SoZ Solo Stealthy Skilled Stabber - Ro(24),Ra(2),SB(3),SD(1)

Description
This build is for those who enjoy playing stealthy characters and want the challenge of running a single character through the Storm of Zehir expansion.

Goals:
 * Able to complete SoZ without any other party members while experiencing the most content
 * Obtain combat power and survivability early and keep up with the challenges as char level increases
 * Reach a reasonably complete build by ECL 16 (as epic levels are not readily available in SoZ without grinding)
 * Max out useful skills, both on and off the overland map

Below are two sets of character statistics - one to level 20, which is about where SoZ ends, and one to level 30, if you want to play in the OC or other epic campaign.

Character Creation - Level 20
Advantages - Level 20:
 * 12 maxed class skills
 * Self-sufficient through Use magic device skill and Trapfinding class feature
 * Suvivability through decent AC, stealth, and Hide in Plain Sight
 * Good combat abilities, including Greater Two-Weapon Fighting with +7D6 Sneak Attack and INT modifier to damage (+5 buffless) per attack

Disadvantages - Level 20:
 * Average BAB
 * Low HP
 * Low non-Reflex Saving Throws
 * Cross-class Spellcraft skill
 * Can't craft or enchant by yourself
 * Vulnerable until you get Hide in Plain Sight at Level 8

Progression: Skills - Level 20
Total Skill Points: 275

Appraise: 1(4), Diplomacy: 23(21), Disable device: 23(28), Hide: 23(33), Listen: 23(22), Lore: 15(18), Move Silently: 23(31), Open lock: 23(30), Search: 23(28), Spellcraft: 10(15), Spot: 23(22), Survival: 23, Tumble: 20(28), Use magic device: 23(21)


