Stealth for quest completion

[Drimsdale]

I still haven't settled on a Rogue build yet, but I've been wondering how many quests are easier for a solo Rogue - I've sometimes seen an xp bonus pop up for killing *low* numbers of critters, and it occurred to me that a Rogue with their stealth is most likely to be able to pull that kind of thing off.

Stealthy Repossession is probably an extreme example of the kind of quest I'm thinking of - but how frequent are they? Enough to make it worth keeping Hide/Move Silently/Faster Sneaking at reasonable levels?

[Montrose]

The number of quests that you can stealth entirely through as a rogue is fairly low, due to the large number of doors, ambush points, and encoutners where you are forced to kill mobs to open doors.

That being said, there have been recent changes to the way in which monster aggro works that makes stealth somewhat more viable, especially if you "zerg stealth".

Get some invisibility scrolls and run like heck. The monster will hear you, but not see you. They'll go to investigate but by the tim ethey get to where you were, you are now 500 feet down the hallway.

Of course, this can be done by any class that can cast an invis scroll, so a rogue isn't strictly necessary.

I have used stealth to fairly good use in explorer zones to get all the explorer points, but in quests proper isn't usually not the most efficient method.

[Angelus_dead]

Enough to make it worth keeping Hide/Move Silently/Faster Sneaking at reasonable levels?
What with the high number of skillpoints rogues get, it doesn't cost you much to maintain those skills. So they don't actually need to be highly useful to be worth it.

However, don't expect that stealth movement will ever be a big part of your rogue features. As just explained, the Invisibility spell is often just fine, or even superior (as a sneaking rogue can't jump)

[Credinus]

Honestly, they should make an enhancement or, more logically, a feat that allows a rogue to use things like doors and levers without breaking stealth. That's just my opinion...

And yeah, there aren't a whole lot of quests that come to mind where stealth can get you through most of it. In fact, the only big ones I can think off of the top of my head are the Assault on Splinterskull quests. You can breeze past a lot of unnecessary fights in most of those quests with good stealth, and it saves a lot of time if you're soloing (provided you've got some investment in faster sneaking).

[Draccus]

As is mentioned above, there aren't a lot of quest you can completely stealth. However, stealth can be very useful in avoiding some combat in quests even if you can't complete it that way.

A good example is the fantastic quest Bring Me the Head of Ghola Fan. This quest has a LOT of fighting. There are some monsters that must be killed, levers that must be pulled, and other things that make it impossible to completely stealth it but you can avoid a lot of big fights with stealth.

Stealth is critical if you plan on using the Assassin II enhancement as well.

Stealth can also be useful situationally in groups. There is a tough lever to pull when approaching the Vision of Destruction raid that a rogue can get with stealth and help avoid some big fights. Collecting soulstones and moving them to a shrine can be easier with stealth, too. I find that catching up to a group after joining late or going afk is easier with high stealth. When I was mid-level and running a lot of Vale quests, I found it far easier to stealth to the entrance than to fight my way there or run it and risk a knockdown.

Stealth can also be a big indirect help with soloing. While it may be impossible to stealth a quest, stealth can let you scout your next encounter, pick the most dangerous target, and line up on it before any of them are the wiser. I find myself wishing I had stealth as I solo my new FvS. In many occasions, I'm getting hammered by melees and casters while trying to jump/run/fight my way to the one guy doing the most damage. This is especially helpful for new players who many not know all the quests yet. Scouting can make soloing way easier.

As far as skill levels, simply maxing Hide and MS every level is plenty if you're a dex rogue -- probably even if you're a strength rogue.

[hidaan]

However, don't expect that stealth movement will ever be a big part of your rogue features. As just explained, the Invisibility spell is often just fine, or even superior (as a sneaking rogue can't jump)

I could be wrong, but your hide score and invisibility seem to stack. Either that, or sneaking activates your move silently... I've gone invis-> sneak and bumped into the front of mobs with no detection.


A good example is the fantastic quest Bring Me the Head of Ghola Fan. This quest has a LOT of fighting. There are some monsters that must be killed, levers that must be pulled, and other things that make it impossible to completely stealth it but you can avoid a lot of big fights with stealth.

Not to mention, fighting mobs that have low spot scores entirely in stealth is worth the price of admission by itself. There's nothing more amusing than killing off a mob without being touched by circle kiting them from stealth while they swing at air...