Why isn't strength more important for a rogue?

[craig234]

Isn't it important for accuracy and damage? I'm thinking of melee, but wouldn't it also affect ranged? A guide and the game default has STR set to 8.

[Rabbit]

Finesse melee weapons can use dex for aim and damage. Ranged weapons use dex only (throwing is strength)

[JF]

Ranged and finesse weapons (daggers, short swords, rapiers etc.) can use your dex modifier instead of str.

[Sentient_Toaster]

Melee attacks with finesse weapons use whichever is better.

Throwing a melee weapon uses the same attributes as making a melee attack with it (so throwing a spear uses strength, but throwing a dagger uses whichever is better because it's finesse).

Ranged weapons use dexterity only, for both attack and damage, unless the weapon is a special one with an explicit exception (e.g. there's a bow that uses dexterity as usual, but also lets you add yoru strength modifier for damage).

D&D 5E differs here from PF2e, where a finesse melee weapon can use dexterity for attack but always uses strength for damage, or where a 'propulsive' ranged weapon like a composite shortbow still uses dexterity for attack but modifies damage based on strength (half the modifier if it's positive, full penalty if it's negative). In D&D 5E, somebody with 20 dex/4 strength (rolled stats or somehow drained) will be both more accurate and more lethal than another person with 17 dex/17 strength swinging the same rapier and with otherwise identical traits.

[Zebedee]

It's an old division in RPGs between strength and dexterity to give each stat an individual value. You're right, eg in the real world it would be important to have enough strength to draw a longbow over and over again, but it's one of those things which isn't a thing for most RPG systems. As other posts have said, some weapons use (or can use) dexterity so you have options for a dex based build.

[Abisha]

because some idiot in ancient time thought you need Dex for a bow how could a nerd know that bows need massive strength.

[Zeel Ara]

Originally posted by Abisha:

because some idiot in ancient time thought you need Dex for a bow how could a nerd know that bows need massive strength.

Yea, calling it "massive strength" outs you as exactly as ignorant as the people you're feeling better than. Take a good look at olympic level archers and try to find the "massive strength" there. Or better yet, drag your limp carcass to an archery range and realise that even you can shoot for several hours straight without getting tired, as long as you have proper technique.

[craig234]

Originally posted by Ratley:

Take a good look at olympic level archers and try to find the "massive strength" there. Or better yet, drag your limp carcass to an archery range and realise that even you can shoot for several hours straight without getting tired, as long as you have proper technique.

I actually saw some Olympian shooters training, but forget if it was bows and/or guns.

I'd think strength has some role in endurance, but that's not the primary thing - that more important is draw power. More strength, draw more, more powerful impact/longer range.

It could also impact ability to pierce some armor along with arrow type.

Of course 'dexterity' - including holding their breath - was critical for aim and speed.

[Sentient_Toaster]

Originally posted by Paladin Stallion:

It's for the most part useless for a rogue unless you are using that class as a pack mule.

Jump distance comes to mind, but there are spells and consumables that will do in a pinch. I did a (admittedly not strictly necessary to have done this way) raid on a highly suspicious business by jumping my team from the roof of a nearby building to the target roof, and then breaching from the attic balcony instead of the ground floor.

[Abisha]

Originally posted by Ratley:

Originally posted by Abisha:

because some idiot in ancient time thought you need Dex for a bow how could a nerd know that bows need massive strength.

Yea, calling it "massive strength" outs you as exactly as ignorant as the people you're feeling better than. Take a good look at olympic level archers and try to find the "massive strength" there. Or better yet, drag your limp carcass to an archery range and realise that even you can shoot for several hours straight without getting tired, as long as you have proper technique.

sure, a 70 Ponds (31KG) bow only request you to pull 31KG something anyone can do right???

i could draw a 70 ponds bow 2 times and i death likely 70 ponds on a single arm is MASSIVE