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Han Shot First: A Scoundrel's Guide
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<blockquote data-quote="RenZhe" data-source="post: 6717103" data-attributes="member: 6802115"><p>[h=2]<strong>Races: </strong>[/h]<span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">A quick note here: it is not absolutely vital to get a race to stat bump in both your primary and a secondary, as exception only a handful of specific builds (dual-stat Str/Dex Brutal Scoundrels) rogues tend to be a class that can be played without significant loss if your secondary stat isn't completely kept on par with your primary, so a number of 'primary-stat only' races ends up being top-tier picks regardless. Also, do note that I do not consider Int to be a real secondary stat for any kind of rogue. It is tertiary, at best.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[sblock=Races - Primary and Secondary Stats]</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong><span style="color: #0000FF">Changeling</span> </strong></span>(EPG, Cha/Dex or Int) - Well, it is a Dex/Cha race, that gets you blue here. That there's no good feat support for this race really keeps it from the big leagues though, and the utility of the disguise feature is rather roleplay dependent. However, if you took this race specifically because you wanted go the route of the <span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Arena Champion PP</strong></span>, then this is basically your <strong><span style="color: #FF9900">cornerstone</span> </strong>race.[/sblock]</span></span>[sblock=Races - Primary and Secondary Stats]</p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong><span style="color: #33CCCC">Dragonborn (Draconian) </span></strong>(PHB/D421, Cha/Con or Str, Dex/Cha)- Well, Dragonborn was already a decent enough race on its own, but they really made top tier when they printing Kapak Draconians. At-will flight, a CA conditional that mimics a rogue feat, Toxic Saliva, and Dex primary, along with all the usual dragonborn support (Draconic Arrogance, etc). You couldn't really have asked for much better.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong><span style="color: #33CCCC">Drow</span> </strong>(FRPG, Dex/Cha or Wis) - Another top-notch race, it has a power to grant CA at Melee and at range, along with the perfect ability scores for the job and some very powerful racial feats. Dread Fang is also a spectacular racial PP for a ranged build.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Half-Orc</strong></span> (PHB2, Dex/Con or Str) - +2 Str and +2 Dex means you're an awesome Brutal Scoundrel, especially with an extra damage feature and some buffering against getting beat down. A prime pick for a Rogue, and the go-to choice for a <span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>charger </strong></span>build.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Halfling</strong> </span>(PHB, Dex/Cha or Con) - Given that you can use almost every weapon that's good for Rogues (so the main detriment of being Small doesn't apply), and that your support is mind-blowingly good for keeping the rather fragile Rogue upright, this is a prime racial choice.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Pixie</strong></span> (HotEC, Cha/Int or Dex) - Meet the new S-tier in rogue races. Actually, you could play this a number of ways - you've got the right stats for a Artful Dodger build, but your feat support and racial qualities actually pull you more towards Brutal Scoundrel or Cunning Sneak play. Streak of Light charger? Riposte/Vigilante Justice? Permahidden Yakuza build that parks on top of the enemy's square? Yeah, its as awesome as you can imagine. Check out mellored's pixie guide for more ideas.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #00CCFF"><strong>Thri-Kreen </strong></span> (DSCS, Dex/Str or Wis) - Bonuses to Strength and Dexterity make you a super Brutal Scoundrel, and you can even go the Darkstrider Cunning Sneak route with Dexterity and Wisdom. Toss in some Elf-like base speed and a minor action attack, and you have a favorite.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Revenant</strong> </span>(HoS, Dex/Con or Cha) - Twin Strike by being a dead Half-Elf, brokenly good racial support, on any class chassis to make you utterly unkillable. I'd rate this race <span style="color: #FF9900"><strong>gold</strong> </span>if it didn't feel so scummy about it. The fact that this is listed under both primary and secondary stats is a bit of a joke - what you're really doing is picking a race you wanted to optimize around, then mount it on a dex-primary character. Take a look at mellored's revenant guide to check out what I mean.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>Satyr</strong> </span>(HotFW, Cha/Con or Dex) - The right stats for an Artful Dodger, and with a surprisingly useful racial ability. Lack of racial support stings though.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong><span style="color: #FF0000">Shade</span> </strong>(HoS, Cha/Dex or Int) - I don't care that the stats line up. Lose a surge? No deal.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #00CCFF"><strong>Vryloka</strong></span> (HoS, Cha/Str or Dex) - Has the right ability scores, higher-than-average speed, and an excellent racial power. Blood Dependency can be a bit annoying, but it doesn't hurt this race too much.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span>[/sblock]<span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[sblock=Races - Primary Stats Only]</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>Eladrin </strong></span>(PHB Cha/Int or Dex) - The Dexterity bonus is gold, as is the extra skill and +1 to Will defense, but the Intelligence bonus is of a more limited use (certain Cunning Sneaks only). A strong choice nevertheless, especially because the teleport opens up a huge amount of tactical options for you.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Elf</strong> </span>(PHB Dex/Int or Wis) - The Dexterity bonus is good, but the Wisdom is only appealing to certain Cunning Sneaks. Elven Accuracy make this race good for any rogue build, though, and the alternative racial Sense Threat and Reactive Stealth just make this race the <span style="color: #FF9900"><strong>best damn Darkstriders</strong></span>, period.