D&D 5E TCoE - Rogue's Steady Aim

[Mistwell]

For a melee PC, it is usually worse than an offhand attack (2 rolls for 1 attack < 1 roll for each of 2 attacks).

Yes, usually. But not for the Arcane Trickster. Bonus action Steady Aim, Green-Flame Blade cantrip action, attack at advantage with rapier, damage of rapier + green flame damage + sneak attack damage.

 

[Flamestrike]

Combined with Elven accuracy feat, isn’t this a significant damage boost for higher level rogues?

No. Its nothing they couldnt do anyway with the Hide action.

 

[Spohedus]

No. Its nothing they couldnt do anyway with the Hide action.

Hide isn’t exactly an at will bonus action invisibility buff at our table.

 

[Don Durito]

You reach a point where if the Rogue isn't able to sneak attack every round their contributions to combat are negligible.

 

[Guest 6801328]

The unwritten subtext is, "...so you'd better be nice to your DM. Bribes aren't a bad idea, either."

 

[Argyle King]

Technically. Although I wouldn't allow 'Steady Aim' on the back of a galloping horse.

It worked for Genghis Khan.

 

[Flamestrike]

Hide isn’t exactly an at will bonus action invisibility buff at our table.

When you're hidden, its advantage to your next attack. It's not exactly hard to pull off most rounds, especially for Lightfoot halflings.

Ranged rogues can Hide each round, and then shoot (with advantage) as long as they have some cover nearby.

Really, its more of a way to speed up play for mine for Rogues. Zero movement speeds up play, not having to make Stealth checks, cross referenced against the Passive perception of the monster as looked up by the DM etc.

Rogues now can say: 'I bonus action steady aim and attack [roll attack, maybe damage, turn over].'

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Do they actually bother to explain the reason for the ‘steady aim’ feature. (One would assume it’s because sneak attack is supposed to be used just about every round and ambiguities around hide create problems for Ranged rogues).

Because if you’re going to ask DMs to make this decision they should at the very least be given the information to make an informed decision.

Explaining the reasons for design decisions isn't something the core rulebooks go into.

But this is clearly designed to balance duel wielding melee rogues having an easier time getting a sneak attack each round than archery specialising rogues.


Most of the "free stuff" in Tasha's is designed to subtly patch underperforming classes/builds.

 

[jasper]

The unwritten subtext is, "...so you'd better be nice to your DM. Bribes aren't a bad idea, either."

Not bribes. Love offerings.

 

[Xeviat]

Irs in there because, mathematically, rogues require constant advantage (or two weapon fighting and an adjacent ally) to keep up their damage with a fighter (and a fighter who isn't using action surge to boot). Rogue damage is steady. The two chances to land sneak attack, when sneak is the bulk of their damage, is where the class gets it's power from.

Some DMs don't allow stealth to work like it's supposed to for ranged attacks. Not all ranged rogues are sneaky. This offers another solution to get that necessary advantage.