S&W Core Thief/Rogue

[Mike]

Hi folks,

I'm looking for a Core or WB thief/rogue type character that I can bolt on to my game.

Can you point me in the right direction?

Cheers

[norse]

Check out knockspell 2. Got about 4 different ones you can try.e

[foxroe]

The S&W Core thief is presented in two flavors in the appendix of the print-only version of the rules. The first flavor is traditional and very much like the Greyhawk version (with minor tweaks like combining the disarm and pick pocket abilities into a "delicate tasks" ability). The second flavor suggests using the "Saving Throw" mechanic to resolve thiefly things.

Skathros has a nice version that you can download from the Mythmere Games website:
www.swordsandwizardry.com/wbthiefskathros.pdf

Also, here's my take, based on the original edition rules:

Attachments:

[foxroe]

Another idea that I was toying with for WhiteBox was dropping the back-stab, climbing, and reading abilities, then boiling the remaining skills down to just two abilities based on the existing d6 mechanics for most dungeon tasks (secret doors, traps, etc.).

Something like this:

Stealth: The Thief is very adept at sneaking and hiding in nearly plain sight. Because of this, he/she gains an additional 1 in 6 chance to surprise when acting alone or in concert with other Thieves. If the Thief gains surprise in this manner, they may elect to attack as usual, avoid the encounter, or pick the pockets of the surprised party (roll again). This ability increases to an additional 2 in 6 at 5th level and an additional 3 in 6 at 10th level.

Traps and Locks: Due to a Thief's unusual training with mechanical devices, he/she is able to set and disarm traps, or pick open locks with a 1 in 6 chance. This ability increases to 2 in 6 at level 3, 3 in 6 at level 5, 4 in 6 at level 7, 5 in 6 at level 9, and 6 in 6 at level 11. The referee may decide that some locks/traps are very difficult to overcome and reduce the Thief's chances in some instances.

This type of thief would be limited to leather armor and one-handed weapons, advance/fight/gain HP's as a Cleric, and save as a Fighter.

[talysman]

I've got a thief variant called the Trickster which is almost like Fox's suggestion, although it has backstab (as surprise attack,) but actually anyone can backstab; the Trickster just gets a bonus.

Trickster abilities:

• solves problems with cleverness and subtlety
  
• can reroll surprise by using a trick or distraction
  
• adds level/2 bonus (round up) to rolls that involve subtlety
  

The last bit could be applied to most of the standard thief abilities, depending on your interpretation. Use the M-U Hit Dice and the Cleric XP progressions, to avoid having to write a special table.

[waysoftheearth]

My thief is similar to a couple described already, but I'll add it to the pile...

A thief uses the cleric XP table and magic-user saving throws, but adds +2 to any saving throws that require quick reflexes. HD (d6) progression to level 9 is: 1, 1+1, 2, 3, 3+1, 4, 5, 5+1, 6.

When operating in an urban or dungeon environment a thief surprises enemy 4 times in 6, and is himself surprised only 1 time in 6.

When attacking with the benefit of surprise the thief rolls 1 extra damage die for each odd numbered level attained (i.e., 1, 3, 5, 7 etc.), but is limited to the use of light arms (club, dagger, hammer, hand axe, crossbows, short sword, sling, staff, whip) and light armour.

The thief has 4 chances in 6 of performing any feat of subterfuge or trickery (i.e., thief "skills"), and also of locating secret doors or concealed objects.

Finally, a thief earns a +50% XP bonus for any loot taken in secret (and not divided fairly among the other players).

[Mike]

I've now picked up Knockspell #2 (thanks for the tip). It's so good I'll have to grab the others too!