Recommendation needed on how to proceed...

[Musmanno]

I have a halfling ROG7/FIG1. I don't want to take a whole lot of non-Rogue levels, but at this point I'm considering another level of Fighter. I'd get a fighter bonus feet and can better position myself for dual-wielding. The drawback, of course, is the low number of skill points.

What do you guys think? Assuming I'm going to stay with rogue levels most of the way through, is a second level of fighter worth it at this point? I'm keeping my eye on higher sneak attack damage and other rogue abilities at high levels of rogue.

BTW - I've read many of the other build threads and there is some great advice in there, but of course I'm hoping to get suggestions as to my specific situation.

[GuitarHero]

ok, well, one level of fighter sets you back on Sneak Attack by half a step. Doesn't cost you any, just delays them. Not a big price. A second level will actually COST you that d6, for a feat and 4 hp. If the feat can make up for that extra d6 of damage, then go for it, but if not, then i wouldn't. You already have martial proficiency and armor/shield proficiency. You won't gain anything else from splashing. Also, you will delay further your rogue special abilities, even costing you one down the line.

[CSFurious]

if you want to start to become more of a fighter or stay more of a rogue

i have a 10 rogue/4 fighter who is almost to level 15 & i do not know whether to continue to add fighter levels or stay more rogue

i am leaning towards more rogue, but it is a tough decision

[Musmanno]

ok, well, one level of fighter sets you back on Sneak Attack by half a step. Doesn't cost you any, just delays them. Not a big price. A second level will actually COST you that d6, for a feat and 4 hp. If the feat can make up for that extra d6 of damage, then go for it, but if not, then i wouldn't. You already have martial proficiency and armor/shield proficiency. You won't gain anything else from splashing. Also, you will delay further your rogue special abilities, even costing you one down the line.

Thanks GuitarHero. I'll have to think about it. I haven't tried dual-wielding in this game, but I suspect from my reading of the 3.5 rules that the feat will not make up for the d6 of damage lost. I'll probably stick with pure rogue. I usually do pretty well when not disabling traps or picking locks (as judged by number of kills) so it's not like I can't help out fighting. I appreciate the advice.

[Musmanno]

if you want to start to become more of a fighter or stay more of a rogue

i have a 10 rogue/4 fighter who is almost to level 15 & i do not know whether to continue to add fighter levels or stay more rogue

i am leaning towards more rogue, but it is a tough decision

My preference is to stay more pure rogue, and right now I fight fairly well as it is. But at the higher level content (12-16 for example) I'm not sure that will continue to be true. I like the pure rogue idea though, or as pure as I can get with a level of fighter already (which I took to get the proficiencies).

[Aesop]

I'd need to know what you have for your character so far... but unless you've got a direction to go stay Rogue.

usually I think to level20

level 20 Rogues get nothing of consequence really but Skills and HP


level 19 Rogue gets that + a Class Specific Feat (Slippery Mind, Defensive Roll, Improved Evasion type stuff) and another die of Sneak Attack Damage... ya don't really want to lose that if you can help it... unless you built a character with a specific design goal.



now if you are a twf and they incorporate Superior TWF then you may need to sacrifice that to get your stwf by taking another level of fighter at 20... but if not then just stay rogue for the rest of the journey... you have everythingg from fighter that you really need... all armor shields and Martial weapons a couple extr HP and Fort save and the Feat... don't push it

Aesop


oh and this is from someone who MCs everything :D

my primary rogue is currently 9/4/3 Rog/Ftr/Pal

but I planned her that way

[CSFurious]

i actually regret those extra 2 fighter levels, but i am not re-rolling this rogue

i will probably just stay rogue now & hopefully 16 rogue/4 fighter will look good in about 2 years


My preference is to stay more pure rogue, and right now I fight fairly well as it is. But at the higher level content (12-16 for example) I'm not sure that will continue to be true. I like the pure rogue idea though, or as pure as I can get with a level of fighter already (which I took to get the proficiencies).

[GuitarHero]

after about level 9 or so, once AC starts lagging behind monsters To Hit, TWF, ITWF, GTWF, etc actually does come in handy, as it increases the rate at which you get that big boost to sneak attack. My 15th level rogue has GTWF, and i'm waiting to get to level 16 til they hopefully fix all the problems with the rogue abilities, so i can't say much past that, but if you can manage aggro well, and can pick your targets as to not take too much damage in retaliation, the dual wielding feats are a good idea for a rogue.