D&D 4E The 4E Rogue...love it or hate it?

[CleverNickName]

Because it had to be done...

The detailed write-up for the 4th Edition Rogue has been released, and every D&D message board on the Web is buzzing about it. So...now that you have had a chance to read it over and discuss its finer points, what do you think? Why?

Me, I like it. Because seriously, what's not to like? For one, it seems a lot more customizable than its previous renditions...and it is the class abilities, not just the skill distribution, that make one rogue different from another. (Not that there is anything wrong with skills; I just know what I like.)

I don't like the weapons, though. And I really don't like Crimson Edge. But those are easy enough to change on my end...so overall, my impression is a good one. Well done, WotC.

 

[hong]

What, the other rogue threads weren't good enough for you? Huh? HUH?

Um, anyway, my impression is overall positive. The only sticking point is the narrow proficiency list, but otherwise it's good.

A lot will depend on what the actual class abilities look like. If you're supposed to use them every round, then it'll be like seeing a wizard class and not knowing their spells.

 

[CleverNickName]

What, the other rogue threads weren't good enough for you? Huh? HUH?

Well, you know...any news release worth its salt has its own "I love it/I hate it" poll. Or so it seems.

 

[kennew142]

I love it. I'm excited about playing a rogue in 4e. I thought the 3e rogue was about as unfun a character class as I had ever played. (3e Bard was actually worse). This was disturbing to me on many levels. In AD&D, thief was my favorite character class. Ironically, in 2e it was bard.

Luckily for me, another member of my gaming group has decided to run a 4e campaign, so I will be able to add a rogue to my current list of 4e characters (wizard, warlock and warlord).

 

[FireLance]

It's a net positive for me. The class is more focused than its 3e incarnation, but to me it's not a bad thing if it makes it easier to play for newer players, and more experienced players can still create more varied and complex characters through feats and multiclassing.

I was a little disappointed that there was no mention of talent trees, which means that every rogue will have pretty much the same class features (although not necessarily the same powers). However, the class features mentioned do tie in rather well to the basic rogue concept: the iconic Sneak Attack ability, First Strike so that a rogue still gets an advantage for acting faster than his opponents, and Rogue Weapon Talent to give a slight advantage to using signature weapons. Rogue Tactics also does provide a bit of variation, like a Charlie Brown talent tree.

The powers look decent, and it seems to me that the net effect of the more focused character class and more options during combat is a shifting of emphasis with respect to player decision-making from character creation and advancement to actions taken during actual play. This seems like a good thing to me.

 

[Vegepygmy]

Because seriously, what's not to like?

I do not like the very specific weapon proficiencies.

I do not like the "mandatory" skills: Stealth and Thievery. (I am also pretty sure I'm not going to like the skill system in general, but we're only dealing with the rogue class at the moment, right?)

I do not like the build options. "Choose one from Menu A."

I do not like catching your opponents flat-footed (oh, sorry...I mean, "First Strike") as a class ability.

I don't like sneak attack being limited to once/round, and I really don't like it being limited to light blades, crossbows, and slings.

I don't like Tumble being an ability instead of a skill, and I really don't like it being a per-encounter ability.

I do like the fixed hit points and Positioning Strike ability. Sadly, that's about it.

 

[Steely Dan]

Colour me happy…not Badd!

 

[mach1.9pants]

I do not like the build options. "Choose one from Menu A."

C'mon that is just an option to help n00bs, same as the 3E Starting Packages (except you get 2 options instead of 1). You don't have to follow them.
And imagine the number of builds you can include in splat books, ka-ching$!

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

There's no I love it sooooo much, tab.

Or a I hate it so much that if I saw it pasted to a kitten I'd vomit on the kitten before kicking it, tab.

 

[MaelStorm]

Kewliodido!