13th Age Character Builds: Assassin Rogue

ROGUE

By ASH LAW

Rogue Overview

The 13th Age rogue is a team player, using allies to help them gain sneak attack bonuses.

Rogues have a lot to track—momentum (a binary state, do you have it or not?), sneak attack bonuses, and complicated class talents make this class one for the pros (or for beginners who don’t mind a challenge).

The rogue has three class features. You gain momentum when you hit an enemy with an attack, lose it when you are hit, and some powers require you to have momentum or spend momentum. Secondly there is sneak attack bonus damage. Thirdly is a reroll on failed skill checks to find traps.

You should also note that for rogues, daggers and the like use d8s for damage instead of d4s.

Assassin Rogue

Download the Assassin Rogue character sheets here.

This rogue build revolves around making maximum use of sneak attacks and shadow walking, together with powers that improve damage output. Use deadly thrust on staggered enemies, evasive strike to get out of trouble and gain momentum, sure cut to deal maximum damage, and flying blade against ranged enemies. Bleeding strike and cruel let you deal lots of ongoing damage.

This character benefits from backgrounds relating to being sneaky, getting into places, and perhaps disguises. If you fancy playing a mysterious character with a deep hood and a love of poisons, this one’s for you.

Talents

Improved Sneak Attack

Your sneak attack bonus damage increases, and with the feats you’ll sneak attack more often.

Shadow Walk

Disappear, only to reappear later and deal double damage. Note that if you crit after shadow walking you deal x3 damage, not x4 damage.

Murderous

Your crit range against staggered enemies expands by 2, perfect for an assassin who appears from nowhere to finish enemies off with decisive attacks.

Race

Dark elves with their bonus to Dexterity or Charisma and their cruel racial power work well thematically with the assassin concept.

Attributes

Dexterity and Charisma are important, but Dexterity more so: Str 9 (-1) Con 12 (+1) Dex 19 (+4) Int 8 (-1) Wis 10 (0) Cha 17 (+3).

1st level

Attributes: Str 9 (-1) Con 12 (+1) Dex 19 (+4) Int 8 (-1) Wis 10 (0) Cha 17 (+3).

Racial Power: cruel

Talents: improved sneak attack, shadow walk, murderous

Feats: sneak attack

Powers: evasive strike, deadly thrust, sure cut, flying blade

2nd level

Powers (evasive strike, deadly thrust, sure cut, flying blade, roll with it), new racial feat (shadow walk).

3rd level

Powers (evasive strike, deadly thrust, sure cut, flying blade, roll with it), new feat (improved sneak attack).

4th level

+1 to three attributes (Constitution, Dexterity, Charisma), powers (evasive strike, deadly thrust, sure cut, flying blade, bleeding strike, roll with it), new feat (bleeding strike).

5th level

Powers (evasive strike, deadly thrust, sure cut, flying blade, bleeding strike, roll with it), new feat (improved sneak attack).

6th level

Powers (evasive strike, deadly thrust, sure cut, flying blade, bleeding strike, spiky bastard, roll with it), new feat (sneak attack).

7th level

+1 to three attributes (Constitution, Dexterity, Charisma), powers (evasive strike, deadly thrust, sure cut, flying blade, bleeding strike, spiky bastard, roll with it), new feat (improved initiative).

8th level

Powers (evasive strike, deadly thrust, sure cut, flying blade, bleeding strike, spiky bastard, assassin’s gambit, roll with it), new feat (sneak attack).

9th level

Powers (evasive strike, deadly thrust, sure cut, flying blade, bleeding strike, spiky bastard, assassin’s gambit, roll with it), new feat (improved sneak attack).

10th level

+1 to three attributes (Strength, Dexterity, Charisma), powers (evasive strike, deadly thrust, sure cut, flying blade, bleeding strike, spiky bastard, assassin’s gambit, death’s twin, roll with it), new feat (assassin’s gambit).

Leave a Reply

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies.