Rogue Crossbowmen: The ultimate sniper?

[Stalker0]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned about the new rogue class is the fact Sneak attack does NOT mention any range limitation with a ranged weapon.

While this could just mean its in another section of the book, it could also mean a rogue may be able to sneak attack at a crossbow's full range.

 

[mach1.9pants]

Which would work great as an ambush tactic, with the First Strike ability.
But after that how are you going to get 'combat advantage' with range? I am not saying it won't happen, but the fact that the fluff bit on the Rogue says "You do best when teamed with a defender to flank enemies." means to me that flanking is a big part of combat advantage. If it is anything like 3E you don't get that at range. I am sure things other than flanking gain combat advantage but flanking seems to be the most common. And other may well be hard to get at range.
Still ambush sneak attack at range, disappear into the woods, repeat. Robin Hood with a crossbow

 

[fafhrd]

With deft strike and your left over move action, you have a sort of shot on the run ability. Perhaps a hide can be rolled into the move to allow recurrent sniping.

 

[FireLance]

We haven't seen how much damage a ranger can deal with a single arrow yet.

 

[frankthedm]

We haven't seen how much damage a ranger can deal with a single arrow yet.

My money is riding on the ranger getting his damage from multiple arrows, less so bonus damage on any given arrow.

 

[hong]

Going from the rogue, it looks like I can ditch this guy. If the ranger also lets me ditch this guy, I'll be very very happy.

 

[mhensley]

We haven't seen how much damage a ranger can deal with a single arrow yet.

Also note that the rogue is only proficient with the hand crossbow which is pretty small.

 

[hong]

It looks like the 4E rogue is going to be like the 3E monk. You're not meant to go 20 levels with it, unless you want a _really_ specialised character; it's there to provide a strong identity and a base for multiclassing. IOW, you'll see lots of fighter/rogues or ranger/rogues, and not so many exclusive rogues.

(Assuming the X/Y/Z multiclassing notation even makes sense in 4E.)

 

[Voss]

And rather short ranged.

 

[jaer]

Sneak attack might not need to be limited to 30' if Combat Advantage can only be had within 30'.

I would not be surprised to see some abilities that, once they hit, give Combat Advantage to all allies for 1 round, which would give sniper rogues a way to sneak attack at a distance, but we don't know that the 30' limit on sneak attack wasn't actually absorbed by Combat Advantage.