weem
First Post
I have a brother who is about to play a rogue in an upcoming campaign. He is new to 4th edition and as such I was giving him some advice about playing a rogue. One aspect of this advice involved the fact that having Combat Advantage (CA) was the key and that he should be keeping that in mind each time he attacks.
As a rogue myself, I make it my goal to have combat advantage for every attack I make each encounter – I shoot for 100%. With that said, I thought I would share how make that happen for my rogues (I currently play one in each of two different campaigns).
DISCLAIMER: This is just how I do it. I’m not claiming it’s the best method or setup but I have been asked IRL and simply felt like putting it down somewhere instead of repeating it
First off, I draw up my own power cards on 3.5 x 5 inch note cards. I line these up on each side of my character sheet – powers on the left, other abilities on the right (including skills and gear powers). See a photo of them here, and the description of them below…
Power Cards
These have a colored circle next to their name indicating how often they can be used, followed by the power name. To the right of the name I write and highlight in blue the term “GET CA!” which let’s me know it is an ability that will grant me CA for my next attack. Next to this I indicate and “M” for Melee, “R” for Ranged, or “M/R” for either.
Below this, is the description of what the ability does as well as damage which I modify when necessary so it is right on the card. I highlight in orange valuable info.
Other Ability Cards
These cards detail powers from items, skills, etc. However, instead of using the names of items, or skills, I label them based on what they do for me. So, as you can see from the photo of my cards, they are labeled as…
Shift 1sq
CA vs Un-acted
Concealed or Invis
Concealed
Shift 2sq
Shift [my speed] Sq
Teleport 5sq
Teleport 5sq
These names let me know right away what is available to me. At a glance I can skim and grab an effect I want without having to read ability names and remember what they did. Below these labels I can find all the details I need to get more info on how they work and why.
Getting Combat Advantage (CA)
When I first played my very first rogue, I actually wrote out on a card a quick step by step to refer to from time to time to help remind me about getting CA. Basically, when it wasn’t my turn I was skimming my cards and looking over the step by step to help ingrain the process. I don’t have/use that card anymore, but I’m going to list some things I consider in combat when playing a rogue and doing everything I can to have CA.
Freebies
These methods of gaining CA are free (no power cost, etc) so they are first on the list…
1/ Can I use First Strike? As a rogue, enemies grant to you CA if they have not acted yet in this encounter. So, this is usually the first question I ask myself.
2/ Can I surprise the enemy? Maybe you are stealthed, or have total concealment at the start of combat (maybe you were in a hallway before combat erupted in the next room).
3/ Can I flank the enemy? This is going to be the most common method of gaining CA. When in a group, you will (most of the time) be looking to flank the enemy for the easy CA.
Not so free…
These methods have limited uses and as such should generally be saved for when you have no freebies above.
One of the first things I ask myself if I have no easy (free) way of gaining CA is, “Why can’t I get a freebie CA?”. Whatever the answer is, if I can resolve it, I do it. In most cases this means I may need to move to a better position. At that point you weigh in the cost of the methods below and decide whether or not to expend one. More often then not you will… after all, plenty of them are encounter based, and will return soon to be used again. But, if for example the fight could be a long one or perhaps this enemy is already almost dead, there may not be much of a benefit to expending an item power on it.
With that said, here are some “not so freebie” methods…
1/ Daily or Encounter Powers. As a rogue, there are some abilities that allow you to move and then strike which could mean moving into a position granting CA for the attack. Or, perhaps there is no way to get CA right now but the use of a particular power WILL grant it for next time.
2/ Item powers. There are many items that are great at helping rogues gain CA over another target.
3/ Know your group. Maybe another player is considering what to on their turn and at that moment you see that when your turn comes, you will not have CA. Perhaps there is something that player can do to help you out. Whether that’s knocking an enemy near you prone, or simply moving into a better position, you can shout for such help as a free action.
4/ Bluff em. This is one I never see used (not in my campaign, or the two others I play in, nor what I hear from a few others). The Bluff skill allows you 2 great opportunities tied to combat…
5/ Situational. There are situations where you grant combat advantage to enemies based on your actions (combat and non), but there are also times the enemy does things that grant combat advantage. Some are obvious, others are not. These are also listed in the PHB, but we’ll look at them here anyway. Keep an eye out for these situations to come up, and then take advantage of them…
Anyway, that's about it. There are more details I am sure I am leaving out, and I'm sure many of you have your own ideas/methods and if that's the case, let's hear em!
