Is there value in having multiple rogues in a party?

[Animation]

All,

I am wondering if a group already consisting of a Barbarian, a Wizard and a Cleric would get any value out of having two rogues in the group? Or would one or more of these rogues be dead weight?

Thanks!

[asthyril]

i think if both were melee they would work exceptionally well together. especially since for each rogue it doubles the amount of people they can flank with (assuming the wizard/cleric don't get into melee)

[Animation]

Yes in this scenario, both would be melee.

[Marthian]

yup, really great for flankies (What's worse than a flank and a rogue? Two rogues flanking.)

Also, they can specialize in different areas (One's a trap man, and the other is mister diplomatic.)

[Animation]

Cool, thanks!

[Apocalypso]

Have one be a ninja for similar abilities (flanking especially), but a different flavor. Since ninja's need charisma he'd be more the bluff/diplomacy guy, while the original rogue is more the traps guy.

[Animation]

Neither wants to be a ninja, but it did come up as a possibility. It doesnt fit the character background either character is shooting for.

Thanks for the reply tho.

[Apocalypso]

If you're not feeling it, you're not feeling it. But before you make a final decision do a search on Rogues vs Ninjas on these boards, and see what some very savvy people have to say.

[Rycaut]

If you are planning things in advance as a party you should definitely look at Teamwork feats for the rogues (Lookout for example - though the requirement to be adjacent to your teammate is a bit restrictive)

Outflank (requires a BAB of +4) would also be potent - especially if the rogues also specialized in attacking with weapons like rapiers (better still keen rapiers...) - besides the flanking bonus going up to +4 for the pair of you if either scores a critical hit the other gets an AoO (consider taking Combat Reflexes as well to likely always be able to take AoOs...)

or Precise Strike (requires Dex 13 and BAB +1) if you and teammate are both flanking you get to add +1d6 of precision damage to your attacks (which does stack with Sneak Attack)

Lots of other tricks a pair of rogues could focus on - if you don't want to spend precious feats on teamwork feats (since without taking specific archetypes you can only take one Combat Trick rogue talent) :

- take improved dirty trick - one rogue blinds, the other full attack sneaks (though flanking together is also quite effective)

[Tangaroa]

Lots of different good archetypes: thug, Half orc skulking slayer, Tengu Swordsmater,rake. Also, the sandman bards have sneak.

[leo1925]

I don't see the value in having one rogue in the party (unless you are playing something that expressly needs one, like the rapan athak remake for PF) let alone two.
If built correctly i don't think that neither would be dead weight but your party would benefit a lot more with (for example) a bard and an inquisitor or a second full bab.

[Atarlost]

IIRC from the DPR Olympics the best submitted rogue with sneak attack assumed still managed to place behind all the full BAB classes and you certainly don't need a second rogue for the skills.

I'd look at urban ranger and urban barbarian and alchemist and maybe bard for potentially roguelike fluff on at least one of the rogues, both if possible.

[Quatar]

Not every group optimizes every little bit into the last corner.

Yes, there might be "better" options. That in no way means two rogues are wasted, if both of them want to play one.

The game is about having fun after all, not "how do I win".

There are a couple of cool archetypes for rogues, but most of them are a bit situational or require more or less constant access to sneak attacks etc. Might be worth looking into for one of them, if the other regularly provides him with flank etc.

[beej67]

An all-rogue party would be badass. Buy some wands and scrolls for important spell casting via UMD, and sneak through every encounter.