Natural attacks combined with Sneak Attack and enhanced tracking abilities make it a versatile and dangerous predator.
Reliance on hybrid form and vulnerability to silver weapons or antimagic environments.
Arcane Shadow
A nimble blend of Rogue and Wizard, the Arcane Shadow[1] uses magical stealth and precision attacks to excel in infiltration and combat. With spells up to 8th level and Sneak Attack synergy, this build offers unparalleled versatility as both a caster and a skill monkey.
Access to powerful utility and combat spells like *Greater Invisibility* and *Antimagic Field*, combined with Sneak Attack for devastating melee and ranged capabilities.
Low hit points and reliance on both spell slots and situational sneak attack opportunities make the Arcane Shadow[1] fragile in prolonged encounters.
Use Contingency paired with defensive spells for an automatic lifesaver when caught off-guard.
Guild Master
The Guild Master[2] is a flying Kobold thief specializing in ranged Sneak Attacks, leading their underworld empire with a mix of cunning and raw damage. This build maximizes Sneak Attack progression, utilizing mobility and ranged attacks to devastating effect.
Incredible mobility from flight and devastating ranged Sneak Attacks against touch AC make the Guild Master[2] a lethal sniper.
Fragile defenses due to low Constitution and reliance on positioning to remain effective in combat.
Use the *Improved Dragon Wings* feat and *Hand Crossbow Focus* to optimize your aerial sneak attacks and become an untouchable rogue from above.
Knife Master
The Knife Master[3] is a whirlwind of daggers, capable of unleashing an absurd number of attacks per round with precision and efficiency. This build excels in Touch AC attacks and overwhelming opponents with sheer volume of strikes.
The ability to make up to 64 attacks per round using optimized throwing techniques and enchantments like Splitting.
Heavy reliance on equipment and feats to achieve optimal performance, which can be hindered by resource constraints or disarm effects.
Enchant shurikens with Returning and Adaptive to reduce costs and ensure your dagger minigun stays well-stocked in prolonged battles.
Slayer of Domiel
A holy assassin built to counter undead and evil creatures, the Slayer of Domiel[4] combines rogue agility with divine power to bypass typical Sneak Attack immunity. This build is a hybrid of martial and divine abilities, offering unique versatility.
Bypasses undead and construct immunity to Sneak Attack while retaining excellent rogue utility and divine damage boosts.
Limited spellcasting and a focus on niche enemies may leave the Slayer of Domiel[4] less effective against general threats.
Use *Sanctify Martial Strike* to ensure your Sneak Attacks deal extra damage to evil-aligned foes, combining divine and rogue strengths seamlessly.
The White Wolf
A primal predator blending Rogue precision with Werewolf ferocity, the White Wolf[5] uses natural attacks and stealth to dominate enemies. This build leverages high mobility, powerful natural abilities, and Sneak Attack synergy for a versatile combatant.
Natural attacks combined with Sneak Attack and tracking abilities like Scent and Mindsight make this build a hunter’s nightmare.
High reliance on maintaining hybrid form and specific feats can make the build vulnerable in antimagic environments or when faced with silver weapons.
Utilize *Wild Aspect* and *Animal Growth* for temporary but powerful combat boosts, enhancing your already formidable natural attacks.
FAQ
What makes the Rogue class stand out in D&D 3.5?
Rogues are known for their exceptional versatility, excelling in skills, stealth, and precision damage through Sneak Attacks. Their adaptability allows them to fit into nearly any party role, from combat support to infiltration specialist.
How does the Arcane Shadow[1] Roguebalance spellcasting and sneak attacks?
The Arcane Shadow[1] combines the Rogue’s stealth and Sneak Attack with the Wizard’s powerful spellcasting. This hybrid excels in situations requiring both magical utility and precise, high-damage strikes.
Is the Rogue Knife Master[3]’s attack strategy viable in all encounters?
