POLL: Are you using a rogue?

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In my first party I took a Rogue for the "talking" skills. There is IMHO no reason to take a rogue for classical thief reasons (disable traps/open locks) so if you're using a rogue, what is the function of that rogue?

The constant sneak attacks from being in sneak mode is a bug, so if you abuse that then say so.

Poll Information
This poll contains 1 question(s). 25 user(s) have voted.
You may not view the results of this poll without voting.

Poll Results: Are you using a rogue? (25 votes.)

Do you think it's a good idea to use a Rogue? (Choose 1)
* No - 12% (3)
* Yes - primarily for the "talking" skills - 24% (6)
* Yes - primarily for "classical" thief skills - 32% (8)
* Yes - other reasons - 16% (4)
* Just let me see the results! - 16% (4)

 

I have a rogue in my group. Initially I had included her to have the standard all-round party, ie I had her for the thieving skill. However, since I haven't used her that way, I'm now multiclassing her to fighter/rogue taking advantage of her sneak attack and her high dex combined with weapon finesse. Sadly, she isn't able to stand for much punishment, but that'll come.

Now, if only my ranger would start to hit anything with that bow of hers...

 

Normally a rogue has a LOT of skill points to spend, so there should be enough of them to cover all rogue skills (at least almost). Usually I prefer plain single-class Rogue, but lately I have started to include few barbarian levels also, with amazing results. Besides, rogues are fun to play, at least soloing with them.

 

I find rouges good for their talking abilites, nothing else. Although I haven't got very far yet. I'm taking a rouge just for that, and it has proved useful sofar.

 

I didn't play ToEE yet. Waiting for some positive words after patch. But: I don't know, if sneak attack in sneak mode is a bug. Maybe you get sneak attacks not because in sneak mode, but because of flanking an enemy - are you playing solo, or with party? Because when in melee with a party a rogue could score many sneak attacks when flanking: attacking an enemy from behind or from the side which is distracted with fighting another character. Of course you get sneak attacks on every flatfooted enemy.

 

Pre-patch I finished the game with a rogue in the party mainly for talking purposes. My post-patch party has a cleric with Diplomacy/Sense Motive/Gather Info. IMO that's more than enough.
A wizard will knock the locks and a Fighter/Barb will open the trapped chests - letting us gain xp for setting of the traps!

Why then should I have a rogue? The only reason I can think of is for sneak attack. Well, forget about it!

 

Blah! Just to prove you wrong, Earl Grey, I will start a new post-patch game and make a two-person fighting team both being multiclassed rogues.

 

Good for you Mayfairy, but first I wasn't talking about multiclass rogues and secondly you can do well enough to finish the game with any class.

In ToEE rogues have lost what is IMO their raison d'etre.
Basically a rogue takes care of disarming traps and opening locks. The new (3rd ed D&D) functions include being party spokesperson. Neither of these functions are even remotely needed in ToEE.
What remains is what the rogue bring to combat and I may be a stodgy old fool, but IMO a warrior (fighter, Barbarian etc) is a better choice for that purpose.

 

Question from a guy who bought the game the day it came out, was driven mad by the bugs, and will soon start fresh once he installs the patch:

So are you saying there are really very few utility situations (locks, traps, etc) where traditional thieving skills are necessary? Because I would really rather not have a rogue if I can get away with it.

 

Absolutely!
Use a wizard to cast Knock and have a burly fighter set off the traps. The only traps I've found were on containers (chests etc). In fact you get more xp from setting off the traps than from disabling them! There are very few traps in the game.

I use a cleric for talking since it fits nicely with his purpose as an Undead turner (high charisma). Of course you don't need "talker" skills, but if you run a 5-character party you might as well make one of them a talker to enjoy the bit of extra options you get in some conversations.

 

Hmmm. See, that turns me off right there. I typically use my mages/sorcerers as long-range damagers with their offensive spells. I don't like wasting spell slots on knock, because I think it's a big waste. How hard are locks to break open though? I wouldn't mind taking a half-orc fighter (which I would anyway) along to break most locks, and keep one Knock spell memorized at all times for the off-chance the bash doesn't work. But I hate counting on Knock because that means I'm having to rest more (which I hate doing).

 

Well, aren't we a lazy one?
Of course you won't be running around with Knock memorized! You scribe scrolls of Knock. I don't remember how many times my rogue did Open Lock, but I'd estimate 10-20 times.
Scroll of Knock is for sale in Nulb, so you won't even have to take it as you level up.

 

Oh ok - It didn't even occur to me that you could scribe scrolls. At what level can your mage start scribing scrolls? How often can you do it?

 

You can start scribing scrolls at level 1 and Wizards get the Scribe Scroll Feat for free at level 1.
It costs 75 gold and 6 xp to scribe a scroll of Knock. The costs are based on the level of the spell.

 

Whoah, sweet! Alright thanks Earl, you've convinced me. Bye bye rogie. Now I will probably make a party with something like: Tank, Tank, Wizard, Cleric, Druid/Bard/Monk (either or, not a multi) as what I like to call my "wild card" character.

 

Well my first time through I'm using a rogue mainly for his 'talking' skills and pick pocketing.

My next time I'm planning a party with characters based on the book (yes there is a book too) and one happens to be a dual-wielding rogue. I'm gonna stick to my plan and have a rogue although I'm giving him two levels of ranger. This brings up my question and reason for posting this...

Earl do you have exact numbers you can post. I'd like to know how much more XP you gain. I find that pretty silly, but I'll take your word for it.
I just disabled a trap in the Temple and was rewarded with a whopping 105 XP. That came out to 15 a piece. Funny thing is four of my characters leveled after that.

I'm just XP junkie and would like to get as much as I can.