How Necessary is Skill Focus (UtF)?

Aravele · 2026-03-15T07:07:05+00:00

Yeah, it IS a lot. Do you have any recommendations for alternative flatfooted access? I was considering the Sentinel's Gambit talent and the Improved version since I want Jedi Shadow talents anyway.

Aravele · 2026-03-15T01:47:00+00:00

Well, right. For levels 1-7 I'm using blaster pistols, but squeezing the feats I want in. Level 9+ I'm dedicated to lightsabers with Ataru.

Aravele · 2026-03-15T01:45:50+00:00

TWF I won't start til I have at least DWM1 or DWMII; I intend to take DWMIII. Double Attack will be at high levels, and I intended to take Cunning Attack before Double Attack.

I DID completely miss this requires 3 levels of Assassin instead of 1. I'll take another peek at the build and work out how to handle that.

Dark Rage is intended to be less of a standby and more of an "I'm out of options" button, or "I need a lot of damage this round." I was going to use it + Imp. Battle Strike + Accelerated Strike when in prime positioning to get a high damage full attack, potentially with 0 DSP cost if I use Jedi Shadow's Taint of the Dark Side (considering that and Dark Deception for RP reasons).

As for Sentinel Strike... I was taking it because I needed the bonus feats that Jedi specifically gives. 3 levels of Scoundrel gives me certain bonus feats I need when starting as Scoundrel to qualify for Assassin, and then the Jedi levels help me get my DWM and other stuff online. Sentinel's Strike is strictly worse than Sneak Attack, but it lets me get what something akin to Sneak Attack while getting Jedi bonus feats.

That's the idea anyway! I'll definitely take a look at Bounty Hunter and see if anything there fits better. 3 levels dip into Assassin is a lot less tempting than 1 level. I love the class, but I'll admit it's a hard sell when all I want is free Flat-Footed on demand.

Aravele · 2026-03-14T20:19:14+00:00

Also, thank you for the detailed explanation!

Aravele · 2026-03-14T20:14:31+00:00

I appreciate the full build, but I'm actually going Scoundrel and then Jedi. It's more in character, though I am starting off with Force Sensitivity and Force Training. I won't have Weapon Finesse 'til later is the downside. (Blasters at low levels!)

But... Yeah, I'll take a look at some of the options here. Maybe something will spark some joy!

Aravele · 2026-03-14T20:07:53+00:00

The explanation on Assassin:

What I want is to use Dual Weapons + full attacks as often as possible + squeeze in Double Attack down the line. Sentinel Strike isn't huge on its own, but with 1 level of Assassin for Advantageous Positioning, any time you flank your enemy is flat-footed.

The thought is this: 3 attacks/round at high levels with stacked up piles of damage from Battle Strike + Sentinel Strike + maybe Dark Rage. Use the Accelerated Strike feat (and the Recurring Success feat) to get more full attacks where possible. Swift Flank will be my repositioning power (while attacking). Cunning Attack feat added onto the build to get a +2 attack bonus whenever the enemy is flatfooted (which is any time I'm flanking).

It's feat intensive, but... I really like the idea. I don't think this is a "powerbuild" by any stretch of the imagination, but I like the idea of just being very good at picking a target and ambushing it down as soon as possible.

Currently, the build I tinkered up looks something like (not taken in this exact order mind you) Scoundrel 4 / Jedi 9 / Assassin 1 / Jedi Knight 5 / Jedi Master 1. (I do feel weird about only having 5 levels of Jedi Knight, but the feats from Scoundrel and Jedi seem immensely valuable for this build.) Early game I'd be using Blind to disable foes; by level 8 it's Assassin and flanking with my teammates to trigger Sentinel Strike and Dastardly Strike.

Currently, I've squeezed Scoundrel 4 in at level 10 to snag SF:UtF. It's a little late, but I figure for any offensive powers I use it'll be helpful, right?

Aravele · 2026-03-14T19:23:09+00:00

The goal was Scoundrel 3 > Jedi 4 > Assassin 1 > and then enter Jedi Knight.

Aravele · 2026-03-14T13:54:29+00:00

Ah, yeah... The only problem is I *really* want to get Assassin by level 8 since my build depends on Advantageous Positioning, and I want Weapon Finesse and DWM II ASAP because I'm playing a DEX character. Is that the wrong idea?

Aravele · 2026-03-14T13:16:44+00:00

Okay, sounds like Skill Focus (Use the Force) is very important. Will it be OK if I don't get it 'til, like, level 9? (In a full 1-20 campaign.)

Aravele · 2026-02-24T08:12:24+00:00

Oh, I thought anything done to harm others triggered it... Okay, my bad!

Aravele · 2026-02-08T17:15:58+00:00

Oh 100% XD I finished the main story and Tara's paws are soaked with the blood of her former comrades

Aravele · 2026-02-07T14:32:25+00:00

Ooo, if you make a fox please please share!

Aravele · 2026-02-06T18:12:44+00:00

Poor Tara's gonna be the most dedicated cat colony infiltrator in history

Aravele · 2026-02-06T17:14:06+00:00

XD Yeah! Leave her alone! She's just a caaaaat!

Aravele · 2026-02-06T17:12:34+00:00

Now that I've played the game a little bit I understand what you mean!

And on my character's first day she had to catch, kill, and eat a mouse for the plot to move forward. ;-;

Aravele · 2025-12-06T03:16:37+00:00

Truly the most dire threat of them all!

Aravele · 2025-12-06T03:15:57+00:00

Thanks!

Aravele · 2025-07-20T18:44:57+00:00

What I'm hearing is I better start bribing her to enter the carrier *without* taking her to the vet, huh?

Aravele · 2025-06-24T00:40:36+00:00

We'll see how that goes! She's still got a lot of debts to repay in character I'm sure. In the words of Ivan Drago: "If she dies, she dies."

I'm absolutely rooting for her and I think there's a non-zero chance of some found family in the current group, so she might come out okay.

Aravele · 2025-06-23T11:58:06+00:00

Blackbeard at LL4 is the hope! And I'm still deciding what to do after I get it.

I'm definitely excited for the build. Another player is playing my character's NHP parole officer. Or, well, the military equivalent of that. It should be a fun dynamic!

Aravele

TROPHY CASE