profession (pick pocket)? [Archive] - Wizards Community

profession (pick pocket)? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
CtrlAltDuhlete
12-08-07, 05:01 PM excuse me if this has been posted on before which i'm sure it most likely has, but i wasn't able to find it.

using it strictly as the rules in the phb say is simple enought, but what about the fact that your slight of hand skill is used on a single pick pocket attempt? would your slight of hand ranks affect the profession check at all?

lets hear your ideas
FrostWolf
12-08-07, 08:01 PM excuse me if this has been posted on before which i'm sure it most likely has, but i wasn't able to find it.

using it strictly as the rules in the phb say is simple enought, but what about the fact that your slight of hand skill is used on a single pick pocket attempt? would your slight of hand ranks affect the profession check at all?

lets hear your ideas

Profession: Pickpocket? No. Please re-read the entry for Profession. Slight of Hand is the skill used for picking a pocket, and you can't get around it that way. If your DM will allow it, then I recommend putting ranks into Craft Construct also.
ObscureInfo
12-09-07, 11:40 AM Besides, profession is a lousy way to make money.

You do a check and find out how much you earn IN A WEEK'S WORTH OF WORK. No rogue worth his salt is going to waste that much time gainfully employed unless he is 1)on probation and under the watchful eye of the guard or 2) he is casing some joint to pull off a large heist.

With a Dex of 16 and full ranks and skill focus(sleight of hand), the average first level "pickpocket" has a 50/50 chance of picking that pocket. And then the target almost always has to roll 20 on their spot check to even notice. (average noble spot check modifier of +2 or +3) Then you have enough coin or jewels to live well for that week instead of going to work every day. And it took less than an hour. Crowded marketplaces are good for this. So is "happy hour". Drunk people are less likely to notice you robbing them.

At second level, you have a +13 (5 ranks, +3 Dex, +3 Skill focus, +2 bluff synergy) or over 60% chance of picking that pocket. At third level, you have a 70% chance. Even without taking deft hands for the +2 bonus. (which would be 80% chance) What does this prove?

It proves that at lower levels, unless you have a problem with stealing (and some rogues do) you should always grab the skill focus at first level and pick your way into the next tax bracket. A couple of carefully selected candidates can pay your way into a nice inn with good meals and plenty of ale. Much better than trying to make a living using the profession skill.
elonin
12-09-07, 07:11 PM I'd choose profession fence.
Tedronai
12-09-07, 07:40 PM And technically a Commoner can have ranks in Profession (Cleric), that doesn't mean he/she can cast spells.

I would imagine that Profession (Pickpocket) would be similar to the specifically described Profession (Gambler) of Fatespinner infamy, in that it involves more picking your target wisely, knowing when to give up, and and knowing when to strike more than it does actually being more fortuitous (or in this case, dextrous) than your opponents.
Hsien
12-10-07, 04:04 PM Profession, imo, is just for off-time income calculations which rarely have direct impact to an adventure.
Pick-Pocket is ok, as that is not getting a specific item or person of game importance but how you support yourself in general.

Note that DM could have seedier professions include a negative aspect. Are you tithing to the guild? Have you gotten a bad reputation etc...
Normally a "1" on a skill check is not a fumble, but perhaps for these professions that could mean that the Law/local Guild has caught onto who did it and is actively looking for the character.

Assuming you wanted something beyond Profession (Thief);
Here are some more specific types that may be less then ummmm legal :plotting:
~Fence, prev mentioned by elonin
~Smuggler
~Begger...may be some cross over with the Con Artist
~Burglar...no not Ham-Burglar. More like Breaking & Entering; Snatch & Run
~Con Artist...swindlers, shisters and politiciaaaa....nvrmind
~GraveRobber...if its a big enough city
~Muscle...as in hired thug/muscle for big projects, no questions asked but could include Bouncers, Merc. Guard etc...
~Informant/Snitch :incog:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
CtrlAltDuhlete 12-08-07, 05:01 PM	excuse me if this has been posted on before which i'm sure it most likely has, but i wasn't able to find it. using it strictly as the rules in the phb say is simple enought, but what about the fact that your slight of hand skill is used on a single pick pocket attempt? would your slight of hand ranks affect the profession check at all? lets hear your ideas
FrostWolf 12-08-07, 08:01 PM	excuse me if this has been posted on before which i'm sure it most likely has, but i wasn't able to find it. using it strictly as the rules in the phb say is simple enought, but what about the fact that your slight of hand skill is used on a single pick pocket attempt? would your slight of hand ranks affect the profession check at all? lets hear your ideas Profession: Pickpocket? No. Please re-read the entry for Profession. Slight of Hand is the skill used for picking a pocket, and you can't get around it that way. If your DM will allow it, then I recommend putting ranks into Craft Construct also.
ObscureInfo 12-09-07, 11:40 AM	Besides, profession is a lousy way to make money. You do a check and find out how much you earn IN A WEEK'S WORTH OF WORK. No rogue worth his salt is going to waste that much time gainfully employed unless he is 1)on probation and under the watchful eye of the guard or 2) he is casing some joint to pull off a large heist. With a Dex of 16 and full ranks and skill focus(sleight of hand), the average first level "pickpocket" has a 50/50 chance of picking that pocket. And then the target almost always has to roll 20 on their spot check to even notice. (average noble spot check modifier of +2 or +3) Then you have enough coin or jewels to live well for that week instead of going to work every day. And it took less than an hour. Crowded marketplaces are good for this. So is "happy hour". Drunk people are less likely to notice you robbing them. At second level, you have a +13 (5 ranks, +3 Dex, +3 Skill focus, +2 bluff synergy) or over 60% chance of picking that pocket. At third level, you have a 70% chance. Even without taking deft hands for the +2 bonus. (which would be 80% chance) What does this prove? It proves that at lower levels, unless you have a problem with stealing (and some rogues do) you should always grab the skill focus at first level and pick your way into the next tax bracket. A couple of carefully selected candidates can pay your way into a nice inn with good meals and plenty of ale. Much better than trying to make a living using the profession skill.
elonin 12-09-07, 07:11 PM	I'd choose profession fence.
Tedronai 12-09-07, 07:40 PM	And technically a Commoner can have ranks in Profession (Cleric), that doesn't mean he/she can cast spells. I would imagine that Profession (Pickpocket) would be similar to the specifically described Profession (Gambler) of Fatespinner infamy, in that it involves more picking your target wisely, knowing when to give up, and and knowing when to strike more than it does actually being more fortuitous (or in this case, dextrous) than your opponents.
Hsien 12-10-07, 04:04 PM	Profession, imo, is just for off-time income calculations which rarely have direct impact to an adventure. Pick-Pocket is ok, as that is not getting a specific item or person of game importance but how you support yourself in general. Note that DM could have seedier professions include a negative aspect. Are you tithing to the guild? Have you gotten a bad reputation etc... Normally a "1" on a skill check is not a fumble, but perhaps for these professions that could mean that the Law/local Guild has caught onto who did it and is actively looking for the character. Assuming you wanted something beyond Profession (Thief); Here are some more specific types that may be less then ummmm legal :plotting: ~Fence, prev mentioned by elonin ~Smuggler ~Begger...may be some cross over with the Con Artist ~Burglar...no not Ham-Burglar. More like Breaking & Entering; Snatch & Run ~Con Artist...swindlers, shisters and politiciaaaa....nvrmind ~GraveRobber...if its a big enough city ~Muscle...as in hired thug/muscle for big projects, no questions asked but could include Bouncers, Merc. Guard etc... ~Informant/Snitch :incog: