Rogues kinda fall flat compared to some of the other classes, but balancing this class has proven more difficult than I had imagined because even the slightest changes seem to make it either completely overpowered or almost unplayable. So I came up with two ideas for making the rogue a little better.
To-hit becomes an issue in the late game for the rogue is alone in the fact that it is the only 3/4 BAB class* that doesn't get spells or magic of some kind built into the class, because of this they are the only 3/4 BAB class* that cannot through their own class features boost to-hit. So here are two possible ideas I have for making the rogue a little better.
4/5 BAB - If you give the rogue full BAB its better than the fighter and as I pointed out before, the class really isn't akin to any of the other 3/4 BAB classes, so why not put it in a league of its own.
Full BAB - Give the rogue full bab, on all of its attacks, that are not sneak attacks. If the rogue sneak attacks, it uses 3/4 bab. Too much?
Times per day - Let the rogue sneak attack in any situation, a number of times per day, sorta like Ki for a monk.
Thoughts?
*For purposes of this I am considering monk a full-BAB class.
I would just make their bonus damage non precision and combine the ninja and rogue together.
I would just make their bonus damage non precision and combine the ninja and rogue together.
If it wasn't precision how drastically would that change the mechanic, I mean PF already has the fewest monsters that can't be sneak attacked that I can think of.
Considering house ruling the Rogue as well, here's what I've come up with to make the Rogue better. Haven't tested any of this, but have gotten some input from my players.
You may choose only one of the following: Will as a good save. Fort as a good save. Full BAB. Bonus Feats, starting at level 3 and then every odd level after (9 bonus feats and gives the Rogue something besides an extra Sneak Attack die on that level). Or spellcasting as per *undecided* (likely the weakest spellcasting class in game).
Edit: And yes, I did just check, that would give the Rogue the option of choosing two feats at level 3 and beyond. I'm aware and still considering it.
I tried the Full BAB idea in a game once. It did not work, the rogue was unstoppable unless he was prevented from SA.
Or spellcasting as per *undecided* (likely the weakest spellcasting class in game).
Maybe give them an Arcane spellcaster version of what they did with the Ranger? Of course with reduced spell failure chance, since they probably haven't taken any feats for it. They'd only get to Fourth level spells, but it would give them some cool things to do. I haven't really thought about how badly that would break the mechanics, but that might need some limits placed on it. A stealthy Rogue flying overhead, landing behind you and stabbing people in the back might be pretty vicious.
I will always pimp this idea in these threads. Does it fix the rogue? No. But it goes a decent way towards fixing them.
Definitely a good start Cheapy, I may try that out. I see a lot of people complaining about how its a little OP because of the whole any detrimental condition thing, but I disagree. Now if it were the full 1d6/every other level SA then that argument could have some merit, but its only +2 so not really a big deal.
Maybe give them an Arcane spellcaster version of what they did with the Ranger? Of course with reduced spell failure chance, since they probably haven't taken any feats for it. They'd only get to Fourth level spells, but it would give them some cool things to do. I haven't really thought about how badly that would break the mechanics, but that might need some limits placed on it. A stealthy Rogue flying overhead, landing behind you and stabbing people in the back might be pretty vicious.Or spellcasting as per *undecided* (likely the weakest spellcasting class in game).
The only spell I can see a rogue spamming is invisibility, and they already did that with the ninja.
I would just make their bonus damage non precision and combine the ninja and rogue together.If it wasn't precision how drastically would that change the mechanic, I mean PF already has the fewest monsters that can't be sneak attacked that I can think of.
It would be multiplied on a crit. well I would also make the bonus +3 damage flat because rolling that many dice takes too long.