 * Lvl 01 (Ro): Diplomacy 4(4), Disable device 4(4), Hide 4(4), Listen 4(4), Move Silently 4(4), Open lock 4(4), Search 4(4), Spellcraft [i]2(2)[/i], Spot 4(4), Survival [i]2(2)[/i], Tumble 4(4), Use magic device 4(4), Save 4
 * Lvl 02 (SB): Diplomacy 1(5), Disable device 1(5), Hide 1(5), Listen 1(5), Move Silently 1(5), Open lock 1(5), Search 1(5), Spot 1(5), Tumble 1(5), Use Magic Device 1(5), Save 3
 * Lvl 03 (Ra): Diplomacy 1(6), Disable device 1(6), Hide 1(6), Listen 1(6), Move Silently 1(6), Open lock 1(6), Search 1(6), Spot 1(6), Survival 4(6), Tumble 1(6), Use magic device 1(6)
 * Lvl 04 (Ra): Diplomacy 1(7), Disable device 1(7), Hide 1(7), Listen 1(7), Move Silently 1(7), Open lock 1(7), Search 1(7), Spot 1(7), Survival 1(7), Tumble 1(7), Use magic device 1(7)
 * Lvl 05 (SB): Diplomacy 1(8), Disable device 1(8), Hide 1(8), Listen 1(8), Move Silently 1(8), Open lock 1(8), Search 1(8), Spot 1(8), Survival 1(8)
 * Lvl 06 (SB): Diplomacy 1(9), Disable device 1(9), Hide 1(9), Listen 1(9), Move Silently 1(9), Open lock 1(9), Search 1(9), Spot 1(9), Survival 1(9)
 * Lvl 07 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(10), Disable device 1(10), Hide 1(10), Listen 1(10), Move Silently 1(10), Open lock 1(10), Search 1(10), Spot 1(10), Survival 1(10), Tumble 2(9), Use magic device 2(9)
 * Lvl 08 (SD): Diplomacy 1(11), Disable device 1(11), Hide 1(11), Listen 1(11), Move Silently 1(11), Open lock 1(11), Search 1(11), Spot 1(11), Survival 1(11), Tumble 1(10), Use magic device 1(10)
 * Lvl 09 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(12), Disable device 1(12), Hide 1(12), Listen 1(12), Move Silently 1(12), Open lock 1(12), Search 1(12), Spot 1(12), Survival 1(12), Tumble 2(12), Use magic device 2(12)
 * Lvl 10 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(13), Disable device 1(13), Hide 1(13), Listen 1(13), Move Silently 1(13), Open lock 1(13), Search 1(13), Spellcraft 2(4), Spot 1(13), Survival 1(13), Tumble 1(13), Use magic device 1(13)
 * Lvl 11 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(14), Disable device 1(14), Hide 1(14), Listen 1(14), Move Silently 1(14), Open lock 1(14), Search 1(14), Spellcraft 2(6), Spot 1(14), Survival 1(14), Tumble 1(14), Use magic device 1(14)
 * Lvl 12 (Ro): Appraise 1(1), Diplomacy 1(15), Disable device 1(15), Hide 1(15), Listen 1(15), Move Silently 1(15), Open lock 1(15), Search 1(15), Spellcraft 1(7), Spot 1(15), Survival 1(15), Tumble 1(15), Use magic device 1(15)
 * Lvl 13 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(16), Disable device 1(16), Hide 1(16), Listen 1(16), Lore 2(2), Move Silently 1(16), Open lock 1(16), Search 1(16), Spot 1(16), Survival 1(16), Tumble 1(16), Use magic device 1(16)
 * Lvl 14 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(17), Disable device 1(17), Hide 1(17), Listen 1(17), Lore 1(3), Move Silently 1(17), Open lock 1(17), Search 1(17), Spellcraft 1(8), Spot 1(17), Survival 1(17), Tumble 1(17), Use magic device 1(17)
 * Lvl 15 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(18), Disable device 1(18), Hide 1(18), Listen 1(18), Lore 2(5), Move Silently 1(18), Open lock 1(18), Search 1(18), Spot 1(18), Survival 1(18), Tumble 1(18), Use magic device 1(18)
 * Lvl 16 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(19), Disable device 1(19), Hide 1(19), Listen 1(19), Lore 1(6), Move Silently 1(19), Open lock 1(19), Search 1(19), Spellcraft 1(9), Spot 1(19), Survival 1(19), Tumble 1(19), Use magic device 1(19)
 * Lvl 17 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(20), Disable device 1(20), Hide 1(20), Listen 1(20), Lore 2(8), Move Silently 1(20), Open lock 1(20), Search 1(20), Spot 1(20), Survival 1(20), Tumble 1(20), Use magic device 1(20)
 * Lvl 18 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(21), Disable device 1(21), Hide 1(21), Listen 1(21), Lore 2(10), Move Silently 1(21), Open lock 1(21), Search 1(21), Spellcraft 1(10), Spot 1(21), Survival 1(21), Use magic device 1(21)
 * Lvl 19 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(22), Disable device 1(22), Hide 1(22), Listen 1(22), Lore 2(12), Move Silently 1(22), Open lock 1(22), Search 1(22), Spot 1(22), Survival 1(22), Use magic device 1(22), Save 1
 * Lvl 20 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(23), Disable device 1(23), Hide 1(23), Listen 1(23), Lore 3(15), Move Silently 1(23), Open lock 1(23), Search 1(23), Spot 1(23), Survival 1(23), Use magic device 1(23), Save 1

Comments - Level 20
SoZ starts you off at 4th level. The early going will be tough. Wear light armor until your DEX mod makes it sub-optimal, then go looking for Monk robes you can UMD. Your early BAB is decent thanks to Ranger and Swashbuckler levels, but use a single light weapon like a Rapier until you can reliably hit things with TWF, then switch to Kukris. Most of your combat ability comes from Insightful Strike (INT to damage) and Sneak Attacks, so play tricks with the Tiefling racial spell Darkness and try to engage enemies one-on-one. UMD scrolls, wands, whatever you can get your hands on to give you an edge. Crit-immune creatures will cause you problems. Don't be afraid to run, speed increases are your friend, Haste is great if you can get it.

Once you get HiPS at level 8, you're pretty much playing Splinter Cell with elves. Hide right in front of things! Stick 'em in the face when they forget where you are! Crit immunes still cause you problems. Swarms of enemies, those with high Spot/Listen, and some spellcasters should be handled with care. UMDing the right scroll/wand can often make a difficult fight manageable.

