Either you take an unchained rogue and get DEX for damage, or you go ranged combat.
Anyway you should aim to get sneak attack as often as possible, that is enough normaly. Being tiny, you should also be hard to hit, so you have a chance to survive melee.
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Hello!
I'm building a level 4 character, being a Rogue of Tiny size. While on the role-play side is awesome, I'm concerned about combat utility.
I have a great score of Dexterity but low Strength (10), and using Tiny weapons would mean having a small dice for dmg.
[SNIP]
Any suggestion on how to boost a bit my dmg output without multi classing?
Weapon size is less of an issue for Rogues than their sneak attack dice. A size Tiny longsword does 1d4, instead of 1d8, which is only an average of 2 less points of damage, but the sneak attack dice remain unaffected by weapon size, so, at the end of the day, it's not a huge loss for you.
Your size is going to give you an insane Stealth modifier, and if you have a way to reduce the light level in the area (and still get sneak attacks), or some other way of maximizing your ability to get sneak attacks, such as a ninja's vanish trick, or a feat or archetype ability that allows faster use of Bluff to feint, or good use of flanking / positioning, you should be good to go.
Focus on getting sneak attack on as many attacks as possible, and come up with some alternate tactics for when that isn't an option, like a tanglefoot bag or some alchemist's fire or something.
Things to consider;
Initiative may be key for getting into position for a sneak attack before foes can effectively respond by adjusting their own positioning (or attack of opportunity you while moving), as well as for throwing shuriken, daggers or other ranged weapons during the surprise round. A high Dex is great, but you may also want Improved Initiative (or at least one of the traits that gives you a +2 to initiative).
Bluff to feint. With the right feats, and a decent Charisma, this can help. At lower level it hardly matters if it's eating up your move action, since you might not see iterative attacks for awhile. (But see below!)
More attacks is more sneak attack dice. Two-Weapon Fighting and / or Rapid Shot are good feats to look at for these options. (Or the ninja talent that allows you to throw an extra shuriken.) Just bear in mind that your BAB isn't going to be great, so those -2's to attack rolls might make a difference, and there are times you may want to forgo an extra attack for a 10% better chance that one attack will land.
Mobility and / or Underfoot are handy feats to prevent attacks of opportunity provoked by movement from wrecking your day. You are going to be somewhat more dependent than most on getting into a good flanking position, and that can be tricky, particularly in a fight with multiple enemies , where getting into position to flank one, might result in you being flanked by two!
Check out some Rogue guides for more in-depth ideas on how to get reliable sneak (and what to do when you can't, or are facing foes that scoff at sneak attack).
Guides;
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/extras/community-creations/rogue-eidolon-s-lab/rogu e-eidolon-s-guide-to-rogues
http://rpgbot.net/pathfinder/characters/classes/rogue/
http://zenithgames.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-comprehensive-pathfinder-guides .html
Since you don't have a threat range while being tiny, you'll have a hard time flanking to get sneak attacks (or rather impossible).
Ooh, if that's true, that's going to be rough!
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Hello!
I'm building a level 4 character, being a Rogue of Tiny size. While on the role-play side is awesome, I'm concerned about combat utility.
I have a great score of Dexterity but low Strength (10), and using Tiny weapons would mean having a small dice for dmg.While I'm not interested in becoming a war machine, dealing tons of dmg, it would still be nice to do SOME dmg, especially when our enemies will become stronger (and eventually get some DR).
Any suggestion on how to boost a bit my dmg output without multi classing?
I'm open to weird ideas, my master is pretty openminded. So far I only thought about getting some kind of animal companion (just trained animals), or working with traps (which would only work in a controlled environment, where I could set the traps before engaging)..
10 Strength isn't that big of a deal, especially if you're Tiny size. If anything, that's actually a little much, because being Tiny size results in gear weighing only 1/4 of its normal weight (and having an average Strength is really only useful for carrying capacity). You could dump it down to 7, and still have plenty of carrying capacity to work with. The only downside would be for medium-sized items, like potions.
As others have said, Sneak Attack does a flat amount of damage, regardless of what weapon you use, so as long as you can maintain Sneak Attack bonuses (such as by having a Flank buddy, or denying the enemy their Dexterity to AC). There's also the matter of optimizing Dexterity to Damage by going UCRogue (better option, certain archetypes like Swashbuckler, Scout, or Sanctified will still work with the character), since being Tiny usually results in a higher Dexterity (and a higher AC/Touch AC). There's also the Debilitating Wound feature for UCRogues at 4th level, which debuffs an enemy's to-hit, AC, or speed, which scales to as high as +8, and is insanely awesome.
