Best armor for Rogues?

[MichaelDescado]

I'm a noob, and I have a lvl 12 Rogue. I've got 14 pts in Assassin enhancement tree, and 30 in mechanic. I solo a lot, but am starting to do groups more and more. I use a heavy repeating crossbow for ranged, and a rapier for main hand and a shortsword for off hand, (feel free to make suggestions on any of that). My main question is, what type of armor should I use. I've been wearing leather, but chainmail also says it's "light" armor, and the only negatives I can see is -1 Armor Check Penalty, (that's to stuff like Balance, right? And -1 is not that much, right?), and Spell Failure 15%. What am I missing here? Why wouldn't I use chainmail armor? My AC is 5 pts higher wearing it.

[Saekee]

chain mail limits your max dexterity bonus an hence also max dodge bonus. There are ways to increase this limit but typically rogues get high dex and dodge and do not want the limits imposed by chain mail.

[Saekee]

I am not sure what your feats are but if you are specced for ranged combat, you may be better off wielding a staff with the bonuses from acrobat.
Would you like to list your feats, race, etc?

[Hobgoblin]

I'm a noob, and I have a lvl 12 Rogue. I've got 14 pts in Assassin enhancement tree, and 30 in mechanic. I solo a lot, but am starting to do groups more and more. I use a heavy repeating crossbow for ranged, and a rapier for main hand and a shortsword for off hand, (feel free to make suggestions on any of that). My main question is, what type of armor should I use. I've been wearing leather, but chainmail also says it's "light" armor, and the only negatives I can see is -1 Armor Check Penalty, (that's to stuff like Balance, right? And -1 is not that much, right?), and Spell Failure 15%. What am I missing here? Why wouldn't I use chainmail armor? My AC is 5 pts higher wearing it.

this is situational. It really depends on what the armor gets you.

for example:

armor 1: leather armor - +1 armor of flurry - gives you 5% double strike and shot

Armor 2: chainshirt (i say shirt because i think chainmailis medium armor- +5 retributive chain.

armor 2 gives you better ac by a lot, but armor 1 lets you get a lot more times of hitting twice. in that case i would probably go with the double strike.

also leather gives you a higher max dex bonus.

i would not worry about ac as much, you want to layer your defenses.

go for dodge items -blur/displacement - incorporeal items.

I know that you are a "newb" so you probably don't have the resources to go for those items immediately but it is a goal to go for.

hob

[Faltout]

I would say that http://ddowiki.com/page/Snakeskin_Vest this is the best armor you can use at this level. Very easy to get in the quest Frame Work (needs Diplomatic Impunity to unlock), a level 12 quest.

Except the obvious bonuses to spot and search, the armor has 13 max dex bonus and thus 13% max dodge. A rogue generally does not care about Armor Class. Your armor class will be low whatever you do, so you aim for items that improve your other defenses (dodge, blur, displacement, incorporeal).

P.S. The fact that you have a max dodge of 13% doesn't mean that you actually have dodge. You need feats/enhancements/items to give you dodge. Rogues get some free feats for dodge, including uncanny dodge.

[Bolo_Grubb]

I would say that http://ddowiki.com/page/Snakeskin_Vest this is the best armor you can use at this level. Very easy to get in the quest Frame Work (needs Diplomatic Impunity to unlock), a level 12 quest.

this is my favorite armor for my rogues from level 8 until 14+

[AbyssalMage]

I'm a noob, and I have a lvl 12 Rogue. I've got 14 pts in Assassin enhancement tree, and 30 in mechanic. I solo a lot, but am starting to do groups more and more. I use a heavy repeating crossbow for ranged, and a rapier for main hand and a shortsword for off hand, (feel free to make suggestions on any of that). My main question is, what type of armor should I use. I've been wearing leather, but chainmail also says it's "light" armor, and the only negatives I can see is -1 Armor Check Penalty, (that's to stuff like Balance, right? And -1 is not that much, right?), and Spell Failure 15%. What am I missing here? Why wouldn't I use chainmail armor? My AC is 5 pts higher wearing it.

My opinion only but...
What ever you can get your hands on. Honestly I would say you want to grab Black GH armor but on a first life, this can be challenging. Trivial for a second lifer or established player.

The Frozen Tunic I like and are "easy" for a first lifer once you learn the challenges and work for any life (except when you go WF/BF).
Combined with Bracers of Wind (no need to upgrade if you don't want to) are a staple of all my alt's/fist lifers.

Weapons -
Rogues get a lot of "push" to wield daggers/Kurki's thanks to their enhancements. If that isn't your style...
Sheridan's Ruin x 2 will serve you until 16 when you can run the Lord's of Dust chain.
As far as ranged, Rogue Mechanic gives you proficiency with Repeating Crossbows I believe. That may be an option.

[Makkuroi]

I like the assassins initiates leathers at lvl 15 (actually the normal version is almost as good and lvl 13, probably easier to farm)... its a poor mans black scale, but has a blue slot and extra sneak, too.

Frozen tunic is great, but has no PRR/MRR. For a range-based build, frozen tunic might be good enough, for a centered build, its perfect.

[Shadow_Jumper]

Honestly the best armor for any low level character is one of invuneribility. You get DR 5 to just about everything, and at lower level, it should cut incoming damage down a lot.

[unbongwah]

For DPS builds, the first thing I like to upgrade to is Giantcraft armor (leather for rogs): Haste Guard, Vengeful, and Relentless Fury are all useful DPS buffs; and relics can be farmed by hunting rares in the wilderness area, making it relatively easy to acquire (assuming you have Gianthold, ofc). AIL is a reasonable alternative: Armor Piercing, SA bonus, blue slot. Black dragonhide is preferable to both, but you have to farm Tor for scales.

[Sunnie]

I'm with Faltout and Bolo. The Snakeskin Vest is awesome for any rogue. And it looks pretty good.

[MichaelDescado]

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate all of the advice. By the way, what is "rog"? I see that word a lot. What does it mean?

[Livmo]

Parastic Breastplate with +10 will save upgrade and running the symbiot.

[Faltout]

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate all of the advice. By the way, what is "rog"? I see that word a lot. What does it mean?

rogue without the "ue". People too often use letters that sound the same to write a word. Like "cu" (see you) or "w8" (wait).

[Livmo]

rogue without the "ue". People too often use letters that sound the same to write a word. Like "cu" (see you) or "w8" (wait).

I would have ran with Randy Old Gamer myself : ) )

[redoubt]

I like these as well at low levels.

http://ddowiki.com/page/Desecrated_Leathers

I think the greater nimbleness along with a blue slot is very nice.

I managed to buy a few sets long before I ever pulled a set from the quest, so you might be able to find them on the auction.