At level 15/ECL 16, you have +5D6 of SA and Crippling Strike with GTWF and are pretty much good to go for most everything with a bit of planning and HiPS cheese. Everthing after this point is gravy.

Variants - Level 20
A Strongheart halfling would also provide the DEX increase and one more feat (Luck of Heroes is recommended), at the cost of one less maxed skill and one less damage per attack from Insightful Strike. A Human would keep the skills the same but lose the one damage and the DEX decrease drops

AB by one and pushes back PTWF to level 29 instead of level 21. You could choose a Deep Gnome, but the ECL is prohibitive, though the increased AC is nice. You still lose 2 damage per attack and one maxed skill. Other races incur an XP penalty.

Dropping INT or DEX by 2 to increase CON to 14 would increase suvivability with little cost to the build. Lowering DEX comes at the cost of obtaining PTWF much later, and lowering INT give one less maxed skill and decreases damage from Combat Insight and the Swashbuckler's

ability by one each. A Strongheart Halfling could take Dodge at 1st-level with its bonus feat, freeing up a feat slot for Two-Weapon Fighting and swap out the Ranger class for a few levels of something else, at the cost of Survival as a class skill.

The 14th level of Rogue adds nothing and could be swapped for another level of Ranger to gain Toughness for a little HP boost. Don't do this if you're planning to carry through to epic levels, however, as you'll lose out on the Epic Rogue bonus feat at Rogue level 24, and Epic Precision is available at level 22 from the Rogue bonus feat at 16. Level 22 is a great ending point for SoZ if you're willing to grind a little.

Taking Combat Expertise at level 18 sets you up for Combat Insight in epic levels, if you're not going to go there, replace with something else, maybe Two-Weapon Defense.

Character Creation - Level 30
Advantages - Level 30:
 * 12 maxed class skills
 * Self-sufficient through Use magic device skill and Trapfinding class feature
 * Suvivability through Epic Dodge, decent AC and Hide in Plain Sight abuse
 * Good combat abilities, including 10 attacks per round via Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting, with +12D6 Sneak Attack and double INT modifier to damage (+10 buffless) per attack, can still deal +6D6 Sneak Attack and INT modifier to damage to creatures immune to critical hits

Disadvantages - Level 30:
 * Low BAB
 * Low HP
 * Low non-Reflex Saving Throws
 * Cross-class Spellcraft skill (15)
 * Can't craft or enchant by yourself

Progression: Skills - Level 30
Total Skill Points: 407 Diplomacy: 33(31), Disable device: 33(38), Hide: 33(45), Listen: 33(32), Lore: 32(35), Move Silently: 33(43), Open lock: 33(42), Search: 33(38), Spellcraft: 15(20), Spot: 33(32), Survival: 33, Tumble: 30(40), Use magic device: 33(31)


