owlmoose: (da - fenris)
KJ ([personal profile] owlmoose) wrote2020-03-22 11:27 am
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D&D Advice?

Okay so a friend is starting in a D&D campaign online and I'm *ridiculously* excited. But I haven't done any sort of tabletop RPG in many many years, and for D&D it's probably been more like 25. Thanks to Critical Role, I've had a long-running refresher course on mechanics, but that doesn't help with character creation. So I have a question.

As I've been thinking about it, I've become enamored of running a glass cannon -- deals lots of damage, but pretty squishy (right now, her CON score is 8). I don't think jumping in with a full-blown mage is a good idea; my original thought was to run an Eldritch Knight (Fighter with a little magic), but then I wondered if an Arcane Trickster (Rogue with a little magic) might work in terms of staying out of the line of fire (ability to hide, disengage, hit hard with sneak attack, etc.). We're starting at Level 5, so she'll already have some magic and other skills.

First, is this idea completely ludicrous? Is Mallory just going to die right off? Especially given that the party has no cleric (we do have a druid).

Second, if I do run with it, which direction makes more sense: fighter or rogue? I can make either work in terms of the personality and backstory I've already developed. (Mallory is a half-elf; she grew up with her elven mother on the outskirts of an elven town, left home young to go adventuring with her aunt Devan -- who is basically the ranger I played in my last D&D campaign :) -- then split off from her when she developed an interest in learning more magic, which is how she ended up in the place where she'll meet the rest of her party.) There's already a fighter in the party, but a very different type of fighter. Still, party balance suggests rogue, but will a rogue deal enough damage to be worth the squish factor?

All thoughts welcome!
schneefink: from the CR animated intro: hooded DM figure with glowing dice in front of them (CR DM)

[personal profile] schneefink 2020-03-22 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
The problem with glass cannons is that there's always a risk that they're going to die early - I'd definitely invest in magical protection and healing! I've never played a rogue (and never played 5e at all), but afaik especially for rogues how much damage they can do depends a lot on how well their party works together. I'm sure there are ways to give them plenty of firepower :)
Have fun!
such_heights: amy and rory looking at a pile of post (Default)

[personal profile] such_heights 2020-03-22 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I play a glass cannon in my first and current campaign with my half-elf sorcerer. Because I do all my damage from far away it usually works out okay. I think sorcerer is in some ways the easiest spellcaster class to get your head around because you have a fairly limited repertoire of spells with options available in how you cast them.

I think a squishy fighter would be hard to pull off and would limit your choices if you weren't able to get up in melee combatant or potentially take advantage of some of the class's most useful skills. Rogue seems more doable but you run the risk of being easily taken out if you're the one leading the group, picking locks etc.
singedsun: cate blanchett in a pink suit and sunglasses (Default)

[personal profile] singedsun 2020-03-22 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Glass Cannons can be great, if your party is good then they'll help protect you as much as possible. Invest early and often in spells of protection that'll keep you from taking large amounts of damage and make sure to stick next to your clerics so if you need healing they don't have to move far to get to you. They're always a risk, but typically as long as you're not running head first into battle, you'll be okay.
writinwater: (roll the die)

[personal profile] writinwater 2020-03-23 10:35 am (UTC)(link)
Oh oh! I can help with this. I actually play a level 7 arcane trickster in 5e. She is a wood elf so I have proficiency with a bow. I just stand way back and deal lots of sneak attack damage. With disengage, hide, tons of movement, and high Dex (which means good AC) I almost never get hit. I think your survivability is decent. The magic elements add extra fun too. I've really been enjoying the class. Let me know if you have any questions!
lassarina: (Default)

[personal profile] lassarina 2020-03-24 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
I've not played much D&D so I cannot offer system-specific helpful advice, but I would agree that party cooperation and protection is key in general!