1st Level Human Rogue Optimization [Archive] - Wizards Community

1st Level Human Rogue Optimization [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ericSHINRA
11-24-06, 11:44 PM NOTE: I think this is my first time posting an Optimization Thread.

EDIT: Sorry, I forgot to include what sources I can draw from and what I cannot. No Dragon Magazine, Eberron or Forgotten Realms. Everything else is up for grabs.
Joachim
1st Level Human Rogue
Ok, having decided on a class I rolled up my stats and recieved the following: 18, 18, 14, 14, 14, 12.

Obviously I'll be placing my two highest stats into INT and DEX but other then that I'm not sure. I suppose I'm looking for ideas or suggestions concerning a rather unique build for my rogue. The only thing I know I want to place ranks in happens to be Craft(Explosives/Fireworks) because we were required to have a real role in town to begin with and he works as an apprentice to an explosive expert.

Try I as I might, however I could not discover anything optimal for explosive's and their use in combat.
Anyway~ I appreciate any creative builds which alot ranks in such a craft skill.

-ericShinra
Hanniball
11-25-06, 01:00 AM What sources are you allowed to choose from?

If you're trying to focus entirely on throwing explosives, your first level feats should be Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot.
dvlsadvct
11-25-06, 01:06 AM You might want to take a spin on the explosives ideas and put them into Craft(Alchemy). There is already a mechanic in place for such a weapon.

As far as PrCs go, I would consider Master Thower, as it seems you will most likely be 'throwing' most of your creations. Just my two cents.
nittanytbone
11-25-06, 01:22 AM There's some Rogue guides around here (I know there's an old one by Yekoj).

What sources are available?

Here's a quick primer on some rogue build tricks I find useful.

Typically, rogues use one of the following combat options:

Dodge-->Mobility-->Spring Attack (safe, low damage output, easy to get into flanking position for SA)
TWF (higher damage output, can get into flanking position for SA with Tumble skill, exposes you to full attacks)
Point Blank Shot-->Precise Shot-->Rapid Shot (Difficult to get SA with ranged attacks, but also safer than TWF)

For skills:
Max search
Max disable device
Max Use Magic Device (especially at higher levels)
5 ranks in tumble (for synergies), or be able to hit a DC15 check reliably
5 ranks in balance (to not be flatfooted while balancing)
Other skills depend on what your party has covered. You might be expected to max Spot, for example, if the druid can't do that.

Multiclassing:
*Ranger 2 is handy for low level games: Keeps skills high, boosts saves a ton, adds favored enemy damage to each hand when TWF, and gets you two free feats (Track/Urban Tracking, TWF/Rapid Shot)
*Cloistered Cleric: One level of rogue gets you Trapfinding, then cloistered cleric keeps your skills high while you start building towards divine power. Keep Search/Disable Device maxed out as cross-class skills.
*Swashbuckler 3: Add int to damage. Boost fort save.
*Wizard: Good intelligence synergy, goes nicely into Arcane Trickster
X-Codes
11-25-06, 01:36 AM Be an Azurin and take Shape Soulmeld (Mage's Spectacles) and Indigo Strike. Take Bonus Essentia at 6th to keep them both full, and as your capacity continues to go up, move Essentia from Indigo Strike to your Mage's Spectacles.

...:P I like Incarnum too much.
1hitparry
11-25-06, 02:02 AM I would put the 12 into CHA. STR adds to damage which helps if you get caught fighting undead or plants. Con adds to hit points and fortitude saves. Wisdom adds to will saves. And CHA only really adds to Cha ability and skill checks. Granted, with only a 1 point difference, I would not argue with putting the 12 into str if your party already has a reliable source of damage.
ericSHINRA
11-25-06, 11:04 PM You might want to take a spin on the explosives ideas and put them into Craft(Alchemy). There is already a mechanic in place for such a weapon.

As far as PrCs go, I would consider Master Thower, as it seems you will most likely be 'throwing' most of your creations. Just my two cents.