The biggest flaw in this is that dealing with any sort of Combat Maneuvers, such as optimizing in them, or defending against them, becomes significantly difficult, since you'll have penalties to your CMB and CMD, and it makes larger enemies who can perform such combat maneuvers much more powerful. The other flaws would include having 0 reach, and provoking AoOs just to move into their square and attack them.
There's also the matter of providing and receiving Flanking with a reach of 0, as that's a gray area entirely. From what I can tell though, as long as you're in their square (and an enemy is adjacent to them and able to attack), you'd be able to flank them.
As for attack methods, that's up to you. One of the most unique things with an UCRogue is being able to pick up an Elven Curved Blade, a two-handed finesse weapon that can deal 1.5x Dexterity, which is nice and consistent, and doesn't require many feats. But, to optimize Sneak Attack, you'll want to go the TWF route, as it gives you more attacks (and therefore more opportunities to apply Sneak Attack). In my opinion, though, TWF as a 3/4 BAB class isn't worth it.
Although you said multi-classing is a bad idea, it's actually pretty good if you do, as there are several class options which give you Sneak Attack as a Rogue, and other interesting benefits. The Snakebite Brawler archetype gives you +1D6 Sneak Attack (which would stack with your current Sneak Attack progression, allowing you 11D6 Sneak Attack at max level), gives you Improved Unarmed Strike, so even if you're unarmed, you're still a very big threat. There's also the Mantis UCMonk archetype, which gives the same Sneak Attack progression as a Rogue with a 2 level dip. The Sneak Attack has its restrictions, but with adding Wisdom to AC (and forgoing that tedious Max Dexterity Bonus armor and picking up Bracers of Armor +8), and other interesting goodies, does offer a better defensive benefit.
Of course, these are just a few ideas. I have others, but they do drastically change the Rogue concept (such as by implementing Unarmed Strikes to deal ridiculous Non-Lethal and still-competent Lethal damage against Non-Lethal-Immune enemies, like Undead and Constructs), but it's ultimately up to you if you wish to learn more or pursue such subjects. I just hope the information I provided is of some help.
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A one level dip in swashbuckler mouser will do wonders for your combat ability.
I would go 3 levels unchained rogue for dex to damage and one level of swashbuckler mouser so you can flank from inside the opponents square. If they move out of your square, even if it is a 5 ft step, it provokes. The opponent takes a -4 on all attacks unless targeting you.
You get a lot from a 1 level dip in swashbuckler.
yeah, the damage dice isnt the worry with this, its the threat range
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Rogues can use simple weapons, so the longspear, which has Reach, could be an option for allowing a Tiny Rogue to attack from an adjacent square, instead of having to enter a creature's space (and, with a Reach weapon, he'd threaten adjacent squares like a Small/Medium creature, and that should could for flanking).
One level dip into warpriest? Gets you sacred weapons and weapon focus. So even with tiny weapons your damage dice becomes 1d6. I'm guessing your wisdom isn't all that hot...but...
lvl 0 spell enhanced diplomacy (+2 diplomacy)
Simple lvl1 spells and blessings that can be used to up your damage (such as adding 1d4 of a chosen elemental damage to your weapon while moving into combat).
Seems like it could be a nice damage boost for you.
Actually small warpriests get lower damage dice, so probably tiny get even lower ones.
The 1 level dip mouser swashbuckler is a very good idea.
So is taking exotic weapon proficiency and using an elven bramble spear.
Probably you want to take dodge and mobility as well, that really helps you getting in place and avoid AoOs.
A Swordmaster's Flair: Blue Scarf will also do the trick with a rapier or other qualifying weapon. You just need Amateur Swashbuckler to use it.
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A level dip or two into Warpriest may help-
A Warpriest's Sacred Weapon bonus ups the damage dice; they get free Weapon Focus so they have a better chance to hit, then they also get access to a spell called Divine Favor- +1 Att/DMG.
biggest downside is, it's a 3/4 BaB class.
If you plan on doing multiple classes, it's going to hinder you.
also, Core Rogue Archetypes are still applicable to Unchained Rogues. There's the Knife Master archetype that increases your Sneak Attack damage- from d6 to d8.
