Combining Rogue and Spellthief to create a 36 lvls. Thief class

[Geron Raveneye]

Is my personal attempt at upping the "standard four" to 36 levels and still keep them kinda interesting to play. Is easy enough for Fighter and Wizard, too.

So I'm trying to extract the Thief from 3e's Rogue class, and add something special for those additional 16 levels. And here is where the Spellthief comes into play. I find the idea of a thief who, at high levels, learns how to steal spells, spell effects, resistances, etc. very fascinating, and fitting for a D&D fantasy campaign setting like Mystara or the like.

What I'm going to change, though, is the trigger of those abilities. Instead of making the thief sacrifice some of his sneak attack damage, I'd like to base these thefts on the Pick Pockets skill (or Sleight of Hand for 3.5). All I need is a good DC for those actions, and an idea at which level to start offering those abilities.

So, to summarize:
- I want to create a Thief class that hearkens back to the old Thief of RC D&D times, with 36 levels.
- I'm planning to add some of the Spellthief abilities to that class at higher levels, but change the "Sneak Attack" trigger I want to use the Pick Pockets skill.

My questions would be:
- At what level (of 36) should I start inserting those abilities into this class? My idea would be either 15th or 20th. Comments?
- What check DCs would you suggest for stealing magic? My ideas at the moment are something like 35+spell level for stealing spells or spell effects, 40+amount stolen for stealing any resistancies, and something like 45 for stealing intrinsic special qualities of a monster.

For those who want to take a look at the Spellthief class, go http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050107a&page=1

Any comment and suggestion more than welcome.

 

[Nyaricus]

just a question - why 36 levels? its semms to be a sorta . .. hmmm, odd number to choose.

 

[comrade raoul]

just a question - why 36 levels? its semms to be a sorta . .. hmmm, odd number to choose.

It's a reference to the best version of epic rules D&D ever had.

 

[Geron Raveneye]

just a question - why 36 levels? its semms to be a sorta . .. hmmm, odd number to choose.

Best call it sentimental reasons. I started with Mentzer's edition of D&D (the good old Red Box ), and played it for quite some time. And watching a character rise through 36 levels of class development, gain fame, fortune and a chance at immortality kinda got stuck in my brain.

But I think I'm nearly there. Borrowed some ideas from the Iron Kingdoms Second-storey Man PrC and from Iron Heroes Thief class. Only got to write it all out, and I think it will make a fun class to play.

 

[Nyaricus]

oh, gotcha. See, I am not a newbie to D&D, per se, but since i am only 17 (been playing for 6 1/2 years) i had some limited introductions to AD&D, and then once we heard about a newer edition, we jumped on it - and i am the only one of that original group to continue playing :\ . . . But thats okay, cuz they are all meth and or crack heads now, and i am playing with some awesome buddies of mine (7, actually) ::devil smiley:: .

So yeah, enough about me though, but as you can see, i didn't know much about 1E or 2E. I like downloading what WotC has for 2nd for some campaign specifics for FRCS though thats always good stuff