Rogue thief build

[Nobby]

So I'm a complete novice when it comes to d&d builds/rules. I've been looking into some character builds that I want to try when the full game is out and I would like to give rogue-thief a try (usually enjoy the stealthy, sneaky playstyles).

Most of the guides I found seem pretty outdated (2020 - 2022) and I'm not sure with all the changes that happened over time, if the builds are still good (especially now with multiclassing)

I'm interested in playing the dual hand xbow rogue thief build, but I have no clue as to which race I should pick, what stats, which feats are important or what the leveling order should be. I know dex will be my main Stat, but what other stats are important for me?

I also found some ppl talking about the reloading mechanic not being properly implemented and just wanted to check if it has been implemented and if it drives this build into the ground or not.

Any tips are much appreciated.

[Nobby]

So I've been looking into it a bit more and I was wondering if you have to take Drow for the handbow proficiency?

How easy/valid is it when I for example see at around level 8 that the handbow isn't working out and I want to switch to something else (for example longbow) would that be viable as well? Is it possible to respec in this game?

[UnFound]

Originally posted by Nobby:

So I've been looking into it a bit more and I was wondering if you have to take Drow for the handbow proficiency?

How easy/valid is it when I for example see at around level 8 that the handbow isn't working out and I want to switch to something else (for example longbow) would that be viable as well? Is it possible to respec in this game?

Theres an NPC in act 1 youll be able to find an respec but only early if im not mistaken they said.

[Recjawjind]

1: Rogue will likely be good because this is a videogame, and there are limitations to how well AI can deal with stealth. However, stealth as it currently is in the early access will be nerfed, and enemy AI will be better at dealing with it.

2: Mono-class thief rogue is simplicity itself in terms of how you build it, the only actual choice comes at ASI/Feat levels (first one being 4).

3: Race, i'd recommend a race with darkvision. Wood(half)elf is likely going to be a strong option for their increased movement speed, making it even easier to skirt around enemy vision. Dex is ofcourse your absolute priority, and rogues don't care THAT much about anything else, the second most important would be con (though not a priority, just gives you a bit more health). The rest barely matter and are only there for skillchecks. Wis would come after con, simply because perception checks are so common. As for feats, what you'd likely care most about as a ranged rogue is sharpshooter.

4: Reloading doesn't really matter unless you multiclass, since rogues only make one attack (per crossbow) anyways. Reloading in 5e is simply a limitation on multiattacks when using crossbows.
If you do a multiclass that gains multiattack, we'll have to see if reloading is actually a thing.

[Recjawjind]

Originally posted by Nobby:

So I've been looking into it a bit more and I was wondering if you have to take Drow for the handbow proficiency?

Rogue starts proficient in handbow. No need to pick drow to get it.
Longbow is a martial weapon you are not proficient in right out the gate unless you get it from your race, you can however use light crossbows which are simple weapons, and if you only make one attack, they do the same damage as longbows.

[[Heretic]Rivga]

Something to consider is Ranger, gloomstalker may be a better rogue than a rogue. Certainly this subclass is the master of stealth when the lights are low.

You do not get skill expertise but you do get a lot of skills. Choose 2 free skills at the beginning of the class including slieght of hand from the Urban ranger choice. The class get another 3 skills on to of that.

You miss out on sneak attack but you get more attacks and a few spells. And you are basically the master of darkness, even creatures with dark vision find it hard to spot you.
Something to look into anyhow.

[Nobby]

Originally posted by Recjawjind:

1: Rogue will likely be good because this is a videogame, and there are limitations to how well AI can deal with stealth. However, stealth as it currently is in the early access will be nerfed, and enemy AI will be better at dealing with it.

2: Mono-class thief rogue is simplicity itself in terms of how you build it, the only actual choice comes at ASI/Feat levels (first one being 4).

3: Race, i'd recommend a race with darkvision. Wood(half)elf is likely going to be a strong option for their increased movement speed, making it even easier to skirt around enemy vision. Dex is ofcourse your absolute priority, and rogues don't care THAT much about anything else, the second most important would be con (though not a priority, just gives you a bit more health). The rest barely matter and are only there for skillchecks. Wis would come after con, simply because perception checks are so common. As for feats, what you'd likely care most about as a ranged rogue is sharpshooter.

4: Reloading doesn't really matter unless you multiclass, since rogues only make one attack (per crossbow) anyways. Reloading in 5e is simply a limitation on multiattacks when using crossbows.
If you do a multiclass that gains multiattack, we'll have to see if reloading is actually a thing.

Ah nice, thanks for the tips. I read something that having a rogue multiclassed with shadow monk or moonsomething or gloomsomething (Don't know it apologies) could have pretty good potential. Do you think going for a multiclass would yield better results than just a mono build?

Originally posted by Recjawjind:

Originally posted by Nobby:

So I've been looking into it a bit more and I was wondering if you have to take Drow for the handbow proficiency?

Rogue starts proficient in handbow. No need to pick drow to get it.
Longbow is a martial weapon you are not proficient in right out the gate unless you get it from your race, you can however use light crossbows which are simple weapons, and if you only make one attack, they do the same damage as longbows.

Perfect, that opens up my choices quite a bit because I wasn't really planning on going with Drow :)

Thanks for the replies already, much appreciated