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Various ideas;
Mount - You could ride around on something like a small dog and be able to go just about anywhere. While mounted you could also make full attacks with a bow. Mounted melee is more complicated, but also viable.
Sniping - Being tiny provides a bonus to hiding and allows you to get total concealment behind a large leaf. There are various options (Greater Sniping weapon, Expert Sniper feat, Stealthy Sniper rogue talent, etc) to reduce or eliminate sniping penalties and the Master Sniper feat allows firing twice while remaining hidden. Slow attack speed is less of a problem if enemies can't find you at all.
Retaliatory attacks - If you go with melee look in to Counterpunch, Panther Style, Snake Style, and other options which allow you to attack people who attack you. Since size makes you hard to hit you can potentially get a lot of extra attacks off of opponents missing you.
Performance Combat - Mocking Dance + Performing Combatant + Master Combat Performer allows you to use performance feats in regular combat and get a 5' step or move away from enemies every time you trigger a performance combat check... which can easily allow two or three moves per round at higher level. Can allow a ranged attacker to full attack while kiting away from enemies.
Sacred Weapon damage on a tiny creature would be pretty ineffective, unless we're talking about a really high level.
That being said, four levels of Warpriest with the right traits can get +3 attack and damage Divine Favor with a swift action, and gets 3BAB for 4 levels. It also gets other assorted bonuses and free feats, or some Sneak Attack with Cult Leader. It's a very useful 4 levels. You could even go Sacred Fist 4/ Unchained Rogue to use Flurry of Blows on a rapier with Finesse Training by taking Crusader's Flurry.
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Is there a rule that adjust the sneak attack with ranged weapons from 30' to something less for small creatures?
No... and there are various abilities/options which extend or completely remove the 30' limit. Greater Sniper Goggles being my favorite.
I have a build for a Small goblin Rogue if you are interested. Very much the sneak attack king.
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You should be able to achieve Flanking with Snapshot via the Overwhelm and Pack Flanking teamwork feats.
No.
You cannot receive flanking bonuses with a ranged weapon in Pathfinder.
Can a Rogue gain Sneak Attack damage dice using a Ranged Longbow attack while in flanking position with an ally?No FAQ Required: As per the Gang Up FAQ "flanking specifically refers to melee attacks," so no, the rogue can't do so. As an aside, though it isn't the question asked here, someone threatening with a ranged weapon can provide a flank to an ally who is using a melee weapon.
"Scout" archtype, using ""Scout's Charge" and "Skirmisher" to get sneak attacks (no flank needed)....add the teamwork feat "Gang Up" and you should be covered for sneak attacks in most situations
You won't need to worry about dealing damage at all as long as you can get into position for your sneak attacks. With weapon finesse you should be able to hit consistently because you should be getting that flanking bonus as well.
Make sure you and the tank are working together to set up flanks, and don't forget that you can get sneak attack damage on those who haven't yet acted because they will be flat footed.
No need to even bother getting dex to damage. Let the sneak attack dice do all the work and instead improve your accuracy and defense.
If you want to pursue more damage down the road, the two weapon fighting route can really boost your damage potential. Get menacing on your weapon to improve your flanking bonus. Enjoy wrecking things.
Two weapon fighting
Daggers (1d4 becomes 1d2, not a big loss)
River Rat Trait (+1 dagger damage)
Fate's Favored Trait (+1 luck bonuses)
Lvl 1 spell: Divine Favor (1min get +2 hit and dmg)
Sanctified Slayer Inquisitor Dip (Studied target, move action gets you +1 hit and dmg against one enemy for entire combat, immediate action when sneak attacking)
Chivalry Inquisition (gets you a mount as per the cavalier ability. You are tiny so you can ride the mount anywhere and it attacks for more damage)
Take this feat: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/mounted-skirmisher-combat
It lets your mount move and you get to make a full attack, overcoming the biggest weakness of two weapon fighting.
Then a 1 lvl dip in inspired swashbuckler or 3 lvls of unchained rogue for dex to hit and dmg.
Profit.
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Just throwing some things out there:
As a tiny character, unless you have reach you'll have to enter a foe's square to hit it. This always provokes an AoO unless you have an ability that says otherwise, ie: You cannot 5 foot step into a square without provoking. FAQ
Also, the rules for flanking when you're sharing a square with a foe you want to hit are nonexistent. Something to hash out with your GM.