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Message: <blockquote data-quote="N'raac" data-source="post: 6179431" data-attributes="member: 6681948">This model would be my preference as well. However, I think we have drifted a long way. As I understand it, the rules as written have only one combat option for rogues - Sneak Attack. If the Rogue is able to, and does, choose not to take Sneak Attack, that is a permanent choice, as I understand the current rules contain no retraining rules either. They aren't going to change that radically. If combat options to sneak attack, or retraining, are coming, they are coming in modules at best, more likely splatbooks. That means other rules mechanics are likely to hinge on Sneak Attack (not other modular or splatbook options as there will be no certainty they are in play, and in many cases they will not even be known when the mechanics assuming the rogue has Sneak Attack are developed). So there are two questions, to me. We've addressed "what is the ideal structure for rogue abilities", and I believe a consensus that the Rogue should have lots of choices in combat abilities has developed, with more division on the extent to which rogues should be allowed to trade away their combat abilities for greater non-combat power. I think there is also support for retraining, though the speed and extent of same hasn't been discussed in any detail - and this goes well beyond Sneak Attack, or even Rogues.The other question, which we have seem to have abandoned, is "under the Next rules as they stand, should all rogues have Sneak Attack?" As they stand, with no retraining and no other combat options, I have to say that I think all Base Default Next Rogues should have Sneak Attack, as I prefer that to "trap options" leaving the Rogue far behind other characters in combat ability with no way to ever close that gap.Still no answer to the poll - that's my "given the limited options" answer, not my "prefer" answer. What this thread seems to show pretty clearly is that D&D Next is not going to meet my preference of having robust choices for all character classes. Rather, the basic rules appear likely to be very basic, with a short list of choices, or no choices at all, for most class features, and the obvious plan of a huge array of later books that "add optional choices" (read: are required to have an array of choices and play, for example, the many Rogue concepts noted on this thread alone). Is it just me, or have we reached the point where adopting a new edition should be deferred a few years to let a reasonable basis of character options build up, and be able to assess whether you like the actual game rules, rather than the sampler pack marketed as the "basic default rules"?</blockquote>

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