I've seen a lot of talk here on the problem with rogues and I've thought long and hard about a simple solution to help bring them up to standards of at least some of the martial classes. Please let me know what you think on the suggestion below.
Rogue Class Changes
Concept: a simple addition to make the rogue more viable in combat and to be the skill monkey and jack-of-all-trades it claims to be.
Wits (Ex): At 1st level, a rogue gains a pool of points to represent his ability to accomplish amazing feats. The number of points in a rogue's wits pool is equal to 1/2 his rogue level + his Intelligence modifier (minimum of 1). As long as he has at least 1 point in his wits pool, he is treated as having the improved feint feat. Uses and costs are detailed below.
1 point – free action
• One additional weapon attack at highest attack bonus when making a full attack (maximum of one additional attack)
• Treat opponent as being vulnerable to sneak attack for one round
• +4 dodge bonus to AC for one round
• +4 competence bonus to rogue class skill rolls the rogue is trained in for one round (bonus increases to +8 at 10th level)
• Weapon attacks are treated as touch attacks but they only deal sneak attack damage, no weapon damage or bonus damage from abilities or feats.
• +2 competence bonus to weapon attack rolls (+4 at 10th level)
1 point – immediate action
• +2 bonus to any saving throw (multiple points can be spent at one time for cumulative bonus)
The wits pool is replenished each morning after 8 hours of rest; these hours do not need to be consecutive.
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I've seen a lot of talk here on the problem with rogues and I've thought long and hard about a simple solution to help bring them up to standards of at least some of the martial classes. Please let me know what you think on the suggestion below.
Rogue Class Changes
Concept: a simple addition to make the rogue more viable in combat and to be the skill monkey and jack-of-all-trades it claims to be.Wits (Ex): At 1st level, a rogue gains a pool of points to represent his ability to accomplish amazing feats. The number of points in a rogue's wits pool is equal to 1/2 his rogue level + his Intelligence modifier (minimum of 1). As long as he has at least 1 point in his wits pool, he is treated as having the improved feint feat. Uses and costs are detailed below.
1 point – free action
Swift or immediate. allowing someone to use all the bonuses at once seem too good.
• One additional weapon attack at highest attack bonus when making a full attack (maximum of one additional attack)
It stack with haste?
• Treat opponent as being vulnerable to sneak attack for one round
In Pathfinder very few creatures are immune to sneak attacks. I don't think that making them vulnerable would be a good idea.
• +4 dodge bonus to AC for one round
• +4 competence bonus to rogue class skill rolls the rogue is trained in for one round (bonus increases to +8 at 10th level)
For the skill based on physical stats only. The Know it all guy is the bard.
Duration 1 round or until the specific check has been completed, whichever is longer.
• Weapon attacks are treated as touch attacks but they only deal sneak attack damage, no weapon damage or bonus damage from abilities or feats.
It will last 1 round, right? You haven't specified how long it will last.
• +2 competence bonus to weapon attack rolls (+4 at 10th level)
That would put him above a martial class. Especially for the first 4 levels. Make it +1 at first level, with a +1 every 4 more levels, i.e. +1 at level 1, +2 at 5 and so on.
That way he would have the same attack of a pure martial character, but keeping a rogue number of iterative attacks.I last 1 round for point spent, right?
1 point – immediate action
• +2 bonus to any saving throw (multiple points can be spent at one time for cumulative bonus)
A cumulative bonus is too good.
The wits pool is replenished each morning after 8 hours of rest; these hours do not need to be consecutive.
Is it me or does "wits" look like a better version of "ki"?
Is it me or does "wits" look like a better version of "ki"?
It's definitely modeled after the monk and ninja Ki pool.
I understand a lot of your points. The balance to some of them is that the rogue can burn through them really fast. I want the rogue to have some options when he is alone as the main vehicle of SA is flanking so unless the rogue can drop an enemy in the surprise round (unlikely) they will likely be doomed. I've made some modifications. Please let me know what you think.
Wits Pool (Ex): At 2nd level, a rogue gains a pool of points, supernatural energy she can use to accomplish amazing feats. The number of points in the rogue's wits pool is equal to 1/2 her rogue level + her Intelligence modifier (minimum of 1). As long as he has at least 1 point in his wits pool, he is treated as having the improved feint feat. By spending a point from the wits pool as a swift action a rogue can gain one of the following benefits:
• One additional weapon attack at highest attack bonus when making a full attack (maximum of one additional attack)
• Treat opponent as being vulnerable to sneak attack for one round
• +4 dodge bonus to AC for one round
• +2 competence bonus to one skill roll, attack roll or saving throw. This bonus increases by +1 at 6th level and every six levels after to a maximum of +5 at 18th level (bonus to saving throws can be used as an immediate action)
The wits pool is replenished each morning after 8 hours of rest or meditation; these hours do not need to be consecutive.
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how about:
Wits Pool (Ex):
At 2nd level, a rogue gains a pool of points, she can use to accomplish amazing feats. The number of points in the rogue's wits pool is equal to 1/2 her rogue level + her Intelligence modifier (minimum of 1). As long as he has at least 1 point in his wits pool, he is treated as having the improved feint feat. By spending a point from the wits pool as a swift action a rogue can gain one of the following benefits:
• Treat one opponent as being vulnerable to sneak attack for one round
• +4 dodge bonus to AC for one round
• +2 bonus to one skill check or attack roll. This bonus increases by +1 at 6th level and every six levels thereafter to a maximum of +5 at 18th level.
The wits pool is replenished each morning after 8 hours of rest or meditation; these hours do not need to be consecutive.