 * Lvl 01 (Ro): Diplomacy 4(4), Disable device 4(4), Hide 4(4), Listen 4(4), Move Silently 4(4), Open lock 4(4), Search 4(4), Spellcraft [i]2(2)[/i], Spot 4(4), Survival [i]2(2)[/i], Tumble 4(4), Use magic device 4(4), Save 4
 * Lvl 02 (SB): Diplomacy 1(5), Disable device 1(5), Hide 1(5), Listen 1(5), Move Silently 1(5), Open lock 1(5), Search 1(5), Spot 1(5), Tumble 1(5), Use Magic Device 1(5), Save 3
 * Lvl 03 (Ra): Diplomacy 1(6), Disable device 1(6), Hide 1(6), Listen 1(6), Move Silently 1(6), Open lock 1(6), Search 1(6), Spot 1(6), Survival 4(6), Tumble 1(6), Use magic device 1(6)
 * Lvl 04 (Ra): Diplomacy 1(7), Disable device 1(7), Hide 1(7), Listen 1(7), Move Silently 1(7), Open lock 1(7), Search 1(7), Spot 1(7), Survival 1(7), Tumble 1(7), Use magic device 1(7)
 * Lvl 05 (SB): Diplomacy 1(8), Disable device 1(8), Hide 1(8), Listen 1(8), Move Silently 1(8), Open lock 1(8), Search 1(8), Spot 1(8), Survival 1(8)
 * Lvl 06 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(9), Disable device 1(9), Hide 1(9), Listen 1(9), Move Silently 1(9), Open lock 1(9), Search 1(9), Spot 1(9), Survival 1(9), Tumble 2(9), Use magic device 2(9)
 * Lvl 07 (SB): Diplomacy 1(10), Disable device 1(10), Hide 1(10), Listen 1(10), Move Silently 1(10), Open lock 1(10), Search 1(10), Spot 1(10), Survival 1(10)
 * Lvl 08 (SD): Diplomacy 1(11), Disable device 1(11), Hide 1(11), Listen 1(11), Move Silently 1(11), Open lock 1(11), Search 1(11), Spot 1(11), Survival 1(11), Tumble 1(10), Use magic device 1(10)
 * Lvl 09 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(12), Disable device 1(12), Hide 1(12), Listen 1(12), Move Silently 1(12), Open lock 1(12), Search 1(12), Spot 1(12), Survival 1(12), Tumble 2(12), Use magic device 2(12)
 * Lvl 10 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(13), Disable device 1(13), Hide 1(13), Listen 1(13), Move Silently 1(13), Open lock 1(13), Search 1(13), Spellcraft 2(4), Spot 1(13), Survival 1(13), Tumble 1(13), Use magic device 1(13)
 * Lvl 11 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(14), Disable device 1(14), Hide 1(14), Listen 1(14), Move Silently 1(14), Open lock 1(14), Search 1(14), Spellcraft 2(6), Spot 1(14), Survival 1(14), Tumble 1(14), Use magic device 1(14)
 * Lvl 12 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(15), Disable device 1(15), Hide 1(15), Listen 1(15), Lore 1(1), Move Silently 1(15), Open lock 1(15), Search 1(15), Spellcraft 1(7), Spot 1(15), Survival 1(15), Tumble 1(15), Use magic device 1(15)
 * Lvl 13 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(16), Disable device 1(16), Hide 1(16), Listen 1(16), Lore 2(3), Move Silently 1(16), Open lock 1(16), Search 1(16), Spot 1(16), Survival 1(16), Tumble 1(16), Use magic device 1(16)
 * Lvl 14 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(17), Disable device 1(17), Hide 1(17), Listen 1(17), Lore 1(4), Move Silently 1(17), Open lock 1(17), Search 1(17), Spellcraft

