Player issue - help with a rogue

[Xilo]

My advice? Cross class in for 3 levels of Swashbuckler. And then grab the daring outlaw feat and run like hell. the Int based damage is nice, as is the added bonus to AC and reflex. Move in with a Rapier/Dagger combo and get some help with some stunning effects or spells (like grease) that make your opponents Flat footed and then just watch the carnage.

In our last campaign I played an elven rogue and pulled off the TWF double Sneak damage several times.

He is looking at taking a few levels of swashbuckler, so I'll push that idea a little more. Also excuse my ignorence but what does TWF stand for?

 

[Arkhandus]

Two-Weapon Fighting. The feat. In 3.5, a Rogue can use two weapons to unleash a full-attack with Sneak Attack damage on each attack, including the off-hand attacks. Of course, this requires the foe to be denied their Dex bonus to AC for the Rogue's entire turn, or flanked by the Rogue and someone else.

The Wizard or Cleric should at least, y'know, be summoning monsters to flank enemies and help the Rogue, if none of the sissy mages are going to go into melee and expect some sneaky guy to do all the close-in fighting for them like some kind of 1-man-army, which he's not.

 

[Darklone]

Rapier and kukri as weapons and get the Telling Blow feat ASAP (if you score a critical hit, you may add sneak attack damage). Imp Critical is another feat to look for then... but that rogue will soon be pretty feat starved, so you might think about adding 4 fighter levels for a few more feats though you should take Daring Warrior then as well.

Adds Weapon Specialisation to the mix and allows him to take Melee Weapon Mastery. Less sneak attack but more damage bonus against any opponents. And he hits much better.

 

[Ahrimon]

I'm going from memory so I hope I remember this right. There's a shadow stance that makes it so you are always considered flanking. Even if your the only one fighting that guy. Two feats, or one level in Swordsage would let him get that. There's also a feat in Bo9s that allows you to add your dex as an unnamed damage bonus when weilding one of the favored weapons of the shadow discipline and in a shadow stance.

 

[Stalker0]

I think its time for the wizard to toss in some improved invisibility. Considering it sounds like the rogue is the only one at the front lines, its a great great spell to use...and efficient.

Your melee guy is gaining a +2 to attack (maybe more if the guy has a dex bonus) and +4d6 damage!! Further, if the monster attacks the rogue, that's a 50% miss chance. Its just the way to go.

 

[William drake]

Hey,

One of my players is a rogue who is feeling a little useless in combat. The party also has a Wizard, Ranger/Scout and a cleric. There isn't a pure fighter though the ranger/scout is hitting very hard with her bow. All the PCs are about to level up to 7th.

Basically he is feeling like he never gets a chance to use his sneak attacks and isn't buff enough to be a huge hitter in melee. At the moment he is thinking of taking the invisible blade prestige class to try and make him a little better in combat.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can help this player? The character is great from an RP point of view and I'm loath for the player to change.

Thoughts, suggestions and comments greatly appreciated.

wow, I've never heard this before. Rogues are nasty, and if used right, can put the whoop on any other class.

Tell him he should be doing Called Shots, using two weapons: short swords, or knives. Take all the feats for them, extend his abiity to crit, and look at the Rogue book. There are alot of nasty feats in there which allow for sneak attack movies in combat:quick draw, flick of the wrist, (and allow him to use his Bluff skill to allow for attacks of opp *I.e* he is able to trick his foe into attacking, and he was ready for it all along. Tell him to take the skills for dissarm, and throwing.

*Also, tell him to see the movie Hunted* it is a great Knife fighting movie, he should find out a bit from that.

 

[hong]

Tell him he should be doing Called Shots, using two weapons: short swords, or knives. Take all the feats for them, extend his abiity to crit, and look at the Rogue book.

... called shots?

 

[Wik]

... called shots?

Yeah. That confused me, too.

 

[Xilo]

Tell him he should be doing Called Shots, using two weapons: short swords, or knives.

Thanks for the comments. Like the other two I'm not sure what you mean by called shots, it would be great if you could explain a little.

Also he's using a short sword in in primary hand and a dagger in his off hand. He has Weapon Finesse and improved initive, but no crit boosters.

 

[Pell-Mell]

Another option would be the Blurstrike weapon quality, which causes the victim of the attack to be considered flat-footed for the first attack with the weapon. It is in the Magic Item Compendium and Races of the Wild.

Also, for most rogues, I don't think criticals are generally as important, as the sneak attack damage is not increased on a critical.