One Level Dip for Rogue

[Metallicus]

I am wanting to try a rogue, but was thinking of dipping one level into Trickery Domain Cleric for the Armor, Weapons, Guidance etc. I am planning on being a Arcane Trickster with Trickery domain for a very thematic character.

I am interested in everyone's take on starting stats (Tactician Mode) as well as alternatives to trickery cleric even including other classes. Level 12 for Rogue really isn't as valuable as level 11 and I plan to use the Hag's Hair for DEX 17 to 18 and then only one more Feat at level 4 to take it to 20 so the extra feat isn't that important to me.

Thanks!

[Detective Costeau]

I'm pretty sure you have to take a class at level 1 to get weapon and armor proficiencies, so there's that to remember.
Also remember you can only sneak attack with finesse weapons or ranged ones, so some of the weapon proficiencies will be less useful.
Honestly, I think a 1 level dip into wizard (maybe two if you want to get a school like Illusion or Enchantment to fit the theme) would probably support an Arcane trickster better, assuming you're not really attached to the divine aspect of the concept.

[LordNibbler]

I don't really see the sense neither in Trickster Rogue nor in Trickery Cleric.

At least use maybe War Domain Cleric for the +1 Bonus attack? (And of course the Assassin/Gloomstalker/Fighter combo is basically unmatched in terms of damage.) Only downside is the missing Reliable Talent... talent, but that'd only be really relevant with pick pocketing (and you can use a specialized hireling rogue for that)

Anyway, don't forget that you also can get a +2 Stat via the mirror, although that's quite late.

[Metallicus]

Originally posted by Detective Costeau:

I'm pretty sure you have to take a class at level 1 to get weapon and armor proficiencies, so there's that to remember.
Also remember you can only sneak attack with finesse weapons or ranged ones, so some of the weapon proficiencies will be less useful.
Honestly, I think a 1 level dip into wizard (maybe two if you want to get a school like Illusion or Enchantment to fit the theme) would probably support an Arcane trickster better, assuming you're not really attached to the divine aspect of the concept.

Clerics actually give their weapon and armor from a single level dip as those are given at your level 1 domain selection and not through class selection. You are correct about the weapons not working with sneak attack. They are simply an added bonus.

Wizard is another dip I am considering, but only 1 level because level 11 rogue give an additional sneak attack die and Reliable Talent which is amazing.

[Metallicus]

Originally posted by LordNibbler:

I don't really see the sense neither in Trickster Rogue nor in Trickery Cleric.

At least use maybe War Domain Cleric for the +1 Bonus attack? (And of course the Assassin/Gloomstalker/Fighter combo is basically unmatched in terms of damage.) Only downside is the missing Reliable Talent... talent, but that'd only be really relevant with pick pocketing (and you can use a specialized hireling rogue for that)

Anyway, don't forget that you also can get a +2 Stat via the mirror, although that's quite late.

My current playthrough is a Gloomstalker/Assassin. I was wanting to try a variation.

[LordNibbler]

Originally posted by Metallicus:

My current playthrough is a Gloomstalker/Assassin. I was wanting to try a variation.

I see - I did it the other way around and now the Trickster makes no sense to me; sorry :)

[1337_h4x0r_xXx_deathlord666_xXx]

First off: I'm currently mostly in a tt mindset, so not everything might apply to bg3...
I've not made a big secret that I'm not a big fan of multiclassing, though Cleric is one of the classes I'Ve used a dip in before. Biggest reason being that a single level in cleric gets you a lot of benefits, as they get their subclass on level 1 unlike most other classes.
Though with dex18/20 you might not necessarily want to use medium/heavy armor, as max dex bonus is +2 for medium armor, so you'll loose out on the extra +2/3 ac from dex or +4/5 if using heavy armor. At least on the tabletop, using anything higher then light armor as a high dex char usually isn't worth it.
Though I'm not that big of a fan of the trickery domain, even though it's thematically fitting. If already dipping thinking about the other sublasses might be worth it, though I have no brilliant idea there atm.
Most other classes require more then a single level dip, but the most popular choices are probably fighter for action surge, or ranger, especially if you go ranged rogue.
Bard might have some interesting options, though probably would need at least a 3 level dip to get the subclass. Maybe paired with valor bard? Just a thought, would have to think more about it...
Well, just some ramblings more or less, I hope you can draw something out of it, and I'm sure there will be better people chiming in.
I'm certainly not a min-maxer and usually just go by rp reasons mostly ;P

[Detective Costeau]

Worth remembering that there are actually two medium armor sets that let you apply your full dex bonus. They're in act 2 and 3, so you have to survive a while without them, but they would be a great option for a build like this.

