Finding alternatives to rogues in campaigns

Question

In a nutshell, I'm looking to join a game, but it seems that the type of character that I play often (rogue), has been done by everyone else in the group. Are their any other classes or sub-classes that would be a good fit for someone that usually plays rogue type players?

EDIT: To elaborate on what I enjoy about the role, mainly the way that you dont' need to be relying on strength or magic to survive, but by guile, deceit, and striking when the opportunity presents themselves. Plus they're easier I find to play more evil/neutral characters, which is a great change of pace (if I do other classes, I'm usually in the good realm, albeit chaotic

Answer 1

You may also enjoy a Bard.

Though they are often dismissed in 3.5, Bards can actually do some pretty awesome stuff.

I planned out a sneaky/trickster Bard for a campaign that never happened:

• His spell choices were illusion magic, grease, expeditious retreat, etc. Almost all spells could be used to avoid or escape direct combat. And if it was inevitable, you could always drop a grease slick between you and fire arrows while they slid around.

• He had a short sword and a bow, and wore light armor. As a side note, I believe Bards suffer no spell failure penalty due to light armor!

• His skills were sneak, search, listen, etc.

The music component isn't all there is to Bards :) .

Answer 2

Reading your description it sounds like you are interested in playing certain personality traits more so than the specific rogue skills and abilities. My advice is to play any class you want, giving your character those mannerisms you enjoy.

• Instead of the fighter with 18 strength, a greatsword and platemail consider playing one whose highest stat is dexterity, wears leather armor and likes throwing daggers from the shadows.

• Instead of a wizard who throws fireballs and summons demons play a wizard who uses invisibility, silence, sleep, etc to achieve his goals.

• Skip the lawful-stupid paladin stereotype and play a weak one that became a paladin after growing up in the underbelly of a large city. He wants to fix the injustices he saw but knows that kicking in doors and telling the full, unadulterated truth will get him nowhere. So he relies on white lies and watching from shadows, waiting for the right time to bring down evil, constantly walking a fine line between the ideals he swore to uphold as a paladin and the real world that he's required to live in.

In short, craft a background for your character that suits what you enjoy playing. There's no need to constrain yourself to one or two classes for that, as any class can support any personality.

Answer 3

Factotum or Binder

The factotum is even more a "jack of all trades" than a rogue. While less "sneak attacky" than a rogue, they can play in much the same way and are even better at skills. They're a very acceptable complement to rogues, being able to be a generalist to cover any skill-gaps the rogues leave.

Binder is a strange bird. But the remarkable versatility of some binds can present a "similar circumvent the challenge" mechanic. Their main appeal, to me, is the ability to say "I'm going to play an X" today, and generally be able to pull it off. That way, you can cover the holes that appear in your party's composition as the situation merits, also evoking the "jack of all trades" elements of a rogue. Malphas in particular, makes most rogues [redacted] with envy. It's an incredible complement to a rogue party for its scouting capabilities. You, quite literally, have your own UAV to fly around. Naberius is fantastic for the "I'm going to be talky today." and the disguise self capabilities enable incredibly fun bluff based sneaks. It is a non-trivially complex class, though. Make sure to read the handbook before jumping in. If you were going roguish-binder, I'd dip my first level in rogue or factotum for the skills (and then grab Able Learner) Illumians also present a fantastic synergy, as they have dialable synergies as well.

Leave a comment if you were looking for other domains that the rogue enjoys, and I'll add to this post based on the requirements you describe.

Answer 4

As someone who often played Rogues or Assassins, whenever that roll was not available, or I felt tired of it, I played a Ranger or a Monk. If I wish to purposefully focus my attention on diplomacy or bluff skill, I might pick a bard.

Answer 5

If you like a"sneaky" character, but not a rogue, i would say that the Complete Scoundrel is the book for you. It has PrCs, character options, feats and skill tricks for every class, but looking at these classes from another point of view, that of some one that relies on his cunning and his skills rather than his strength or his spellcasting. From fighters to clerics and monks to wizards and sorcerers, this book will have something for you i believe.