Need advice for tweaking an overshadowed rogue

[mvincent]

its seldom he gets a full attack sneak combo

If he used ranged attacks, he would more easily get full attacks. One concept to do this is the "John Woo" rogue:
1) Use light light or hand crossbows in each hand (this allows for both TWF'ing and Rapid shot extra attacks)
2) If needed (for to get all your attacks from a high BAB) use quickdraw and/or rapid reload to cycle through the crossbows
3) Use permanently animated crossbows (multiples of these could be cheaply created with a single casting).
4) Have a party spell-caster caster greater magic weapon on one or two.
5) Ask if it can be used to launch alchemical items (i.e. for touch sneak attacks)

there are quiet a few CR 15 critters immune to critical hits.

Have backup (trickster-type) tactics ready to still be useful here: Acid vials, holy water, spell-storing weapons, special material x-bow bolts, maximized fire trap 'grenades', shrunk boulders, UMD devices, buffs for allies, tan bag of tricks, dust of sneak and choking, etc.

 

[gavagai]

Someone told me there are spells / feats / PrC to sneak attack constructs and undead ... is this true? Which books are they from?
Thanks

 

[Ceska]

Someone told me there are spells / feats / PrC to sneak attack constructs and undead ... is this true? Which books are they from?
Thanks

Both are in Complete Adventurer and Spell Compendium, Grave Strike vs. undead, Golem Strike vs. constructs.

 

[gavagai]

Both are in Complete Adventurer and Spell Compendium, Grave Strike vs. undead, Golem Strike vs. constructs.

And those are spells? What level are they? Would you allow them as items?

 

[Greatwyrm]

Halfling rogue. Melee. Hmm. Get fighter levels, Power Attack and give him a spiked chain. Due to his to hit bonuses, he'll be able to make more damage than a human... and the reach will help him to survive.

I agree with fighter levels, but I wouldn't take that route. For someone who already has 14 levels of rogue behind him, I'd say something like Spring Attack would be better.

Also, if you want to stay total rogue, a huge Tumble score is important. Your mobility is your real contribution when you can't do huge damage. If you can safely move through threatened squares, you can always be counted on for flanking bonuses.

 

[Ceska]

And those are spells? What level are they? Would you allow them as items?

They´re 1st level spells, Grave strike is a divine spell, golem strike arcane. They last only one round and are swift spells. Making a magic item with just one of the spells would cost roughly 8000 GP´s by the normal Magic Item Creation Maths (^^), iirc.
This way, no, I wouldn´t allow them. At a higher price they would be okay (imho).

 

[gavagai]

Also, if you want to stay total rogue, a huge Tumble score is important. Your mobility is your real contribution when you can't do huge damage. If you can safely move through threatened squares, you can always be counted on for flanking bonuses.

I am with you on the mobility, unfortunately, both the OPs as well my rogue are halflings ... and we ar often fighting large opponents. real hearache.

 

[Greatwyrm]

I am with you on the mobility, unfortunately, both the OPs as well my rogue are halflings ... and we ar often fighting large opponents. real hearache.

And a big Tumble score will let you take 1 and move all around their threatened area with no AOO. Once you're in close, poison, Tanglefoot, caltrop, and Sneak Attack your rotten little heart out.

 

[Unkabear]

If your rogue begins tumbling quite a bit she may gain some benefit from the Thief Acrobat PrC from Complete Adventure. It is not a Melee PrC, but does offer a few very nice bonuses. At first level you can tumble & balance checks at full speed without the -10 & -5 penalties to the rolls. When you are a halfling there is a BIG difference between 10 & 20 feet. as well it offers the rogue the ability to stand up from prone as a free action (think martial arts movies) and removes the losing dex to ac for a few things like climbing. Two ranks offers dodge bonus to ac and practically never lose dex to ac (sitting, kneeling, prone ect) as well as a bit of slow fall. It is not combat based...but the tumble at full speed alone can get you into flanking position with fair ease and boost her damage output.