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Githzerai</strong> </span>(PHB3 Wis/Int or Dex) - Similar to Elves with regards to their attribute bonuses, but with different and not necessarily worse racials. Build expansions for a nova sequence are possible if feat-intensive, and Storvakal is an OK PP if you're interested in that.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Gnome</strong> (PHB3 Int/Cha or Dex) - While it does provide the all-important Dexterity bonus, and it has some strongly related racial abilities and feat support, the fact of the matter is that the race is Small and slow, which holds it back a bit.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Human</strong> <span style="color: #000000"> (PHB, Any Stat) </span></span><span style="color: #000000">-</span> The extra At-Will buffs your tactical options in a big way (as can Heroic Effort), you're good at just about any Rogue build you want to try, and the bonus feat and skill make you extra awesome. To boot, your racial support for this class is actually pretty good (gasp!). A very strong pick for this sort of thing.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #0000FF"><span style="color: #000000"><strong>Shifter, Razorclaw </strong>(PHB2, Dex/Wis)</span></span> - Same stats as Elf, so the usual applies, but crappier racial and support.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Wilden</strong> <span style="color: #000000">(PHB2, Dex/Wis) </span></span>- You had me a 'free charge every encounter', buddy. That the stats line up correctly is just icing.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[/sblock]</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[sblock=Races - Secondary Stat Only]</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #800080"><strong>Deva </strong><span style="color: #000000">(PHB2, Cha/Int or Wis)</span></span>- Poor stat alignments, minimal support for this class. Could be worth something <span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>excellent </strong></span>in epic via Soul of the World ED, but bad until then, which makes it generally bad. Take the revenant version instead.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Dwarf</strong> (PHB, Con/Wis or Str) - Low speed, Str/Con. That would make this purple. However, racial support that lets you use hammers and axes for rogue powers and sneak attack capability each have their epic-tier build trees that not only make this racial choice redeemable, but also hilariously <span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>effective</strong></span>. Seriously, imagine a Dwarven charger rogue with a gouge (note: requires a very specific ED). Words don't even begin to describe the awesome.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong><span style="color: #33CCCC">Genasi</span></strong>(FRPG, Str/Int or Cha) Sure, you only get +2 Str, but to judge this race based purely off of stat alignment would be terribly shortsighted. Stormsoul gets the one of the most ridiculously powerful racial abilities in the game, as well as Shocking Flame, which is literally just +2/4 damage for free - and its typed, so you can use it to activate dragonshards for tap vulnerabilities. Bottom line is, these guys make amazing Brutal Scoundrels, and is one of the rare races where it doesn't actually pay to play the Revenant version.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Goliath</strong> (PHB2, Con/Wis or Str) - A bonus to a secondary, and +2 Con and a tough-guy sort of racial power makes it a serviceable choice.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Half-Elf</strong> (PHB, Con/Wis or Cha)- You probably really just wanted to Dilettante Twin Strike. Try coming back as a dead Half-Elf (aka Revenant) instead.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #800080"><strong>Hamadryad </strong><span style="color: #000000">(HotFW, Wis/Cha or Int)<strong> -</strong></span></span> Goliath-analogue, but for Artful Dodgers because the only stat alignment you get is charisma. Gets a worse rating due to nonexistant feat support.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong><span style="color: #800080">Kalashtar</span></strong> (EPG, Cha/Wis or Int) - +2 to Charisma is nice, but +2 to Wisdom is of more limited use, and its abilities seem to be more Leader-oriented than anything else. Not the line of work for them.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #800080"><strong>Minotaur</strong> </span>(PHB3, Str/Wis or Con) - You could claim to get away with playing a Brutal Scoundrel with those stats, but you can't really claim that it would work all that well given the mostly useless racial support.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>Mul</strong></span> (DSCS, Str/Con or Wis) - You know how I said Dwarves are at least a passable race because you can use a hammer or a gouge in epic? Only this is that much better because you don't take a speed penalty, gain a much needed surge, and have an awesome racial ability that counters your worst problems.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #800080"><strong>Shardmind</strong> </span>(PHB3, Int/Wis or Cha) - Secondary ability only, poor racials. If you wanted to be a construct, Warforged is only about a thousand times cooler.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Shifter, Longtooth</strong> (PHB2, Str/Wis) - This provides both secondary attributes for the average Brutal Scoundrel, as well as a racial power that will make you a heck of a lot harder to take down and gives you amazing surge management. This can work.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Tiefling</strong> (PHB, Cha/Int or Con) - Secondary stat bump, extra killing power when your opponent is bloodied, and feat support for a wierd fire-build if you like, and access to Secrets of Belial. These are all inherently very good benefits...but Revenant trumps this by having all that AND the right stats for the job, so try coming back as a dead Tiefling instead.