that, I need any AC I can get.

Thank you for the reply and the good suggestions.

[Erei]

Originally posted by siebenperidot:

If blindsight can be countered with true seeing

Not countered, but it does the same thing. And you'll probably run true seeing at all time when you are 20.

The difficulty setting is Core. In general, I suspect that some things have been downgraded (like in Kingmaker). But even then, for a squishy build like that, I need any AC I can get.

Thank you for the reply and the good suggestions.

If you are not afraid of multiclassing, might consider 1lvl in demonslayer to. Wont help for AC, but the game is all about demons and you get +2 hit/damage against them at level 1 demonslayer (ranger).
Playing core, the party is important to. Sadly, the game offer way too many of certain classes and not enough of others. At least compared to kingmaker, a lot of companion are viable on themselves.
A BFT (arcanist brown fur transmuter) or Skald merc will drastically improve your odds. It's crazy how much they add.

[siebenperidot]

Another good suggestion. I will concider one level in Demon Slayer.
Normally I don’t do multiclass. But this time I wanted to try something different. Even the decission to play a Rougue is something completly new to me. An arcane magic caster is my usual choice. A Skald merc may be useful, but even if the comanions are not perfect, I still stay with them. RP reasons.

[Erei]

Originally posted by siebenperidot:

A Skald merc may be useful, but even if the comanions are not perfect, I still stay with them. RP reasons.

I understand. I use a mod to respec them entirely. Nenio turn into a BFT (still a mage) and Arue turn into a skald. Not that much RP, but she have the highest charisma of all of them. And Succubus are good entertainer by nature.
The rest I leave as is, unless I want to switch a weapon for variety. Like Woljif using kukris instead of daggers.
Although using mod disable achievement, which need to be re-enabled with another mod (toybox).

[siebenperidot]

You are propably talking about the „fully rescap npc companions“ mod. Seems interesting, but I already had some problems with the Unity Mod Manager in the past (which seems to be needed). If I have the time and motivation I give it a try.
Arue as a skald is not a bad decission, even for RP. However, even the original class was not that bad regarding her damage output. Only Greybor was a better damage dealer in my last playthrough (at least for the late game). I like Nenio, but never really kept her in my party (similar MC build). This time I concider her as a regular party member. There is an interesting loremaster build for her that I want to give a try.
And Woljif? There are better companions in my oppinion.