Master the Rogue in Pillars of Eternity

AntMag.NET

Rogues excel at subterfuge and striking from the shadows, prioritizing speed and precision over brute force. They are classified as Strikers and have high Accuracy, making them potent damage dealers when positioned correctly.

Primary Attributes: Might, Perception, Dexterity, Intellect

Key Characteristics:

Endurance: 36 + 12 / level (Medium)
Health: 4 x Endurance (Low)
Accuracy: 30 + 3 / level (Very High)
Deflection: 15 + 3 / level (Low)
Defensive Skills: Fortitude / Reflex / Will: 20 + 3 / level
Skill Bonuses: +2 Mechanics, +1 Stealth

Playing a Rogue

The core of a Rogue's build is speed, achieved through dual-wielding and the Two Weapon Style talent for a significant Attack Speed boost. High Perception complements their already high Accuracy. While Might contributes to bonus damage through Sneak Attacks, Intellect is less critical, primarily serving to extend the duration of invisibility effects. Avoid investing heavily in Intellect, as the focus is on setting up Sneak Attacks rather than prolonged debuffs.

Be cautious of the Backstab talent at level 2, as the time spent positioning for it might be better used for normal attacks that still benefit from Sneak Attack. A reliable invisibility source becomes available at level 4, but consider the talent cost versus its limited uses.

The Hearth Orlan race offers a slight advantage due to its Minor Threat talent, which can increase critical hit chance, beneficial for Rogues who rely on flanking.

Survivability is a secondary concern, as Rogues are inherently fragile. While they lack the defensive abilities of other classes, they possess skills to disengage and reposition. Combat as a Rogue is a high-risk, high-reward endeavor.

Building a Rogue is relatively straightforward, with talents like Deathblows being almost mandatory. Variations often come down to personal preference, such as Veteran's Recovery for self-healing or Outlander's Frenzy for more Attack Speed. Rogues are also ideal for unlocking the Relative Pacifism trophy due to their high Stealth and invisibility capabilities, allowing for encounter avoidance.

Rogue Abilities

Sneak Attack

Usage: Passive
Requires: Acquired automatically at level 1
Effect: Rogues' melee and ranged attacks inflict +50% damage during the first 2s of combat and when the target is Blinded, Flanked, Hobbled, Paralyzed, Petrified, Prone, Stuck, Stunned, or Weakened.

Blinding Strike

Usage: 1 / encounter
Speed: Average
Area of Effect: Target
Accuracy: +0 vs. Deflection / Reflex
Duration: 10s
Effect: Inflicts +25% damage and may Blind the target for 10s.

Crippling Strike

Usage: 2 / encounter
Speed: Average
Area of Effect: Target
Accuracy: +0 vs. Deflection / Fortitude
Duration: 10s
Effect: Inflicts +25% damage and may Hobble the target for 10s.

Dirty Fighting

Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 3
Effect: Grants +10% hit to critical conversion. Upgraded by Vicious Fighting.

Escape

Usage: 1 / encounter
Speed: Fast
Range: 8m
Area of Effect: Caster
Duration: 10s
Effect: Breaks engagement, moves up to 8m, does not provoke a Disengagement Attack, and grants +25 Deflection and +25 Reflex for 10s.

Reckless Assault

Usage: Modal
Requires: Level 3
Speed: Instant
Area of Effect: Caster
Effect: Grants -8 Deflection, +8 Accuracy, and +20% melee damage. Can be partially offset by Deflecting Assault or Superior Deflection talents.

Deep Wounds

Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 5
Duration: 10s
Effect: Weapon attacks add +3 Raw damage every 3s for 10s.

Finishing Blow

Usage: 2 / rest
Speed: Average
Area of Effect: Target
Accuracy: +5 vs. Deflection
Effect: Inflicts +50% damage. Deals an additional +3% damage for each percentage point below 50% Endurance (boosted by Devastating Blow talent).

Riposte

Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 5
Effect: Chance to counterattack when an attack targeting Deflection misses or grazes (+20% for miss, +30% for graze).

Adept Evasion

Usage: Passive
Requires: Level 7
Effect: For attacks targeting Reflex, grants +50% hit to graze and +75% graze to miss conversion.

Coordinated Positioning

Usage: 2 / encounter
Requires: Level 7
Speed: Fast
Range: 4m
Area of Effect: Target
Accuracy: +0 vs. Reflex (foe)
Effect: Swaps places with an ally or foe up to 4m away. Swapping with a foe requires a Reflex roll. Breaks engagement and does not provoke a Disengagement Attack.