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong><span style="color: #0000FF">Warforged</span></strong> (EPG, Con/Str or Int) - Tough, good racial ability, good feat support and a premier +striker charge-centric PP. But here's the real cincher: combined with a bloodfury weapon (and some reasonable amount of DM tolerance), these guys make the most surge-efficient rogues in the game, which is worth a ton in my book.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[/sblock]</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[sblock=Races - Monster Manuals, Etc]</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Bladeling (MOTP)</strong> - I don't much care that you get the Dex stat aligned, other Dex/Wis races are just flat out better due to support.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong><strong>Bugbear (MM, Str/Dex) </strong>- </strong><span style="color: #000000">Str/Dex, oversized wielding? Win. The premier brutal scoundrel. Ignore the racial power - can't complain about it, but that gets mostly washed out in the greater scheme of action economy constraints, to the point that is not really a racial power. The real point here was oversized wielding anyway.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong><span style="color: #0000FF">Goblin (MM)</span></strong> - Halflings with no support. Eh.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #0000FF"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Gnoll (D367)</strong></span> </span>- Very solid. Racial support lets you use an encounter power on a charge. Yeah, no kidding. Good luck convincing your DM.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong><span style="color: #0000FF">Kenku (MM 2)</span></strong> - Stat bonuses in the right places, and extra bonuses to hit for flanking? A tasty choice for a Rogue.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong><span style="color: #000000">Kobold (MM)</span></strong> - With shifty now gone in the new rewrite of Kobold, this is now just a race with barely the right stats qualifications, and not all that much going for it, especially for a small character.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong><span style="color: #800080">Orc (MM)</span></strong> - It has no skill bonuses, the only attribute it boosts that you care about is Strength, and its racial power is useless to any Rogue who doesn't boost it. Skip this one.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[/sblock]</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p>[h=2]Skills:[/h]<span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[sblock=Class Skills]</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Acrobatics</strong> </span>- This skill a prerequisite for <span style="color: #FF9900"><strong>Tumbling Strike (E17 - yes, its a gold power)</strong> </span>and <strong><span style="color: #33CCCC">Darting Strike (E3)</span></strong>, and thus basically makes it required for most of you, period. The fact that is an iconic rogue skill with ridiculous amounts of combat and roleplay uses is mere icing on the cake.[/sblock]</span></span>[sblock=Class Skills]</p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>Athletics</strong> </span>- Kind of redundant with Acrobatics in some aspects, but it can do things the other can't, and it keys off a prime stat for Brutal Scoundrels. Also required for <strong><span style="color: #33CCCC">Leaping Dodge (U16)</span></strong>.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>Bluff</strong> </span>- A standard pickup for a charisma-type. Also a cornerstone component to an Arena Champion build.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Dungeoneering</strong> - Required for <strong><span style="color: #33CCCC">Darkstriders</span></strong>, but otherwise skippable. In all likelihood, the party radar should have this skill covered. If you're the party radar, grab it.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>Insight</strong> </span>- Doesn't really get used that often from my experience. The real point of this is that this unlocks the Skill Power <strong><span style="color: #0000FF">Insighful Riposte</span></strong>, which is frankly better than Nimble Blade.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>Intimidate</strong> </span>- <span style="color: #FF9900"><strong>Required </strong></span>to use Rattling powers, and if you want to have a wide plethora of social skills.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Perception</strong> </span>- While your Wisdom may or may not be awesome, there really is little reason to skip out on this skill.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #FF9900"><strong>Stealth</strong> </span>- A non-choice, though I can't fathom a character refer to itself as a Rogue and not having this.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #800080"><strong>Streetwise</strong></span> - Campaign dependent and more situational than any of the other skills, and thus usually the first one that gets skipped over. I'm just calling 'em as it is.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #FF9900"><strong>Thievery</strong> </span>- Non-choice. Although notably, this is one of the first ones hybrids tend to skip out on.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span>[/sblock]<span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[sblock=Recommended Non-Class Skills]</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>Diplomacy</strong> </span>- Helps round out your social arsenal, and you're more or less expected to have this if you're doubling as the party face.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[/sblock]</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p>[h=2]Recommended/Notable Backgrounds[/h]<span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">The Short List: Gritty Sergeant if you're a Rapier-user, Auspicious Birth/Born Under a Bad Sign for everyone else.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[sblock=Recommended Backgrounds]</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000FF">Gritty Sergeant</span>: </span></strong></span><span style="color: #000000">Easiest way to get proficiency in Rapier and a +1 Initiative boost to boot? Heck yeah.</span><span style="color: #000000"><strong>Noble Bred For War</strong>: The other way to get a Rapier, and a boost to a social skill. But you probably wanted Gritty Sergeant.