The Knife Master[3]’s strategy of rapid, high-volume attacks is devastating, but it relies heavily on specific equipment and positioning. In situations where resources are constrained or enemies counter ranged attacks, this build may struggle.
The Slayer of Domiel[4] specializes in defeating undead and evil creatures, using divine abilities to bypass traditional Sneak Attack immunities. It retains the Rogue’s skill versatility while adding unique counters to niche threats.
The White Wolf[5] leverages the Werewolf’s natural attacks and tracking skills, combining them with Rogue abilities like Sneak Attack. This synergy allows it to thrive in melee combat while maintaining stealth and scouting prowess.
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Writer, Editor, GM, Technologist – Andrew’s been playing TTRPGs since as far back as he can recall… at least sometime in the nineties… or was it the early 2000s?
The young Nobleman was making his way in the dark alley without a sound. He had to avoid detection by the patrols as they might recognize him. If they did, well, it would make his task far more difficult to accomplish. He mind was focused on the traveling lady who paid him a lot of gold. A royal sum, even for a noble like him. It was a fairly simple matter: gather information on killings that had recently occurred in the city.Simple doesn’t mean easy, though.
It’s the so called White Wolf, a notorious killer who had taken the city’s underground by surprise years ago. She was as hard to track as it gets. But the young man wasn’t merely the son of one of the high noble houses, but a fantastic self-taught rogue and a magician extraordinaire.
When he arrived in front of the barracks, he observed the place swiftly. A few magical words uttered and he became invisible – his goal, the captain’s office. Entrance was easy, but he knew the door was locked. A simple cantrip, though, and the door was opened. There were only a scant few minutes before he had to get out of there. With great haste, he rummaged through the papers.
-“Bingo.” He whispered. He had his lead. Now to get out…
Race
Human
Class
Rogue 5/Wizard 5/Arcane Trickster 10
Ability Scores
Str 8/Dex 16/Con 14/Int 16/Wis 8/Cha 14
Skills
Decipher Script 7, Disable Devices 7, Escape Artist 7, Knowledge(Arcana) 4 Equipment: A Rapier, a Hand Crossbow, a Studded Leather Armor(at first, which you ditch out soon)
Goal
The ultimate swiss army knife. With the abilities to melee and ranged decently with your sneak attack; Spring Attack in and out of melee; and cast wizard spells up to 8th level. You get access to completely ridiculous goodies like Greater Invisibility, Fly, Polymorph, Dimension Door, the sky’s near the limit. Plus you have excellent skills all around to fall back on unlike a wizard, and can even use a Contingency spell for those very few things that might catch you off-guard.
Let’s not forget that you can also cast Antimagic Field and massacre the poor wizard with your Sneak Attacks.
As the young man made his way inside the thieves guild hideout, many heads turned his way. He knew the risks, but he had to do it. After what the traveling woman had told him about the White Wolf, he had to help. His mark had to be stopped, less the consequences destroy the city – if not, even, the kingdom.
Perhaps it was his idiotic noble ideals resurfacing, or maybe he was just trying to do something right for once in his life.It even could have been that he was a sucker for a pretty face. Possibly just the gold, half in advance and half after the task was complete.
At least the task itself, once he found her was to be simple enough. In any case, he was thinking himself a fool to have become so embroiled in this mess. If it got out that hewas here, the consequences for his House would be dire. Or at least more paperwork.
Yet here he stood, in front of a pile of gold and silver pieces upon which a Bastard Sword was raised. A Kobold with draconic wings sat atop the pile, and stared at the nobleman. The Kobold, leader of the Thieves Guild,played idly with his crossbow. A crossbow that was known to be quick to fire, and the temper behind it even quicker to kill.
–“I suspected you would eventually come to me noble scum. You’ve been snooping around a lot lately. Again, even though I had warned you to stay in your place. What kind of idiocy have you found yourself stuck in?”
