D&D 4E The Quest to use the Half-Elf's Dilettante (4e spoilers)

[Stalker0]

Like several people, my first glimpse of the Half-Elf was a bit underwhelming. I think think it had the hootsfah to carry along with the other classes. But I thought, well let's take it through its paces and see what it can do.

My first attempt: I'm making a charismatic half-elf rogue. So big dex and big charisma are my mainstays, and I wanted to try and find something that goes along with it.

Cleric: All strength and wisdom powers, no go.
Fighter: All strength, no go.

Paladin: Alright, lets see what we got.
Bolstering Strike: It could be useful if I also have a high wisdom, but since my charisma covers my will defense I doubt I will have a very high wisdom.
Enfeebling Strike: I don't have any marking ability, so for the most part that's out. However, I could combine this with a paladin multiclass feat, let's me mark and enfeeble a target. Not a bad idea, but I'm not going to multiclass. The other two paladin powers are strength based.

Ranger: A dex based class, should find some goodies in here.

Careful Attack: I'll be honest, I think this is one of the crappiest at-wills in the game. In DDXP, this thing took away your dex mod to damage and added it in again to attack (or at least it appeared to). That was pretty significant. Now I'm giving up 4 damage (with an 18 dex) to gain a +2 to attack rolls. Not worth it for the ranger imo, and certainly not for me.
Nimble Strike: Its one I can use well to setup a sneak attack and get away, but I can only use it with a ranged attack, so I'll have to have my crossbow ready.
Twin Strike: This one is really disappointing to me. As a rogue, TWF could work pretty well. I'm not using a shield, and I like light weapons anyway, so why not TWF? But in melee I'd have to use strength to attack with, which is NOT what I want to do. I could attack twice with my crossbow and....oh wait, once again I lose my dex bonus to damage. And I can't sneak attack twice in the same round anyway. I think I'll pass.....in fact I think I'll never play a ranger, so far worst at-wills in the game.

Warlock.
Eldritch Blast: A bit more extra damage than my crossbow, and vs reflex, which normally I woudn't have. I'll add that one to the list.
Eyebite: This is the gem. Rogue + invisible instantly equals a good idea. My top choice right now.

Warlord:
Wolf Pack Tactics: At first this one seems like a no. Its a strength based attack afterall. However, if I can use it to get flanking, I would get a +2, which might make up for it. AND I GET SNEAK ATTACK. While not the most obvious choice, one I'll keep an eye on.
Furious Smash: Another strength attack, but at least its vs fort. And I can add my charisma bonus to another person's attack and damage.

Wizard: All int and wisdom, nothing for me.
So on my first run through, in general there aren't a lot of pickings, but there are a few gems in their. I think with just a little bit of strength sprinkled in, the warlord ones could be worth it. But other than that, I think its eyebite all the way.

 

[Incenjucar]

What about the wizard abilities?

Having a fiery AOE is a useful thing on several levels.

 

[-Avalon-]

I agree...

Eyebite... Rogue + Invis = Gem!

 

[Bold or Stupid]

EYE BITE

For a rouge it good enough to be an at-will. Damage and invisible to them. My first rogue is so going to be a half elf with eyebite.

In case you missed it, stop looking for other powers and take Eye Bite.

The message sponsored by Fae Pacts for All.

 

[Stalker0]

Running through that first list made me think, seems like a lot of strength powers to be had for those who will take them!! So let's try a strength based rogue with half-elf and see what we get. I'm losing out on my racial bonus to charisma somewhat, though I could use it for will defense.

Cleric:
Priest's Shield: I and a buddy get +1 to AC for a round. Not that fancy, but its something.
Righteous Brand: I get an attack and help a buddy get a big bonus. For a more helpful rogue, that's an option.

Fighter: Pretty much the fighter powers are great if you get to do them often, but none of them are good 1/encounter abilities, except maybe tide of iron, but no shield for this rogue.

Paladin:
Holy Strike: No mark, no bonus, no thank you unless the campaign is undead heavy, then I might consider it.
Valiant Strike: The big question on this one is, is it better than my rogue's piercing strike? I can do a dex attack vs reflex, or an upgraded strength attack vs AC. In general, AC tends to have +3 or 4 more than reflex, so I think in the long run its not worth it.

Ranger:
Hit and Run: This one is not bad for any striker. I sneak attack, and I get to leave.
Twin Strike: I could do this with TWF if I wanted to, but I'm losing a lot of damage. The big thing would be how often could I sneak attack two opponents on the same turn. If that's possible, this could be a lot more useful.

Warlock: Nothing this time on the warlock list.

Warlord:
Wolf Pack Tactics is looking a lot better now. Definately one to consider.

 

[rhm001]

I think it probably depends on the party. If you have another rogue or a melee cleric or two big defenders, I think Wolf Pack Tactics is a strong candidate for the positioning value. (Actually, I'd also be a fan of the inverse: a Warlord with the Rogue multiclass feat can position the party rogue AND get sneak attack damage of his own on the first attack. If he happens to be a halfling, he's got a reason to be using a shortsword anyway...)

If you have a lower number of people, or party members who want to spend time attacking from range, Eyebite seems like the best bet.

Edit: Yes, especially if you're looking at a Str rogue.

 

[jasin]

Note that you're invisible only until the start of your next turn, so no sneak attacks unless you spend action points.

 

[Charwoman Gene]

I think think it had the hootsfah to

I didn't think it was possible to be that goy and still try to use yiddish words. Takes a lot of chutzpah to do that. I like the weird symmetry then. At least you didn't pronounce it "Chuts-Pah"

I still think D&D Charisma should be relabled "Chutzpah"

 

[Kraydak]

Note that you're invisible only until the start of your next turn, so no sneak attacks unless you spend action points.

This. Eyebite is a trap for rogues: it nets you AoOless movement, something rogues already have in spades. Twin Attacks is good, take that instead. Or do the right thing and don't play a Half-Elf.

 

[Metus]

I'm kind of in the same boat as the OP; I'm making a half-elf warlock, and am having a tough time picking an at-will. However, while eyebite might be good for the rogue, I can't really see anything that stands out for the warlock, especially with a Con & Cha focus.

Anyone have any ideas?