D&D 5E How would this rogue play?

[Warpiglet]

This is a solid build -- it's actually close to my very first 5e character from the playtest period!

With what you're thinking, you should be able to get by with less than 14 DEX -- putting the points in Wisdom might be an idea to help with saves. (or Intelligence, if you continue with AT, for your spell DC.

I agree with those who are against True Strike -- much better to take two swings, and hope you connect with the first (unless the campaign is going to revolve around surprise assassinations.

Expertise in Athletics is required, and effective.

Absolutely. I will carry two short swords. My musings about true strike and or grappler was relevant for instances when the character is alone and would not get a sneak attack. Early on two swipes would be better. Later, with a nearby ally, two swipes are better. But I was trying g to devise a way to get sneak attacks every other round or better even if alone.

 

[FrogReaver]

Absolutely. I will carry two short swords. My musings about true strike and or grappler was relevant for instances when the character is alone and would not get a sneak attack. Early on two swipes would be better. Later, with a nearby ally, two swipes are better. But I was trying g to devise a way to get sneak attacks every other round or better even if alone.

For 1v1 situations

1. Bonus action shove attack with your high str and expertise athletics and you will prone an enemy most the time

2. Attack with advantage against the prone enemy

nit better than attacking twice but it's not far off.

 

[Warpiglet]

For 1v1 situations

1. Bonus action shove attack with your high str and expertise athletics and you will prone an enemy most the time

2. Attack with advantage against the prone enemy

nit better than attacking twice but it's not far off.

That would change things and I would go with it. If I recall however, the wording for two weapons suggests a WEAPON attack would allow for a bonus with the offhand. Some things don't make sense, I realize. For example, tavern brawler talks about a bonus action if you use an improvised weapon. Why would it NOT work with a regular weapon? I dunno.

If anyone knows this to be incorrect, I would appreciate the feedback because it would change my choices.

 

[FrogReaver]

That would change things and I would go with it. If I recall however, the wording for two weapons suggests a WEAPON attack would allow for a bonus with the offhand. Some things don't make sense, I realize. For example, tavern brawler talks about a bonus action if you use an improvised weapon. Why would it NOT work with a regular weapon? I dunno.

If anyone knows this to be incorrect, I would appreciate the feedback because it would change my choices.

My understanding was that bonus actions could occur before or after the action. We had some very long threads on shield master timing in the past. The conclusion of those threads was you could prone with shield master before your action. Wouldn't the same logic apply here?

 

[Warpiglet]

My understanding was that bonus actions could occur before or after the action. We had some very long threads on shield master timing in the past. The conclusion of those threads was you could prone with shield master before your action. Wouldn't the same logic apply here?

I think u have to activate it with a weapon attack before or after

 

[FrogReaver]

Maybe I should be more blunt. Shield master and two weapon fighting are worded the same way.

It's been concluded that shield masters bonus action shove can be used before or after the attacks. Numerous threads on the shield master timing issue on this site alone. If I recall there were also either tweets or UA stuff further clarifying this.

Since we know shield master can be used before or after your attack action attacks then so can the bonus action attack given by two weapon fighting.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

Maybe I should be more blunt. Shield master and two weapon fighting are worded the same way.

It's been concluded that shield masters bonus action shove can be used before or after the attacks. Numerous threads on the shield master timing issue on this site alone. If I recall there were also either tweets or UA stuff further clarifying this.

Since we know shield master can be used before or after your attack action attacks then so can the bonus action attack given by two weapon fighting.

The issue isn't the order I think, its the wording of two-weapon fighting. Doesn't it specify limitations to the type of attack allowable as a bonus action when two weapon fighting?

 

[Warpiglet]

Maybe I should be more blunt. Shield master and two weapon fighting are worded the same way.

It's been concluded that shield masters bonus action shove can be used before or after the attacks. Numerous threads on the shield master timing issue on this site alone. If I recall there were also either tweets or UA stuff further clarifying this.

Since we know shield master can be used before or after your attack action attacks then so can the bonus action attack given by two weapon fighting.

I would like that to be the case. I agree it can be before or after. however, look at the wording:


"When you take the Attack action and attack with a light
melee weapon that you’re holding in one hand, you can
use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee
weapon that you’re holding in the other hand."
__________________________

So I think the timing may be one issue, but so is the the nature of the other action taken or to be taken. I understand this may not be how everyone reads it but the fact that it specifies the other action makes me think it is the rule.

I believe it is clear about the condition needed to get the bonus attack. If you say the timing is irrelevant I will go with that as it fits with taking parts of moves between attacks etc. However, I think I have to be stating an intention to take attacks with weapons in two hands to get the bonus action in question.

Anyone read anything about this in particular? Would enjoy being wrong! I will look at the shield master threads that have been mentioned as well.

 

[FrogReaver]

I would like that to be the case. I agree it can be before or after. however, look at the wording:


"When you take the Attack action and attack with a light
melee weapon that you’re holding in one hand, you can
use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee
weapon that you’re holding in the other hand."
__________________________

So I think the timing may be one issue, but so is the the nature of the other action taken or to be taken. I understand this may not be how everyone reads it but the fact that it specifies the other action makes me think it is the rule.

I believe it is clear about the condition needed to get the bonus attack. If you say the timing is irrelevant I will go with that as it fits with taking parts of moves between attacks etc. However, I think I have to be stating an intention to take attacks with weapons in two hands to get the bonus action in question.

Anyone read anything about this in particular? Would enjoy being wrong! I will look at the shield master threads that have been mentioned as well.

I see. The issue is with the requirement of attacking with a light weapon for the bonus action.

That would eliminate being able to do the shove I think. Good call.

 

[Ovinomancer]

I would like that to be the case. I agree it can be before or after. however, look at the wording:


"When you take the Attack action and attack with a light
melee weapon that you’re holding in one hand, you can
use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee
weapon that you’re holding in the other hand."
__________________________

So I think the timing may be one issue, but so is the the nature of the other action taken or to be taken. I understand this may not be how everyone reads it but the fact that it specifies the other action makes me think it is the rule.

I believe it is clear about the condition needed to get the bonus attack. If you say the timing is irrelevant I will go with that as it fits with taking parts of moves between attacks etc. However, I think I have to be stating an intention to take attacks with weapons in two hands to get the bonus action in question.

Anyone read anything about this in particular? Would enjoy being wrong! I will look at the shield master threads that have been mentioned as well.

Yes. If you meet the prereqs, then you may make an attack with a different light melee weapon that you're holding in the other hand and will do so as a bonus action. There's nothing to swap out because the action available to use as a bonus action is specified. If you don't make the melee attack with a different light melee weapon in the other hand, there's no bonus action being used.