The young man took a deep breath. Even if the Guild Leader was a Kobold, that needle shooter was vicious, he had to play this out carefully.
–“I may know how to root out the White Wolf for you.”
Silence fell in the chatty hall. The Kobold’s eyes stared at him even more intensely.
-“I’m listening.”
Race
Kobold
Class
Rogue 5/Assassin 3/Thug Fighter 5/Nightsong Enforcer 1/Ronin 1/Spellthief 1/Guild Thief 1/Justiciar of Taiia 1/Ninja 1/Shadow Thief of Amn 1
A Hand Crossbow, eventually a buckler, a Chain Shirt
Goal
Hey dawg, I heard you liked Sneak Attacks. So you’re a Winged Kobold who has the highest Sneak Attack I could give it without cheesing too much, and we all know that the guy with the highest sneak attack gets to be the Guild Leader. What do you mean that’a not how that works? Bonus Points by the way because the flavor somehow works all too well? (Dragon Kobold Thief Guild Leader sitting on a pile of gold, don’t you dare tell me it doesn’t fit). Also, bonus for flying ranged sneak attack rogue.
He sat at a table, on the terrace of his favorite restaurant, while he sipped some wine thoughtfully. Before him was his plans to draw out the White Wolf. With an attentive eye he reviewed the details he recorded from his meeting with theThieves Guild, the final key he had been missing. It had taken some time, some favors, and some high risks to even get this far. Should have asked for more, he thought.He was close and the plan just needed a scant few more details to hedge down someone who was known as being a ghost.
Even so, he couldn’t stay focused, and his gaze was repeatedly drawn towards the plaza next to the terrace. Over there, a young woman was engaged in a duel with several other miscreants. She wore her blonde hair short, in no effort to camouflage her heavily scarred face. If anything, the stray hairs served to emphasize just how well fought she had been. The scars, too, did not mar her beauty, in fact they added an air of mystique to this woman. It was something particular about her he admired. It was also why he couldn’t keep his focus on his plans.
She proved her prowess in this little spat, one in a very long series, and it was one where she would earn no more scars. None of her assailants, thugs and brutes as they were, even got close to striking her. All this in spite of the fact that her foes had longswords, and she? Merely puny daggers.
-“I won’t wait for you forever” The man yelled at her, half-annoyed and half amused at her antics.Though his mirth echoed louder.
–“Yeah, yeah, gimme a second.” She replied in a laugh.
And, indeed, a second it took. For after that second, all the miscreants simultaneously found themselves on the ground. Each ran through with dozens of daggers. Left alive, but down for the count.
She walked to the table nonchalantly and took a seat.
Truly worlds apart, her low-born attire contrasted against his more noble coat. And yet, they looked at each other like any young couple.
–“So, you need my help to root out this White Wolf I heard?”
Bluff 8, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(Local) 5, Sense Motive 6, Sleight of Hand 4 Flaws: Pathetic, Poor Reflexes
Equipment
A bunch of daggers. Switch eventually to a bunch of Shurikens with the splitting, Returning and Adaptive Enchantments to turn them back into daggers for extra cheap magical throwing daggers that will let you attack 64 times/round… Oh, and like a Chain Shirt I guess.
Goal
You stab people with daggers real good. If you’ve followed my instructions in the equipment section, by level 20, yes, you are in fact attacking 64 times per rounds. Let me show you how
Your BAB is +18, meaning four Iterative Attacks. Rapid Shot+Greater Two Weapons-Fighting add four attacks to your iterative for 8 Attacks. Palm Throw lets you throw two daggers per attack (16). Two with One Blow lets you attack two adjacent creatures per attack (32).
Splitting enchantment make all attacks hit twice (64). Plus if you are throwing your daggers, you always attack against Touch AC. Enjoy being a dagger minigun.
Progression Chart
Level
Class
HD
Feat
Special
1
Rogue
7
Point-Blank Shot, Far Shot, Precise Shot, Combat Expertise
-“I know you know something about the White Wolf.” The young nobleman’s tone revealed an inquisitive mind behind the question.
