How do YOU play a rogue?

[Shadowdancer]

I add some fighter levels and make him ninja-esque.

Or, if I want to play a thief-type bard, I use some skill ranks in Perform and give him a cover as an itinerate entertainer.

 

[evileeyore]

My groups last campiagn had 3 'rogues' and it was a 'fanatic' focused campiagn.

The first 'rogue' was Rogue/Monk and was the party clerics bodyguard. He was trained in a church sponsored monastery.

The second was my rog/rang/fighter was a Man-Hunter who was trying to work his way into the Inquisition.

The last was a rog/assasin who was a card carrying member of the church's "Assasin Guild'. All sworn to the Emperor (the church's God) and to the Inquisition.

Of course the Cleric eventually wormed his way into the inquisition...

--EvilE--

 

[~Johnny~]

The rogue is a really versatile class. A high-Charisma rogue with an emphasis on the social skills can break the "thief" stereotype and fit in just about any group. It can also be fun to play a smart rogue as a translator and guide.

 

[El Ravager]

The rogue, as well as the fighter, are the most versitile classes. Between those two classes you can play just about any character concept that doesn't involve casting a lot of spells. So to ask how I play a rogue, the response is that it depends on my mood and the mood of the campaign when I create the character.

Since 3.x, my group hasn't had any trouble with the rogue != thief concept. Pick pockets is only one skill on the list with many others that are oh so useful. With such a variety of skills to choose from, I can't think of any party that wouldn't find a rogue of some sort useful.


=========
*EL RAV*

"I'm not a thief, I'm a TREASURE HUNTER!"

 

[blargney the second]

I play a rogue like an Arcane Trickster.

In this case, I would play a rogue who is caught stealing from the church. As penance, he must undergo reform at the party paladin's hands.

-blarg

 

[der_kluge]

Hey, if there's no rogue in the party, then who gets on the paladin's nerves???

The Necromancer.

I have a concept for a rogue that I might like to try for our next campaign. Unlike the Bard, I think a rogue is a beautifully designed class that allows for infinite variations. I am really wanting to try a burglar/street smart kind of guy with a criminal record. He's not evil, just chaotic. And he's not a thug, so he won't have ranks in things like pick pockets, but he'll be able to break into your house and steal your stuff.
I might even see if I can find some sort of alternative to sneak attack, because that won't really suit him.

 

[Nura]

playing rogue

Well to be honest I would have been disappointed too, I have had lots of fun playing Nura a 12th lvl character (6lvl cleric, 5lvl rogue, 1lvl holy liberator).
A rogue could easily fit in with such a group and there are quite a few divine prestige classes that require a lot of rogue skills. even a dual class paladin rogue or cleric rogue would fit in quite nicely.
Consider a pladin who dresses in leather armour relying on a glib tongue and quick wits rather than armour and weapons but who can read lips sense evil climb walls and run along high narrow walls. the trick is balance and choosing the skills that a paladin would find useful without in any way contradicting his ethos.
It sounds to me like your player tends to play cookie cutter characters or just wanted to play a standard thief rather than explore the possibilities.