How to get these rogues off my back....

[Giddeon]

OK, within the next couple of sessions we will be facing a large faction of Mask's followers in a FR campaign. Does anyone have some tried and true ways of taking out rogues with ease and limiting/negating their sneak attack altogether??

 

[Whimsical]

Facing a bunch of sneak attacker is one of the few time where you do want to corner yourself. Stand in the corner = no flanking.

 

[Thanee]

Or get concealment. Potion of Blur works just fine.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

Spells like Glitterdust which can affect their ability to hide and/or target for sneak attacking effectively. Power Attacking when possible, as they're likely to have less AC than a sword-n-board fighter type. Fighting back to back, or in a 2x2 square formation to limit the amount of flanking:

XX
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Fighting in corners or with your back to a wall, also to limit flanking.

What level are you?

 

[ssampier]

If they were rouges, all you'd have to do is paint their face. "I farded with Eliminster"

Since they're rogues, good luck. I'd say magic might be called for, hold person tends to work for low level humanoids or you could try any other spell that immobilizes.

 

[philreed]

OK, within the next couple of sessions we will be facing a large faction of Mask's followers in a FR campaign. Does anyone have some tried and true ways of taking out rogues with ease and limiting/negating their sneak attack altogether??

Will they be coming at you -- using their sneaky-sneaky skills -- or will you be going at them -- knowing where their headquarters is? Very different tactics depending on the situation.

If they're coming at you, in a home base environment, load that place up with all of the light and traps that you can. Don't give the rogues anywhere to hide from which they could launch a sneak attack. Maybe construct partial walls in large rooms to create more corners.

If you're going at them hit them hard. Use the biggest, most damaging stuff you can find -- something with a burst is best -- and just make sure not to let any sneak around you. Load each member of the party up with magical light so that you'll cancel any chance of shadows around you.

 

[Schmoe]

This actually touches on one area of the rules that I find frustrating and poorly executed - Sneak Attacks. IMHO, it is ridiculously easy to completely negate any chance of Sneak Attack. The defensive measures seem to fall into a few broad categories.

Concealment - Including Blur, Darkness, Fog Cloud (which even works against blindsight). Concealment completely negates any possibility of a Sneak Attack.

Uncanny Dodge - Once a character has this ability - even, say, a 4th level Barbarian - it is impossible for anyone to ever surprise the character and get a sneak attack, even an 80th level rogue.

Improved Uncanny Dodge - Prevents flanking (to an extent). Tactics can also limit flanking, so it's not as big of a deal as Uncanny Dodge.

Early detection - If you are aware of your assailants, it is harder for them to surprise you. Spells that help here include Alarm, Detect Thoughts (and most other detection spells), Glitterdust, See Invisible, Invisibility Purge, True Seeing, Foresight, and many others. Non-magical options include the Alertness feat, ranks in Spot and Listen, Improved Initiative, familiars, guard dogs (for their scent ability), animal companions, and a whole host of other options.

Barring that, just slap an Iron Body spell on every member in the party, and you're good to go.

 

[Giddeon]

Spells like Glitterdust which can affect their ability to hide and/or target for sneak attacking effectively. Power Attacking when possible, as they're likely to have less AC than a sword-n-board fighter type. Fighting back to back, or in a 2x2 square formation to limit the amount of flanking:

XX
XX

Fighting in corners or with your back to a wall, also to limit flanking.

What level are you?

I just hit the 9th level mark for my little gnome wizard. We have a ranger of 8th level, a cleric of Lathander who is 9th, and our own resident rogue of 9th level.

I am guessing the encounter will more than likely occur in the more populated regions. It will make a big difference with my plan of attack. Corners might be a little hard to find if I know my DM. He will probably have us get trapped in a round room!

Blur is a good idea. Question is, if I can find a scroll in time....About all I have to work with are Obscuring mist, Invisibility, Greater Invisibility, and Mirror Image.

 

[Len]

Hit them with Will or Fort saves. Don't waste time with fireballs or lightning bolts, most of them will evade the damage completely. Hold Person got my rogue PC killed once. Area spells like Cloudkill are good if they're hiding.

 

[Schmoe]

Blur is a good idea. Question is, if I can find a scroll in time....About all I have to work with are Obscuring mist, Invisibility, Greater Invisibility, and Mirror Image.

Go to the market ASAP and buy a mean guard dog. The dog should alert you if there are strange people sneaking around.