The Deadly Knife:

Guide to Rogue Enhancements

By Darkgolem

Rogues are the most skilled characters in the Dungeons and Dragons Online (DDO) game.  The large number of skill points rogues have lends itself to a variety of functions that a rogue can fulfill.  The DDO enhancement system lets a rogue character be designed to fulfill these functions with excellence, blending with a rogue's skillset and making a rogue truly formidable.

The Basics

A quick summary for those unfamiliar with the way enhancements work for DDO is in order.  First, you get 4 action points every level.  They are earned gradually as you work your way to your next level. You use these action points to purchase enhancements.  You much qualify for an enhancement to purchase it.  Enhancements require a certain amount of action points to already have been spent, less powerful similar enhancements and sometimes for you to have a feat, before you can purchase them.  Because of the requirements for various enhancements, you should plan on how you wish to spend your action points when you begin character creation.

Choosing Your Role

A rogue decides his or her role based upon skills.  However, enhancements, since they work in different ways than skills, can improve upon these roles.  Therefore, you should decide what your rogue will be good at.. combat, or disarming traps, or scouting (or a combination of these), and then pick enhancements that fit them.  A pure rogue character has less choice than multiclass rogues, basically they can be good at dealing with traps or combat.

The Trapmaster

The Trapmaster excels at dealing with traps.  All other items are secondary, and to get the very high skill levels needed to excel at traps, almost all a trapmaster's points will need to go into spot, disable device, open lock, and search.

• Rogue Disable Device – a key ability
• Rogue Spot – perhaps the most important enhancement a trapmaster can get
• Rogue Search – finding trap boxes is very important.
• Rogue Open Lock – the least important of the “big 4” but still a very important enhancement.
• Elemental Trap Lore – any of these are useful, but shouldn't be emphasized, because the bonus is not that high.

The Cut Throat

The Cut Throat's aim is deadly combat.  A cut throat rogue cannot stand up in a face to face fight, but is a master of taking out key opponents quickly.  While a warrior may charge into the midst of ones enemies, the cut throat is in the back of the melee, taking out the spellcaster who is a threat to your entire party.

• Rogue Damage Boost - with the enormous damage bonus this enhancement gives, taking it is a no brainer.
• Rogue Haste Boost - attacking more times taking out key opponents is very useful, but make sure you too hit is high, too.
• Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy - hitting is key to dealing damage, after all.
• Rogue Sneak Attack Damaage - supplementary to rogue damage boost, take it for the same reasons.  Also useful because it doesn't have limited benefits per rest.
• Rogue Move Silently - hard to pinpoint specific enemies if you can't get close enough to strike.
• Rogue Hide in Shadows - for the same reason you take rogue move silently, take this.

The Scout

The scout's goal is simply to find opponents without being seen and letting his or her adventuring companions know and prepare.  In combat the scout isn't as useful as the cut throat, but the edge in preparedness the whole party gets is often worth it.

• Rogue Move Silently - if anything, most important for a scout rogue.
• Rogue Hide in Shadows - critical for success, just as with move silently.
• Rogue Faster Sneaking - while not all important, it helps when dealing with impatient party members, because it lets you find out what you need faster, and exposes you to less opportunities for your opponents to notice you.
• Rogue Subtle Backstabber - enabling the scout to drain opponents of hit points from the side of a combat without drawing their attention.