[Apex Artist]

You can take a level of Cleric after level one and get the weapon and armor proficiencies. I typically do this using Tempest rather than Trickery Domain. Once you get stronger, you can always respec to get that 12th level, if that's important.

[lordmilier]

Originally posted by Detective Costeau:

Worth remembering that there are actually two medium armor sets that let you apply your full dex bonus. They're in act 2 and 3, so you have to survive a while without them, but they would be a great option for a build like this.

It is actually 4 medium armors that let you add full dex into AC https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Armour_of_Agility https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Yuan-Ti_Scale_Mail https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Unwanted_Masterwork_Scalemail https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Sharpened_Snare_Cuirass

[JP]

Unless you want to give sneak advantage for someone else in the party, I wouldn't bother with Trickery Cleric dip.

Arcane Trickster uses INT for casting spells so maybe rise INT instead or take Wizard level for spell access or Fighter level since Fighter uses INT for casting as well. In BG3 what class you take last in order determines what ability is used for casting spells. So taking Cleric after Rogue gives you WIS as the casting modifier instead of INT.

[Spiral_Architect]

There may be another specific reason you want trick domain from the cleric, but from those listed war domain will include them and add turning a bonus action into an additional action 3 times per long rest.

[Spiral_Architect]

Originally posted by JP:

Unless you want to give sneak advantage for someone else in the party, I wouldn't bother with Trickery Cleric dip.

Arcane Trickster uses INT for casting spells so maybe rise INT instead or take Wizard level for spell access or Fighter level since Fighter uses INT for casting as well. In BG3 what class you take last in order determines what ability is used for casting spells. So taking Cleric after Rogue gives you WIS as the casting modifier instead of INT.

Good point to bring to this. I have an idea why cleric and there may be more considerations for the OP such as certain gear intended for a companion. I would take wizard for a number of other reasons. But if the OP's cleric want list is strong enough, cleric should be taken as level one for this very reason. Even if you plan on timing it where the next rogue level would grant a spell level.

[jonnin]

RP and theme aside, the cleric level does you no favors. The problem with rogue is that they get so very little... anyone with dex and the skill can pop locks and traps, so that is gone, same for picking pockets. It barely matters for any of the rogue-like elements of the class. That leaves sneak attack as your # 1 thing to bring to the table, and that is a strong thing but to make it pay you need many attacks per round, and that implies weird dips like 1 level of monk or mixing with barbarian frenzy style. You need to keep the no-sneak-attack-dice levels low, so dipping 5 levels for one attack is not so hot; this is why the 1 level of monk is a great pick. The barbarian idea only gets you a couple of uses of rage, so while it works, its not as good as the constant flurry of blows. Even though sneak attack brings the damage of at least 1, if not 2 extra attacks with it, having less than 4 (unbuffed) attacks per round is still a liability on harder settings.

[FunkyMonkey]

Originally posted by Metallicus:

I am wanting to try a rogue, but was thinking of dipping one level into Trickery Domain Cleric for the Armor, Weapons, Guidance etc. I am planning on being a Arcane Trickster with Trickery domain for a very thematic character.

I am interested in everyone's take on starting stats (Tactician Mode) as well as alternatives to trickery cleric even including other classes. Level 12 for Rogue really isn't as valuable as level 11 and I plan to use the Hag's Hair for DEX 17 to 18 and then only one more Feat at level 4 to take it to 20 so the extra feat isn't that important to me.

Thanks!

I usually run Shadowheart as Arcane trickster 8 / Trickery cleric 4 and I can say that this combination is very fun. You end up with a character that is very versatile in terms of support and utility with little bit of damage.

If you only want one level dip, I would consider stats as something like this:
10 / 17 / 14 / 10 / 14 / 10. 14 WIS is not enough to give you good DC or chance to hit but it gives you more prepared spells.