Utility Rogue?


Advice


We're starting a new campaign. DM is using 10 point buy for starting ability scores ("low fantasy" setting, which I actually like). I'm thinking about going 1/2 elf rogue and maxing out Int at 18 for maximum skill points. Ability scores would be S10, D10, C10, I18, W10, Ch10.

Is this a totally unworkable idea? Any ideas for minimizing his squishiness?


Honestly, I'd go with 10/13(or 14)/10/17(or 16)/10/10 if I were you. The +1 or +2 to your AC will serve you more than the extra three or four potential skill points you're aquiring with 18 int right off the bat. That can always be your first stat increase. 13 Dex also opens up your potential feats (eg Dodge). Your only other viable option is to gear up asap.


The main problem with high Int Rogues is that it only benefits your skillpoints/level and a small pool of skills. Lacking a Dex bonus will really hurt you offensively and defensively. If you're determined to be a skillmonkey then consider a Human with the Focused Study alternate racial trait for 3 skill focuses over the course of your career. A Human with 10 Int gives you 9 (or 10) skillpoints per level which should be enough, and allows you to pad out Dex and Con so that you can actually hit stuff, avoid being hit and have better Reflex & Fort saves.

Liberty's Edge

Go Bard instead.

It will eventually get you more Skill Points than the Rogue if you use Versatile Performance properly. It also gives you utility and defensive spells and makes you an excellent buffing character with very minimal investment. Go Human for the extra skill points and Focused Study (which will effectively give you 6 Skill Focuses if you use it on Versatile Performances), and spend your Feats on archery to remain actually relevant in combat (1: Point Blank Shot, 3: Precise Shot, 5: Rapid shot, 7: Deadly Aim 9: Multishot, 11: Arcane Strike)...you'll never be a great archer, but with all your buffs you'll be decent.

For stats, I'd go like this:

Str 9 Dex 14 Con 10 Int 14 Wis 7 Cha 14

And then use the Human Racial bonus in Int to make it 16. That's good enough, IMO.

That's what I'd do, anyway, and a much more effective character that should still do what you're looking for (unless you're really focused on the whole traps thing...but your suggested character would be bad at that due to low Dex anyway).

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