The Enhancements

Enhancement name	Cost	Progression	Requirements	Benefit
Rogue Damage  Boost 1	1	0	Rogue level 1	(30 second cooldown) Activate this ability to gain a +2 bonus to weapon damage for 20 seconds.
Rogue Damage  Boost 2	2	10	Rogue level 4, Rogue Damage Boost 1	Activate this ability to gain a +3 bonus to weapon damage for 20 seconds.
Rogue Damage  Boost 3	3	21	Rogue level 7, Rogue Damage Boost 2	(30 second cooldown) Activate this ability to gain a +4 bonus to weapon damage for 20 seconds.
Rogue Damage  Boost 4	4	32	Rogue level 10, Rogue Damage Bost 3	(30 second cooldown) Activate this ability to gain a +5 bonus to weapon damage for 20 seconds.
Rogue Extra Action Boost 1	2	38	Rogue level 11, Requires one of Rogue Skill  Boost 4, Rogue Action Boost 4, Rogue Damage Boost 4	You can use each of your Rouge action boosts an additional time between resting.
Rogue Extra Action Boost 2	4	48	Rogue level 14, Rogue Extra Action Boost 1	You can use each of your Rouge action boosts 2 additional times between resting.
Rogue Haste Boost 1	1	0	Rogue level 1	(30 second cooldown) Activate this ability to receive a  15% boost  to attack speed for 20 seconds.
Rogue Haste  Boost 2	2	10	Rogue level 4, Rogue Haste Boost 1	(30 second cooldown) Activate this ability to receive a  20% boost  to attack speed for 20 seconds.
Rogue Haste  Boost 3	3	21	Rogue level 7, Rogue Haste Boost 2	(30 second cooldown) Activate this ability to receive a  25% boost  to attack speed for 20 seconds.
Rogue Haste  Boost 4	4	32	Rogue level 10, Rogue Haste Boost 3	(30 second cooldown) Activate this ability to receive a  30% boost  to attack speed for 20 seconds.
Rogue Skill Boost 1	1	0	Rogue level 1	(30 second cooldown) Activate this ability to receive a +2 bonus to skills for 20 seconds.
Rogue Skill  Boost 2	2	10	Rogue level 4, Rogue Skill Boost 1	(30 second cooldown) Activate this ability to receive a +3 bonus to skills for 20 seconds.
Rogue Skill  Boost 3	3	21	Rogue level 7, Rogue Skill Boost 2	(30 second cooldown) Activate this ability to receive a +4 bonus to skills for 20 seconds.
Rogue Skill  Boost 4	4	32	Rogue level 10, Rogue Skill Boost 3	(30 second cooldown) Activate this ability to receive a +5 bonus to skills for 20 seconds.
Rogue Acid Trap Lore 1	1	3	Rogue level 2	You gain energy resistance of 2 versus acid, or improved your existing resistance by 2.
Rogue Acid Trap Lore 2	2	18	Rogue level 6, Rogue Acid Trap Lore 1	You gain energy resistance of 4 versus acid, or improved your existing resistance by 4.
Rogue Acid Trap Lore 3	3	33	Rogue level 10, Rogue Acid Trap 2	You gain energy resistance of 6 versus acid, or improved your existing resistance by 6.
Rogue Cold Trap Lore 1	1	3	Rogue level 2	You gain energy resistance of 2 versus cold, or improved your existing resistance by 2.
Rogue Cold Trap Lore 2	2	18	Rogue level 6, Rogue Cold Trap Lore 1	You gain energy resistance of 4 versus cold, or improved your existing resistance by 4.
Rogue Cold Trap Lore 3	3	33	Rouge level 10, Cold Trap Lore 2	You gain energy resistance of 6 versus cold, or improved your existing resistance by 6.
Rogue Electricity Trap Lore 1	1	3	Rogue level 2	You gain energy resistance of 2 versus electricity, or improved your existing resistance by 2.
Rogue  Electricity Trap Lore 2	2	18	Rogue level 6, Rogue Electricity Trap Lore 1	You gain energy resistance of 4 versus electricity, or improved your existing resistance by 4.
Rogue  Electricity Trap Lore 3	3	33	Rogue level 10, Rogue Electricity Trap 2	You gain energy resistance of 6 versus electricity, or improved your existing resistance by 6.
Rogue Fire Trap Lore 1	1	3	Rogue level 2	You gain energy resistance of 2 versus fire, or improved your existing resistance by 2.
Rogue Fire Trap Lore 2	2	18	Rogue level 6, Rogue Fire Trap Lore 1	You gain energy resistance of 4 versus fire, or improved your existing resistance by 4.
