Low str melee ... does it work?

[Kaeldorn]

I'd say forget about cleric, drop the wisdom (by 4), cha (by 1) and str (by 2) and put those points in DEX (1) and INT (2). Then go for Wizard instead to get spells.

Advantages: better damage (swashbukler int bonus counts fully for both off- and main hand, strength bonus only counts for half on your off-hand), more skillpoints, more class skills, better skill levels of the skills you're most likely to use, ability to cast spells like Ghostly Visage and Invisibility, higher initial AC and AB (and higher max total dex including equipment, of 26 at level 20). Disadvantages: lower ability/skill checks based on str and wis, lower will saves.

Think it's worth the trade-off.

[TamurtheLame]

I think you can make a very successful dex based character and the best I have seen are rangers.

I currently have a ranger archer and he deals out an average damage of 20 pts per arrow and over 60 pts of damage with a crit and using hail of arrows (can't remember the proper feat name). I think the most damage with one strike he did was around 70 maybe. With rapid fire, he deals damage quickly also. And he hits crits all the time because his ab fully buffed is around 25 if I remember correctly. Once he is fully buffed, his AC isn't too bad either, but with longstrider, he can shoot and move and usually kills anything before it even gets close. Now, if he gets cornered and cannot shoot and move, he is more vulnerable, but with his damage ability, he usually is still able to kill before he dies, then he can run again. He is awesome with a group, because he can stay behind the tank wall and pepper anything that moves, or, he can stealthily move up and engage from a distance and kill the archers or mages before they get a chance to do anything. He also has those high reflex saves and has evasion, so he can run over those traps or dodge fireballs and such more easily. He is by far the funnest character combat and RP wise I have ever had.

So, a dex character that deals massive damage is possible.

I did have a ranger dual wielder also. His AC wasn't the greatest, but with dual wiedling shortswords and greater two weapon wielding, he got so many attacks that he cut people down pretty quickly. He also had a high AB and also a high parry if necessary. Couple that with high stealth and being able to run while stealthed, he could be on an opponent before they even knew and deal a bunch of damage before the first enemy strike. He wasn't my strongest character, but he was decent and his ranger abilities were very cool.