Rogue

CLASS TRAITS

Rogues are cunning and elusive adversaries. Rogues slip into and out of shadows on a whim, pass anywhere across the field of battle without fear of reprisal, and appear suddenly only to drive home a lethal blade.

As a rogue, you might face others’ preconceptions regarding your motivations, but your nature is your own to mold. You could be an agent fresh from the deposed king’s shattered intelligence network, an accused criminal on the lam seeking to clear your name, a wiry performer whose goals transcend the theatrical stage, a kid trying to turn around your hardluck story, or a daredevil thrill-seeker who can’t get enough of the adrenaline rush of conflict. Or perhaps you are merely in it for the gold, after all.

With a blade up your sleeve and a concealing cloak across your shoulders, you stride forth, eyes alight with anticipation. What worldly wonders and rewards are yours for the taking?

Rogue Class Features

All rogues share these class features.

First Strike

At the start of an encounter, you have CA against any creatures that have not yet acted in that encounter.

Rogue Tactics

Rogues operate in a variety of ways. Some rogues use their natural charm and cunning trickery to deceive foes. Others rely on brute strength to overcome their enemies. Choose one of the following options.

**Artful Dodger: **You gain a bonus to AC equal to your Cha against OAs.

**Brutal Scoundrel:** You gain a bonus to Sneak Attack dmg = Str. The choice you make also provides bonuses to certain rogue powers. Individual powers detail the effects (if any) your Rogue Tactics selection has on them.

**Ruthless Ruffian:** You are proficient with the club and the mace, and you can use those weapons with Sneak Attack or any rogue power or rogue paragon path power that normally requires a light blade. If you use a club or a mace to deliver an attack that has the rattling keyword, add your Str to the dmg roll.

**Cunning Sneak:** You don't take a penalty to Stealth checks for moving more than 2 sq, and you take a -5 penalty instead ofa -10 penalty to Stealth checks for running. If you end your movement* at least 3 sq away from your starting position, you can make a Stealth check to become hidden if you have any concealment or any cover, except for cover provided by intervening allies.

Rogue Weapon Talent

When you wield a shuriken, your weapon dmg die increases by one size. In addition, you gain a +1 bonus to weapon attack rolls with daggers.

OR

Sneak Attack

When you make an attack with a light blade, a hand crossbow, a shortbow, or a sling and hit an enemy granting CA to you, that enemy takes extra dmg based on your level. You can deal this extra dmg only once per turn. If you have dealt Sneak Attack dmg since the start of your turn, you cannot deal it again SONT. You decide whether to apply the extra dmg after making the dmg roll.

As you advance in level, your extra dmg increases.

Level Sneak Attack Damage

1st–10th +2d6

11th–20th +3d6

21st–30th +5d6

STEALTH (new Rules)

The following Stealth rules replace the Stealth rules on page 188 of the Player's Handbook. These rulcs were first printed in Player's Handbook 2 and are pro· vided here lor your convenience. Stealth: At the end of a move action.

• Opposed Check: Stealth vs. passive Perce ption. If multiple enemies are present, your Stealth check is opposed by each enemy's passive Perception check. If you move more than 2 sq during the move action, you take a -S penalty to the Stealth check. If you run, the penalty is -10.

• Becoming Hidden: You can make a Stealth check against an enemy only if you have supe rior cover or total concealment against the enemy or if you're outside the enemy's line of sight. Outside combat, the DM can allow you to make a Stealth check against a distracted enemy, even if you don't have superior cover or total concealment and aren't out· side the enemy's line of Sight. The distracted enemy might be focused on something in a different direction, allowing you to sneak up.

• Success: You are hidden, which means you are silent and invisible to the enemy (see "Concealment" and "Targeting What You Can't See," Player's Handbook, page 281).

• Failure: You can try again at the end of another move action.

• Remaining Hidden: You remain hidden as long as you meet these requirements.

Keep Out of Si8ht: If you no longer have any cover or concealment against an enemy, you don't remain hidden from that enemy. You don't need superior cover, total concealment, or to stay outside line of sight. but you do need some degree of cover or concealment to remain hidden. You can't use another creature as cover to remain hidden.

Keep Quiet: Ifyou speak louder than a whisper or otherwise draw attention to yourself, you don't remain hidden from any enemy that can hear you.

Keep Still: If you move more than 2 sq during an action, you must make a new Stealth check with a -s penalty. If you run, the penalty is -10. If any enemy's passive Perception check beats your check result, you don't remain hidden from that enemy.

Don't Attack: If you attack, you don't remain hidden.

• Not Remaining Hidden: 'If you take an action that causes you not to remain hidden, you retain the benefits of being hidden until you resolve the action. You can't become hidden again as part of that same action.

• Enemy Activity: An enemy can try to find you on its turn. If an enemy makes an active Perception check and beats your Stealth check result (don't make a new check), you don't remain hidden from that enemy. Also, if an enemy tries to enter your space, you don't remain hidden from that enemy.

Rogue Powers

Your powers are daring exploits that draw on your personal cunning, agility, and expertise. Some powers reward a high Cha and are well suited for the trickster rogue, and others reward a high Str and appeal to the brawny rogue, but you are free to choose any power you like.

New Keyword

Some powers in this chapter use the new rattling keyword.