1(8), Spot 1(17), Survival 1(17), Tumble 1(17), Use magic device 1(17)
 * Lvl 15 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(18), Disable device 1(18), Hide 1(18), Listen 1(18), Lore 2(6), Move Silently 1(18), Open lock 1(18), Search 1(18), Spot 1(18), Survival 1(18), Tumble 1(18), Use magic device 1(18)
 * Lvl 16 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(19), Disable device 1(19), Hide 1(19), Listen 1(19), Lore 1(7), Move Silently 1(19), Open lock 1(19), Search 1(19), Spellcraft 1(9), Spot 1(19), Survival 1(19), Tumble 1(19), Use magic device 1(19)
 * Lvl 17 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(20), Disable device 1(20), Hide 1(20), Listen 1(20), Lore 2(9), Move Silently 1(20), Open lock 1(20), Search 1(20), Spot 1(20), Survival 1(20), Tumble 1(20), Use magic device 1(20)
 * Lvl 18 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(21), Disable device 1(21), Hide 1(21), Listen 1(21), Lore 2(11), Move Silently 1(21), Open lock 1(21), Search 1(21), Spellcraft 1(10), Spot 1(21), Survival 1(21), Use magic device 1(21)
 * Lvl 19 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(22), Disable device 1(22), Hide 1(22), Listen 1(22), Lore 2(13), Move Silently 1(22), Open lock 1(22), Search 1(22), Spot 1(22), Survival 1(22), Use magic device 1(22), Save 1
 * Lvl 20 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(23), Disable device 1(23), Hide 1(23), Listen 1(23), Lore 2(15), Move Silently 1(23), Open lock 1(23), Search 1(23), Spellcraft 1(11), Spot 1(23), Survival 1(23), Use magic device 1(23), Save 1
 * Lvl 21 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(24), Disable device 1(24), Hide 1(24), Listen 1(24), Lore 2(17), Move Silently 1(24), Open lock 1(24), Search 1(24), Spellcraft 1(12), Spot 1(24), Survival 1(24), Tumble 1(21), Use magic device 1(24)
 * Lvl 22 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(25), Disable device 1(25), Hide 1(25), Listen 1(25), Lore 2(19), Move Silently 1(25), Open lock 1(25), Search 1(25), Spot 1(25), Survival 1(25), Tumble 1(22), Use magic device 1(25)
 * Lvl 23 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(26), Disable device 1(26), Hide 1(26), Listen 1(26), Lore 1(20), Move Silently 1(26), Open lock 1(26), Search 1(26), Spellcraft 1(13), Spot 1(26), Survival 1(26), Tumble 1(23), Use magic device 1(26)
 * Lvl 24 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(27), Disable device 1(27), Hide 1(27), Listen 1(27), Lore 2(22), Move Silently 1(27), Open lock 1(27), Search 1(27), Spot 1(27), Survival 1(27), Tumble 1(24), Use magic device 1(27)
 * Lvl 25 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(28), Disable device 1(28), Hide 1(28), Listen 1(28), Lore 1(23), Move Silently 1(28), Open lock 1(28), Search 1(28), Spellcraft 1(14), Spot 1(28), Survival 1(28), Tumble 1(25), Use magic device 1(28)
 * Lvl 26 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(29), Disable device 1(29), Hide 1(29), Listen 1(29), Lore 2(25), Move Silently 1(29), Open lock 1(29), Search 1(29), Spot 1(29), Survival 1(29), Tumble 1(26), Use magic device 1(29)
 * Lvl 27 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(30), Disable device 1(30), Hide 1(30), Listen 1(30), Lore 1(26), Move Silently 1(30), Open lock 1(30), Search 1(30), Spellcraft 1(15), Spot 1(30), Survival 1(30), Tumble 1(27), Use magic device 1(30)
 * Lvl 28 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(31), Disable device 1(31), Hide 1(31), Listen 1(31), Lore 2(28), Move Silently 1(31), Open lock 1(31), Search 1(31), Spot 1(31), Survival 1(31), Tumble 1(28), Use magic device 1(31)
 * Lvl 29 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(32), Disable device 1(32), Hide 1(32), Listen 1(32), Lore 2(30), Move Silently 1(32), Open lock 1(32), Search 1(32), Spot 1(32), Survival 1(32), Tumble 1(29), Use magic device 1(32)
 * Lvl 30 (Ro): Diplomacy 1(33), Disable device 1(33), Hide 1(33), Listen 1(33), Lore 2(32), Move Silently 1(33), Open lock 1(33), Search 1(33), Spot 1(33), Survival 1(33), Tumble 1(30), Use magic device 1(33)

Comments - Level 30
Do the light armor and Rapier thing for a while. If you're not soloing, take full advantage of party buffs and don't be afraid of friendly (spell)fire - you have Evasion and a massive Ref save. At level 30, you play like most other Rogue or TWF 'striker' builds.

Variants - Level 30
If you're playing the OC or other modules, skills aren't as important as in SoZ, so dropping INT is a no-brainer (*ahem*). Bump CON up and shore up WIS and CHA if you hate penalties. Adjust skills to taste - you likely don't need Spot/Listen/Survival/Lore as much as in SoZ.

If you want to lower DEX to 17 initially and lose the Great Dex, you can take Epic Dodge at 29 and replace the last 5 levels of Rogue with something else... but you're already at the 4-class limit. If you take Strongheart Halfling, you can ditch Ranger (take Dodge with the bonus feat and TWF where Dodge was) and maybe take Invisible Blade, provided you free up a feat for Feint. A Human won't have enough DEX to take PTWF and Epic Dodge at level 29.

This build could be adapted for PVP, but won't excel at it. Low BAB, saves, and Spot/Listen make for a poor showing.