Mastermind from the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide is my favourite archetype because of the focus on not just Charisma-based skillsets but also just aiding your allies, both in and out of combat (Help as a bonus action, Help at 30 feet rather than 5 feet when using Help on an ally's attack) and the ability to get your foes hit by their own allies' ranged attacks when you're in melee with them, I really like the flavour of it as well as the way they mechanically represent it all.
But the best? I don't know the answer to that. Mastermind is just my favourite.
Arcane Trickster is the best. I feel like all of the utility that comes from all the other archetypes other than the assassin's assassinate and the swashbuckler's abilities can be achieved to greater effect with spells.
I like the vanilla feel of the Thief. But I never played as a mastermind and after reading the things above I went to check it out and... well, it gave me some good ideas.
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I have typically played assassins but that is because I am just getting back into playing and hadn't seen the Mastermind and Swashbuckler at the time. I feel the winds of change.
Loving that the first five replies here each list the five different official archetypes. Rogue is awesome.
I don't know which is the best archetype as you can measure it in different ways, but I favour the Mastermind. Both because of the role-play flavour and the fun mechanics - guile over action. And the hilarity of explaining some of your Help bonus actions.
After playing as a Rogue Assassin for a few weeks, I received the Sword Coast Guide as a gift, and instantly fell in love with the Swashbuckler. Luckily my DM let me switch, and it has been awesome. As a Rogue with high CHA, my Initiative went up to +9, I'm able to use Sneak Attack virtually all the time, and I get to disengage as a freebie. It fit my character much better than a brooding killer, which was another motivation behind the switch.
It fit really well with the character I had already chosen for my Rogue, and I think that's why it is so great. Don't go with the archetype that you think is "mechanically best." Come up with a good story and a well rounded character first, and then you'll find the one that fits you best.
Don't go with the archetype that you think is "mechanically best." Come up with a good story and a well rounded character first, and then you'll find the one that fits you.
I am going with Arcane Trickster this week. It is my first time playing a rogue and I think A.T. will fit my background and character details the best. I am a forest gnome urchin with a pet rat who likes to pickpockets and steal. Hopefully A.T. and mage hand will help out with that.
Agree, they're all great, depending on your playstyle preferences. My current fav is Arcane Trickster, where the arcane is merely the tool, and the trickster is the trade ;)
Personal favorite is gonna be Swashbuckler, mostly for their Level 9 ability Panache. It just opens so many doors and its so versatile! Its like the spell Friends without the bad repercussions!
Personal favorite is gonna be Swashbuckler, mostly for their Level 9 ability Panache. It just opens so many doors and its so versatile! Its like the spell Friends without the bad repercussions!
It feels like it could be a Mastermind ability lmao
why not add a poll for us OP? It's up in the tool button on the upper right hand side of the screen.
I'm having trouble deciding- thieves can be surprisingly strong if you pack the right items, Swashbucklers can off-tank which i love doing, arcane tricksters are also really cool and I'd much rather play the scout than an actual ranger.
Just about to start in a new campaign. I had an idea for a charactor and after fleshing out the backstory Swashbuckler fit the bill perfectly. Dont know if its the best but it sure looks to give awesome RP opportunities.
My next character is going to be a Swashbuckler. It fits the idea of a pirate build i wanted before the SCAG came out. Lots of inspiration from watching Black Sails. The PC's bond will definately be a ship which will double as a mobile base for the party. Just need to convince the group to play more sea based adventures.
having played all the archetype I can't say that there is one that is better than the other but my current favorite, being the one i'm currently playing, is assassin. I have a Kenku Assassin who at one point heard the mayor of a town say "All will be well". So now when ever he sees the target he has chosen, he lets out a Crow's Caw (he did this before he killed said mayor), and as he goes in for the kill, he whispers into the targets ear "All will be well". when it comes down to it, the role-play aspect is what i most thoroughly enjoy about D&D. Both as a DM and a player
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I'm wondering which roguish archetype is the best in your opinion and why?
... Hello!
