I have a melee rogue, 7th level. Should I remain a Thief or get rebuilt as a Swashbuckler archetype? He was originally a Thief (urchin background, parkour specialization), but then the Swashbuckler came out in the Sword Coast splatbook and Unearthed Arcana web enhancement.
He is a CG half-elf urchin rogue 7.
12 16 14 8 14 12 stats.
Mobile feat selected at 4th.
Expertise in Acrobatics, Athletics, Perception, Stealth. Also proficient in Animal Handling, Investigation, Sleight of Hand, and Survival.
Uses a rapier.
Magical gear are Boots of Striding and Springing.
I played him from 1st through 4th, then DMed, and now the group is 7th level. Will almost definitely boost Dex to 18 at 8th level.
I'm considering Defensive Duelist at 10th, but I haven't played him from levels 5 through 7 yet, so I don't know how often I'll be using Uncanny Dodge (both Uncanny Dodge and Defensive Duelist use your reaction defensively, the first to halve damage against a single attack, the second boosting AC by +4 (or more), so possibly negating a hit). So in play, I would have to choose one or the other, and it would really depend on how the DM runs combat. It's for our World Serpent Inn campaign, which has a rotating stable of DMs. Some might declare they hit a specific AC, and then allow me to use my reaction to choose Uncanny Dodge or Defensive Duelist depending on what would be best. Some might tell me if I'm hit or not, and then I would have to guess if DD or UD is the best option.
My dude is too dumb to go Mastermind or Arcane Trickster! Hahahaha!
Although I really love the idea of using Help as a Bonus Action.
I just read Booming Blade! That spell is WAY powerful!
Can a High Elf select it as his racial cantrip?
I'll probably stick to Thief since I will soon be DMing a Swashbuckler. Maybe a Rogue (Swashbuckler)/Fighter (Battlemaster) for extra tricksyness.
Cool.
I'm trying to maximize the usefulness of the Fast Hands archetype feature from the Thief. It lets you use your Cunning Action bonus action to use Sleight of Hands, thieves tools to open a lock or disarm a trap, or Use an Object.
I'm trying to find fun and exciting ways to Use an Object. So far, I've thought of ball bearings, caltrops, oil flasks, and a grappling hook with rope. Someone else (Petty Alchemy) in another thread suggested using the healing kit, and ideally, the Healer feat (which I probably won't take).
I kind of want to be the Jackie Chan of half-elf street urchins.
The Thief gets Use Magic Device at 13th level. It lets you ignore race, class, and alignment requirements for using magic items.
But my rogue is in our "emergency secondary" campaign, so unlikely to advance that high any time soon.
A half elf can gain a cantrip if your GM allows it via the SCAG
Oh yeah? I might have to check that out. I got a 14 Wisdom, so I could grab a cleric or druid cantrip. And a 12 Charisma, so bard, sorcerer, or warlock cantrip, too.
What does it swap out?
Neat. My half-elf rogue has an 8 Int. Because he's "street smart!!!"
It's definitely something to think about. I used Skill Versatility to pick up Animal Handling (which I don't think I've used yet) and Survival (which I is a skill I really like!).
Decisions, decisions....