D&D 5E Are Rogues mostly archers?

[hejtmane]

Rogue stacks while with fighter or ranger we have a ranger/rogue he is basically a sniper build concept so 2 attacks (2 chances for sneak attack) colossal slayer 1d8 + bow damage and he has access to hunters mark sharp shooter and the +2 acc from archery fighting style. He gives up some stuff long term but overall it blends while toghter

 

[GrumpyGamer]

Attacking twice gives you a higher chance to trigger sneak attack as a rogue, so two weapons may be better from a purely damage perspective. For me the most interesting class feature of the rogue is cunning action and not being in melee combat gives you a lot more options to use an item as a bonus action.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

A good rogue does both.

 

[Bupp]

The rogue in my party is almost 100% melee and is probably the deadliest character in the party.

 

[TwoSix]

During the player several of us left feedback dexter was overpowered as well.

Maybe during the first few seasons. By the end he was pretty underwhelming. (Seriously, a lumberjack?)

 

[Zardnaar]

Maybe during the first few seasons. By the end he was pretty underwhelming. (Seriously, a lumberjack?)

Heh dexterity stupid predictive txt on phone.

 

[psychophipps]

I spend most of my time shooting people in the face, to be honest. I have D-blocked some chumps, of course, but most of my damage has been ranged.

Short bow? Seriously?!? It's all about the Light Crossbow, y'all. More damage, you can sling it to shove it behind your back to get to your shortsword, and it just looks cooler. Style matters, people!

Dual-wielding option is pretty "meh" to me due to character concept (deformed off-hand with just a pinky and thumb) and the fact the extra mobility afforded by the Cunning Action/sniping combo making at least one mob chase me around the room has paid huge dividends in our battles so far in this campaign (PotA).

 

[GX.Sigma]

The strange thing about Sneak Attack and ranged weapons is that it actually encourages you to shoot arrows at people who are right next to your friends.

...which is insane. In real life, that's how you end up with a lot of dead friends. But there's no penalty for it in 5e, and for the Rogue, it's actually encouraged. I am considering the following additional houserules:

Combat: Making an Attack: Ranged Attacks: Whenever you miss with a ranged attack, re-roll the attack against a random other creature within 5 feet of the intended target, if any. Use the same modifiers for the attack roll and damage roll. (Use this only if the "hitting cover" rule does not apply, DMG 272)

or

Classes: Rogue: Sneak Attack does not work with ranged weapons.

or

Classes: Rogue: Delete the second paragraph of Sneak Attack (the one about "another enemy of the target within 5 feet"). Advantage is the only way of enabling Sneak Attack.

 

[hawkeyefan]

Rogue stacks while with fighter or ranger we have a ranger/rogue he is basically a sniper build concept so 2 attacks (2 chances for sneak attack) colossal slayer 1d8 + bow damage and he has access to hunters mark sharp shooter and the +2 acc from archery fighting style. He gives up some stuff long term but overall it blends while toghter

One of our groups of characters has a rogue/ranger build that sounds similar, and he's a devastating sniper.

The strange thing about Sneak Attack and ranged weapons is that it actually encourages you to shoot arrows at people who are right next to your friends.

...which is insane. In real life, that's how you end up with a lot of dead friends. But there's no penalty for it in 5e, and for the Rogue, it's actually encouraged. I am considering the following additional houserules:

Combat: Making an Attack: Ranged Attacks: Whenever you miss with a ranged attack, re-roll the attack against a random other creature within 5 feet of the intended target, if any. Use the same modifiers for the attack roll and damage roll. (Use this only if the "hitting cover" rule does not apply, DMG 272)

or

Classes: Rogue: Sneak Attack does not work with ranged weapons.

or

Classes: Rogue: Delete the second paragraph of Sneak Attack (the one about "another enemy of the target within 5 feet"). Advantage is the only way of enabling Sneak Attack.

Do you usually apply cover to those in melee? I usually do at least that much. I don't bother adding in the risk of hitting a friend, except perhaps on a natural 1 on the die roll. Then I'd consider the attack hitting the ally, and would have the attacking player make a new roll.

But even then, I'd only do that if I needed to ramp things up a bit.

 

[Clancey]

Nobody has mentioned the SCAG Swashbuckler: I have been having fun with my Swashbuckler who is more of a melee character than any of my previous Rouge characters. He is level 5 now, and having gained 5th level he has become more interesting than my past RCs. I took DWF at 4th level, so he can now fight with two rapiers - maybe not as good as the ability boost, but did gain the +1 ac that I would have gotten by just juicing Dex. He has the opportunity to get sneak attack in almost any circumstance and has the option to use the second Rapier if the first misses. Making an attack at a single target gets me free disengage and I can then use dash for cunning action to set up my next move. I have been in the situation where I am faced with two opponents, but then use my off-hand to attack them both and then simply walk away. I am thinking of take some fighter levels to get the off-hand bonus, Second Wind, Action Surge and maybe 19 crits, but I don't know if I want to do that and sacrifice the SA escalation.

Oh, in my lower levels I used the Longbow a lot, but haven't picked it up since I made 5th.

One problem you have with a rogue sitting at range and sniping/hiding is when the noise level of the fight alerts the Dragon Turtle that comes from behind, or the band of Orcs who surround you in the hall outside of the room. With the rest of the party engaged, it might lead you into a melee battle whether you like it or not...