Rogue Fire Trap Lore 3	3	33	Rouge level 10, Fire Trap Lore 2	You gain energy resistance of 6 versus fire, or improved your existing resistance by 6.
Rogue Sonic Trap Lore 1	1	3	Rogue level 2	You gain energy resistance of 2 versus sonic, or improved your existing resistance by 2.
Rogue Sonic Trap Lore 2	2	18	Rogue level 6, Rogue Sonic Trap Lore 1	You gain energy resistance of 4 versus sonic, or improved your existing resistance by 4.
Rogue Sonic Trap Lore 3	3	33	Rouge level 10, Sonic Trap Lore 2	You gain energy resistance of 6 versus sonic, or improved your existing resistance by 6.
Rogue Subtle Backstabber 1	1	11	Rogue level 4	Reduces the threat from your melee attacks by 10%.
Rogue Subtle Backstabber 2	2	22	Rogue level 7, Rogue Subtle Backstabber 1	Reduces the threat from your melee attacks by 20%.
Rogue Subtle Backstabber 3	3	33	Rogue level 10, Rogue Subtle Backstabber 2	Reduces the threat from your melee attacks by 30%.
Rogue Subtle Backstabber 4	4	44	Rogue level 13, Rogue Subtle Backstabber 3	Reduces the threat from your melee attacks by 40%.
Rogue Faster Sneaking 1	1	0	Rogue level 1	Grants a 10% increase in movement rate while sneaking.
Rogue Faster Sneaking 2	2	14	Rogue level 5, Rogue Faster Sneaking 1	Grants a 20% increase in movement rate while sneaking.
Rogue Faster Sneaking 3	3	29	Rogue level 9, Rogue Faster Sneaking 2	Grants a 35% increase in movement rate while sneaking.
Rogue Faster Sneaking 4	4	44	Rogue level 13, Rogue Faster Sneaking 3	Grants a 50% increase in movement rate while sneaking.
Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy 1	2	2	Rogue level 2	You gain +1 to hit with your sneak attacks.
Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy 2	4	16	Rogue level 6, Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy 1	You gain +2 to hit with your sneak attacks.
Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy 3	6	30	Rogue level 10, Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy 2	You gain +3 to hit with your sneak attacks.
Rogue Sneak Attack Damage 1	1	0	Rogue level 1	You gain +2 to your sneak attack damage.
Rogue Sneak Attack Damage 2	2	10	Rogue level 4, Rogue Sneak Attack Damage 1	You gain +4 to your sneak attack damage.
Rogue Sneak Attack Damage 3	3	21	Rogue level 7, Rogue Sneak Attack Damage 2	You gain +6 to your sneak attack damage.
Rogue Sneak Attack Damage 4	4	32	Rogue level 10, Rogue Sneak Attack Damage 3	You gain +8 to your sneak attack damage.
Rogue Balance 2	2	10	Rogue level 4, Balance 1	Grants a +2 bonus to Balance skill.
Rogue Balance 3	3	25	Rogue level 8, Rogue Balance 2	Grants a +3 bonus to Balance skill.
Rogue Balance 4	4	40	Rogue level 12, Rogue Balance 3	Grants a +4 bonus to Balance skill.
Rogue Bluff 1	1	0	Rogue level 1	Grants a +1 bonus to Bluff skill.
Rogue Bluff 2	2	10	Rogue level 4, Rogue Bluff 1	Grants a +2 bonus to Bluff skill.
Rogue Bluff 3	3	25	Rogue level 8, Rogue Bluff 2	Grants a +3 bonus to Bluff skill.
Rogue Bluff 4	4	40	Rogue level 12, Rogue Bluff 3	Grants a +4 bonus to Bluff skill.
Rogue Disable Device 1	1	0	Rogue level 1	Grants a +1 bonus to Disable Device skill.
Rogue Disable Device 2	2	10	Rogue level 4, Rogue Bluff 1	Grants a +2 bonus to Disable Device skill.
Rogue Disable Device 3	3	25	Rogue level 8, Rogue Bluff 2	Grants a +3 bonus to Disable Device skill.
Rogue Disable Device 4	4	40	Rogue level 12, Rogue Bluff 3	Grants a +4 bonus to Disable Device skill.
Rogue Hide 1	1	0	Rogue level 1	Grants a +1 bonus to Hide skill.
Rogue Hide 2	2	10	Rogue level 4, Rogue Hide 1	Grants a +2 bonus to Hide skill.
Rogue Hide 3	3	25	Rogue level 8, Rogue Hide 2	Grants a +3 bonus to Hide skill.
Rogue Hide 4	4	40	Rogue level 12, Rogue Hide 3	Grants a +4 bonus to Hide skill.
