Rogue

by Ralsu
Many massively-multiplayer online games (MMOGs) make the rogue a generic melee who can occasionally steal some gold--Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO) changes all of that. Finally, rogues are true to their form as cunning experts; “masters of the shadows” who seek the less direct route to achieve their goals. Rogues in DDO are exciting because they get to perform their class functions: they disarm traps, check for hidden doors, and pick locks.

Rogues are prized for the resourcefulness and seldom are counted on to deliver the bulk of the damage. Instead, adventuring parties will count on rogues to scout ahead, sneak past guards to avoid a confrontation, or pilfer an item needed for the completion of a quest. Players who choose rogues will be rewarded with a feeling of usefulness. Further, they will enjoy the versatility of a character who can fit into most any party composition.

The rogue is common among all playable races, though a little less likely for warforged. Humans make versatile rogues with extra skill points at each level and a bonus feat at creation. Dwarves are hardy rogues who take hits better than most but suffer a slight penalty in skills based on charisma. Elf rogues receive a bonus to dexterity that improves their AC, but are more fragile than other races. A halfing rogue is just as dexterous as an elf but bears a penalty to strength. Warforged rogues trade wisdom and charisma for access to the warforged armor feats and extra constitution.

Motivation: Rogues adventure for many reasons. Some seek fortune or fame. A few enjoy the challenge of becoming a master thief. Still others seek to settle the score with an old enemy. All rogues are alike in the selfishness of their quests, but some don't mind if achieving their goals helps someone else along the way.

Class Features
Disable Device: Once she finds a trap, the rogue is the only class that can use Disable Device to attempt to disarm the trap.

Evasion: At Level 2, a successful Reflex save to avoid damage results no damage instead of half damage.

Improved Evasion: At Level 10 even a failed Reflex save results in half damage.

Sneak Attack: A rogue who flanks a target can deal additional 1d6 damage in the form of a Sneak Attack. Of course, this may cause the enemy to turn its attention on the rogue. The damage from Sneak Attack increases by 1d6 for each odd-numbered level of rogue.

Trap-finding: Rogues are the best class at finding even the most difficult traps.

Uncanny Dodge: In DDO, this is an active Feat that grants a temporary bonus to AC and Reflex saves that becomes available at Level 4. At Level 8, the Feat also prevents flanking monsters from receiving the normal bonus to their attacks against the rogue.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Rogues are adept at all simple weapons, plus hand crossbows, shortbows, rapiers, saps, and short swords.

Sugeested Races

• Drow (+2 to DEX and INT means more success picking lockas and disabling traps; +2 CHA means better Bluffing for Sneak Attack Damage)
  
• Elf (+2 DEX makes it easier to pick locks, and the elven racial Enhancements make rogues even better)
  
• Halfling (+2 DEX for picking locks, and good racial Enhancements)
  

Key Abilities
Each class begins with 28 points to spend over 6 abilities (Intelligence, Wisdom, Constitution, Dexterity, Strength, and Charisma). All rogues benefit from a high Dexterity score as it provides a boost to armor class and the nimbleness to manipulate locks. Intelligence aids rogues in solving puzzles and knowing how to disarm traps. Wisdom gives a rogue the awareness needed to discover hidden doors and obscured levers.

Suggested Skills
Rogues can use almost any skill, but some are more valuable than others to their profession. Disable Device, Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Open Lock, Search, and Spot are the tools of the rogue's trade. Combat-conscious rogues might consider dropping some points into Bluff, Diplomacy, and Tumble.

Suggested Feats
Alertness aids the rogue in detecting secrets and enemies, Nimble Fingers improves a rogue's success rate with core skills, and Stealthy allows for better sneaking. Combat-oriented rogues may wish to consider one of the disabling attack feats (Sap, Hamstring, Slicing Blow, Stunning Blow).

---

More on Rogues
Essentials A Guide to Alignments Rogue Tactics Guide Guide to Rogue Enhancements Guide to Sneak Guide to Dungeon Discretion	DDO Builds for Rogues Arcane Ally Dwarvish Bulwark Highway Bandit Lovable Scoundrel Master of Blades Master Thief Small but Feared Soldier The Jack of All Trades The Swashbuckler