Modifying Rogue (Unearthed Arcana) - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Modifying Rogue (Unearthed Arcana)

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
SnigTheWorg
Jul 02, 2015 21:38:01
I'm thinking about modifying the rogue class slightly after reading this article

https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/modifying-classes

I want to make a small mounted rogue, and I thought a fair trade may be the Beastmaster level 3 feature, swapped in place of Cunning Action?

Seeing as how rogues do not get an extra attack, this option is signifigantly weaker for the rogue then it is for the ranger (still a weak option for the ranger according to many) but I think it should roughly balance with losing cunning action?

In the article it says that if your going to trade out cunning action you should pick a powerful option.

What do you guys think? Fair trade? Suggestions? I dont want to play ranger, but I would really like to gain a scaling animal companion.

#2
strider13x
Jul 03, 2015 8:32:45 Wow, beastmaster for cunning action? You need something else to balance that out. I would suggest looking to the spell-less Ranger from the UA articles to better fit your Archtype. But if you insist give more background so we can suggest something. Primeval Awareness? The Thief's climbing ability?
#3
SnigTheWorg
Jul 03, 2015 8:54:56 Well the only thing I really want from Ranger is the beastmaster archetype, and perhaps natural Explorer. I have considered the Spell-less Ranger but I just really am not feeling the ranger class. If there was some way I could swap Beastmaster into the rogue chassis without giving up assassinate (swap later assassin features for Beastmaster) I think that would fit my idea perfectly. But it needs to be balanced. One more idea I'm considering is taking barbarian as my main class, swapping out their archetype for Beastmaster. Then I could dip 3 rogue for a barbarian assassin with a badass wolf companion! This way I could rage in melee with my wolf and a rapier (or dual wield), while benefiting from 2d6 sneak attack. Outside of rage I could be efficient either in melee or at range with a bow, as I'd have decent dex + str. Surprise rounds I could assassinate at range and then rush into melee and rage. I really like the concept here. Is it a terrible idea?
#4
Yunru
Jul 03, 2015 8:59:37 Assassination is the Assassin's subclass main feature. Beast Companion is a Beast Master's subclass main feature. If you want both you're going to have to multiclass.
#5
SnigTheWorg
Jul 03, 2015 9:17:25 Seeing as how wotc gave the Spell-less Ranger the battle-masters main feature (and a level earlier) I'd have to disagree with you on that. The key is to swap features of similar power. In the article I linked it mentioned that cunning action is one of the rogues most powerful features, that's why I suggested it as a trade.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 SnigTheWorg Jul 02, 2015 21:38:01	I'm thinking about modifying the rogue class slightly after reading this article https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/modifying-classes I want to make a small mounted rogue, and I thought a fair trade may be the Beastmaster level 3 feature, swapped in place of Cunning Action? Seeing as how rogues do not get an extra attack, this option is signifigantly weaker for the rogue then it is for the ranger (still a weak option for the ranger according to many) but I think it should roughly balance with losing cunning action? In the article it says that if your going to trade out cunning action you should pick a powerful option. What do you guys think? Fair trade? Suggestions? I dont want to play ranger, but I would really like to gain a scaling animal companion.
#2 strider13x Jul 03, 2015 8:32:45	Wow, beastmaster for cunning action? You need something else to balance that out. I would suggest looking to the spell-less Ranger from the UA articles to better fit your Archtype. But if you insist give more background so we can suggest something. Primeval Awareness? The Thief's climbing ability?
#3 SnigTheWorg Jul 03, 2015 8:54:56	Well the only thing I really want from Ranger is the beastmaster archetype, and perhaps natural Explorer. I have considered the Spell-less Ranger but I just really am not feeling the ranger class. If there was some way I could swap Beastmaster into the rogue chassis without giving up assassinate (swap later assassin features for Beastmaster) I think that would fit my idea perfectly. But it needs to be balanced. One more idea I'm considering is taking barbarian as my main class, swapping out their archetype for Beastmaster. Then I could dip 3 rogue for a barbarian assassin with a badass wolf companion! This way I could rage in melee with my wolf and a rapier (or dual wield), while benefiting from 2d6 sneak attack. Outside of rage I could be efficient either in melee or at range with a bow, as I'd have decent dex + str. Surprise rounds I could assassinate at range and then rush into melee and rage. I really like the concept here. Is it a terrible idea?
#4 Yunru Jul 03, 2015 8:59:37	Assassination is the Assassin's subclass main feature. Beast Companion is a Beast Master's subclass main feature. If you want both you're going to have to multiclass.
#5 SnigTheWorg Jul 03, 2015 9:17:25	Seeing as how wotc gave the Spell-less Ranger the battle-masters main feature (and a level earlier) I'd have to disagree with you on that. The key is to swap features of similar power. In the article I linked it mentioned that cunning action is one of the rogues most powerful features, that's why I suggested it as a trade.