**Rattling:** If you are trained in Intimidate and you deal dmg with an attack that has this keyword, tgt takes a –2 penalty to attack rolls EONT. A creature immune to fear is not subject to this penalty.

Level 1 At-Will Exploits

Level 1 Encounter Exploits

Level 1 Daily Exploits

Level 2 Utility Exploits

Level 3 Encounter Exploits

Level 5 Daily Exploits

Level 6 Utility Exploits

Level 7 Encounter Exploits

Level 9 Daily Exploits

Level 10 Utility Exploits

Creating a Rogue

The trickster rogue and the brawny rogue are the two rogue builds, one relying on bluffs and feints, the other on brute strength. Dex, Cha, and Str are the rogue’s most important ability scores.

Brawny Rogue

You like powers that deal plenty of dmg, aided by your Str, and also stun, immobilize, knock down, or push your foes. Your attacks use Dex, so keep that your highest ability score. Str should be a close second—it increases your dmg directly, and it can determine other effects of your attacks. Cha is a good third ability score, particularly if you want to dabble in powers from the other rogue build. Select the brutal scoundrel rogue tactic, and look for powers that pack a lot of dmg into every punch.

Suggested Feat: Weapon Focus (Human feat: Toughness)

Suggested Skills: Athletics, Dungeoneering, Intimidate, Stealth, Streetwise, Thievery

Suggested At-Will Powers: piercing strike, riposte strike

Suggested Encounter Power: torturous strike

Suggested Daily Power: easy target

Trickster Rogue

You like powers that deceive and misdirect your foes. You dart in and out of the fray in combat, dodging your enemies’ attacks or redirecting them to other foes. Most of your attack powers rely on Dex, so that should be your best ability score. Cha is important for a few attacks, for Cha-based skills you sometimes use in place of attacks, and for other effects that depend on successful attacks, so make Cha your second-best score. Str is useful if you want to choose powers intended for the other rogue build. Select the artful dodger rogue tactic. Look for powers that take advantage of your high Cha score, as well as those that add to your trickster nature.

Suggested Feat: Backstabber (Human feat: Human Perseverance)

Suggested Skills: Acrobatics, Bluff, Insight, Perception, Stealth, Thievery

Suggested At-Will Powers: deft strike, sly flourish

Suggested Encounter Power: positioning strike

Suggested Daily Power: trick strike

Aerialist Rogue

All rogues are known for their agility and daring, but you take both to the next level. Ducking under a giant’s club isn’t enough; you leap over it and cartwheel to safety. You’re a masterful mover and an expert top-story burglar, using your abilities to tumble into the fray, into high openings, and out of all sorts of tight spots. Dex is your primary ability score, because you rely on it for your attacks and acrobatic stunts. Cha is secondary for you, useful in avoiding OAs if you employ the Artful Dodger tactic. Str serves you well as a tertiary ability, helping your Athletics checks in particular.

Suggested Feat: Defensive Mobility (Human feat: Sure Climber)

Suggested Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Bluff, Perception, Stealth, Thievery

Suggested At-Will Powers: deft strike, riposte strike

Suggested Encounter Power: fox’s gambit*

Suggested Daily Power: handspring assault*

*New option presented in this book

Cutthroat Rogue

Leave smiles and misdirection to the tricksters. Instead, you use your animal magnetism in a more beastly way, oozing menace and implying a willingness to allow those who cross you to linger in pain. A friendly manner is for the weak; you achieve your way through tough words, hard looks, and the ability to back up either. Your attacks use Dex, so that should be your highest ability score. Cha follows as a close second, essential for getting your way by using Intimidate. Str comes in third; it’s useful in delivering brutal attacks if you employ the Ruthless Ruffian tactic.

Suggested Feat: Press the Advantage (Human feat: Backstabber)

Suggested Skills: Bluff, Insight, Intimidate, Stealth, Streetwise, Thievery

Suggested At-Will Powers: disheartening strike,* sly flourish

Suggested Encounter Power: termination threat*

Suggested Daily Power: checking jab*

*New option presented in this book

SHADOWY ROGUE

As your allies charge into battle, you hang back and take cover. Whik swords swing and spells explode, you carefully choose your target. line up your shot, and fire. The enemy staggers from your deadly attack, and by the time it has begun to look for you, you've vanished. You send death hurtling from your crossbow or sling, relentlessly assaulting your enemies. You pepper your foes with missiles, lending support to your allies without risking your own skin.

Shadowy rogues lIse powers that improve concealment and cover. Shadowy rogues want powers they can use from range, though it's a good idea to pick a few melee powers as well. Any powers that let you move as part ofyour attack are excellent choices, because they can help you become hidden using the Cunning Sneak class feature.

As with other rogue builds, Dex is your most important ability score, because it boosts the accuracy and the potency ofyour ranged attacks. Powers for the build also gain benefits from Int, so it should be your next highest ability score. Ifyou plan to take any powers related to the brawny rogue build, make Str your tertiary choice; otherwise, you should choose Cha.

Suggested Class Features: Cunning Sneak·, Sharpshooter Talent·

Suggested Feat: Swift Footwork·

Suggested Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Dungeoneering, Perception, Stealth, Thievery Suggested At-Will Powers: 8!oamina cut,* piercin8 strike

Suggested Encounter Power: di5tractina shot*

Suggested Daily Power: scatterin8 shot*

*New option presented in this book