Front-line roguish sneak-bluffing fighters

[Emiricol]

Do you think a 3.5 Ranger/Rogue would be as effective in this type of role?

Without the Greatsword or other large, high-damage weapon it is much harder to trigger the Knockdown, at least until higher levels where magic items make up the difference.

Of course, there's zero reason one *must* go the bluff/sneak attack/knockdown route...

 

[BVB]

re knockdown: I don't really care about that particular effect. I'm more interested in the rogue's sneaky ability to inflict Xd6 more damage once he's negated his opponent's dexterity AC modifier ("if any").

*Assuming* he can trigger the flatfoot advantage -- and that's a pretty important assumption -- that's an average of an additional 3.5 points of damage every other level, or 1.75 averaged out (twice) for each rogue level. Pump that up with an extra few fighter feats and you'd think he could hold his own pretty well.

(shrug) Or maybe not. Your DM's own combat scene style probably makes a big difference, too.

 

[Tessarael]

Re: Rogue/Fighter AC

I'm not sure why people think the Rogue/Fighter won't have good AC. Dexterity should be your primary ability, as it gives you +1 AC and +1 BAB with Weapon Finesse.

Comparing armor only, your AC is only one worse than a fighter in Full Plate, given both of you have sufficient Dexterity to max out AC (8 armor +3 from Dexterity - Mithril Full Plate; 4 armor +6 from Dexterity - Mithril Shirt).

Where does the Fighter/Rogue lose AC? By using two weapons. I think this is a poor choice, even if you have high Sneak Attack. You're better off using a magic shield (+2 AC for a Heavy Shield, and more magical bonus), your attack is not reduced by -2, you have spare feats to put into other things (Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, etc.), and more money to spend on other equipment.

My Rogue/Fighter of 17th level has

Ring of Protection +2, +2 AC
Heavy Shield +2, +4 AC
Mithril Shirt +2, +6 AC
Dexterity 22, +6 AC

For a total of AC 28. (Relatively low magic campaign, otherwise those magical bonuses would be higher.)

Throw in the Dodge feat (+1 AC vs. one opponent), and Expertise (for when you need to defend vs. high BAB opponents), and your AC is as good or better than your fellow tank.

But my Rogue/Fighter doesn't have the HP ... mostly d6 HD and Constitution of 12 ... No way that my Rogue/Fighter can stand up to a high BAB/high damage opponent, but that's what running away if for.