--- edited to include correction from Starglim ---
As a rogue myself, I make it my goal to have combat advantage for every attack I make each encounter – I shoot for 100%. With that said, I thought I would share how make that happen for my rogues (I currently play one in each of two different campaigns).
DISCLAIMER: This is just how I do it. I’m not claiming it’s the best method or setup but I have been asked IRL and simply felt like putting it down somewhere instead of repeating it
First off, I draw up my own power cards on 3.5 x 5 inch note cards. I line these up on each side of my character sheet – powers on the left, other abilities on the right (including skills and gear powers). See a photo of them here, and the description of them below…
Power Cards
These have a colored circle next to their name indicating how often they can be used, followed by the power name. To the right of the name I write and highlight in blue the term “GET CA!” which let’s me know it is an ability that will grant me CA for my next attack. Next to this I indicate and “M” for Melee, “R” for Ranged, or “M/R” for either.
Below this, is the description of what the ability does as well as damage which I modify when necessary so it is right on the card. I highlight in orange valuable info.
Other Ability Cards
These cards detail powers from items, skills, etc. However, instead of using the names of items, or skills, I label them based on what they do for me. So, as you can see from the photo of my cards, they are labeled as…
Shift 1sq
CA vs Un-acted
Concealed or Invis
Concealed
Shift 2sq
Shift [my speed] Sq
Teleport 5sq
Teleport 5sq
These names let me know right away what is available to me. At a glance I can skim and grab an effect I want without having to read ability names and remember what they did. Below these labels I can find all the details I need to get more info on how they work and why.
Getting Combat Advantage (CA)
When I first played my very first rogue, I actually wrote out on a card a quick step by step to refer to from time to time to help remind me about getting CA. Basically, when it wasn’t my turn I was skimming my cards and looking over the step by step to help ingrain the process. I don’t have/use that card anymore, but I’m going to list some things I consider in combat when playing a rogue and doing everything I can to have CA.
Freebies
These methods of gaining CA are free (no power cost, etc) so they are first on the list…
1/ Can I use First Strike? As a rogue, enemies grant to you CA if they have not acted yet in this encounter. So, this is usually the first question I ask myself.
2/ Can I surprise the enemy? Maybe you are stealthed, or have total concealment at the start of combat (maybe you were in a hallway before combat erupted in the next room).
3/ Can I flank the enemy? This is going to be the most common method of gaining CA. When in a group, you will (most of the time) be looking to flank the enemy for the easy CA.
Not so free…
These methods have limited uses and as such should generally be saved for when you have no freebies above.
One of the first things I ask myself if I have no easy (free) way of gaining CA is, “Why can’t I get a freebie CA?”. Whatever the answer is, if I can resolve it, I do it. In most cases this means I may need to move to a better position. At that point you weigh in the cost of the methods below and decide whether or not to expend one. More often then not you will… after all, plenty of them are encounter based, and will return soon to be used again. But, if for example the fight could be a long one or perhaps this enemy is already almost dead, there may not be much of a benefit to expending an item power on it.
With that said, here are some “not so freebie” methods…
1/ Daily or Encounter Powers. As a rogue, there are some abilities that allow you to move and then strike which could mean moving into a position granting CA for the attack. Or, perhaps there is no way to get CA right now but the use of a particular power WILL grant it for next time.
EX: If you have the Martial Power book, make sure you look at the level 2 Rogue Encounter Ability “Adaptable Flanker” – it’s a minor action and grants you combat advantage right then and there (aka until the start of your next turn). Instant CA. It requires that you and an ally are adjacent to the enemy (not flanked though) but it’s nice.
2/ Item powers. There are many items that are great at helping rogues gain CA over another target.
3/ Know your group. Maybe another player is considering what to on their turn and at that moment you see that when your turn comes, you will not have CA. Perhaps there is something that player can do to help you out. Whether that’s knocking an enemy near you prone, or simply moving into a better position, you can shout for such help as a free action.