Rogue Move Silently 1	1	0	Rogue level 1	Grants a +1 bonus to Move Silently skill.
Rogue Move Silently 2	2	10	Rogue level 4, Rogue Move Silently 1	Grants a +2 bonus to Move Silently skill.
Rogue Move Silently 3	3	25	Rogue level 8, Rogue Move Silently 2	Grants a +3 bonus to Move Silently skill.
Rogue Move Silently 4	4	40	Rogue level 12, Rogue Move Silently 3	Grants a +4 bonus to Move Silently skill.
Rogue Open Lock 1	1	0	Rogue level 1	Grants a +1 bonus to Open Lock skill.
Rogue Open Lock 2	2	10	Rogue level 4, Rogue Open Lock 1	Grants a +2 bonus to Open Lock skill.
Rogue Open Lock 3	3	25	Rogue level 8, Rogue Open Lock 2	Grants a +3 bonus to Open Lock skill.
Rogue Open Lock 4	4	40	Rogue level 12, Rogue Open Lock 3	Grants a +4 bonus to Open Lock skill.
Rogue Search 1	1	0	Rogue level 1	Grants a +1 bonus to Search skill.
Rogue Search 2	2	10	Rogue level 4, Rogue Search 1	Grants a +2 bonus to Search skill.
Rogue Search 3	3	25	Rogue level 8, Rogue Search 2	Grants a +3 bonus to Search skill.
Rogue Search 4	4	40	Rogue level 12, Rogue Search 3	Grants a +4 bonus to Search skill.
Rogue Spot 1	1	0	Rogue level 1	Grants a +1 bonus to Spot skill
Rogue Spot 2	2	10	Rogue level 4, Rogue Spot 1	Grants a +2 bonus to Spot skill
Rogue Spot 3	3	25	Rogue level 8, Rogue  Spot 2	Grants a +3 bonus to Spot skill.
Rogue Spot 4	4	40	Rogue level 12, Rogue  Spot 3	Grants a +4 bonus to Spot skill.
Rogue Dexterity 1	2	2	Rogue level 2	Grants a +1 increase to Dexterity score.
Rogue Dexterity 2	4	16	Rogue level 6, Rogue Dexterity 1	Grants a +2 increase to Dexterity score.
Rogue Dexterity 3	6	30	Rogue level 10, Rogue Dexterity 2	Grants a +3 increase to Dexterity score.
Rogue Improved Trap Sense 1	1	0	Rogue level 1	Grants a +1 bonus to saving throws against traps.
Rogue Improved Trap Sense 2	2	10	Rogue level 4, Rogue Improved Trap Sense 1	Grants a +2 bonus to saving throws against traps.
Rogue Improved Trap Sense 3	3	21	Rogue level 7, Rogue Improved Trap Sense 2	Grants a +3 bonus to saving throws against traps.
Rogue Improved Trap Sense 4	4	32	Rogue level 10, Rogue Improved Trap Sense 3	Grants a +4 bonus to saving throws against traps.
Rogue Way of the Assassin 1	4	16	Rogue level 6, Rogue Hide 2 and Rogue Move Silently 2	Grants a +2 bonus to Bluff, Hide, and Move Silently skills and a +1 bonus to Fortitude saves against poison. Also grants the ability to expend a use of Damage Boost to gain a large bonus to confirm critical hits, a bonus to hit while sneak attacking, and the chance to apply poison on sneak attacks for 20 seconds. Three different poisons are available for use with Assassin's Focus: Thoughtburn (Int damage and prevents casting for a short time), Icechill (Dex damage and slows the target's attack speed for a short time), and Soulshatter (Lowers the target's spell resistance by 10 and Will saves by 4 for a short time). A character may only have one Assassin's Focus ability active at a time.  You may possess only one class specialty at a time.
Rogue Way of the Mechanic 1	4	16	Rogue level 6, Rouge Disable Device 2 AND Rogue Open Lock 2 or Rogue Fire Trap Lore 1 Rogue Acid Trap Lore 1 or Rogue Cold Trap Lore 1 or Rogue Sonice Trap Lore 1 or Rogue Electric Trap Lore 1	Grants a +2 bonus to Disable Device, Open Lock, Repair, Search, and Spot skills. Also grants the ability to expend a use of Skill Boost to repair a warforged. You may possess only one class specialty at a time.
Rogue Way of the Thief-Acrobat 1	4	16	Rogue level 6, Rogue Tumble 2 and Rogue Balance 2	Grants a +2 bonus to Balance, Jump, and Tumble skills and 2 extra uses per rest of Uncanny Dodge. Also grants the ability to expend a use of Haste Boost to dramatically increase these skills and gain a movement and dexterity bonus for 20 seconds. You may possess only one class specialty at a time.

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