</span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Auspicious Birth/Born Under a Bad Sign</strong></span>: In all honestly, even if I wanted to be a rapier build, I would default to taking this at level 1 and ask to retrain it later at level 4-6. A limited HP pool in conjunction with sub-par defenses is the achilles heel of a rogue, and this does a lot to up your survivability during those critical levels where your HP pool is especially lacking. Non-rapier builds can more or less stick with this forever.</span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #000000"><strong>Wandering Duelist</strong>: Noted only because this is the biggest background bonus to intimidate out there, for you intimidatomancers.</span></span></span></p><p> <span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #000000"><strong>Chessenta</strong>: Pretty damn cool Action Point buff if your DM thinks you can roll a 7 on a D6.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Impiltur</strong>: Worth a mention because it opens a feat that allows you to double-roll on intimidate checks.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[/sblock] </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p>[h=2]A Discourse on Rogue Weapons:[/h]<span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">A conversation about rogue weapons shouldn't always begin and end with daggers. They are statistically the best weapon to use for a rogue, <em>in general</em>, but there are perfectly valid reasons to consider your other options, and frankly, I've a personal hatred for the puny little damn things. If you're here because you're looking for a valid reason to ditch that d4 forever, then by all means, read on.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[sblock=Recommended Weapons]</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><u><strong>Light Blades</strong></u></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Dagger</strong> </span>- Well, this does happen to be your best weapon by default, if only because of your class feature's built-in accuracy. You're likely to at least keep one in your off-hand throughout your career as your ranged option (presumably, you took light blade expertise so your most credible ranged option is going to be a thrown dagger). If you're a hybrid rogue though, you're obviously not getting the rogue weapon talent feature and can safely ditch the dagger in favor of something more powerful in you main hand.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #FF0000"><strong>Katar</strong> </span>- If you shelled out a feat for this, that could have been a rapier instead. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong><span style="color: #FF0000">Kukri</span></strong><span style="color: #000000"> - Same deal as Katar. The fact that Rogue Weapon Talent offsets the +2 Proficiency bonus does not make this any better. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #33CCCC"><strong>Rapier</strong> </span>- Highest [W] damage of all light blades outside of Spiked Chain, which means that if you're a hybrid or charger with Surprising Charge, you're coming<strong><span style="color: #FF9900"> straight here</span></strong>. Of course, you don't get a proficency with this naturally, so be prepared to spend your background, a feat, or a really bland theme for it.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #800080"><strong>Shortsword - </strong></span>Because you absolutely cannot stand daggers or something like that. This is generally trying to make the best of a bad situation where you somehow can't access Rapiers, at which point you might as well just use a dagger. This only becomes more <span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>excusable </strong></span>if your PP was Shocktrooper, at which point you probably traded down your rapier and retrained your background for something else.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong><span style="color: #800080">Shuriken</span> </strong>- Bad trap all around. Daggers are absolutely superior in pretty much any situation. Well, except one. This gets a purple instead of red because you can use this with an extremely niche set up to get at-will pushing at ranged with Disheartening Strike.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Spiked Chain - </strong>Well, its not a light blade until it <span style="color: #800080"><strong>eats up your MC feat</strong></span>, so you better know what you're getting yourself into. But it is a 2d4 light blade/flail double weapon that gets you all the flail support, so it could see use. I consider it most valuable on a hybrid or a specialist build. And for the record, yes, you can get at-will prone with flail expertise on a scoundrel rogue. The mechanism comes from an at-will augment feat in combination with Disheartening Strike.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><u><strong>Ranged Weapon:</strong></u></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>Hand Crossbow</strong></span> - Pretty much the default ranged option if you're going for a dedicated ranged build.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><span style="color: #0000FF"><strong>Slings </strong></span>- Needs an extra feat tax (Deadeye Slinger) to make it truly <strong>great</strong><span style="color: #800000">, <span style="color: #000000">but its a competitive enough weapon on its own give your choices, and the sling-only power list actually makes you care enough to want to use one.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><u><span style="color: #0000FF"><span style="color: #000000"><strong>Other Weapon Groups, and Why</strong></span></span></u></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Maces</strong> - Presumably because you're a Ruthless Ruffian. The only valid weapon here is the specific weapon of the same name <strong>mace, </strong>since the <strong><span style="color: #FF0000">Club</span> </strong>is strictly inferior in every way. Why not a Singing Stick, you ask? Because your class feature is written in a certain way that it literaly only works with those two weapons. So why are you playing a Ruthless Ruffian again?