Help out a bit with tips n answers?

[Pred]

Hey guys, first of all, sorry if i posted in the wrong section..

Ive just started playing D&D 3.5..playing a rogue, and..before i go really in-depth with what i wanna ask n know, and if yall can help me..will some do so? in helping out a newb ... i have been told by my DM that i play alright..and have good basic knowledge..WoW..i know it aint the same but..its something >< so i'm not a complete waste of time ..i just wanna get to know more about some stuff..

 

[Dandu]

What stuff?

 

[Pred]

welp.. i know shadows are my best friends...but i am kinda of a blank on what i can do when fighting in open terrain...today we went to the dessert on a mission..and we got ambushed by lizard men..im wanting to know some tips on what i could do to make my self a bit more useful in areas where i can't hide..thrown/bows...but..i wanna know some more..since i would get pwnd in melee..

also..i'm wanting to ask about...( im a human rogue ) aside from my 2 feats at first level...at what level do i gain another feat? would it be at a 3rd level or 4th?...

ill stop for now becuz i dun wanna blabber everything n then get ignored ><..wanting to better my self really

 

[Dandu]

Third.

If you want to be more useful, always have max ranks in UMD and carry around some tactical spells like Grease.

Also, would you kindly use better grammar? It helps a lot from my end.

 

[Pred]

yeah sure, sorry

but, what is UMD? i'm not really all that up and up with the abbreviations in the D&D universe; i have read the 3.5 players handbook, most of it at least, just need to understand the combat one and some other dice stuff.

I know i'm just starting and i can gain the experience with playing, but.. i don't like given some light load because of being a first timer. What i'm looking for are tactics, and just survive/adapt to not being able to hide..just some ideas.

id say...common rogue stuff? hehe.

i liked the grease idea, but do you mean in the term of setting em on fire?

 

[Dandu]

I mean in terms of hampering their movement. Ever read what Grease does to people on it? Really annoying for fighters with low Dex, especially if they are wearing heavy armor.

Use Magic Device is one of the best Rogue skills, mainly because magic tends to be either powerful or overpowered depending on the level you play at.

 

[Pred]

i see your point, i mostly skipped the use of magical devices, but could you give me some ideas on what good ones i could use, for my benefits..either offensive or defensive use...

anything else?? i don't suppose you might know some sort of guide, onto what i'm sort of looking for, id appreciate every bit of info you can give, if you give more

also on uses with tumble and balance..can i use them for my benefit in combat? and/or dodging/evasion??

 

[Dandu]

5 ranks in balance, and jump. Max ranks in tumble.

Tumble allows you to move around without being hit, which is pretty useful if you have to position yourself for flanking.

There's a Rogue's Handbook here, but I don't know how good it is.

One bit of advice I can give for gear is to pick up caltrops for some control, and flasks of acid and alchemist's fire so you can sneak attack people vs their touch AC.

 

[Rhun]

Sneak attack is your friend. So with that in mind:

A) Boost anything that increases your mobility so that you can always find your way into a flanking position.

B) Don't fight one on one with something unless you are forced into it. Always team up with another party member so that you can flank.

C) Initiative bonus should be high, as it benefits rogues more than other PCs. If you react first in any given combat, your enemies will be flat-footed, and your first attack will qualify for sneak attack damage.

 

[Jimlock]

another trusted friend of yours is called "surprise".
Always try to convince your party how it is better to sneak up on your enemies, and try to find intelligent ways to accomplish this.
Not only does this benefit your party, but you also have the chance of striking twice (surprise round + 1st round of combat) while your enemies are flat-footed, and thus deal sneak attack damage both times.

The "rogue", no matter if he is a spy, a thug, an infiltrator, a scout, or a diplomat, has one thing in his mind at all times: "indirect-ness"

if the rogue finds himself in a party full of "straightforward" PCs (clerics, paladins,simply-minded fighters, lawful PCs.. etc. etc...) and he doesn't voice his opinion.. he's screwed... Never should he agree on something like "oohh.. all right...let's go and get them"... unless there is some trick in this "simply-looking" plan.

No matter who you are as a rogue (personality/background wise) "indirectness" is what makes you a rogue.

As much as the wizard is the "controller" in the battlefield... you should be the controller of almost everything else outside/and prior-to the battle.

Your job is the "approach" on things. If you have a hard time voicing your opinion in the party, remind all that you are the one who puts his a-s on the line before everybody else... because its you who's gonna check out what's behind that wall...

In "Temple of elemental Evil" almost 100% of the PCs who died at the well were "thieves" (the "old school" name of the rogue)... so always be careful... and always dip your tongue in your brains before taking any action.

Even though dexterity is your main thing... intelligence is IMO equally important.

DOT NOT neglect two skills that might not have the looks at first sight: Disguise + Bluff... If you are really good at those you can be ANYONE (humanoid-wise) anytime, and without magical auras all over you. Just think of the benefits. (think of "mission impossible"!!!)...

(Hide, move silently, tumble ... speak for themselves...)


Feat-wise... "Improved Initiative" and "Weapon Finesse" are to be seriously considered...