The old gravekeeper scratched his beard.
–“And why would a nobleman like you would care about this?” The man was seated atop a tombstone nonchalantly, surrounded by skeletal corpses that had risen during the night.He was clearly unaffected by this situation – more, even, in his element. His voice had a sense of whimsy, of a man that had nothing at all at concern from whence he sat.
-“Why would an ex-member of the Thieves Guild become a gravekeeper?”
-“I have my reasons.”
-“And you henceforth have my answer to your question.” The old man smiled.
-“You’ve got guts for a fancy schmuck, and a sharp tongue. Two things I appreciate. Here’s the deal, stay here with this old man tonight, keep me company and help me deal with these things and I’ll tell you what I know.”
Race
Human
Class
Rogue 6/Slayer of Domiel 9/Knight of the Raven 3/Skullclan Hunter 2
Ability Scores
Str 16/Dex 14/Con 14/Int 8/Wis 14/Cha 10
Skill
Hide 8, Knowledge(Religion) 8, Move Silently 8 Equipment: Two Heavy Maces, a Chainshirt
Goal
I made this build specifically for the annoying people who keep complaining about creatures like undead being immune to Sneak Attack. Well this build can sneak attack undead all day long. It can also Turn Undead, Destroy Undead, etc. All the while remaining primarily a rogue, with all the sneak attacks and the skill monkeying.
He hid across the plaza, swallowed by the shadows of the buildings. At first, the fires set by the guild were minimal, but now they silhouetted the various boats and shipments of cargo. The heavy lights of the entire gravekeeper corps illuminating the graveyard and its environs. Meanwhile the streets and rooftops behind him were patrolled by his girlfriend’s group of thugs and streetfighters.
There was no way out except through the plazafor her. Even so, he trembled at the idea of confronting such a mythical underworld figure.
Finally, he heard them, the howls of the White Wolf’s pack. He took a long, deep breath and walked straight to the middle of the plaza. As he walked a sense of impending doom washed over him. His neck hair stood on end and he growled under his breath. Gigantic wolves surrounded him from each alleyway that surrounded the dim lighted plaza. None were moved beyond the shadows, though, but now it was him with no way out.
-“You were looking for me. Here I am.”
The female voice made the young man’s heart jump in fear. He looked up and saw her standing at the edge of a tall building, alone, dressed in a white flowing robe. The robe was tattered and had blood splattered throughout – and clearly not her blood. She wore a white wolf mask, which concealed her face.This was the legend, and both his target and source of terror: The White Wolf.
-“I was looking for you, yes. I have a message for you.”
She took a step and dropped three stories down to the ground, the impact cracking the paved road. She slowly strode toward him and her hands turned into vicious claws.
-“Is that so?”
His heart pounded in his throat, the fear was so much he was about to get sick as she raised a clawed hand up
-“Yes, your sister is waiting for you outside the gates. She wishes to talk.” As he uttered these words she lowered her arm.
-“My sister…is here?” Her voice was no longer projected terror to the man from behind the mask, but..sorrow?
-“Yes, please, let me lead you to her.”
A long moment they stood still. His life was hanging by a thread. She simply nodded in acquiescence.
-“Yes, it is time for us to meet again.”
Race
Human
Class
Werewolf 2/Rogue 6/Animal Lord 10/Warshaper 2 (2 LA Buyback)
Ability Scores
Str 14/Dex 16/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 12/Cha 14
Skills
Handle Animal 4, Knowledge(Nature) 2, Survival 4 Equipment: Chain Shirt, a decorative Rapier and daggers I guess?
Goal
Sneak Attack + Natural Attacks work very well together. Add to this your early high resilience and your capability to disappear from sight, see people across walls with your mind, use Scent to further scout, and high hp/attacks, making you an enemy not to be trifled with.
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