dayfax

Yes. The generally accepted build is to max STR to 20 or 22 (for top level armor), DEX just high enough to get the abilities you want, and pump everything else into CUNN. (Also, equip two of the best daggers you can find and make a bee-line for Momentum in the dual-weapon talents.) If you have a DEX in the high 20s, you're not going to miss very often either. Plus, the first talent in the Duelist specialization gives you approximately +10 to hit anyway. This sort of build saves you a few talent points on coercion and lock picking and you end up only having to focus attribute points on one thing from mid game onwards. But the real benefit, of course, is that it gives you the biggest single target DPS of any class in the game.

In the context of his own culture, no. In the context of our modern culture, hell yes. But then nearly every NPC in the game is horribly racist and sexist. What I find most interesting about Sten is that he believes that what he does is intimately tied to who he is, and he has no choice. To him, being a warrior is as much a part of his identity as the color of his hair or eyes. Permanent and unchangeable. As for buddying up to him: Push back and stand up for yourself. If you say things like "I'm not here to impress you," you actually end up impressing him.