Essentials Rogue is up!

[Aegeri]

Right about on cue for something new to complain about in general is the Essentials Rogue build. The essentials rogue is indeed called the Thief, which is a pretty awesome callback to previous editions. Backstab I must say looks to be a pretty awesome mechanic as well. Like the Knight they abandon at-will attack powers, instead they use a melee basic attack, which backstab works on and then they have movement powers at will. I'm personally not so sure how good these movement powers are, plus it's a pretty big ask to give up the likes of piercing strike and what I saw doesn't look too exciting.

 

[Wormwood]

A simpler option for 4e players? Thief and Knight FTW!

 

[Aegeri]

A simpler option for 4e players? Thief and Knight FTW!

I'm not so sure on the knight but the thief? This is the definition of simple. Find enemy and stab it. Rinse and repeat. Backstab is a great power and I'm sure people can find a way of using that to their advantage. Reading it again, Ambush Trick is actually pretty good as it means the rogue can operate more without his allies or conditions upon those enemies. Feinting Trick is completely useless though I would say, as Ambush trick is strictly better and Tumbling Trick will let you get CA with allies if you need it. Exchanging charisma damage for your sneak attack just doesn't seem very worthwhile except in a really desperate situation.

For some reason Power Strike is in there, between the other movement tricks and just states they get it. Yet it isn't on their chart and it isn't statted out like a power. Some error or do they actually get power strike (Or have access to it)?

 

[LuckyAdrastus]

Sure looks simple, that's for sure. Like the Knight, you almost only make basic attacks. Instead of the Knight's stances which modify the basic attacks, the Thief sets "tricks" which so far all seem to be move actions that do something extra (or less) than a normal move, and then often give some kind of benefit to basic attacks made.

The thief also gets power attack, presumably the same power the knight gets, along with a similarly implemented power called "Backstab." So, backstab is back! In a form, anyway.

I'm somewhat surprised they don't appear to have done anything to make thieves better at finding traps. Although they also didn't do anything to make warpriests good at the Religion skill. Thieves do have a level 2 class feature called "Skill Mastery" which may have something to do in this area.

On the theory that two examples makes a trend, they seem to be returning martial classes to more simple roots. Well, giving Basic Attack builds, anyway. You could actually argue that this thief is no simpler than a "normal rogue" it gets two kinds of move+attack powers (comparable to at-wills?) and at least 2 free action encounter powers that let it enhance attacks (comparable to encounter attack powers?)

 

[LuckyAdrastus]

For some reason Power Strike is in there, between the other movement tricks and just states they get it. Yet it isn't on their chart and it isn't statted out like a power. Some error or do they actually get power strike (Or have access to it)?

This may be the same "Power Strike" from the Knight preview. Both have the same flavor text:

"Power strike is a quintessential exploit. This power is usable with a wide range of tactics and a variety of weapons. The exploit ensures that your weapon has a devastating effect on your foe."

The text implies that this may be common amongst many (all?) martial builds in Essentials. "Exploit" is the term for Martial powers, after all.

 

[Aegeri]

It's just randomly thrown in there is the problem and it doesn't show up in the class features chart. Power Strike is clearly on the Knights chart at level 1. So if its an option for the rogue at level 1 that seems very odd.

 

[Abraxas]

Given that I've been playing since 78 and my first ever character was a thief - I'm really, really happy to see the terms Thief and Backstab are back
I'm actually hyped for D&D Essentials in a way I was not for 4E

 

[mkill]

The Power Attack bit is a copy & paste error, I'm 100% sure.

I have to admit that the at-will moves are something I didn't expect. It's interesting though. Not sure I'd like this class over the PHB rogue, I'd need to see a full writeup and playtest a bit.

It definitely does capture the "essence" of what makes a rogue.

 

[Zaran]

I really hate this direction that they took. The class seems TOO simplified. Anyone wanting to learn DnD will catch on quick enought that having so little variety will make combats really boring. Just my opinion of course. Needless to say I will not be buying the Essentials for making player characters.

 

[LuckyAdrastus]

It's just randomly thrown in there is the problem and it doesn't show up in the class features chart. Power Strike is clearly on the Knights chart at level 1. So if its an option for the rogue at level 1 that seems very odd.

Hmm... you are right. Likely a typo -- either accidentally including Power Strike, ...or accidentally excluding it from the level progression chart! The language implies it might be a universal or nearly universal martial power. But you are right that this preview presents it in a way that looks to be in error.