a rogue suited for any quest

[McBadger]

I've been a ranger advocate for a good while now. I feel like I've got a build and play style that compliments the rangers bouquet of abilities. If my ranger was a pig at the butcher then the only thing that would be left unused would be his squeal. I've turned my eye to the daunting task of creating a competent rogue that would be welcome in any party in any quest, traps or no. Can any of you fine enthusiasts give me some of your best advice on rogue combat, weapon choices, support activities through umd, and so forth or direct me to a link that would do the same? I've got a viable build that uses UMD, finesse, dimplomacy and have no intentions of multi classing. I've done my homework on trap smithing so I'm pretty much looking for good stuff for the heat of the moment to increase my combat usefulness to the group.

Edit: He's an elf. Enhancement advice also welcome.

[Rameses]

Read Brenna's and guitarheros guides, they are both good.

then read my Penitent Rogue or Impaqts Potent Rogue builds and that should give you an idea of what you should.

[McBadger]

Excellent reads all around. Nice to see my a lot of things i suspected confirmed with countless hours of playtime. This whole business got started when i pulled a +5 holy rapier of deception and dared to dream. Thanks for the links chief.

[GuitarHero]

aye, my guide is more directed towards newcomers, but Sable's has some pointers that a more experienced hand could use. If ya need any elaboration, just ask, in the guide thread or here, and i'll try to enlighten you.

[McBadger]

I'm sure i'll have some more questions as more abilities come available to me. Looks like i've got all the big questions answered and it's down to nuts and bolts. I'm steadily progressing but presently lvl 5 so there's plenty of wiggle room if things don't turn out quite like i had initially hoped.

Cheers!

[McBadger]

A) Is there a definative weapon for rogues like the sword of shadows to tanks?

B) What's the prefered method for dealing with foes immune to backstack?

C) Care to comment on any other items that lend themselves to rogues? The less obvious the better. The Golden Cartouche is pretty much a no brainer. Head of good fortune, 7 finger gloves, Rabbit gloves, um..... ahhhh.....

D) In regards to status effecting weapons; Anyone have any particular love stories? I don't think w/p is going to happen but weakening enfeebling finessables are gathering dust in my bank.

That's all i've got for now. Good times.

[binnsr]

A) Is there a definative weapon for rogues like the sword of shadows to tanks?

B) What's the prefered method for dealing with foes immune to backstack?

C) Care to comment on any other items that lend themselves to rogues? The less obvious the better. The Golden Cartouche is pretty much a no brainer. Head of good fortune, 7 finger gloves, Rabbit gloves, um..... ahhhh.....

D) In regards to status effecting weapons; Anyone have any particular love stories? I don't think w/p is going to happen but weakening enfeebling finessables are gathering dust in my bank.

That's all i've got for now. Good times.

A) there are a couple of decent 'rogue' weapons in the raids .. The Bravo Sword (Titan) and Treason (Reaver) .. other than that, not so much..

B) Disruptor or transmuting of greater undead/construct bane (if disruptor, have a cursespewer in the offhand )

C) Ventilated Bracers (Reaver) give a +3 stacking bonus to DD. You can craft some really nice roguey stuff in the new raid too..

D) i've got a pair of W/E light maces .. never use them because 1) crit range on a mace is ******** and 2) most stuff is dead before you can whittle their str down enough to matter and the mobs that have enough hit points for it to matter are all immune.

[ghale]

A) Is there a definative weapon for rogues like the sword of shadows to tanks?

B) What's the prefered method for dealing with foes immune to backstack?

C) Care to comment on any other items that lend themselves to rogues? The less obvious the better. The Golden Cartouche is pretty much a no brainer. Head of good fortune, 7 finger gloves, Rabbit gloves, um..... ahhhh.....

D) In regards to status effecting weapons; Anyone have any particular love stories? I don't think w/p is going to happen but weakening enfeebling finessables are gathering dust in my bank.

That's all i've got for now. Good times.

A) As mentioned both raid swords are pretty decent although the Titan one seems to be more rare. Although now with higher loot you could probably find a decent +5/+8 backstab weapon to use in the off-hand.
Bravo shortsword: +3shortsword with +5/+8 backstab.
Treason: keen, deception +3/+5 backstab mod, reduce aggro by 20%.

B) Depends what they are:
Constructs: either smiting rapier, or adroylin's mace (greater construct bane), or a transmuting weapon
Undead: disruption, greater undead bane, transmuting if skeletons
Slimes/Oozes: muckbanes, muckdoom, or any other club

C) You pretty much covered them all along with the previously suggest ventilated bracers .

D) Don't worry about having to have w/p to be effective. There are some pretty amazing, puncturing weapons you can use. I found a +4 shock rapier of puncturing which is pretty nice . It seems most mobs die to fast for any other stat weapon to matter. A cursespewing of deception offhand can also be pretty helpful to the group while enabling you sneak attacks with aggro.

[sigtrent]

I really like my rogue character Avenos. He's an Elven Rogue 10 Ranger 2 Barbarian 2. The barbarian levels are not so helpfull but the fast movement is fun.

All around he's quite effective in combat although he doesn't have the HP to tank so agro control is key. He was originaly intended to use two handed weapons but I ended up with two weapon fightiing as it's just all around better for a rogue. I typicaly wield a +5 shocking burst rapier of deception main hand and a +1 flaming rapier of backstabing 10 off hand. The backstabbing weapon is amazing and really makes the character work in combat.

While my rogue uses finesse (elf + rogue make for lots more dex thatn str) I started wtih 15 str and put level ups there. It really helps with damage dealing. The ranger levels are great for the starter TWF feat and the bow feats which makes him a decent archer when the need arises.

My only regret is his Charisma/UMD arn't too hot so he can't really use scrolls to much effect unless heavily buffed for that. I can equip RR items though and that's been plenty.

Against non crittable monsters I use effect weapons like vorpal, disruption, smiting etc... or greater banes or hammer away with transmuting weapons. Damage seems to be his best kill method but when falling back on these kinds of weapons he is still helpfull in combat. Against sneak attackable targets he often out kills pure combat classes. I've had groups where things were not going well untill I brought in avenos and he shifted the balance in the parties favor by virtue of strong DPS.

So basicaly, just avoid skimping on the combat side of your character and you will be very helpfull. Traps don't really require a lot of investment, especialy on an elf who has great built in search and spot advantages.

Almost all rogues are going to have will save and HP issues (unless you go dwarf) but it isn't all that hard to work around them with smart play.