Best/Favorite rogue special ability

[kolikeos]

improved evasion, if you're fighting a wizard there's nothing better then getting no damge from his lots of damge mass distruction spells!

edit:
i take back what i just wrote, i should have read the other replys before posting, it seems that i know nothing about the rogue abilities, including improved evasion.
if skill mastery does indeed let you take 10 on skills such as hide and tumble then i'm all for that one!

 

[zeo_evil]

I can't imagine anyone not picking Opportunist! Wow. I once had a rogue 13 with a +1 deadly precision vicious short sword who would dish out +10d6 with a flank and Opportunist. For bonus cheese the druid would cast snake's swiftness to give the minotaur (reach) an immediate attack giving me the attack of opportunity from Opportunist every round. Wow.

Barbed Death: +1 deadly precision vicious short sword; AL NG; Int 17, Wis 17, Cha 10; Speech, telepathy, 120 ft. darkvision, and hearing; Ego score 18.
Languages: Celestial, Common, Draconic, Raumathar.
Lesser Powers: Detect evil 3/day, resurgence 3/day.
Special Purpose: Defend Elayne.
Dedicated Power: Item has status continually active (Elayne only).

 

[the Lorax]

Your character is a melee combatant. The thing that keeps you down as a weaker combatant than a straight fighter is not the 3 points of BAB that you are down, but the FEATS.
Take a feat.

Edit:

Improved Evasion?!? People must be on the good drugs and not sharing. Any decent rogue is not going to be failing that many reflex saves. Imp. Evasion is low on my list, behind every other rogue special ability, and behind many feats.

 

[Remathilis]

I chose defensive roll: its a lifesaver. Believe me.

Skill Mastery in Any or All of the Following:

Balance
Climb
Jump
Tumble
Move Silently
Hide
Bluff (fients)
Sleight of Hand
Listen
Spot
Swim

 

[Agamon]

Improved Evasion is winning handily because of this simple formula:

D&D + APL10+ = damage/death caused by failed saves.

Half or none on Reflex save saves you a ton of hp, which rogues don't have a lot of in the first place.

 

[ThirdWizard]

I'm voting Opportunist. 'Tis sweet.

 

[Agamon]

Edit:

Improved Evasion?!? People must be on the good drugs and not sharing. Any decent rogue is not going to be failing that many reflex saves. Imp. Evasion is low on my list, behind every other rogue special ability, and behind many feats.

My LG PC has a +15 Reflex save at 9th level. You'd be surprised how often he fails them.

I agree with you that Defensive Roll is cool, so is Opportunist, they'd be 2-3 for me.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Improved Evasion, though Opportunist is quite good as well.