Looking for opinions on Rogue feats

[Sagiro]

Greetings, ENWorlders!

I am playing a Human Brawny Rogue in Piratecat's Capria campaign, and am looking for thoughts and opinions on feats. The rogue in question uses a dagger exclusively and will be taking the Daggermaster Paragon Path, if he lives that long.

My character just hit 8th level, and my 6 feats are:

Quick Draw (+2 to Init rolls, some action economy)
Backstabber (Sneak Attacks use d8's)
Nimble Blade (+1 to hit with CA and Light Blade)
Action Surge (+3 to hit on attacks from Action Point)
Student of Battle (Endurance Skill and Inspiring Word 1/day)
Slaying Action (Extra sneak attack damage w/action pt.)

I am considering swapping out Quick Draw for Light Shield Prof; do folks here think it's worth giving up 2 points of INIT and easier potion-drinking, to get an extra point of AC and REF defenses?

I have a tentative plan to make this swap, and then take the "Blade and Buckler" feat at 10th level, increasing the bonuses for a light shield to +2.

My next three feats would be Weapon Focus (light blades), Toughness and Vexing Flanker.

My questions about all this are fairly general: are there no-brainer feats I should already have at this level, or be considering in the near future? What feats have people found success with for Brawny Rogues? Does the above plan seem reasonable?

Surely the collective wisdom of the boards is greater than my own personal store!

Thanks,

-Sagiro

 

[RangerWickett]

Just a thought on Quickdraw, you might be able to replace it with the skill power Fast Hands, which has sleight of hand as a prereq. Lets you quickdraw or quicksheathe (or quickpickupofftheground) once per round. Not worth spending a feat to get, I don't think, but if you've got a utility power you're not fond of, you could swap it out, and sorta free up your quickdraw feat.

(I used that power with a bola-hurling ranger, so I could easily switch between bolas and my bow, but it also came in handy for potions and such.)

 

[Mengu]

Assuming Expertise feats were free, I think you've got all your bases covered. I'm rather fond of either Mark of Passage or Swift Footwork (depending on your power choices). I'd probably trade action surge for one of those two feats, but that's just personal preference.

Instead of spending 2 feats on light shield proficiency and buckler and blade duelist, you might be better off just off-handing a rhythm blade dagger, and picking up TWF and TWD for the same defense bonus, as well as an extra point of damage. The downsides would be you lose a hand that's otherwise available for potions, opening doors, manipulating levers, and the like. The upside is, two weapon opening becomes easily available.

 

[blargney the second]

Damn, apparently I've already awarded XP to Mengu. He beat me to the rhythm blade suggestion.

If you've ever found yourself with more attack bonus than is absolutely necessary, Power Attack is pretty good. It's not an all-the-time awesome feat, but when you're benefiting from a leader's buff, exploiting a controller's debuff, or attacking a monster in the NADs it's spectacular.

Finally, consider the feats that give bonus damage vs bloodied enemies. Unlike Sneak Attack they apply on all your attacks, and monsters can spend up to 50% of their screen time bloodied.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

Did you choose Brutal Scoundrel? Do you know your Powers already? Can you use Dragon material?

If your Con is on the low side, you might consider Durable.

For Artful Dodgers, I like Harlequin Style; is there a similar feat for Brutal Scoundrel -- something that helps you maximize your favorite at-will?

Of course, if you are fortunate enough to play with PirateCat, you really don't deserve our assistance.

 

[Istar]

Two Fisted Shooter is a must isnt it, to match the daggermaster crits, so shield prof dont go with that, and your not a tank and usually attacks against your AC will be a lot higher than 1 over.

 

[Piratecat]

I think this is the point where I grin about you having a well-optimized PC who's a joy in roleplaying.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Personally I'd be disinclined to lose something as versatile and interesting as quick draw for +1 ac and reflex. Swapping out a utility is definitely a way to keep that though.

That said, if you have an image in your mind of a shield-wielding rogue, then by all means go for it. I believe MP2 has a fair few neat bonuses for shield wielders.

I'd also like to put in a vote for durable over toughness. Especially if you keep quick draw (or something like it) and carry sufficient potions.

 

[Piratecat]

A 10' pole is one of Cobalt's trademarks, and (assuming he takes the shield feat) I'm allowing him to use a 10' pole as a shield. That way he gets more stylish and doesn't have to carry a shield per se.