Scimitar Crit-Hitter (3.5e Optimized Character Build)
Introduction
This build uses scimitars and a high crit range to slice enemies to ribbons.
References
Players Handbook, Complete Warrior, Complete Adventurer, Players Handbook II.
Game Rule Components
Items
If possible have your scimitars crafted out of Solarion Truesteel to get another small boost to confirmation of critical rolls. As well enchant your weapons with effects that trigger from critical strikes such as the burst enhancements (acidic burst, flaming burst, etc).
Progression
Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): Str:16, Dex:17, Con:17, Int:16, Wis:14, Cha:14.
Race (Human):
Starting Racial Traits:
| ECL | Class/HD/LA | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Feats | Class Features |
Special | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | ||||||
| 1st | Fighter 1 | +1 | +2 | +0 | +0 | Dodge, Mobility, Combat Expertise | Fighter Bonus feat | |
| 2nd | Fighter 2 | +2 | +3 | +0 | +0 | Weapon Focus (Scimitar) | Fighter Bonus feat | |
| 3rd | Fighter 3 | +3 | +3 | +1 | +1 | Weapon Finesse | ||
| 4th | Fighter 4 | +4 | +4 | +1 | +1 | Spring Attack | Fighter Bonus feat | +1 Dexterity |
| 5th | Fighter 5 | +5 | +4 | +1 | +1 | |||
| 6th | Fighter 6 | +6+1 | +5 | +2 | +2 | Two-weapon fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting | Fighter Bonus feat | |
| 7th | Fighter 6 Dervish 1 | +7+2 | +5 | +4 | +4 | +1AC, Dervish Dance 1/per day, Movement Mastery, Slashing Blades. | ||
| 8th | Fighter 6 Dervish 1 Tempest 1 | +8+3 | +7 | +4 | +4 | Tempest Defense +1 | +1 Dexterity | |
| 9th | Fighter 6 Dervish 1 Tempest 2 | +9+4 | +8 | +4 | +4 | Improved Critical (Scimitar) | Ambidexterity +1 | |
| 10th | Fighter 6 Dervish 1 Tempest 3 | +10+5 | +8 | +5 | +5 | Tempest Defense +2, Two Weapon Versatility | ||
| 11th | Fighter 6 Dervish 1 Tempest 4 | +11+6+1 | +9 | +5 | +5 | Ambidexterity +2 | ||
| 12th | Fighter 7 Dervish 1 Tempest 4 | +12+7+2 | +9 | +5 | +5 | Power Critical (Scimitar) | +1 Dexterity | |
| 13th | Fighter 8 Dervish 1 Tempest 4 | +13+8+3 | +10 | +5 | +5 | Power Critical (Scimitar) | Fighter Bonus feat | |
| 14th | Fighter 9 Dervish 1 Tempest 4 | +14+9+4 | +10 | +6 | +6 | |||
| 15th | Fighter 10 Dervish 1 Tempest 4 | +15+10+5 | +11 | +6 | +6 | Weapon Specialization (Scimitar), Greater Weapon Focus (Scimitar) | Fighter Bonus Feat | |
| 16th | Fighter 11 Dervish 1 Tempest 4 | +16+11+6+1 | +11 | +6 | +6 | +1 Dexterity | ||
| 17th | Fighter 12 Dervish 1 Tempest 4 | +17+12+7+2 | +12 | +7 | +7 | Greater Weapon Specialization (Scimitar) | Fighter Bonus feat | |
| 18th | Fighter 13 Dervish 1 Tempest 4 | +18+13+8+3 | +12 | +7 | +7 | Melee Weapon Mastery – Slashing (PHBII) | ||
| 19th | Fighter 14 Dervish 1 Tempest 4 | +19+14+9+4 | +13 | +7 | +7 | Power Critical (Scimitar) | Fighter Bonus feat | |
| 20th | Fighter 15 Dervish 1 Tempest 4 | +20+15+10+5 | +13 | +8 | +8 | +1 Dexterity | ||
Other Components
Highlights
The fighter levels help to maximize the number of feats for this character to take. The level in Dervish allows for the scimitar to be treated as a light weapon and thus applicable for weapon finesse. The 4 levels in Tempest allow for the penalties of dual weilding light weapons to be reduced to +0/+0. Without other equipment and masterwork scimitars with a +1 weapon enhancement at level 20 your attack rolls on your main hand are +31/+26/+21/+16 and your off-hand are +31/+21. your crit range for each scimitare 15-20/X2 with a +12 to your confirmation rolls to confirm crit on each weapon (+13 if your weapons are made of Solarion Truesteel). This will greatly increase your chances of confirming your critical threats.
Munchkin-Size Me
Perhaps make scimitars Tempered Steel (d20 toolbox) or Laminated Steel (Mercenaries) to increase crit rate to 5-20/x3?
Side Notes
Limitations
This build is great for slashing enemies to ribbons with the ability to crit so often. It may seem to be weak obviously to undead and other creatures immune to critical hits, but if you have burst enhancements and other similar crit trigger enhancements they still apply. If you threaten the crit, you still roll to confirm. If the crit is confirmed, you don't roll extra weapon damage but the crit trigger enhancements still go off. It may not be great during the early levels but you could progress as you wish until you hit 7th level and then retrain your feats to meet the prerequisites for the rest of the progression.
DM Counters
With the low reflex and will saves, The DM could use many explosive or mind controlling type effects to help counter your deadliness. Or the DM keeps combat to a minimum in which case this build wouldn't be that effective.