Let's talk Rogue next. I was going to discuss more of the cleric classes, but since they're not in the game presently, and since I really don't have the time, I've decided to move on to another class.

Rogues are one of the most destroyed classes in the game. For starters, there is no Expertise or Thieves' Tools Proficiency. This is huge because it sets them apart from other classes. Though anyone can pick a lock, not everyone is proficient with lockpicks. On top of that, rogues can take expertise with Thieves' Tools for an even bigger buff to picking locks.

Expertise allows a rogue to choose either two skills or one skill and Tool Proficiency to receive double proficiency. This is at level 1. At level 6, you're supposed to get two more.

What does that look like? Cleric has Dex +2 and no proficiency with Thieves'Tools. +2 to pick a lock. Ranger has +2 Dex and proficiency with Thieves'Tools, so +4. Rogue has +2 Dex and expertise with Thieves' Tools, so +6. Considerably better than everyone else and much better at picking locks. So, if I give my thief expertise in Stealth and Tools, with Dex +2, both of those abilities should be at +6. This makes for a more classic Rogue and gives the Rogue extra value on the team.

So, this means that a DC 15 lock, which is supposed to be a rather difficult lock, is only a 9 or higher for the Rogue, but a 11 or higher for the proficient Ranger, and 13 or higher for the unproficient Cleric. Even though they can all pick a lock, it is much easier for the Rogue with expertise.

Sneak attack. This is broken currently in the game. It is really not that hard. If I hit an enemy, I can increase the damage using sneak attack once per turn as long as either my character has advantage or there is an ally in melee range with the target. So, if I put Lae'zel up next to a goblin, Astarion should be able to use sneak attack. If the enemy does not know he is there because he is sneaking, he should get sneak attack. If he has advantage of any kind he should get sneak attack. It can be either for primary weapon attack or secondary, depending on what the Rogue decides.

Currently, I still can't get sneak attack on a lot of different attacks that I attempt to make with a rogue. I'm not sure what they did to it, but they have definitely messed it up.

One thing I will say though that I do like is that if you fail to pick a lock you can try again. I do not like how in Solasta, for example, if I fail the roll, that's it. You get one attempt per character, and if you fail you're done. There is no way to get it open after that unless you use the Knock spell. That said, I do wish they would give you less thieves tools, because it is too easy to just keep working at a lock until you succeed. There's hardly any consequence for failure, so why even bother?

My suggestion for picking locks would actually be that if you fail by five or more, then your lock pick breaks and you have to use a different thieves tools. If you fail by 1-4, you can try again with the same kit. Then don't allow players to find 10 plus Thieves'Tools lying around all over the place or have the ability to buy them like candy.

I also suggest that sneak attack must be fixed and made like the 5erules call for. And, for the love of God, give them expertise.

I don't even mind that there is no tool proficiencies. Using the sleight of hand skill is okay, as it combines two thief abilities into one. That does simplify it a little bit more and I don't think it is overly unbalancing.

I'll talk more about the two subclasses later.

Last edited by GM4Him; 18/03/22 11:32 PM.