D&D 5E Why Good Rogues Should Not Use a Bow

[Caliban]

I have against a few DM's. I probably could have done the whole dungeon in a few cases, but I hogged enough of the spotlight as was.

Then you have very lenient DM's. Most of the one's I know, if you tried that kind of thing solo in a dungeon setting, the monsters would either fall back once they realized they couldn't catch you (and alert everything else) or you would end up trapped, swarmed, grappled and dead if you guessed wrong about your ability to stay away from them.

[edit: This may just be a difference between group playstyles. I've played a lot of RPGA, Organized Play, Pathfinder and Adventure League over the years, with relatively few home games unless I was running it myself. In those environments most of the characters are so insanely overpowered that the DM will jump at the chance to gank a solo PC because it's the only time it's going to be possible. ]

Anyways, we agree that kiting and bows should be used by rogues. We just disagree on the how much.

Fair enough.

 

[Zardnaar]

I see some truth to the OP's points, but I there's a lot that isn't there that argues for a bow. Point being, since a rapier and a bow are dex-based, carry both. Next, use your head to figure out the best strategy. Funnest part about this game is the problem-solving, for me at least.

Definately carry and use a bow, just don't default to it its not an either/or situation.

As a previous poster used you regain hit points fast in 5E and a 5E rogue has d8 hit dice instead of d4 or d6.

YOu cna sharp shooter+crossbow expert but that is gonna take a while, good luck getting a magic hand crossbow, and a melee rogue could take TWF and sentinel for example.

In addition unlike fighters and ranger Rogues do not get archery style of +2 so using sharpshooter is a bit less effective.

 

[Yunru]

What's a mahic hand crossbow got to do with anything?

Besides, you're clearly unsavy on this matter: cool rogues use whips

 

[Zardnaar]

What's a mahic hand crossbow got to do with anything?

Besides, you're clearly unsavy on this matter: cool rogues use whips

Bonus to hit+ sharpsooter+crossbow expert+ archer style if you MC a splash fighter level.

Looks good until you come across critters requiring magic weapons, not a lot of magic hand crossbows in published adventures and you would be reliant on your DM giving you one.

 

[dave2008]

Any chance you can change the way you title your posts (good rogues, good players, etc.)? I generally find your post interesting; however, I find these last few titles very offensive. They imply that players aren't good if they aren't playing your way - and I don't even play characters! I only DM now. Just a thought as I assume you don't wan to be offensive, just looking for click bait. I'm sure you are smart enough to create click-bait without being offensive.

 

[psychophipps]

Huh...I just rolled SA dice whenever I shot someone in the face one of our melee guys was already fighting. Y'know, like the rules say you can.

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[Zardnaar]

Huh...I just rolled SA dice whenever I shot someone in the face one of our melee guys was already fighting. Y'know, like the rules say you can.

Sent from my XT1254 using EN World mobile app

Never claimed that did not work there is just better ways to get SA damage.

 

[cmad1977]

Let me guess. It's teh DPRz.


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[kalil]

If your DM allows you to hide every turn with cunning action the light/hand crossbow rogue works very well. If not then you only option to maintain decent damage output past level 5 is melee and dual wielding.

 

[Zardnaar]

If your DM allows you to hide every turn with cunning action the light/hand crossbow rogue works very well. If not then you only option to maintain decent damage output past level 5 is melee and dual wielding.

Depends if you are being observed or not. Bonus for being a halfling.