Hex-Using Rogue Archetype

[Warclam]

Something that popped into my head just now, when I was lamenting that hexes are the purview solely of witches (and some maguses, but not until level 4). I love the hexes, but don't like playing prepared casters.

Suppose a rogue archetype (call it a Hexweaver, or something) received a hex every odd level instead of sneak attack. Basically a controller rogue instead of a striker, to slip into D&D4E terminology. Any obvious problems with that? It definitely sounds like something that would be fun to play.

[Austin Morgan]

My kneejerk response is "that's probably way overpowered".

However, I like having something for the Rogue that plays off of Intelligence. Would make them much more interesting to play, IMO.

Hexes may not be the way to go on this still (Rogues aren't casters at all, etc.), but now you've got me thinking....

[Warclam]

Austin Morgan wrote:

My kneejerk response is "that's probably way overpowered".

However, I like having something for the Rogue that plays off of Intelligence. Would make them much more interesting to play, IMO.

Hexes may not be the way to go on this still (Rogues aren't casters at all, etc.), but now you've got me thinking....

You think? I thought it would probably be OK, since on a straight comparison with a witch a rogue gets a better chassis (HP, skills, and BAB), but the witch gets spells. At level 1, the witch is distinctly ahead of the hexweaver. At level 2, the witch gets a second hex, while the rogue gets a talent. The rogue gets a hex at 3-5-7-etc, while the witch gets a new level of spells.

Doesn't seem like a problem as far as I can tell. What am I not seeing that you are?

I hope to see what you're working on for Int-based rogue options. I agree that they need a boost, especially since the ninja came out and proved to be a lot flashier for most of the benefits.

[Austin Morgan]

Oh, I just went along the line of: Hexes are much better than Sneak Attack (at least, in my eyes) thus switching them out one-to-one leads to imbalance.

That's completely an opinion, by the way. And if you think about it backwards: Spells are really powerful, switching them out for non-sneak attack Rogue stuff seems like you're getting the raw end of the deal.

So, I don't really know whether it would be "overpowered" or not. That was just my kneejerk response. Definitely wouldn't give it to the Ninja, though :)

Oh, and I am, too, haha. I'll mull over some ideas...

[Flak]

Quote:

Oh, I just went along the line of: Hexes are much better than Sneak Attack (at least, in my eyes) thus switching them out one-to-one leads to imbalance.

"Hexes" might be better than "sneak attack" in a vacuum, but rogues have tons of abilities that are built around sneak attacking, and hexes—unlike sneak attack—don't take advantage of the rogue's higher BAB or extra skill ranks relative the witch. Sneak attack would be a lot worse on a witch than it is on a rogue, but hexes are also relatively worse on a rogue than on a witch. Also, rogues have fewer reasons to pump Intelligence than witches or maguses do (skill ranks vs. spells/day & spell DCs), so their hex DCs will likely be lower than a witch's overall.

Just my 2¢ on that particular issue.

[Bardess]

Why sneak attack? Why not trade rogue talents for hexes?

[Cheapy]

It rubs me all the wrong ways.

Seems more of a bard thing anyways.

[Warclam]

Bardess wrote:

Why sneak attack? Why not trade rogue talents for hexes?

That might make sense. Like I said, this just popped into my head based on my own preferences. I like rogue talents and don't really care about sneak attack. That does seem like a more natural substitution though.

Cheapy wrote:

It rubs me all the wrong ways.

Seems more of a bard thing anyways.

I could see that, actually. Every time a bard would normally gain a new performance effect, they get a hex instead, perhaps.