Kenku as a Rogue [Archive] - Wizards Community

Kenku as a Rogue [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
El_Machinae
05-18-07, 07:51 AM I've been looking at the Kenku (MMIII) lately, and it seems to be a fairly solid pick if you're playing a rogue. I don't know how well it compares to a human rogue, but I'd think it's doing okay. Of main note is the bonus to flanking that they get (+4 instead of +2) and the fact that they get two natural attacks (which, when combined with sneak attack, isn't so bad - damage-wise).

Am I missing something obvious that would make them a crappy pick?
YabaTheWhat
05-18-07, 01:09 PM Am I missing something obvious that would make them a crappy pick? Their natural attacks take the same slots as a weapon, so if they're holding a weapon in one hand, they give up one claw attack. (Also, if they attack with the weapon and a claw, the claw is considered a secondary natural attack, and takes a -5 penalty to attack rolls.) Other than that, no, you're not missing anything.
Nat_20
05-18-07, 01:25 PM I Love Kenkus!!!!!

Really fun Role Play opportunity's with them to.

The +4 attack bonus when flanking is really good, the +3 help on skill checks are useful, and the mimic voice ability is good even without that many ranks in bluff. All in all, I have to say that anytime you play a rogue, consider a kenku, you wont be disappointed...
Bopple
05-18-07, 08:54 PM Yeah, kenku is one of very good races for rogue.
The Ubbergeek
05-18-07, 09:03 PM Kenku are based on the Tengu, the japanese mythical beings... Those are said to have taught humans martial arts - ninjutsu bits among that. So, it make sense.... *shrugs* Related flavor.
runestar
05-18-07, 10:56 PM Well, you do not get a to-hit penalty when attacking with both your claws (sneak attack does help in mitigating its low damage), and the flanking bonus helps your bab some. Seems like a rather good deal indeed.:)
mpj17
05-18-07, 11:11 PM I am currently playing a kenku rogue, in an Eberron campaign. The +4 when flanking is very nice, especially when combined with two-weapon fighting. On the role-playing side, the only problem is being called a chicken :)
runestar
05-18-07, 11:29 PM On the role-playing side, the only problem is being called a chicken

Is this where you go "It's fowl, actually"...:D
phoen777
05-18-07, 11:39 PM Is this where you go "It's fowl, actually"...:D

Ah, the 'Mighty Max' cartoon show, if I'm not mistaken...

My suggestion for that is to refuse to use the names of characters that call you 'chicken' and just refer to them as 'Monkey' (or some other lesser animal name for whatever their given race resembles). After all, turnabout is fair play! :D
YabaTheWhat
05-18-07, 11:41 PM On the role-playing side, the only problem is being called a chicken :)Is this where you go "It's fowl, actually"...:D Taunter: What are ya, chicken?
Ally: Man, that's just fowl!
Kenku: Whose side are you on?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
El_Machinae 05-18-07, 07:51 AM	I've been looking at the Kenku (MMIII) lately, and it seems to be a fairly solid pick if you're playing a rogue. I don't know how well it compares to a human rogue, but I'd think it's doing okay. Of main note is the bonus to flanking that they get (+4 instead of +2) and the fact that they get two natural attacks (which, when combined with sneak attack, isn't so bad - damage-wise). Am I missing something obvious that would make them a crappy pick?
YabaTheWhat 05-18-07, 01:09 PM	Am I missing something obvious that would make them a crappy pick? Their natural attacks take the same slots as a weapon, so if they're holding a weapon in one hand, they give up one claw attack. (Also, if they attack with the weapon and a claw, the claw is considered a secondary natural attack, and takes a -5 penalty to attack rolls.) Other than that, no, you're not missing anything.
Nat_20 05-18-07, 01:25 PM	I Love Kenkus!!!!! Really fun Role Play opportunity's with them to. The +4 attack bonus when flanking is really good, the +3 help on skill checks are useful, and the mimic voice ability is good even without that many ranks in bluff. All in all, I have to say that anytime you play a rogue, consider a kenku, you wont be disappointed...
Bopple 05-18-07, 08:54 PM	Yeah, kenku is one of very good races for rogue.
The Ubbergeek 05-18-07, 09:03 PM	Kenku are based on the Tengu, the japanese mythical beings... Those are said to have taught humans martial arts - ninjutsu bits among that. So, it make sense.... shrugs Related flavor.
runestar 05-18-07, 10:56 PM	Well, you do not get a to-hit penalty when attacking with both your claws (sneak attack does help in mitigating its low damage), and the flanking bonus helps your bab some. Seems like a rather good deal indeed.:)
mpj17 05-18-07, 11:11 PM	I am currently playing a kenku rogue, in an Eberron campaign. The +4 when flanking is very nice, especially when combined with two-weapon fighting. On the role-playing side, the only problem is being called a chicken :)
runestar 05-18-07, 11:29 PM	On the role-playing side, the only problem is being called a chicken Is this where you go "It's fowl, actually"...:D
phoen777 05-18-07, 11:39 PM	Is this where you go "It's fowl, actually"...:D Ah, the 'Mighty Max' cartoon show, if I'm not mistaken... My suggestion for that is to refuse to use the names of characters that call you 'chicken' and just refer to them as 'Monkey' (or some other lesser animal name for whatever their given race resembles). After all, turnabout is fair play! :D
YabaTheWhat 05-18-07, 11:41 PM	On the role-playing side, the only problem is being called a chicken :)Is this where you go "It's fowl, actually"...:D Taunter: What are ya, chicken? Ally: Man, that's just fowl! Kenku: Whose side are you on?