Rogue paths - Dex? Int? Str? What's the new expansion pack revealing?

[thomhas_of_mabar]

For those of you that have tried the new expansion and have reached level 28, what are your thoughts?
What's the best rogue path (dex/int/str) for end game?

[Arkantios]

I'm going Str based human pure rogue, mostly because im in LD with the overwhelming crit chain. Unbuffed my str should be sitting at 36, same as my con, still allowing me to hit 42 int unbuffed as well.

[WilliamBraveheart]

I have been playing a 17 rogue 3 monk halfling dex stick build and loving it. my damage is almost on par with my kensai wielding ESOS.

[Bolo_Grubb]

I really think you could go just about any direction and build a good Rogue. Str based is still good, just more options now to go Dex or int.

I recently TR'd my Str based human rogue into a Dex based halfling.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.16.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Gijo 
Level 25 True Neutral Halfling Male
(20 Rogue \ 5 Epic) 
Hit Points: 265
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 10
Reflex: 22
Will: 8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 25)
Strength             10                    13
Dexterity            18                    28
Constitution         14                    17
Intelligence         18                    22
Wisdom                8                    12
Charisma              8                    12

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 6
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 6
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 6
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 6
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 6
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 6
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 10
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 10
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 10
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 10
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 10
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 10
+4 Tome of Dexterity used at level 14
+4 Tome of Intelligence used at level 14
+4 Tome of Wisdom used at level 14
+4 Tome of Charisma used at level 14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 25)
Balance               8                    38
Bluff                 3                    30
Concentration         2                    10
Diplomacy             3                    30
Disable Device        8                    36
Haggle               -1                     8
Heal                 -1                     8
Hide                  8                    42
Intimidate           -1                     8
Jump                  4                    28
Listen               -1                    10
Move Silently         8                    40
Open Lock             8                    38
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair                4                    14
Search                8                    36
Spot                  3                    30
Swim                  0                    30
Tumble                8                    38
Use Magic Device      3                    31

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Artificer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue


Level 2 (Rogue)


Level 3 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Mobility


Level 4 (Rogue)


Level 5 (Rogue)


Level 6 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting


Level 7 (Rogue)


Level 8 (Rogue)


Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting


Level 10 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Improved Evasion


Level 11 (Rogue)


Level 12 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 13 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Crippling Strike


Level 14 (Rogue)


Level 15 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 16 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Opportunist


Level 17 (Rogue)


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Precision


Level 19 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Skill Mastery


Level 20 (Rogue)


Level 21 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Sneak Attack


Level 22 (Rogue)


Level 23 (Rogue)


Level 24 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Past Life: Sneak of Shadows


Level 25 (Rogue)

I just hit level 21 and I am loving this. My assassin dc is a bit higher, my DPS is definitely good and I am getting more sneak attack dice due to halfling racial bonus.

[unbongwah]

U19 has added new goodies for DEX builds, however the basic rationales remain the same, IMHO:

• INT-based if you're a repeater Mechanic or an Assassin who wants max Assassinate DCs
• STR-based if you want to focus on "raw" DPS and intend to pick up Overwhelming Crit.
• DEX-based if you're stat-constrained (I.e., 28-pter w/out tomes); want higher AC, Reflex saves, and Executioner's Strike DC; or just like the flavor of DEX builds.

While there are more ways of adding DEX to dmg than before, unfortunately for DEX lovers there are still more ways of buffing STR than DEX, even on a pure rogue (e.g., Rage spell, Primal Scream, Titan's Grip, etc.). So in the long run I think STR-based is still better DPS, even if you plan to take advantage of Knife or Staff Specialization.

Note it is possible to squeeze both Overwhelming Crit & Imp Sneak Atk onto a rogue, even a first-lifer.