Some adventurers stride into danger clad in iron, trusting bulk and bravado. A rogue prefers shadow, wit, and the quiet click of a lock sliding back. Whether you picture a nimble burglar easing through an aristocrat’s window, a silver‑tongued spy exchanging coded smiles at court, or a tomb‑raider whose lantern falls only on dust and traps, the rogue thrives where subtle hands and quick reflexes matter more than brute force.
Core Build
- Primary Stats: Dexterity (essential for Stealth, Thievery, Dodge, Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand); Mind (important for Perception, Vigilance, Insight, Deception).
- Secondary Stats: Body (can stay modest; avoiding damage is key); Strength (minimal need, supports light weapon use or climbing).
- Signature Skills: Varies by specialization:
- Night-Blade Focus: Stealth, Thievery, Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Dodge, Melee Combat (light weapons like Rapiers/Daggers).
- Confidence Trickster Focus: Deception, Insight, Persuasion, Lore (e.g., Street Rumors), Dodge.
Most rogues benefit greatly from high Stealth, Dodge, and either Thievery or Deception, along with keen senses (Perception/Vigilance).
Equipment
Equipment is typically simple and functional: a leather jerkin for silent movement, a rapier or shortsword for precision, perhaps a brace of throwing knives or a compact bow for ranged options, and crucially, a set of thieves’ tools (picks and probes). A coil of rope and a tiny mirror on wire often solve more problems than overt force ever could.
The Rogue’s Craft
Success as a rogue lies in skillful application of training and opportunism, not direct confrontation. Spend XP early to push one or two specialties (like Stealth and Thievery, or Deception and Insight) into reliable percentage ranges. When resources allow, improving Dodge is vital – an untouched rogue is a living rogue.
Alacrity’s Surprise Attack rule is a signature flourish. By slipping past a guard’s Vigilance using Stealth, your opening blow can land before initiative is even counted. Furthermore, if that crucial first strike needs precision (targeting a visor slit or armor seam), the Threading the Needle penalty is halved during the surprise round, potentially turning a difficult assassination into a decisive action. After blades flash, rely on high Dodge rolls and acrobatic footwork (Acrobatics, Athletics) to stay out of harm’s way.
Advancement and Philosophy
Advancing as a rogue means deciding which tale you wish to tell. Funneling XP into Stealth and Thievery yields the uncatchable shadow who ghost‑walks through treasure rooms. Investing in Deception and Insight sculpts a social chameleon who wins battles with whispered promises or cunning misdirection. Those who relish danger might learn Acrobatics and Athletics together, sprinting across rooftops or vaulting over traps no mailed knight could hope to cross.
No matter the path, a rogue wins by choosing when to be seen—and more crucially, when not to be. In a world of swords and sorcery, there will always be doors left unguarded, pockets left unwatched, and secrets left untold until a quiet hand turns the key.
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File Created: 05/05/2025 Last Modified: 05/05/2025