EX: Have a Cleric in the group? Check out the level 5 ability “Spiritual Weapon” in the PHB
4/ Bluff em. This is one I never see used (not in my campaign, or the two others I play in, nor what I hear from a few others). The Bluff skill allows you 2 great opportunities tied to combat…
a/ Gain Combat Advantage: Once per combat encounter, you can try to gain combat advantage against an adjacent enemy by feinting. As a standard action, make a Bluff check opposed by the enemy’s Insight check. If you succeed, you gain combat advantage against the enemy until the end of your next turn.
b/ Create a Diversion [from errata update]: “Once per combat encounter, you can create a diversion to hide. As a standard action, make a Bluff check opposed by the passive Insight check of any enemy that can see you. If you succeed, make a Stealth check opposed by the passive Perception check of any enemy present. If the Stealth check succeeds against an enemy, you are hidden from that enemy until the end of your turn or until you attack.”
b/ Create a Diversion [from errata update]: “Once per combat encounter, you can create a diversion to hide. As a standard action, make a Bluff check opposed by the passive Insight check of any enemy that can see you. If you succeed, make a Stealth check opposed by the passive Perception check of any enemy present. If the Stealth check succeeds against an enemy, you are hidden from that enemy until the end of your turn or until you attack.”
5/ Situational. There are situations where you grant combat advantage to enemies based on your actions (combat and non), but there are also times the enemy does things that grant combat advantage. Some are obvious, others are not. These are also listed in the PHB, but we’ll look at them here anyway. Keep an eye out for these situations to come up, and then take advantage of them…
a/ Balancing enemies grant CA. Anyone attempting to Balance (move across a surface less than 1 feet wide, or across an unstable surface) is “balancing” which grants CA. Use choke points to make this happen.
b/ Blinded enemies grant CA. Many classes have powers/abilities that can produce this effect. Perhaps you could work with your DM about creating an Encounter or Daily power that allows you to throw dirt into the eyes of an enemy that blinds them (on Hit), granting CA until the end of it’s next turn, etc. Check out the Level 29 Rogue Power “Sight-Stealing Shot” from the Martial Power book.
c/ Climbing enemies grant CA. However, creatures that have a climb speed do not grant CA, but still good for those that don’t.
d/ Dazed enemies grant CA. Many classes have powers/abilities that can produce this effect.
e/ Helpless enemies grant CA. Helpless enemies generally become helpless when Unconscious.
f/ Prone enemies grant CA. Remember, anyone crawling is also Prone. Many classes have powers/abilities that can produce this effect.
g/ Restrained enemies grant CA. Immobilized enemies are not necessarily restrained. [/B]
h/ Running grants CA. When an enemy runs, they grant CA until the end of their next turn. Toss a shuriken into their backs when they do this.
i/ Squeezing enemies grant CA. This is another condition an enemy can inflict upon itself via choke points.
j/ Stunned enemies grant CA. Many classes have powers/abilities that can produce this effect.
k/ Surprised enemies grant CA.
l/ “Unable to see you” enemies grant CA.
b/ Blinded enemies grant CA. Many classes have powers/abilities that can produce this effect. Perhaps you could work with your DM about creating an Encounter or Daily power that allows you to throw dirt into the eyes of an enemy that blinds them (on Hit), granting CA until the end of it’s next turn, etc. Check out the Level 29 Rogue Power “Sight-Stealing Shot” from the Martial Power book.
c/ Climbing enemies grant CA. However, creatures that have a climb speed do not grant CA, but still good for those that don’t.
d/ Dazed enemies grant CA. Many classes have powers/abilities that can produce this effect.
e/ Helpless enemies grant CA. Helpless enemies generally become helpless when Unconscious.
f/ Prone enemies grant CA. Remember, anyone crawling is also Prone. Many classes have powers/abilities that can produce this effect.
g/ Restrained enemies grant CA. Immobilized enemies are not necessarily restrained. [/B]
h/ Running grants CA. When an enemy runs, they grant CA until the end of their next turn. Toss a shuriken into their backs when they do this.
i/ Squeezing enemies grant CA. This is another condition an enemy can inflict upon itself via choke points.
j/ Stunned enemies grant CA. Many classes have powers/abilities that can produce this effect.
k/ Surprised enemies grant CA.
l/ “Unable to see you” enemies grant CA.
Anyway, that's about it. There are more details I am sure I am leaving out, and I'm sure many of you have your own ideas/methods and if that's the case, let's hear em!
--- edited to include correction from Starglim ---
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