2E Thief/3E Rogue

[Kastil]

A recent 'problem' has reared its ugly head in a FR gme I currently play in online. With all the possibilities of a 3E rogue, I couldn't resist playing one especially in the FR setting. After all, the thieves of 2E were my favorite class in those long forgotten days so why not try 3E but with a twist? The ways you could play the now called rogue class were endless in my eyes. I had to try it!

After careful consideration, I drew upon a character from one of my many unfinished stories. He fit the part for the 3E world and would work perfectly in the campaign setup. I submitted my character sheet and rather lengthy background to the DM....

"Where's your thieves tools? Did you forgot them when you picked your equipment?"

"Noooo....I'm not playing that kind of rogue. See? No ranks in pick locks or pockets. I'm going with the diplomacy kind of rogue."

"Why don't you take them just in case."

::sighs:: I did, just in case. Then I actually had to pick a lock ::gasps:: and fate smacked me upside the head. I couldn't pick a lock for spit! Imagine that! Then came the "You're not a very good thief, are you?" "I'm playing a rogue, not a thief." "Yeah, sure whatever."

::sighs::

Of course the best thing has to be the "You wear light armor, don't use anything but small weapons and can't fight very good. You must be a rogue!"

I find myself shifting from the original concept of my character because of the nice 'stereotpye' given to him. I'm also thinking of multi-classing just to step away from where it looks like he's heading. Sure, I admit, he's swindled in the past and flashes a smile if he thinks it will get him anywhere but steal just to steal? Nope, not his gig at all.

Anyone else have this affliction?

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Anyone else have this affliction?

No but when I made my fighter/rogue I made real clear to the DM that I wouldn't be taking any traditional rogue skills. I took Diplomacy and other such things instead. He got the message.

What's your alignment? If you're lawful good, you may want to pick up paladin. That'll really mess with his head.

 

[Kastil]

He's Chaotic Good. The paladin thing would be a real mind freller but my old group tried once to have me play a LG character. Once again fate intervened. I passed through a 'field' of some sort and it changed my alignment to LN.

I am thinking fighter just because the group brough in someone to play another rogue. A halfling to boot. They say it's payback for one of my other characters.

::adjusts halo:: Whatever could they mean?

 

[Hammerhead]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I play my Halfling Rogue as a Sneak Attack death machine, and everyone still watches their pockets around him. I mean, why are rogues automatically regarded as thieves who'll pick your pocket or something?

 

[Spatula]

I got the same thing with my first 3E character, a pirate rogue/fighter. I started with some ranks in open locks, but none in search or disable device. And for a while I didn't bother increasing open locks. But eventually I ended up bumping all three skills up, because the DM and the rest of the party kept expecting me to disarm traps. Despite my protests that the character was a thug and not a cat burglar. But that was our first 3E game, so I think the others were still stuck in a 2E mindset.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Re: Re: 2E Thief/3E Rogue

If you're lawful good, you may want to pick up paladin. That'll really mess with his head.

Grrr.

I had a 3E DM tell me that "A Paladin/Rogue multiclass is impossible, because Paladins aren't allowed to steal, and all Rogues are Thieves."

Grrr.

A character is not defined by his class.

A character can be a rogue with no levels in Rogue, or have levels in Rogue without being the least bit roguish.

He can be a warrior with no levels in Warrior.

He can have levels in Ranger never having seen a forest.

The classesa character has merely serve to mechanically represent his abilities.

-Hyp.

 

[Witch Doctor]

My first 3e campaign (first gaming experience, too) I played an elven rogue. He was introduced to the party as I was making off with the paladins sack of silver during the night. In the game, I changed into more of a scout than a thief.

What does all this have to do with you? Simple. Start off as a thief, perhaps, THEN change into whatever kind of rogue you prefer. This way, your group/GM will actually witness a change in you rather than you saying what you are.

May not be to your liking, but it's a suggestion, non-the-less.

 

[ph34r]

I'm quiet the opposite actually. Whenever I see the mention of a rogue, I hardly ever think of a thief. Maybe it's because the majority of the rogues I have played were never the thieving type, so I guess that sort of left a long lasting impression in my mind.

 

[Sanackranib]

rogues

you may also want to consider the bard in this roll.

if its a new campaign then get one of the others to play a more triditional rogue so that you won't be depended uppon to use skills that you didn't bother taking in the first place.

 

[Shadowdancer]

I our group we have three fighter/rogues. One has no traditional thief skills whatsoever and doesn't even own a set of lockpicks. She has lots of diplomatic skills.

The second is able to pick locks and disable traps, but doesn't pick pockets, and is not a thief. He's more of a scout type character, with great hide and move silently skills.

The third is the traditional thief, with the highest pick locks and disable traps skill ranks as well as pick pockets.

No one in our group has a problem keeping the concept of rogue and thief seperate.