When did Sneak Attack get upgraded?

[Arlough]

I haven't been paying much attention to essentials. Did they update the other strikers damage as well (curse, quarry, etc.)?

 

[Shin Okada]

I haven't been paying much attention to essentials. Did they update the other strikers damage as well (curse, quarry, etc.)?

AFAIK, no. And I guess WotC will not make such an update in near future.

First reason is that Essentials versions of Warlock and Ranger don't have those class features.

The second reason is the necessity. Amongst all the striker classes, rogue has been the most significant class which was relying on their class feature (sneak attack) for dealing bigger damage.

Strength of PHB Ranger and Barbarian were not in their class features but mostly in their powers. Avenger and Sorcerer has no once per turn/round mechanic. PHB Warlock was .... more like a semi-striker/semi-controller from the beginning.

 

[DracoSuave]

You do still have to have CA, which means it is less likely to apply to the random OA from someone moving past you.

This is true, however... one thing to remember is lots of rogues flank. This makes a difference here. The Opportunity Attack, as an interrupt, applies to the square the enemy left, and whether or not you are flanking is determined from that square.

This is generally in your favor: Flanking is still the easiest way to get CA for most rogues, and you probably just flanked an enemy, and you might even be there at the end of your turn. That enemy probably doesn't want to stay there, but if he leaves you will enjoy an attack of opportunity with sneak attack.

This makes rogues who are flanking, or otherwise have an effect on their enemy that grants combat advantage, have a measure of stickiness that they did not have before. This is definately a tactics-changer. If you have abilities that force combat advantage on multiple foes, you might even be able to cobble together a secondary defender build.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

This is true, however... one thing to remember is lots of rogues flank.

My earlier posts (which I believe you commented on quite helpfully) were a bit overly focused on how the Thief's Tricks make it much easier to get CA at range now, though I didn't realize it explicitly. When you don't need flanking to get CA, it's easy to forget that you might want to do it anyway.

The problem for me is that one of my few truly unnecessary character deaths was a Rogue who got steamrolled in melee due to some nasty rolling by the DM and some careless tactics by a couple of party members, and now I have a fear of commitment (to melee).

I wonder if a sound Rogue tactic might be to plan on a two-phased combat encounter: either start at ranged and close to melee when the meat shields look like they need some relief, or close quickly to melee and then bug out when you get to bloodied or a bit past. The old saying (here at Wikipedia) that "No battle plan survives contact with the enemy" doubtless applies, so it's probably better to consider it a philosophy rather than a plan.

 

[Destil]

The problem for me is that one of my few truly unnecessary character deaths was a Rogue who got steamrolled in melee due to some nasty rolling by the DM and some careless tactics by a couple of party members, and now I have a fear of commitment (to melee).

Absolutely. My first 4E character was a dagger rogue, and he pretty strayed from my planned build at level 6 to pick up durable since he was usually the guy first out of surges in the party.

Working with the defenders is a real key to being a melee rogue. Ideally it's the tough guy who goes around, and the rouge is in the side of the monster with the rest of the party. Powers with nice slide/push effects can help you do that.

 

[Istar]

I have an obscure Dex / Con based Kobold Rogue.

As Cunning Sneaks dont need a secondary stat you can put in on Con.

The Shifty power of Kobold means the rogue utilities are redundant and I can train Endurance and take some powerful skill feats.

The added toughness is working nicely with the flanking to get CA.
The trick being the timing of your jump into the melee but you can usually get a few rounds of ranged CA at the start.

 

[The Human Target]

I have an obscure Dex / Con based Kobold Rogue.

As Cunning Sneaks dont need a secondary stat you can put in on Con.

The Shifty power of Kobold means the rogue utilities are redundant and I can train Endurance and take some powerful skill feats.

The added toughness is working nicely with the flanking to get CA.
The trick being the timing of your jump into the melee but you can usually get a few rounds of ranged CA at the start.

Thats why WotC said "Oops don't let your player's use those kobold stats!"

The little buggers are evil.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

I have an obscure Dex / Con based Kobold Rogue.

As Cunning Sneaks dont need a secondary stat you can put in on Con.

Same with the Thief build -- focus on Con secondary or spread the points around so that you can pick up cool feats that have ability score requirements. Start Int at 11 and you can pick up Disciple of Lore at Epic for a +1 to all skills; start Cha at 11 for Disciple of Freedom or Disciple of Shadows; etc. Whether those are worthwhile depends on your character concept and other options, but the price is damn cheap -- a single point -- so long as you are willing to wait 21 levels to get it. You can do a few of those and still start Con at 12 and boost it to 20 (or 22) at the end.

 

[Istar]

Thats why WotC said "Oops don't let your player's use those kobold stats!"

The little buggers are evil.

Can you point me to where they say that, I am not adverse to self ruling so I dont break rules, I just hadnt seen this anywhere.

 

[Droogie128]

Can you point me to where they say that, I am not adverse to self ruling so I dont break rules, I just hadnt seen this anywhere.

I think it's more of a reason for the MM races in general. They're not designed for PC use. He's talking about the disclaimer in that section.