Rogue dips?

[Dingleberry]

Sorry, I should've been clearer: by "core" I meant just the PHB, and maybe the SRD variants. That said, I'll store away all the other suggestions for when I make a rogue cohort in my other campaign that uses more books.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

That being said ...

... curious minds still want to know. How are you deciding to take that rogue of yours? Staight rogue? A little fighter? A little ranger? A bi of sorcerer?

 

[Dingleberry]

That being said ...

... curious minds still want to know. How are you deciding to take that rogue of yours? Staight rogue? A little fighter? A little ranger? A bi of sorcerer?

I think I'll go straight rogue. It's a large party, so he can pull his weight in plenty of ways other than melee.

 

[blargney the second]

If you're planning on making a martial character, I've found that multiclassing is a great way to go. (Unless your DM is using some weird house rule like favored classes.)

Essentially, dip into several different martial classes and you'll still be able to hit reliably. The more you focus on any one, the more you'll tend be useless in a significant percentage of fights. Rogues and rangers can suffer from that in particular, while fighters eventually run into the problem of not having any useful feats to take anymore.
-blarg

 

[Theroc]

If you're planning on making a martial character, I've found that multiclassing is a great way to go. (Unless your DM is using some weird house rule like favored classes.)

Essentially, dip into several different martial classes and you'll still be able to hit reliably. The more you focus on any one, the more you'll tend be useless in a significant percentage of fights. Rogues and rangers can suffer from that in particular, while fighters eventually run into the problem of not having any useful feats to take anymore.
-blarg

Aren't favored classes RAW?

 

[blargney the second]

That's why it's funny!

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Aren't favored classes RAW?

Well ... unless you've done like many of us around here and cover those specific words with a thin layer of permanent ink. {But yeah, they are RAW from a literal interpretation. And in my opinion a horrible part of RAW}

But then again, I've decided the whole idea of class is for the birds. I want to build characters according to what features I want and need for the character, not what some game designer thnks is an appropriate progression in a prewritten class. That, however, is another thread.... {Read my sig if you are curious}

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I don't see how sorc or beguiler really mesh well with rogue. In the case of beguiler, you are probably off simply going pure beguiler instead (they get trapfinding already). Your sorc lv will likely be too low for the complementary draconic feats to be of any real use (between low DC, availability of energy resistance and SA won't apply to them either).

Even with only one Sorc level, the Draconic Breath weapon (as soon as 2nd in the chain) would give him access to at least 3 2d6 area effect attacks per day, more if he has any kind of Cha bonus (not applicable here, obviously), plus any benefit from the spells themselves- Jump, Feather Fall, Enlarge or Reduce person, True Strike and Detect Secret Doors all have utility for a thief...not to mention the actual attack spells.

Over time, one Sorc level with DB won't do much, but it WILL increase the odds that the PC will make it to higher levels. And since the Feat applies to ANY arcane spell, any other arcane spell slot the PC picks up will be useful.

 

[Runestar]

Even with only one Sorc level, the Draconic Breath weapon (as soon as 2nd in the chain) would give him access to at least 3 2d6 area effect attacks per day

Yes, my point is how 3 2d6 AoE effects can possibly be useful, even at 3rd lv? That also requires 2 feats, which have no use outside of that 1 lv of sorc (I assume the OP wants weapon finesse and perhaps improved initiative as well).

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Yes, my point is how 3 2d6 AoE effects can possibly be useful, even at 3rd lv?

They've gotten my parties out of some jams.

Since they can't be disarmed, aren't subject to ASF, and don't provoke AoOs, they can be used at almost any time.

If nothing else, they'll be more useful than a handful of caltrops to dissuade pursuit.

Of course, YMMV.