A gnome thug

[punkorange]

I have recently built a gnome thug. He is a 1st level rogue, based on an irishman. He is more the knock you out and take your gold than slip it out of your pocket while you aren't looking. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to a future build for this character. Prestigue class, feats, etc.

His dex is decent, but his better stats are str and con. I don't really want to multiclass all that much, and I'm not looking for a power build, just some fun interesting stuff.

He wields a medium sized two-handed club, and has around 10-15 daggers (used for melee or throwing).

 

[IcyCool]

The 5-level Streetfighter PrC from Complete Adventurer might fit what you are looking for. It advances sneak attack, gives Fighter BAB, and has a couple of neat benefits.

 

[Deset Gled]

He wields a medium sized two-handed club, and has around 10-15 daggers (used for melee or throwing).

What version (3.0 or 3.5) are you playing and what books are allowed? A small character cannot wield a medium sized weapon in 3.5 without penaly (or house rules). 3.0 vs 3.5 splatbooks can change your options quite a bit.

 

[punkorange]

We are playing 3.5, and I thought you could use a 1 handed weapon that was 1 size catagory larger two-handed without penalty.

 

[IcyCool]

We are playing 3.5, and I thought you could use a 1 handed weapon that was 1 size catagory larger two-handed without penalty.

You take a -2 penalty for using inappropriately sized weapons. If the weapon is larger than you, the effort required to wield it increases.

So, a medium club (a one-handed weapon) wielded by a small user would require two-hands, and the small user would incur a -2 penalty to attack rolls. You would be better off using a small Greatclub.

 

[JimAde]

You take a -2 penalty for using inappropriately sized weapons. If the weapon is larger than you, the effort required to wield it increases.

So, a medium club (a one-handed weapon) wielded by a small user would require two-hands, and the small user would incur a -2 penalty to attack rolls. You would be better off using a small Greatclub.

Yes, but remember that a greatclub is a martial weapon, so he doesn't get the proficiency for free.

I'd definitely recommend 1 level of fighter for this guy. The proficiencies and feat will open up a lot of options. You don't have to do a munchkin power-build, but somebody who specializes in mugging people can certainly justify a level of fighter.

 

[TracerBullet42]

Yes, but remember that a greatclub is a martial weapon, so he doesn't get the proficiency for free.

I'd definitely recommend 1 level of fighter for this guy. The proficiencies and feat will open up a lot of options. You don't have to do a munchkin power-build, but somebody who specializes in mugging people can certainly justify a level of fighter.

There's even a fighter variant in Unearther Arcana called "Thug." I think you give up a bonus feat or something, and it gets you 4 skill points/level instead of two and has a few more class skills.

Sounds like a perfect fit to me.

 

[Deset Gled]

Inappropriately Sized Weapons: A creature can’t make optimum use of a weapon that isn’t properly sized for it. A cumulative –2 penalty applies on attack rolls for each size category of difference between the size of its intended wielder and the size of its actual wielder.

Thus, a small gnome wielding a medium club would have a -2 penalty to attack. You are correct that it would have to be wielded as a two handed weapon, though. A properly sized two handed club would be a greatclub. A greatclub requires partial weapon proficiency, but does 1d8 instead of 1d6 damage.

For the build you're talking about, I would probably recommend a couple levels of fighter to give martial weapon proficiency, improve your BAB, and give you some bonus feats. IME, rogues are always hurting for feats, and the build you describe sounds like you'll need both some melee feats for the club and ranged feats for the daggers.

I've always been a big fan of Merciful weapons (+1d6 damage, all damage is nonlethal, can be suppressed) for thugs, as I imagine that the thugs often need to bring their prey back to their master for interrogation. The Hamstring feat (give up sneak attack damage to reduce movement of target) could also be useful.

If you're the type of thug that is often sent out by a master to bring back a specific target, the Bloodhound PrC from Complete Warrior (IIRC) could be good. They get bonuses to take down a "mark" (i.e. a specific enemy), and get some nice abilities to help knock enemies unconscious rather than killing them.

Edit: Dang, I'm slow today.