</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Heavy Blades - </strong>Requires Versatile Duelist or an Eladrin racial feat. You're likely here because you wanted to do something with Heavy Blade Opportunity, or else wield a Githyanki Silver/Sorrowsong Blade to run a psychic lock combo. Default weapon here is a <strong>longsword</strong>. Anything further is likely too feat-expensive for too little benefit.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Axes</strong> - Requires access to a Dwarven racial feat Tunnel Stalker. Axes aren't actually a really good weapon group for you, so we don't necesssary care, but that's not what the real meat of this weapon group is. Note how the feat is written - 'when you wield it in one hand', you get the benefits. That means you can be an Eternal Defender (Fighter ED) and use a <strong>halberd</strong> or <strong>gouge</strong> for hilarious shenanigans. Again, for epic tier use only.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Hammers - </strong>Need to be a Dwarf again. Tunnel Stalker covers this, but Lethal Hammer Training is a strictly more beneficial feat. Like axes, there's literally no reason to do this unless you're running an epic build, at which point you have a Hindering Shield/Overwhelming Impact combo with a <strong>Warhammer </strong>that can at-will daze.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Flails</strong> - See entry on Spiked Chain, above. Spiked Chain Training is the only way you'll get this to work.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'"><strong>Bows</strong> - You're an Elf who took Treetop Sniper. You lose the +1 to hit from your class feature for a bigger damage dice (par trade), but that cost you a feat, so, you not getting the best deal here unless you're coming in via another class or a hybrid. <strong>Longbow</strong> is pretty fine here, though I can see arguments for going all the way to <strong>Greatbow</strong>.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333"><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans'">[/sblock] </span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="RenZhe, post: 6717103, member: 6802115"] [h=2][B]Races: [/B][/h][COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] A quick note here: it is not absolutely vital to get a race to stat bump in both your primary and a secondary, as exception only a handful of specific builds (dual-stat Str/Dex Brutal Scoundrels) rogues tend to be a class that can be played without significant loss if your secondary stat isn't completely kept on par with your primary, so a number of 'primary-stat only' races ends up being top-tier picks regardless. Also, do note that I do not consider Int to be a real secondary stat for any kind of rogue. It is tertiary, at best. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [sblock=Races - Primary and Secondary Stats] [COLOR=#33CCCC][B][COLOR=#0000FF]Changeling[/COLOR] [/B][/COLOR](EPG, Cha/Dex or Int) - Well, it is a Dex/Cha race, that gets you blue here. That there's no good feat support for this race really keeps it from the big leagues though, and the utility of the disguise feature is rather roleplay dependent. However, if you took this race specifically because you wanted go the route of the [COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Arena Champion PP[/B][/COLOR], then this is basically your [B][COLOR=#FF9900]cornerstone[/COLOR] [/B]race.[/sblock][/FONT][/COLOR][sblock=Races - Primary and Secondary Stats] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][B][COLOR=#33CCCC]Dragonborn (Draconian) [/COLOR][/B](PHB/D421, Cha/Con or Str, Dex/Cha)- Well, Dragonborn was already a decent enough race on its own, but they really made top tier when they printing Kapak Draconians. At-will flight, a CA conditional that mimics a rogue feat, Toxic Saliva, and Dex primary, along with all the usual dragonborn support (Draconic Arrogance, etc). You couldn't really have asked for much better.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][B][COLOR=#33CCCC]Drow[/COLOR] [/B](FRPG, Dex/Cha or Wis) - Another top-notch race, it has a power to grant CA at Melee and at range, along with the perfect ability scores for the job and some very powerful racial feats. Dread Fang is also a spectacular racial PP for a ranged build. [COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Half-Orc[/B][/COLOR] (PHB2, Dex/Con or Str) - +2 Str and +2 Dex means you're an awesome Brutal Scoundrel, especially with an extra damage feature and some buffering against getting beat down. A prime pick for a Rogue, and the go-to choice for a [COLOR=#33CCCC][B]charger [/B][/COLOR]build. [COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Halfling[/B] [/COLOR](PHB, Dex/Cha or Con) - Given that you can use almost every weapon that's good for Rogues (so the main detriment of being Small doesn't apply), and that your support is mind-blowingly good for keeping the rather fragile Rogue upright, this is a prime racial choice. [COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Pixie[/B][/COLOR] (HotEC, Cha/Int or Dex) - Meet the new S-tier in rogue races. Actually, you could play this a number of ways - you've got the right stats for a Artful Dodger build, but your feat support and racial qualities actually pull you more towards Brutal Scoundrel or Cunning Sneak play. Streak of Light charger? Riposte/Vigilante Justice? Permahidden Yakuza build that parks on top of the enemy's square? Yeah, its as awesome as you can imagine. Check out mellored's pixie guide for more ideas. [COLOR=#00CCFF][B]Thri-Kreen [/B][/COLOR] (DSCS, Dex/Str or Wis) - Bonuses to Strength and Dexterity make you a super Brutal Scoundrel, and you can even go the Darkstrider Cunning Sneak route with Dexterity and Wisdom. Toss in some Elf-like base speed and a minor action attack, and you have a favorite. [COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Revenant[/B] [/COLOR](HoS, Dex/Con or Cha) - Twin Strike by being a dead Half-Elf, brokenly good racial support, on any class chassis to make you utterly unkillable. I'd rate this race [COLOR=#FF9900][B]gold[/B] [/COLOR]if it didn't feel so scummy about it. The fact that this is listed under both primary and secondary stats is a bit of a joke - what you're really doing is picking a race you wanted to optimize around, then mount it on a dex-primary character. Take a look at mellored's revenant guide to check out what I mean.