Removing weapon restrictions on rogue powers, keeping it for sneak attack

[Stalker0]

Probably one of my biggest peaves with 4e is the rogue's forced use of light blades and hand crossbows. It is probably one of the most artificial constructions in the game currently.

Now I can understand some of the reason behind it, for example sneak attack does a lot more damage than hunter's quarry or warlock's curse, so that perhaps needs to be balanced with weapons that do weaker damage.

But the rogue's basic powers aren't stronger than the ranger or warlocks, so I can't see why that is there.

Further, it really hinders rogue multi classing, as I have to give up my primary weapon to use rogue powers in most cases.

So this is my idea. We will keep sneak attack as is, you still need light blades to work with that. But rogue powers lose their standard restrictions. A rogue can do a blinding barrage with a longbow if he wants...but he would still have to pull out the hand crossbow to get that accurate sneak attack in afterwards.

This would help rogue multiclassing, give elven rogues a bit more to do with their elven weapon proficiency, and just help take out some of the artificial limitations.

Thoughts?

 

[Starfox]

I see the need for this.

I added a third variant of rogue tactics that did something similar. I also allowed it to apply to sneak attack. Sneak attack might be 150% of other striker bonus damage and not require a minor action, but it is a lot harder to make it happen, so I don't see it as unbalanced.

My version has the issue that its only available to rogues themselves, not to other classes mulitclassing to be rogues. I want to be able to Sneak Attack with spells, but I've not yet found a way to do this in a fair way.

 

[Exen Trik]

Wouldn't make it standard, but I could see making a feat for doing it. And maybe a feat to get sneak attack with other weapons as well - but only minimum damage, so +2/3/5 according to tier.

Brigand's Weapon
Heroic Tier
Prerequisite: Rogue class
Choose a melee or ranged weapon group that is not a crossbow, light blade, or sling. If you choose a melee weapon you can use rogue powers as if that type of weapon were a light blade, if ranged you can treat it as if it were a crossbow. This does not allow the use of sneak attack with that weapon group.
Special: You can take this feat more than once. Each time you select this feat, choose another weapon group.

Brigand's Ambush
Heroic Tier
Prerequisite: Rogue class, Sneak Attack
Benefit: Once per round, when you have combat advantage against an enemy and hit that enemy with an attack that uses any weapon, the attack deals extra damage. If you have dealt either this damage or Sneak Attack damage since the start of your turn, you cannot deal either again until the start of your next turn. You decide whether to apply the extra damage after making the damage roll. As you advance in level, your extra damage increases.
Level/Bonus
1st–10th +2
11th–20th +3
21st–30th +5

 

[Crashy75]

One suggestion that I don't think would be overpowered at all would be to give the club the off-hand property and allow rogues to use it for their powers. It may not be exactly what you're looking for, but it does open create another option (still not a great one but...). Otherwise I don't, at the moment, have an issue with what you're proposing, though I'd have to look closely at the rogue powers to be sure.

 

[Revinor]

Brigand's Ambush
Heroic Tier
Prerequisite: Rogue class, Sneak Attack
Benefit: Once per round, when you have combat advantage against an enemy and hit that enemy with an attack that uses any weapon, the attack deals extra damage. If you have dealt either this damage or Sneak Attack damage since the start of your turn, you cannot deal either again until the start of your next turn. You decide whether to apply the extra damage after making the damage roll. As you advance in level, your extra damage increases.
Level/Bonus
1st–10th +2
11th–20th +3
21st–30th +5

It should be probably limited to once per encounter if you are rogue by multiclassing, not fully. I would reword in the way that you actually USE your Sneak Attack, just assume that you have rolled minimum damage. This way, you will avoid various loopholes which players may find.

 

[Exen Trik]

It should be probably limited to once per encounter if you are rogue by multiclassing, not fully. I would reword in the way that you actually USE your Sneak Attack, just assume that you have rolled minimum damage. This way, you will avoid various loopholes which players may find.

The use of the term "either" for that damage or sneak attack damage should cover that issue. I'm not sure if actually calling it sneak attack would remove or create complications.

On reflection though, it is a bit too good to use all the time. A per encounter bonus wouldn't address the basic idea of it, to give multiclassers and rogues with unusual weapons some added benefit from combat advantage. How about if the damage bonus was instead reduced to +1/+2/+3? That puts it in line with feats like burning blizzard.