Is it possible to melee with a Scoundrel

Valdor · Post by **Valdor** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 4:23 pm

I was just thinking about going for Scoundrel 8/Sentinal 12. I don't really like holding back levels, so don't bother suggesting that. In any case, here goes:
Scoundrel's luck gives you +6 to defense at Level 8. If I take feats in Dueling, Toughness, and Flurry, along with having respectable Con, I think I could be as good/better than the more traditional melee fighters that start with soldier, plus I would have much better skills, including persuasion. For example, at Scoundrel 8/Sentinal 1 I would have +6 defense from Scoundrels Luck, like +3 from dexterity (maybe +4), +2 for Jedi defense, and +2 (maybe +3) for dueling for a total of like 24 AC without armor at 9th level. Do you think this is feasible. Comments?

Darth Anubis · Post by **Darth Anubis** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 5:39 pm

It all depends on where you go. If that's what you're doing, make sure to have enough Dexterity and you should be fine.

Adm. Pellaeon · Post by **Adm. Pellaeon** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:32 pm

First things first: Scoundrels gain Improved Scoundrel's Luck at Level 6, not Level 8. As for not holding back levels, you can do a 7/13 Scoundrel/Whatever without really holding back. That's what I chose. (It all depends on whether you get ALL the XP, including repairing droids ... but holding back on Level 8 is probably a good idea for a Scoundrel ... L8 gives you very little in the way of bonuses that your Sentinel, with 8VPs and a better attack progression chart, can't provide.)

As for your scoundrel going toe-to-toe with someone, there are only a couple of people he/she will have an extremely difficult time with. Bendak and Davik are the only two "RELOAD!" characters at that point. Just stick to grenades (concussion followed up with a couple of frags or plasmas) and close with them only after that. I've played through with my meele-fighter Scoundrel without any real problems.

Idioteque · Post by **Idioteque** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 9:02 pm

I passed the game with a Scoundrel/Counsular the weakest melee combination and didn't have any difficulty or reloading except for the final battle. Scoundrels Luck, Dueling and high dexterity will get you a long way

Kaitsuburi · Post by **Kaitsuburi** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 7:21 pm

Dexterity, dexterity, dexterity

If you don't have the physical build of a soldier (str & con), you can compensate by being really fast and accurate (dex). If you are planning to engage heavily in melee, toughness/dueling can be very helpful, as was pointed out above. Don't forget shields (lots of those) as well as defensive Force Powers -- valor, speed, armor (naturally, more options if you are light-side).

Has anyone tried the scoundrel/guardian combination?

-kaitsuburi

Adm. Pellaeon · Post by **Adm. Pellaeon** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 10:14 pm

Scoundrel/Guardian was my first build in the game. He was a little weak at the beginning, but he turned into a combat powerhouse by the end of the game. Stasis + Backstab worked wonders on putting most creatures down, and dual-wielding lightsabers on a Force Jump meant that whomever he hit was going down (and if the Jump didn't kill the foe, stasis and backstab finished it).

karma_spike · Post by **karma_spike** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 4:42 am

what's this backstab you're talking about? maybe you mean sneak attack? never played a scoundrel or guardian, these class skills? and stasis...i'm a little lost on that.

Armisael · Post by **Armisael** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 5:17 am

I assume he meant sneak attack. I'd be surprised if you'd never heard of stasis, it's a light side force power.

Admo · Post by **Admo** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 7:55 am

Stasis and Stasis Field are the next ones up from Stun, which you surely will have heard of..... just played through the game for the first time, using a rather neutral Scout/Consular character

gonna play again and play about more with it..... interested to know about all this backstab business and such like.... and the dark side of the force

Adm. Pellaeon · Post by **Adm. Pellaeon** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 10:55 am

Backstab is a AD&D 2E (2nd Edition) term for a rogue's special attack on a subdued or unaware target. By attacking from the shadows at the foe's unprotected backside, the rogue received an additional 1d6 (that's 1-6 points) per two character levels of damage on the blow, if he managed to hit the target. In D&D 3E, it was changed to Sneak Attack or some such, just as it is here. Scoundrels in KOTOR are the basic equivalent to D&D's rogue class.

Here, by a Scoundrel hitting someone who's been stunned (which can happen on a Critical Strike, Sniper Shot, using a special lightsaber crystal, using a concussion grenade or flash mine, or through any force power that locks the target into place), the scoundrel inflicts whatever his/her weapon's damage potential is PLUS the Sneak Attack modifier (which, as described in its definition, is a 1d6 damage roll for every odd level (so it's 1d6 at Level 1, 2d6 at Level 3, etc.). This is all in the manual.

Since Jedi can attempt to stun their opponents, a scoundrel Jedi can inflict tremendous levels of damage upon their foes, whereas the soldiers and scouts take longer to do the same damage. (Of course, if the target ISN'T stunned, then the scoundrel is at a toe-to-toe disadvantage.)

Also, backstabbing (which is far more visceral a name, wouldn't you agree?) is not a function of evil and/or the Dark Side. You can perform a sneak attack on a villain and it doesn't make you evil.

Adm. Pellaeon · Post by **Adm. Pellaeon** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 11:00 am

And let me just say that as a Scoundrel on Taris, I found one cut-scene (actually the voice-over) to be the most rewarding, especially since you have to work hard and be clever to see it:

"It's over! It's over! The fight is over! Bendak Starkiller is down! Bendak Starkiller is dead!"

Armisael · Post by **Armisael** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 5:38 pm

I think backstab in 2E acted as a holistic damage multiplier rather than a simple additional die.

Adm. Pellaeon · Post by **Adm. Pellaeon** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 5:52 pm

You're right, Armisael, and I was just simplifying the definition, but perhaps too much so.

Big Brother · Post by **Big Brother** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 5:42 pm

I melee with a Scoundrel all the time. It's fun.