Rogue | Character classes Sword Coast Legends Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Rogue is one of the character classes available in Sword Coast Legends. This class is qualified in quickly eliminating enemies while constantly remaining hidden. The rogue is dealing the highest damage of all available classes, but his resistance factor is not high enough. When playing as rogue, you must consider that one wrong move might end tragically. Playing as rogue is based on few principles:
Exploration depends on you - Rogues are qualified in disarming traps. Because of that, it is natural for rogue to search the territory and lead the whole team through long corridors of unfriendly caves and catacombs. Invest in maximum level of Search ability, this will help you in finding secrets and traps scattered across the world.
Light armors and daggers are your equipment - Wear only light armors. Their bonuses are mostly assigned to rogue. Light armors does not limit your character's movement, it is the base of moving in hiding. Your weapons should be daggers with high dexterity factor. Later in the game you can switch to a short sword (Torga's Pyre). If you don't have daggers, you can use short daggers or rapiers.
Armor only for increasing damage - Rogue is a killing machine that is falling apart after the wind blows slightly stronger. Use it to increase the damage even more. If you think that you don't have enough elements resistance during battle, drink potions that will increase it instead of investing in equipment with that bonus. Instead of damage (dexterity bonus), you can put on equipment that will reduce the loading time of abilities. Since the strongest skills are reloading for very long, invest in two-three items that will provide you with such bonus.
Dirty combat is your domain - When playing as rogue, you should use trickery instead of plain strength and constitution. You must be constantly moving, the only time you should stop is when you're behind enemy back, preparing to stab him in his back. Such attack will deal huge critical damage which is the key point of the whole battle. Your character will be the most important when it comes to dealing damage. Of course, it doesn't apply to every battle. Bosses and qualified assassins can notice you even if you are in hiding. If that happens, return to your position - close to the cleric - and wait for the hide skill to reload.
First, eliminate the lesser armored enemies - Eliminating wizards and other rogues should be the priority for this class. You must walk deeply behind enemy line and decimate his forces while the rest of the team is fighting on the frontline. It's a very risky but very profitable action. If the rogue will die behind enemy lines, neither the cleric nor any other character will be able to resurrect him, so it is very important to have large numbers of Potion of Self Resurrection, which returns the unconscious party member to combat.
Character development
When advancing to next level, try to maximize your dexterity. This factor is responsible for dealing damage in case of rogues. As for the skills, below you will find a description of one of many combinations available in the game:
Scoundrel
Hide | You hide behind enemy. After walking out of hiding, the character receives a bonus to critical hits. The fourth level gives you maximum effect. This ability makes Rogue a killing machine. Low reload time of the skill allows you to constantly remain hidden and deal critical damage to enemies that are unaware of your presence. |
Sneak Attack | A passive skill. This skill adds additional piercing damage. If you perform an attack from hiding, the damage automatically becomes a critical damage. Level four is required for maximum effect. |
Knave's Gambit | An ability that must be turned on. It greatly increases the chance for performing a critical hit. The disadvantage of the ability is reduction of the armor class. Third level for maximum effect. |
Assassin
Hidden Dagger | You throw the dagger at enemy and deal small amount of damage. This ability greatly increases the loading time of enemy abilities if he is hit by it. Level four for maximum effect. |
Endanger | You attack weak point of the enemy with the dagger, dealing great amount of damage. This skill also greatly reduces the resistance to slashing and piercing attacks. Level four for maximum damage and weakening effect. |
Deathstrike* | The strongest ability of the rogue. If enemy doesn't have enough constitution, the ability will deal few times more damage to him. Level four required for maximum effect. |
Misty Step | You teleport behind enemy back and deal small amount of damage. |
Game style
After reaching a certain experience level, the game style will be based on the "hit and run" principle. Your basic ability will be Hide. On fourth level you will unlock a large boost to critical hit chance, making your character a typical assassin.
If you're fighting weak enemies, don't waste skills such as Endanger or Deathstrike. They have very long reload times and it is a waste to use them against enemies that will drop dead after one or two backstabs. Instead of that, try using Hide skill to walk the enemies from behind and simply hit them. With the Knave's gambit skill, this will guarantee you a critical hit that will greatly reduce the health of the enemy.
If you're fighting bosses and elite opponents, start with using the Hide ability. Just as you get behind the enemy, use the Endanger skill. This will not only hit the enemy with a critical attack that will deal large amounts of damage, but will apply weakness needed during the next attack as well. Once the attack is successful, use the Misty Step skill to escape to safe distance and wait for the Hide to reload. Once it is ready, activate the hiding, sneak up on the enemy and hit him with Deathstrike. If the boss doesn't have enough constitution, the damage you deal will greatly reduce his health (depending on equipment and the dexterity of character, the damage can range from 200 to 400).
Remember about using offensive and defensive buffs before each attack. Such synergy of whole party is required when fighting bosses and elite opponents. Not only will it maximize your damage, but will also increase the defense, lowering the damage you might receive.
Equipment
Rogue is mostly using daggers, but you can also equip him with short swords and rapiers. Clan Solar'el Dagger is a perfect weapon, it can be obtained by finding three pieces of the legendary dagger and then forging it at the blacksmith. Second weapon can be Torga's Pyre. It's a legendary short sword which deals massive piercing damage and has a bonus that deals large fire damage. However, this weapon isn't effective against bosses and elite enemies which have immunity and resistance to fire.
As for the jewelry, find one that gives you bonus to dexterity. Using items that boost your ability reload speed is a good idea as well.
The rest of the equipment should be similar. Aim in having as much dexterity as possible. Drahkar Boots are the perfect item for your legs, it can be found at the corpse of Drakhar in Evermoors. Honorary Dead Rat Tunic is a good armor, you receive it for completing the Dead Rat Revival side quest.