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][COLOR=#0000FF][B]Satyr[/B] [/COLOR](HotFW, Cha/Con or Dex) - The right stats for an Artful Dodger, and with a surprisingly useful racial ability. Lack of racial support stings though.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][B][COLOR=#FF0000]Shade[/COLOR] [/B](HoS, Cha/Dex or Int) - I don't care that the stats line up. Lose a surge? No deal.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [COLOR=#00CCFF][B]Vryloka[/B][/COLOR] (HoS, Cha/Str or Dex) - Has the right ability scores, higher-than-average speed, and an excellent racial power. Blood Dependency can be a bit annoying, but it doesn't hurt this race too much. [/FONT][/COLOR][/sblock][COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [sblock=Races - Primary Stats Only] [COLOR=#0000FF][B]Eladrin [/B][/COLOR](PHB Cha/Int or Dex) - The Dexterity bonus is gold, as is the extra skill and +1 to Will defense, but the Intelligence bonus is of a more limited use (certain Cunning Sneaks only). A strong choice nevertheless, especially because the teleport opens up a huge amount of tactical options for you. [COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Elf[/B] [/COLOR](PHB Dex/Int or Wis) - The Dexterity bonus is good, but the Wisdom is only appealing to certain Cunning Sneaks. Elven Accuracy make this race good for any rogue build, though, and the alternative racial Sense Threat and Reactive Stealth just make this race the [COLOR=#FF9900][B]best damn Darkstriders[/B][/COLOR], period. [COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Githzerai[/B] [/COLOR](PHB3 Wis/Int or Dex) - Similar to Elves with regards to their attribute bonuses, but with different and not necessarily worse racials. Build expansions for a nova sequence are possible if feat-intensive, and Storvakal is an OK PP if you're interested in that. [B]Gnome[/B] (PHB3 Int/Cha or Dex) - While it does provide the all-important Dexterity bonus, and it has some strongly related racial abilities and feat support, the fact of the matter is that the race is Small and slow, which holds it back a bit. [COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Human[/B] [COLOR=#000000] (PHB, Any Stat) [/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]-[/COLOR] The extra At-Will buffs your tactical options in a big way (as can Heroic Effort), you're good at just about any Rogue build you want to try, and the bonus feat and skill make you extra awesome. To boot, your racial support for this class is actually pretty good (gasp!). A very strong pick for this sort of thing. [COLOR=#0000FF][COLOR=#000000][B]Shifter, Razorclaw [/B](PHB2, Dex/Wis)[/COLOR][/COLOR] - Same stats as Elf, so the usual applies, but crappier racial and support. [COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Wilden[/B] [COLOR=#000000](PHB2, Dex/Wis) [/COLOR][/COLOR]- You had me a 'free charge every encounter', buddy. That the stats line up correctly is just icing. [/sblock] [sblock=Races - Secondary Stat Only] [COLOR=#800080][B]Deva [/B][COLOR=#000000](PHB2, Cha/Int or Wis)[/COLOR][/COLOR]- Poor stat alignments, minimal support for this class. Could be worth something [COLOR=#0000FF][B]excellent [/B][/COLOR]in epic via Soul of the World ED, but bad until then, which makes it generally bad. Take the revenant version instead. [B]Dwarf[/B] (PHB, Con/Wis or Str) - Low speed, Str/Con. That would make this purple. However, racial support that lets you use hammers and axes for rogue powers and sneak attack capability each have their epic-tier build trees that not only make this racial choice redeemable, but also hilariously [COLOR=#0000FF][B]effective[/B][/COLOR]. Seriously, imagine a Dwarven charger rogue with a gouge (note: requires a very specific ED). Words don't even begin to describe the awesome. [B][COLOR=#33CCCC]Genasi[/COLOR][/B](FRPG, Str/Int or Cha) Sure, you only get +2 Str, but to judge this race based purely off of stat alignment would be terribly shortsighted. Stormsoul gets the one of the most ridiculously powerful racial abilities in the game, as well as Shocking Flame, which is literally just +2/4 damage for free - and its typed, so you can use it to activate dragonshards for tap vulnerabilities. Bottom line is, these guys make amazing Brutal Scoundrels, and is one of the rare races where it doesn't actually pay to play the Revenant version. [B]Goliath[/B] (PHB2, Con/Wis or Str) - A bonus to a secondary, and +2 Con and a tough-guy sort of racial power makes it a serviceable choice. [B]Half-Elf[/B] (PHB, Con/Wis or Cha)- You probably really just wanted to Dilettante Twin Strike. Try coming back as a dead Half-Elf (aka Revenant) instead. [COLOR=#800080][B]Hamadryad [/B][COLOR=#000000](HotFW, Wis/Cha or Int)[B] -[/B][/COLOR][/COLOR] Goliath-analogue, but for Artful Dodgers because the only stat alignment you get is charisma. Gets a worse rating due to nonexistant feat support. [B][COLOR=#800080]Kalashtar[/COLOR][/B] (EPG, Cha/Wis or Int) - +2 to Charisma is nice, but +2 to Wisdom is of more limited use, and its abilities seem to be more Leader-oriented than anything else. Not the line of work for them. [COLOR=#800080][B]Minotaur[/B] [/COLOR](PHB3, Str/Wis or Con) - You could claim to get away with playing a Brutal Scoundrel with those stats, but you can't really claim that it would work all that well given the mostly useless racial support. [COLOR=#0000FF][B]Mul[/B][/COLOR] (DSCS, Str/Con or Wis) - You know how I said Dwarves are at least a passable race because you can use a hammer or a gouge in epic? Only this is that much better because you don't take a speed penalty, gain a much needed surge, and have an awesome racial ability that counters your worst problems. [COLOR=#800080][B]Shardmind[/B] [/COLOR](PHB3, Int/Wis or Cha) - Secondary ability only, poor racials. If you wanted to be a construct, Warforged is only about a thousand times cooler. [B]Shifter, Longtooth[/B] (PHB2, Str/Wis) - This provides both secondary attributes for the average Brutal Scoundrel, as well as a racial power that will make you a heck of a lot harder to take down and gives you amazing surge management. This can work. [B]Tiefling[/B] (PHB, Cha/Int or Con) - Secondary stat bump, extra killing power when your opponent is