I should mention that the issues I have with the rogue go back to 3.5, so no complaints specific to the revisions.
Trapfinding, for me, is the big issue. I tend to read this ability as 'the rogue (and only the rogue) may deal with traps'. Now, I have no problem with rogues being better at dealing with traps than other classes, but I do think it should be possible for other classes to take a crack at it if they want to invest in the perception and disable device skills.
As it stands, once you hit traps with a search DC of 21+ or magic traps, a party without a rogue is reduced to either extreme paranoia or sending the meatshield in first and taking the hits.
My second issue is with rogue talents. It seems to me that these could be modified in line with fighter bonus feats, thus both reducing clutter in the rogue entry (and in stat blocks), and opening up the abilities to other classes willing to burn feats on them. Obviously, some modification would be required, and owing to the specialised nature of some talents, conversion may not be practical, but I do think it bears looking into.
Contributor
|
I have a suggestion for trapfinding that I have been using for a few years and find really improves the game:
I allow anyone to search for traps, if they actively search.
I allow rogues (and other characters with trapfinding) to spot traps they come within five feet of just like Elves spot secret doors.
This gives rogues a distinct advantage without crippling the party that decides to play without a rogue.
Perhaps more importantly, it allows me to throw traps in adventures whenever I want, without slowing my game to a grid search. It even lets me throw traps into combat encounters and still have the party able to notice and avoid the trap.
I strongly recommend this rule.
I've got nothing on talents. Yet.
I have a suggestion for trapfinding that I have been using for a few years and find really improves the game:
I allow anyone to search for traps, if they actively search.
I allow rogues (and other characters with trapfinding) to spot traps they come within five feet of just like Elves spot secret doors.
I REALLY like this idea. A staple of the genre is spoting the trap before it's sprung...and not through active searching. Giving rogues this makes a LOT of sense. Of course with Search and Spot combined, I'm not sure how the mechanics will work anyway....
(and that's NOT a dig against combining skills. That's one thing I REALLY like).