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SmokeyCriminalI just want to start off by saying Thank you! You have obviously put a decent amount of thought, not to mention typing, into this post and I very much appreciate that. This is exactly what I meant when I asked for "Constructive feedback"!
So I see you pretty much scrapped about 75% of it right off the bat, and I agree with you on that part. There are much room for improvements, and you've got a bunch of interesting ideas here. As mentioned before, wording is my bane. So I'm grateful for any help in that department. I also appreciate when you say "I see what you were going for here, but it doesn't really work" instead of saying something like "that's just a dumb idea".
3rd lvl
The change to "Force Over Finesse" is a given. As you said, why remove a limitation just to add another?
Adding Professional Vandal right off the bat is also a great way to set the mood for the Archetype. The solution for "within 5 feet" is pretty obvious now that you mention it, don't know what I was thinking there. And the "Siege damage" change is a really neat alternative, even though the numbers could get pretty ridiculous. But I guess it wouldn't really break the game, considering the limitations.
The Grapple escape is a very interesting idea, also great flavor! So that's a given.
I like the "No disadvantage from medium armor" part, but it's pretty much half the
Medium Armor Master feat, which is kind of a problem IMO. I agree that it fits and that it is arguably kind of needed, but I don't really like the intrusion on the MAM feat.
And the Throw range is a goner, no question about that.
9th lvl
Cunning Action Shove sounds like great fun! Flavor vise the Rogue throws in a kick or two between the weapon strikes, targeting the knees for prone or aims straight at the chest for a push. Typical dirty fighting, I like it!
I also thought about Intimidation, as you mentioned it. Maybe an ability that gives you advantage on intimidation checks if you smash an object (of at least small size?) as you spit your very unveiled threats in someones face? A bit more interesting than just giving a straight stat bump to intimidation I think. It could be useful, but mostly it's a flavor thing I suppose. Would create interesting situations though, from a RP perspective at the very least. But I don't think that's quite enough in itself and I don't know if lvl 9 is the place for it to be at.
Would also be cool to have a Cunning Action Intimidate ability, but it would be pretty limited depending on what you are fighting. Dragons for example wouldn't really care much now would they?
13th lvl
Your point regarding Strength Proficiency is pretty solid, I agree. But I feel like the Brute needs something along that line. And while chronic advantage on Strength Checks and saves is a very clean solution that doesn't mess anything up, I feel it is a bit plain. That doesn't have to be a bad thing though, the Archetype already has a bunch of whacky abilities so maybe it could use something straight and simple? Idk, have to think about that one.
Would it be possible to have an ability that changes your proficiency from Intelligence saves to Strength saves instead? Meaning you would be proficient with Dexterity and Strength saves from then on. Or would that just be messy? It would fit the theme pretty well. Just a thought.
17th lvl
Well I think the Extra Attack is rather neat. It makes a pretty clear statement to other Rogues, and an additional opportunity to land a sneak attack is not bad. It feels very iconic so I'd like it to stay.
The dice bump comment made me laugh. You do have a point about the sheer amount of d8's required for the ability to work smoothly and how that could actually be a realistic problem. But then again, more than a handful spells uses the same number of d8's or even a few more than that. But sure, a Rogue uses Sneak Attack every turn if they can while casters probably won't spam d8-based-spells all day long. But I personally like the bump and also think that people will probably find it a small enough nuisance to still enjoy the larger die anyways.
But the bump as you said, should be more of a bonus feature that comes as a side dish to something else, rather than a primary feature of any given level. A pure damage buff isn't really that interesting in itself. So maybe a 9th level ability that reads something like "when you reach 9th level, your Sneak Attack die becomes a d8, and a d10 at 17th level", in addition to the Cunning Action Shove, for example. It could be a bit much, not sure.
The shtick thing kinda bothers me. I totally agree with you, but I'm completely blank on ideas. Maybe it would work with a "once per short/long rest" kind of ability/special attack, as a supplement to the Extra Attack and die bump? Kind of a one use Falcon Punch or something? Idk, but yeah, this kinda thing sure needs a unique and iconic capstone.
And yeah, ribbons are great. I love em. But then again, I don't really have any interesting ideas as of right now, but that's definitely something to think about.
I Really like the "Advantage when outnumbered" ability. It is a very interesting mechanic that promotes reckless play styles. It also fits the theme pretty darn well. But it could be slightly redundant if you are able to knock people on their asses as a bonus action, granting advantage/Sneak Attack. They work totally differently, and it saves you the bonus action and is a guaranteed Sneak Attack even against strong opponents, sure. But I feel that they may overlap slightly?
Also, I don't really know where to put it. I'd like to get from the start, much like the Swashbuckler, but it's kinda cramped at 3rd level already.