Mastermind from the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide is my favourite archetype because of the focus on not just Charisma-based skillsets but also just aiding your allies, both in and out of combat (Help as a bonus action, Help at 30 feet rather than 5 feet when using Help on an ally's attack) and the ability to get your foes hit by their own allies' ranged attacks when you're in melee with them, I really like the flavour of it as well as the way they mechanically represent it all.
But the best? I don't know the answer to that. Mastermind is just my favourite.
I'm a big fan of the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide's Swashbuckler
Arcane Trickster is the best. I feel like all of the utility that comes from all the other archetypes other than the assassin's assassinate and the swashbuckler's abilities can be achieved to greater effect with spells.
I like the vanilla feel of the Thief. But I never played as a mastermind and after reading the things above I went to check it out and... well, it gave me some good ideas.
I have typically played assassins but that is because I am just getting back into playing and hadn't seen the Mastermind and Swashbuckler at the time. I feel the winds of change.
Loving that the first five replies here each list the five different official archetypes. Rogue is awesome.
I don't know which is the best archetype as you can measure it in different ways, but I favour the Mastermind. Both because of the role-play flavour and the fun mechanics - guile over action. And the hilarity of explaining some of your Help bonus actions.
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My homebrew: [Subclasses] [Races] [Feats] [Discussion Thread]
After playing as a Rogue Assassin for a few weeks, I received the Sword Coast Guide as a gift, and instantly fell in love with the Swashbuckler. Luckily my DM let me switch, and it has been awesome. As a Rogue with high CHA, my Initiative went up to +9, I'm able to use Sneak Attack virtually all the time, and I get to disengage as a freebie. It fit my character much better than a brooding killer, which was another motivation behind the switch.
It fit really well with the character I had already chosen for my Rogue, and I think that's why it is so great. Don't go with the archetype that you think is "mechanically best." Come up with a good story and a well rounded character first, and then you'll find the one that fits you best.
PBP: DM of Titans of Tomorrow
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PBP: Cor'avin in Tomb of Annihilation
Site Rules & Guidelines - Please feel free to message a moderator if you have any concerns.
My homebrew: [Subclasses] [Races] [Feats] [Discussion Thread]
I am going with Arcane Trickster this week. It is my first time playing a rogue and I think A.T. will fit my background and character details the best. I am a forest gnome urchin with a pet rat who likes to pickpockets and steal. Hopefully A.T. and mage hand will help out with that.
Agree, they're all great, depending on your playstyle preferences. My current fav is Arcane Trickster, where the arcane is merely the tool, and the trickster is the trade ;)
Personal favorite is gonna be Swashbuckler, mostly for their Level 9 ability Panache. It just opens so many doors and its so versatile! Its like the spell Friends without the bad repercussions!
why not add a poll for us OP? It's up in the tool button on the upper right hand side of the screen.
I'm having trouble deciding- thieves can be surprisingly strong if you pack the right items, Swashbucklers can off-tank which i love doing, arcane tricksters are also really cool and I'd much rather play the scout than an actual ranger.
Making a poll for it
... Hello!
That Mastermind 100%.
(For now.)
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My homebrew: [Subclasses] [Races] [Feats] [Discussion Thread]
My first ever character was an arcane trickster, and I love it. It's a great opportunity to be a rogue, but also get some spells under your belt.
Just about to start in a new campaign. I had an idea for a charactor and after fleshing out the backstory Swashbuckler fit the bill perfectly. Dont know if its the best but it sure looks to give awesome RP opportunities.
My next character is going to be a Swashbuckler. It fits the idea of a pirate build i wanted before the SCAG came out. Lots of inspiration from watching Black Sails. The PC's bond will definately be a ship which will double as a mobile base for the party. Just need to convince the group to play more sea based adventures.
having played all the archetype I can't say that there is one that is better than the other but my current favorite, being the one i'm currently playing, is assassin. I have a Kenku Assassin who at one point heard the mayor of a town say "All will be well". So now when ever he sees the target he has chosen, he lets out a Crow's Caw (he did this before he killed said mayor), and as he goes in for the kill, he whispers into the targets ear "All will be well". when it comes down to it, the role-play aspect is what i most thoroughly enjoy about D&D. Both as a DM and a player
Its all about having fun!