by Theylan » Tue Jul 12, 2016 5:39 pm
I thought I might add some helpful research to the discussion.
In light of our next campaign I’ve been doing some thinking and Class analysis. I’ve come up with a list and reference guide for classes and PRC’s that may be of interest with a brief description Pros/Cons, all of these classes have the Trap finding ability. This isn’t everything just the ones that I thought would be the most pertinent
Class
Rogue- PHB (the staple that started my career) Pros: Sneak attack, 8+ skill /level. evasion Cons: Sneak attack only works on the living
Beguiler- PHB2 (this is the one I’ll be taking) Full spellcasting from a limited list with all the skills of a rogue but none of the feats. Pros: Trap finding, rogue skill set, cast spells like a sorcerer, lots of spells on the list. Cons: spell list primarily comprised of the schools of divination, enchantment, illusion. Not much that can go boom here.
Ninja- Complete Adventurer (more combat oriented than a rogue) Pros: sudden attack- like sneak attack but when combined with Ki ability can be done when the character wants rather than when conditions are right, Poison use ability and Ki. Cons: 6+ skill/level, more combat means less skills. No armor AC improves with wis/dex and levels like a monk.
Scout- Complete Adventurer (the forest loving cross between a ranger and rogue, one of my faves) Pros: Skirmish ability improves AC and Damage, bonus feats similar to Rangers. 1d8 HP Cons: Slower damage improvement with skirmish compared to sneak attack. There isn’t much to dislike here.
Spell thief- Complete Adventurer (CA) (spell casting crossover of thief and mage) Pros: Can access/steal some high level spell abilities They can cast almost anything if they can steal it. Cons: slower sneak attack and 6+ skill/level progression.
Ranger Variant (trap finder)- PHB2 or Unearthed Arcana? Give up tracking and swift tracking to gain trap finding and disable device skill. Pros: full fighting ability of a ranger= Good BAB, and favored enemy. Cons: Can’t really think of many.
Rogue Variant (Combat Rogue) – Unearthed Arcana (give up sneak attack to gain bonus feat progression of a fighter) Pros: feats, feats and more feats you qualify for everything a fighter qualifies for, weapon focus you got it Weapon Specialization, no problem. Cons: BAB doesn’t match a fighter and you lose one of the most powerful damage dealing tools in the game sneak attack.
Divine Agent – Pathfinder (crossover of cleric and rogue) Pros: Spell progress like a cleric almost, channel positive energy. Cons: no sneak attack and lose one spell per level
PRC
Dungeon Delver – CA (you want to find traps and disarm them “no problem”) Pros: bonuses around traps. Cons: can’t start PRC until 7th level at best.
Daggerspell mage – CA (combines spell casting with some enhanced combat oriented feats) Pros: good spell progress 7 levels over 10 class levels, sneak attack progress. Cons: everything is centered around daggers so until you get into the power ban for this PRC 1d4 damage isn’t a lot. 7th level minimum to qualify.
Shadowbane Inquisitor – CA (this is the Paladin rogue combination, yes they have one) Pros: LG is a requirement but you get the best BAB in the game and you get to progress in smite and sneak attack. Qualify at 5th level. Cons: reduced progress in lay on hands/channel positive energy, must follow the code of the guild (not particularly hard)
Shadowbane Stalker – CA (Cleric/rogue combo) Pros: good cleric spell progress 7 over 10, Sacred defense and strike allow you to swap some spells for combat help, sneak attack progress, detect evil at will. Qualify at 5th. Cons: LG requirement. Channel energy/turn undead is reduced. Guild code
Nightsong Enforcer – CA (Monk/rogue combo) Pros: good BAB, Sneak attack. Teamwork ability improves everyone around them in certain skills. Cons 7th level to qualify, unarmed damage bonus increase is reduced
Nightsong Infiltrator – CA (rogue variation) Pros: teamwork ability enhancing trapfinding, if you come from a class with no trapfinding ability you gain it with this class. Cons: 7th level to qualify. Must have evasion feat. There are only a few ways to obtain that. Rogue, Ninja, Monk, Ranger etc.
Arcane Trickster - DMG (mage/rogue) Pros: impromptu sneak attack advance in spells every level, ranged legerdemain. Cons: poor BAB, poor HP. Always the 1st to die. JK. 8th level to obtain this PRC. I like this PRC.