need very basic noob solo rogue advice

[therealbradu]

Just started this game over the weekend and have hit lv 2 just doing the basic quests in the starting town, and I'm just starting to venture outside the gate.

It's been easy so far, doing solo or normal difficulty. However, literally all I do is run up (or sneak up) and attack. I have tried my trip skill and the one that lowers AC for a short period, but I have not noticed them working (how can I tell if they work?) Plus, most enemies except for the bosses (red) die in just a couple hits anyway so there's no point.

I am dual wielding.

I have not tried blocking or tumbling or anything like that. I've been using the 'search' function on levers and chests, but so far every time there's any sort of trap, the dialogue warns me of it anyway, so that kinda seems like a waste of time.

And one question about loot...I'm getting to the point where I'm carrying around a bunch of junk I can't or won't use, but Dax only offers 1/10 of the value of the item. Is there a better way to get more for my stuff? Are there certain items I should hold on to? I'm using the fire rapier and bow that you get very early, so far they seem much better than anything else I've found. Should I carry around a few extra weapons, just in case I break one or something?

And last question...right now it says I have a level cap of 4. How do I raise that?

If there's a comprehensive noob guide, point me to it! I didn't see any stickies that covered most of this stuff. Thanks.

[Saeviomagy]

You can tell if trip works because the foe will fall on their ass.

The armor one has some floating text I think.

You get warned of traps and secrets because you have invested in your spot skill. Note that if you search after you get notified of something, you will (depending on your skill roll) be shown exactly where the trap elements are, which makes it easier to dodge them without tripping them. Additionally if you're positioned right, you'll also get to see the control box, which you can disarm to make the entire trap inoperative.

As for junk? Either sell it at the loss, or if it's valuable enough, take it to the stormreach market and sell it to a pawnbroker for a bit more money. Alternately if it's really good, chuck it on the auction house.

Note that those courses of action require you to leave korthos.

You can raise your level cap by finding a levelling crest (I believe they come from elite dungeons) OR by buying one for DDO cash. The first one costs a mere 38 DDDollars (or whatever they're called), so you should have gotten enough free points to buy one for yourself. That will raise your levelling cap to 8. I'd avoid doing it until you're level 4 though: you may find that you want to restart your character if you've built them wrong, or you might just find that you don't like being a rogue.

The quests do get harder as you go, and if you really feel that you need a challenge, I'd suggest doing them on normal instead of solo mode.

Also, try looking for some videos about all the cool stuff that stealth can do (like standing around a corner from foes, turning stealth off and jumping, then turning stealth on again and moving away: the monsters will come to see what the sound was, and when they split up it can become easier to take them out).

[johnburr75]

Hi mate and welcome aboard.

As a rogue I would not go anywhere near trip - it is strength based so more suited to a fighter (unless you are going nuts on Str for some reason). You know it has worked when the bad guys are sitting on their ass :). Sunder I dont know much about, but I figure you can look at the combat log to see if it works (again useless skill for a rogue).

Traps will become harder and you will receive no dialogue warning once you get away from the beginning quests - it is a **** useful skill when Elite traps can kill characters in one or two hits.

Sell all the stuff you dont want. The best way to work out if it is worth more than what the shop will give is to check the AH (there isnt one in Korthos Island). Just look at what other ppl have the item in there for a rough guide as to pricing. Always take extra weapons - blunt for skellies, wooden club or muckbane for slimes etc.

To go above lvl 4 on F2P you need to get a levelling sigil. They usually drop if you complete a whole bunch of harbour quests, but failing that you can spend some turbine points on one to take you to lvl 8.

[captain1z]

I'm sorry to have to tell you but from the description you give of your rogue it sounds like you have a "well ballanced" and properly built character. Things get tougher when you get off Korthos island and I hope you do as well. Few ppl get rogues right the first time so do be discouraged if this is not the case.