bloodied, and feat support for a wierd fire-build if you like, and access to Secrets of Belial. These are all inherently very good benefits...but Revenant trumps this by having all that AND the right stats for the job, so try coming back as a dead Tiefling instead. [B][COLOR=#0000FF]Warforged[/COLOR][/B] (EPG, Con/Str or Int) - Tough, good racial ability, good feat support and a premier +striker charge-centric PP. But here's the real cincher: combined with a bloodfury weapon (and some reasonable amount of DM tolerance), these guys make the most surge-efficient rogues in the game, which is worth a ton in my book. [/sblock] [sblock=Races - Monster Manuals, Etc] [B]Bladeling (MOTP)[/B] - I don't much care that you get the Dex stat aligned, other Dex/Wis races are just flat out better due to support. [COLOR=#33CCCC][B][B]Bugbear (MM, Str/Dex) [/B]- [/B][COLOR=#000000]Str/Dex, oversized wielding? Win. The premier brutal scoundrel. Ignore the racial power - can't complain about it, but that gets mostly washed out in the greater scheme of action economy constraints, to the point that is not really a racial power. The real point here was oversized wielding anyway.[/COLOR][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#0000FF]Goblin (MM)[/COLOR][/B] - Halflings with no support. Eh. [COLOR=#0000FF][COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Gnoll (D367)[/B][/COLOR] [/COLOR]- Very solid. Racial support lets you use an encounter power on a charge. Yeah, no kidding. Good luck convincing your DM. [B][COLOR=#0000FF]Kenku (MM 2)[/COLOR][/B] - Stat bonuses in the right places, and extra bonuses to hit for flanking? A tasty choice for a Rogue. [B][COLOR=#000000]Kobold (MM)[/COLOR][/B] - With shifty now gone in the new rewrite of Kobold, this is now just a race with barely the right stats qualifications, and not all that much going for it, especially for a small character. [B][COLOR=#800080]Orc (MM)[/COLOR][/B] - It has no skill bonuses, the only attribute it boosts that you care about is Strength, and its racial power is useless to any Rogue who doesn't boost it. Skip this one. [/sblock][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [h=2]Skills:[/h][COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][sblock=Class Skills] [COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Acrobatics[/B] [/COLOR]- This skill a prerequisite for [COLOR=#FF9900][B]Tumbling Strike (E17 - yes, its a gold power)[/B] [/COLOR]and [B][COLOR=#33CCCC]Darting Strike (E3)[/COLOR][/B], and thus basically makes it required for most of you, period. The fact that is an iconic rogue skill with ridiculous amounts of combat and roleplay uses is mere icing on the cake.[/sblock][/FONT][/COLOR][sblock=Class Skills] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][COLOR=#0000FF][B]Athletics[/B] [/COLOR]- Kind of redundant with Acrobatics in some aspects, but it can do things the other can't, and it keys off a prime stat for Brutal Scoundrels. Also required for [B][COLOR=#33CCCC]Leaping Dodge (U16)[/COLOR][/B].[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][COLOR=#0000FF][B]Bluff[/B] [/COLOR]- A standard pickup for a charisma-type. Also a cornerstone component to an Arena Champion build.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][B]Dungeoneering[/B] - Required for [B][COLOR=#33CCCC]Darkstriders[/COLOR][/B], but otherwise skippable. In all likelihood, the party radar should have this skill covered. If you're the party radar, grab it.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][COLOR=#0000FF][B]Insight[/B] [/COLOR]- Doesn't really get used that often from my experience. The real point of this is that this unlocks the Skill Power [B][COLOR=#0000FF]Insighful Riposte[/COLOR][/B], which is frankly better than Nimble Blade.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][COLOR=#0000FF][B]Intimidate[/B] [/COLOR]- [COLOR=#FF9900][B]Required [/B][/COLOR]to use Rattling powers, and if you want to have a wide plethora of social skills.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Perception[/B] [/COLOR]- While your Wisdom may or may not be awesome, there really is little reason to skip out on this skill.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][COLOR=#FF9900][B]Stealth[/B] [/COLOR]- A non-choice, though I can't fathom a character refer to itself as a Rogue and not having this.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][COLOR=#800080][B]Streetwise[/B][/COLOR] - Campaign dependent and more situational than any of the other skills, and thus usually the first one that gets skipped over. I'm just calling 'em as it is.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans][COLOR=#FF9900][B]Thievery[/B] [/COLOR]- Non-choice. Although notably, this is one of the first ones hybrids tend to skip out on. [/FONT][/COLOR][/sblock][COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [sblock=Recommended Non-Class Skills] [COLOR=#0000FF][B]Diplomacy[/B] [/COLOR]- Helps round out your social arsenal, and you're more or less expected to have this if you're doubling as the party face. [/sblock][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [h=2]Recommended/Notable Backgrounds[/h][COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] The Short List: Gritty Sergeant if you're a Rapier-user, Auspicious Birth/Born Under a Bad Sign for everyone else. [sblock=Recommended Backgrounds] [COLOR=#33CCCC][B][COLOR=#000000][COLOR=#0000FF]Gritty Sergeant[/COLOR]: [/COLOR][/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]Easiest way to get proficiency in Rapier and a +1 Initiative boost to boot? Heck yeah.[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000][B]Noble Bred For War[/B]: The other way to get a Rapier, and a boost to a social skill. But you probably wanted Gritty Sergeant.[/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Auspicious Birth/Born Under a Bad Sign[/B][/COLOR]: In all honestly, even if I wanted to be a rapier build, I would default to taking this at level 1 and ask to retrain it later at level 4-6. A limited HP pool in conjunction with sub-par defenses is the achilles heel of a rogue, and this does a lot to up your survivability during those critical levels where your HP pool is especially lacking. Non-rapier builds can more or less stick with this forever.