Rogues: Schemes, Backgrounds, and Styles

[Minigiant]

So if I am correct, a rogue scheme is a background with a few mechanics attached to it. Many of these new mechanics can enhance the rogue's ability in the 3 pillars. One major effect previewed schemes have is that they increase the rogue's ability to use Sneak attack and raise their trained skills.

How might the other backgrounds affect the rogue?

The Thief scheme is stealth focused and greatly enhances the rogue's ability in dark places.

The Thug scheme plays the brute line and focuses on jumping, holding still, and ganging up on enemies.

Artisan: I doubt this BG will be schemed unless they force the gadgeteer/utilitybelt fluff on it.

Bounty Hunter: I can see the bounty hunty scheme going the sap and bola route for easy to trigger but nonlethal sneak attacks.

Charlatan: Mike Mearls mentioned the charlatan as the Use Magic Device rogue with scrolls and magic items.

Knight: Errr... sneak attack with your horse.

Of the rest I only see the Soldier having some sort of ability to remove the stealth penalty in heavy armor or maybe use sneak attack dice as expertise dice for Parry.

As for new backgrounds, I can see some sort of Acrobatic background that allows for a skrimish scout style combat and leaping abilities. Another could be a Savage background that grants bonuses to surprise and the good o' "Jump on them and beat them to death" tactic.

Anyone have any ideas (that aren't copies of other classes)?

 

[Tehnai]

Well, Backgrounds and schemes aren't quite the same. Background defines what a character was, and how he was useful in normal society, whereas scheme defines what kind of a rogue he or she is.

 

[KidSnide]

Well, Backgrounds and schemes aren't quite the same. Background defines what a character was, and how he was useful in normal society, whereas scheme defines what kind of a rogue he or she is.

True, but choosing a scheme gives the rogue a 2nd background. Each scheme is tied to the background it grants. (The thief scheme gives the thief background and the thug scheme gives the thug background.) Thus, the obvious speculation about what other backgrounds could be associated with schemes.

I think "Spy" is the other obvious background that could also be a rogue scheme. (More so than Artisan, Knight or Soldier.) An Acrobat background (if they make one) would also make a classic-style rogue scheme, but Acrobat might work better as a specialty.

I'll also be curious to see what options they provide as alternatives to sneak attack. It wouldn't surprise me if that tied into the schemes in a "tied to scheme by default, but you can mix and match" kind of way.

-KS

 

[Minigiant]

True, but choosing a scheme gives the rogue a 2nd background. Each scheme is tied to the background it grants. (The thief scheme gives the thief background and the thug scheme gives the thug background.) Thus, the obvious speculation about what other backgrounds could be associated with schemes.

I think "Spy" is the other obvious background that could also be a rogue scheme. (More so than Artisan, Knight or Soldier.) An Acrobat background (if they make one) would also make a classic-style rogue scheme, but Acrobat might work better as a specialty.

I'll also be curious to see what options they provide as alternatives to sneak attack. It wouldn't surprise me if that tied into the schemes in a "tied to scheme by default, but you can mix and match" kind of way.

-KS

The Spy background becoming a scheme is an option. Within Stealth taken by the Thief I wonder what the Spy scheme would do. Maybe feint attacks. Spies get so Bluff.

 

[The Shadow]

Assassin strikes me as a natural rogue scheme, but it doesn't make an obvious background. Perhaps that's what Spy does?

 

[netnomad]

Another background/scheme could be Scout. The character could get advantage on perception checks and bonus movement speeds while stealthed.

 

[ZombieRoboNinja]

Another background/scheme could be Scout. The character could get advantage on perception checks and bonus movement speeds while stealthed.

Wasn't there a 3.5e ranger ability that let you stealth more easily in natural terrain? Maybe that and/or improved tracking.

 

[Ellington]

Assassin strikes me as a natural rogue scheme, but it doesn't make an obvious background. Perhaps that's what Spy does?

Assassin is actually likely as its own class at this moment, but good point.