I've been playing a D&D 5e rogue assassin archer and want to build a Pathfinder 2e equivalent. Here's the character I'm currently playing.
What's the Pathfinder 2 version of this character? Should I go goblin, elf or halfling?
Are you sure you want to stick with crossbow? If so, you will likely need to grab some ranger feats so you can move and reload with the same action.
So shortbow is better? That's what I started out playing on 5e.
The funny thing is that I think that you will achieve that character more easily with Ranger than with Rogue, it would need only Crossbow Ace, Quick Draw and Running Reload with the Precision Edge.
But anyway,you asked Rogue, so I will deliver it.
Goblin with Very Sneaky would be great, but you could ask your game master to let you change elf a little to make it a Catfolk, changing the first ancestry feat for Cat Luck in the Bestiary per example.
- Thief Racket for dex to damage
- Priorize Stealth skills and the Avoid Notice exploration activity so you take advantage of Surprise Attack, basically the thing that 5e Assassin dies except the automatic criticals.
- I like trap finding as the first rogue feat.
- Ranger Dedication at lvl 2
- Choose between Crossbow Ace or Hunter Aim to simulate the Sharpshooter feat.
The funny thing is that I think that you will achieve that character more easily with Ranger than with Rogue, it would need only Crossbow Ace, Quick Draw and Running Reload with the Precision Edge.
But anyway,you asked Rogue, so I will deliver it.
Goblin with Very Sneaky would be great, but you could ask your game master to let you change elf a little to make it a Catfolk, changing the first ancestry feat for Cat Luck in the Bestiary per example.
- Thief Racket for dex to damage
- Priorize Stealth skills and the Avoid Notice exploration activity so you take advantage of Surprise Attack, basically the thing that 5e Assassin dies except the automatic criticals.
- I like trap finding as the first rogue feat.
- Ranger Dedication at lvl 2
- Choose between Crossbow Ace or Hunter Aim to simulate the Sharpshooter feat.
I was just informed by a friend that rogues don't do ranged attacks like D&D, So I'm open to Ranger.
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I would decide between two priorities:
Would you like to double the number of skills you currently have?
or
Would you like to double the number of weapons you are proficient with?
Whether you decide to start as a Rogue and multiclass into Ranger, or vice-versa, both of which are really syngerstic options, I think answering the question above would allow you to decide the best chassis.
Good luck!
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First thing to keep in mind is that archery isn't nearly as effective in PF2 as it is in D&D5 as you can never get 'Dex to Damage' with ranged attacks.
- The Thief racket specifically gets 'Dex to Damage' with melee weapons only and such weapons are considered 'ranged' when thrown. Please note this also means unarmed attacks don't get 'Dex to Damage' either.
- You add your Strength modifier with Thrown weapons,
- You add half your strength modifier with Propulsive weapons, and
- you add nothing with any of the other ranged weapons (including non-composite shortbows and crossbows).
So, doing damage as a ranged rogue is highly dependent on getting your sneak attack, which means you need to keep your targets flat footed somehow.
Surprise Attack - This class feature can help here, but only on the first round and it can be rendered useless by a low roll on initiative.
Flanking - Not really an option with a ranged weapon. I've seen some arguments that it can work, but this usually requires you to be in melee anyway.
Stealth - Stealth is broken once you attack, so sniping requires you to take a sneak/hide action before each attack and have cover/concealment (at least, before you hit the higher levels), which will cut into your rate of fire. If you want to go this route, you may want to consider Halfling + the Distracting Shadows ancestry feat.
Feint - Unfortunately, this doesn't work for ranged attacks.
Trip - This can work (prone targets are flat-footed) but generally requires some teamwork to pull off, so your mileage may vary.
Animal Companion - Specifically, getting a Cat companion and using its support action can work, but requires a significant investment (at least two ranger/druid dedication feats), an action each round to command your pet, and it doesn't help your first successful attack.
A good ranged rogue build seems difficult to pull off...
Other things to keep in mind when coming over to this edition:
Small characters don't really have any bonuses or penalties for their size any more beyond a few specific items: A halfling uses the same equipment as a half-orc and isn't inherently any better at sneaking or worse at inflicting damage just because they are small.
Leather armor requires a 10 strength to wear without penalty, so single-digit strength scores are not advised.
Bulk is a serious consideration for characters, and while a Bag of Holding can help a lot, it is still a 1 Bulk item by itself and anything you put in it isn't immediately available for use.
Thanks everyone for the advice. I may just stick with the Dwarven fighter I played during test play last year. Simpler at the moment. LOL
But I am going to look at what everyone suggested and figure out what I want. Maybe after I watch the other players.
So shortbow is better? That's what I started out playing on 5e.
Typically, if only because you don't have to worry about reload. You CAN make crossbows powerful, but that tends to put you down a very particular feat path (And a lot of the great parts of that path can be done with regular bows too).
Precision ranger tends to work well with that play style, since it is all about getting in one big attack. Maybe try to get an animal companion in there too to share in your hunter's edge.
Your basic turn is some combo of running reload and attack, with the last action going to whatever you need- commanding your pet, moving further, doing some skill check, preparing an item, etc.
Damage particularly picks up with penetrating shot, and you basically turn into an AoE character focusing on line attacks.