Weapons and items to hold on to:

- If the picture of the item is bordered by a gold frame, keep it..... it may be a rare item and as your knowledge of the game increases you may find use for it.

- if the weapon has a different type of metal in it, keep it. Silver, cold iron, admantine and flame touched iron all have there place in DDO.

- Armors with a mitheral quality are very valuable.

- Burst type damage or anything that is both transmuting and good (or silver and good) may be worth millions to the right buyer.

- weapons that saw weakening, wounding, enfeebling, puncturing or any combo of the four may have value also.

take a second look before you sell anything.


To get better sell values u need a skill called HAGGLE. Rogues and bards are good at this... most other classes dont have enough points to put in it.


to level beyond 4,8,12 levels you need to find "sigils of leveling"

copper sigil - unlocks 4-8
silver sigil - unlocks 9-12
gold sigil - unlocks 13-16
platinum sigil - unlocks 17-20

they can be found fairly easily buy just running quests of a challenging level and you may get one as an end reward. Basicly just play as normal and it will happen.... take one if you see it.

[therealbradu]

hmm, if Sunder and Trip aren't very good for me, are there any rogue attack abilities that I should be using? Those were already hotkeyed in when I created my character. I am thinking about spending a point to take the ability that increases my attacks for 20 seconds for the tough battles, but I want to get the dex bonus first.

I'll have to look for the pawnbroker and AH...what's a good general rule of thumb? Anything with a value over 1,000gp, take it to pawn or AH?

I'm not complaining about things being too easy...I think they should be that way at the start. Plus, since I plan on soloing most things, I know they'll get much harder. I did the first 2 or 3 on solo, then bumped up to normal and haven't had problems yet. I did die once but that's because I walked in front of steam that I didn't realize would hurt me. Oops.

But I do realize that as things get harder, I'm gonna need to be better about using strategy and various skills as opposed to just playing hack n slash which is pretty much all I need to do right now to get through.

[johnburr75]

Just a side note, but you should think of partying - soloing as a rogue will get pretty hard if you are just starting out.

If you want the std rogue, then focus on Pick Lock, Disarm Trap, Search, Spot, UMD, Diplomacy, Silent Moves and Hide. With your AP's, get Rogue utility (or whatever it is called) that gives you bonus to skills, focus on your sneak attack which can deal out serious damage when done properly (once you get the aggro, hit diplo as you will get stomped too easily) and keep bumping up Dex.

Hope that helps.

EDIT: It occurs to me that if you are hell bent on soloing, bluff may be pretty helpful. That way you can make use of your sneak attack even when you have drawn the aggro

[Grushvak]

As far as rogue attack abilities go, the most important ones will come from enhancements. Rogue Haste, for instance, can really up your damage when you're going crazy with sneak attacks. Rogue Damage Boost is a nice all-around buff that will help you against non-crittable foes (elementals, oozes and undeads) while also being a prerequisite for what is arguably the best pure damage rogue prestige enhancement: assassin

To me, it sounds like you're playing your rogue right, but that's coming from a fellow newbie. The only thing I can tell you from my short experience is that soloing is going to get rough for you. Rogue is not a class with which you can expect to get all up in someone's face to trade blows until either one dies. Also, your low will and fortitude saves will leave you at the mercy of casters in future quests: you will soon learn to loathe Troglodyte Stench, Fear and Hold Person. My main advice, if you're serious about soloing, is to learn to use hirelings. Some of them are pretty decent, and can save your butt when the going gets rough.

I have a strong preference for paladin and cleric henchmen myself, but see what works best for you.

[therealbradu]

I'm not really that serious about soloing, but I find it easier to play on my own terms. I'm a wow convert, I did like grouping for instances, or if I could find a (real life) friend that would quest with me, but for the most part I played solo. I have nothing AGAINST grouping, but a lot of times it's just easier to jump on and play, and quit when I'm ready without worrying about bailing on anyone or anything.

So I'm sure I will do some groups, but I'm expecting more often than not I'll go solo.