[/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][B]Wandering Duelist[/B]: Noted only because this is the biggest background bonus to intimidate out there, for you intimidatomancers.[/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][B]Chessenta[/B]: Pretty damn cool Action Point buff if your DM thinks you can roll a 7 on a D6.[/COLOR] [B]Impiltur[/B]: Worth a mention because it opens a feat that allows you to double-roll on intimidate checks. [/sblock] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [h=2]A Discourse on Rogue Weapons:[/h][COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Open Sans] A conversation about rogue weapons shouldn't always begin and end with daggers. They are statistically the best weapon to use for a rogue, [I]in general[/I], but there are perfectly valid reasons to consider your other options, and frankly, I've a personal hatred for the puny little damn things. If you're here because you're looking for a valid reason to ditch that d4 forever, then by all means, read on. [sblock=Recommended Weapons] [U][B]Light Blades[/B][/U] [COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Dagger[/B] [/COLOR]- Well, this does happen to be your best weapon by default, if only because of your class feature's built-in accuracy. You're likely to at least keep one in your off-hand throughout your career as your ranged option (presumably, you took light blade expertise so your most credible ranged option is going to be a thrown dagger). If you're a hybrid rogue though, you're obviously not getting the rogue weapon talent feature and can safely ditch the dagger in favor of something more powerful in you main hand. [COLOR=#FF0000][B]Katar[/B] [/COLOR]- If you shelled out a feat for this, that could have been a rapier instead. [B][COLOR=#FF0000]Kukri[/COLOR][/B][COLOR=#000000] - Same deal as Katar. The fact that Rogue Weapon Talent offsets the +2 Proficiency bonus does not make this any better. [/COLOR] [COLOR=#33CCCC][B]Rapier[/B] [/COLOR]- Highest [W] damage of all light blades outside of Spiked Chain, which means that if you're a hybrid or charger with Surprising Charge, you're coming[B][COLOR=#FF9900] straight here[/COLOR][/B]. Of course, you don't get a proficency with this naturally, so be prepared to spend your background, a feat, or a really bland theme for it. [COLOR=#800080][B]Shortsword - [/B][/COLOR]Because you absolutely cannot stand daggers or something like that. This is generally trying to make the best of a bad situation where you somehow can't access Rapiers, at which point you might as well just use a dagger. This only becomes more [COLOR=#0000FF][B]excusable [/B][/COLOR]if your PP was Shocktrooper, at which point you probably traded down your rapier and retrained your background for something else. [B][COLOR=#800080]Shuriken[/COLOR] [/B]- Bad trap all around. Daggers are absolutely superior in pretty much any situation. Well, except one. This gets a purple instead of red because you can use this with an extremely niche set up to get at-will pushing at ranged with Disheartening Strike. [B]Spiked Chain - [/B]Well, its not a light blade until it [COLOR=#800080][B]eats up your MC feat[/B][/COLOR], so you better know what you're getting yourself into. But it is a 2d4 light blade/flail double weapon that gets you all the flail support, so it could see use. I consider it most valuable on a hybrid or a specialist build. And for the record, yes, you can get at-will prone with flail expertise on a scoundrel rogue. The mechanism comes from an at-will augment feat in combination with Disheartening Strike. [U][B]Ranged Weapon:[/B][/U] [COLOR=#0000FF][B]Hand Crossbow[/B][/COLOR] - Pretty much the default ranged option if you're going for a dedicated ranged build. [COLOR=#0000FF][B]Slings [/B][/COLOR]- Needs an extra feat tax (Deadeye Slinger) to make it truly [B]great[/B][COLOR=#800000], [COLOR=#000000]but its a competitive enough weapon on its own give your choices, and the sling-only power list actually makes you care enough to want to use one.[/COLOR][/COLOR] [U][COLOR=#0000FF][COLOR=#000000][B]Other Weapon Groups, and Why[/B][/COLOR][/COLOR][/U] [B]Maces[/B] - Presumably because you're a Ruthless Ruffian. The only valid weapon here is the specific weapon of the same name [B]mace, [/B]since the [B][COLOR=#FF0000]Club[/COLOR] [/B]is strictly inferior in every way. Why not a Singing Stick, you ask? Because your class feature is written in a certain way that it literaly only works with those two weapons. So why are you playing a Ruthless Ruffian again? [B]Heavy Blades - [/B]Requires Versatile Duelist or an Eladrin racial feat. You're likely here because you wanted to do something with Heavy Blade Opportunity, or else wield a Githyanki Silver/Sorrowsong Blade to run a psychic lock combo. Default weapon here is a [B]longsword[/B]. Anything further is likely too feat-expensive for too little benefit. [B]Axes[/B] - Requires access to a Dwarven racial feat Tunnel Stalker. Axes aren't actually a really good weapon group for you, so we don't necesssary care, but that's not what the real meat of this weapon group is. Note how the feat is written - 'when you wield it in one hand', you get the benefits. That means you can be an Eternal Defender (Fighter ED) and use a [B]halberd[/B] or [B]gouge[/B] for hilarious shenanigans. Again, for epic tier use only. [B]Hammers - [/B]Need to be a Dwarf again. Tunnel Stalker covers this, but Lethal Hammer Training is a strictly more beneficial feat. Like axes, there's literally no reason to do this unless you're running an epic build, at which point you have a Hindering Shield/Overwhelming Impact combo with a [B]Warhammer [/B]that can at-will daze. [B]Flails[/B] - See entry on Spiked Chain, above. Spiked Chain Training is the only way you'll get this to work. [B]Bows[/B] - You're an Elf who took Treetop Sniper. You lose the +1 to hit from your class feature for a bigger damage dice (par trade), but that cost you a feat, so, you not getting the best deal here unless you're coming in via another class or a hybrid. [B]Longbow[/B] is pretty fine here, though I can see arguments for going all the way to [B]Greatbow[/B]. [/sblock] [/FONT][/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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