I might be mistaken but I believe Craft(Alchemy) requires caster levels.
That being said, I'll go ahead and check out what Crystal Keep has on the Master Thrower as I don't own the Complete Warrior.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ericSHINRA 11-24-06, 11:44 PM	NOTE: I think this is my first time posting an Optimization Thread. EDIT: Sorry, I forgot to include what sources I can draw from and what I cannot. No Dragon Magazine, Eberron or Forgotten Realms. Everything else is up for grabs. Joachim 1st Level Human Rogue Ok, having decided on a class I rolled up my stats and recieved the following: 18, 18, 14, 14, 14, 12. Obviously I'll be placing my two highest stats into INT and DEX but other then that I'm not sure. I suppose I'm looking for ideas or suggestions concerning a rather unique build for my rogue. The only thing I know I want to place ranks in happens to be Craft(Explosives/Fireworks) because we were required to have a real role in town to begin with and he works as an apprentice to an explosive expert. Try I as I might, however I could not discover anything optimal for explosive's and their use in combat. Anyway~ I appreciate any creative builds which alot ranks in such a craft skill. -ericShinra
Hanniball 11-25-06, 01:00 AM	What sources are you allowed to choose from? If you're trying to focus entirely on throwing explosives, your first level feats should be Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot.
dvlsadvct 11-25-06, 01:06 AM	You might want to take a spin on the explosives ideas and put them into Craft(Alchemy). There is already a mechanic in place for such a weapon. As far as PrCs go, I would consider Master Thower, as it seems you will most likely be 'throwing' most of your creations. Just my two cents.
nittanytbone 11-25-06, 01:22 AM	There's some Rogue guides around here (I know there's an old one by Yekoj). What sources are available? Here's a quick primer on some rogue build tricks I find useful. Typically, rogues use one of the following combat options: Dodge-->Mobility-->Spring Attack (safe, low damage output, easy to get into flanking position for SA) TWF (higher damage output, can get into flanking position for SA with Tumble skill, exposes you to full attacks) Point Blank Shot-->Precise Shot-->Rapid Shot (Difficult to get SA with ranged attacks, but also safer than TWF) For skills: Max search Max disable device Max Use Magic Device (especially at higher levels) 5 ranks in tumble (for synergies), or be able to hit a DC15 check reliably 5 ranks in balance (to not be flatfooted while balancing) Other skills depend on what your party has covered. You might be expected to max Spot, for example, if the druid can't do that. Multiclassing: Ranger 2 is handy for low level games: Keeps skills high, boosts saves a ton, adds favored enemy damage to each hand when TWF, and gets you two free feats (Track/Urban Tracking, TWF/Rapid Shot) Cloistered Cleric: One level of rogue gets you Trapfinding, then cloistered cleric keeps your skills high while you start building towards divine power. Keep Search/Disable Device maxed out as cross-class skills. Swashbuckler 3: Add int to damage. Boost fort save. Wizard: Good intelligence synergy, goes nicely into Arcane Trickster
X-Codes 11-25-06, 01:36 AM	Be an Azurin and take Shape Soulmeld (Mage's Spectacles) and Indigo Strike. Take Bonus Essentia at 6th to keep them both full, and as your capacity continues to go up, move Essentia from Indigo Strike to your Mage's Spectacles. ...:P I like Incarnum too much.
1hitparry 11-25-06, 02:02 AM	I would put the 12 into CHA. STR adds to damage which helps if you get caught fighting undead or plants. Con adds to hit points and fortitude saves. Wisdom adds to will saves. And CHA only really adds to Cha ability and skill checks. Granted, with only a 1 point difference, I would not argue with putting the 12 into str if your party already has a reliable source of damage.
ericSHINRA 11-25-06, 11:04 PM	You might want to take a spin on the explosives ideas and put them into Craft(Alchemy). There is already a mechanic in place for such a weapon. As far as PrCs go, I would consider Master Thower, as it seems you will most likely be 'throwing' most of your creations. Just my two cents. I might be mistaken but I believe Craft(Alchemy) requires caster levels. That being said, I'll go ahead and check out what Crystal Keep has on the Master Thrower as I don't own the Complete Warrior.