Editing Rogue (section)

==Rogues in 3rd Edition==
3rd Edition Rogue suffers from four big problems. Firstly, some idiot decided weapon finesse had to require a prerequisite of +1 BAB while rogues start at +0 so they can't take it at character creation. Either they have to start as something else, dip something that gets it as a bonus feat at level 2 (which for 3.0 meant [[Fighter]]), or suck it up for two levels. Secondly, they are dependent upon Sneak Attack to deal any damage, and Constructs, Oozes, Plants, Undead, and incorporeal enemies are immune to it, with undead alone being one of the most common types of enemy. Thirdly, sneak Attack is really hard to set up, and can be prevented by something as simple as poor lighting: rogues need to be able to see their target well enough to take a good guess at where the important squishy organs are (this is why [[Dwarf]]s and other races with low-light vision and darkvision actually make good Rogues). Four: Magic does most of the things they do better. For that matter, an NPC [[retainer]] with the "[[Expert]]" class could do most of these things, and all you have to do is promise to pay him, until he misses that last saving-throw.

In the move to 3.5 they gained Uncanny Dodge and Improved Uncanny Dodge, freeing them of their dead level at 4th and 8th. Still a bad class, but it's at least a useful ability. Late in the system Wizards realized <s>everything</s> Constructs, Oozes, Plants, Undead, and incorporeal enemies being immune to sneak attack wasn't a good idea and released a few patches, but you had to go out of your way and expend resources to obtain them.

Meanwhile 3.5 also offered the bushwhackin', hornswogglin' [[Swashbuckler]] cracker croaker. Rev'ren! ... which also ended up a dip.

The Rogue doesn't appear in their own right in [[Arcana Unearthed]]. The Unfettered (the Not-Swashbuckler) fills that niche. But you ''can'' add Assassin as a prestige-class.

Rogues are [[Tier System|Tier 4]], and likely a low tier 4 at that. They're capable of doing a lot of things, but not all that well.