D&D 5E Question about Rogues

[Rykus83]

If Rogues can only use there sneak attack with ranged or finessed weapons why do they get proficiency
in long sword and the other simple weapons that they wont get there sneak attack with? With sneak attack being one if not the main thing about rogues who would use any of those other weapons unless the finesse and ranged weapon was a typo left over from the play tests for 5thed? To me it seems stupid the give them proficiency in weapons there probably never going to use.

 

[abirdcall]

If Rogues can only use there sneak attack with ranged or finessed weapons why do they get proficiency
in long sword and the other simple weapons that they wont get there sneak attack with? With sneak attack being one if not the main thing about rogues who would use any of those other weapons unless the finesse and ranged weapon was a typo left over from the play tests for 5thed? To me it seems stupid the give them proficiency in weapons there probably never going to use.

Because the game is not simply a tabletop miniatures battle game.

It doesn't hurt anything.

 

[thalmin]

If the rogue should be disarmed (taken prisoner) I think he would like to be able to use a few other good weapons. It also can make for an interesting choice: use a sneak-attack weapon, or use a really nice magic weapon.

 

[thalmin]

One should also ask, why would a Fighter or Paladin be proficient with most simple weapons, just because the martial weapons are statistically superior.

 

[Minigiant]

1) For times when the rogue can't easily sneak attack.

2) For times when current magic longswords (most common magic weapon in many settings) deals more damage than a mundane or current magical finesse weapons.

3) For times when you already hit with your sneak attack and have the dual wielder feat.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Or when disguised as someone else or otherwise trying to pass as something other than a rogue.

Or multiclassed and focusing on another class's combat abilities.

 

[The Human Target]

It is a reasonable question, don't feel bad.

 

[JackOfAllTirades]

Or when disguised as someone else or otherwise trying to pass as something other than a rogue.

Or multiclassed and focusing on another class's combat abilities.

That was my first answer. Being a master of disguise requires a lot of training.

 

[Celtavian]

I'd let them use Sneak Attack with any weapon. It hurts nothing.

 

[Salamandyr]

I'd let them use Sneak Attack with any weapon. It hurts nothing.

It does open up some otherwise non-optimal multiclassing opportunities that could be potentially overpowered--like the barbarian/rogue or a rogue with 2 levels of fighter and great weapon specialization who rerolls all his sneak attack dice on a 1 or a 2, but those characters aren't unmanageable, just possibly better than straight rogues, barbarians, or fighters. Those characters would definitely be fun to play.