New character

[emeraldlake]

I have been considering making a roque character. any advice on stats/training and lock picking would be appricated. I was leaning towards locksmith or archer and was thinking eather a human or half elf character.

[StrayRogue]

High Dex. High Agi.
2x weapon.
2x dodge.
2x hide.
1x armor.
Atleast 1x CM.

Rest is gravy.

[Stretch]

Probably not the answer you want to hear, but it depends on what you want. There are a lot of viable ways you can play a rogue, and none of them is necessarily better than another.

I've gone through archer, locksmith, magic, tank, two weapon, and blends in between. I haven't tried hurled, polearms or two-handed, so I can't really speak to any of them. Ultimately I went with this

80 ranks of armor (Metal Breastplate)
1x shield
2x CM
2x Edged
2x Ambush
1x PT
2x Dodge
25 Arcane Symbols
5 Harness Power
2.5x Disarm
2.8x Pick
2x Stalk/Hide
2x Perception
25 Climb
25 Swim
Spells up to 404

Doesn't really seem like a lot, but keep in mind if you go over 2x pick/disarm (pretty much a necessity past Plane 2) that eats up a ton of training points. However since you're just starting out what I would recommend is go 2x pick/disarm, as that will let you get most of your own boxes for a long time. Then reallocate once you get high enough that isn't enough even with lore.

Ranged was fun, but unless you have a really high STR bonus, is actually somewhat slower and less efficient than regular edged.

TWC I found was overkill. A lot of the time I never used the offhand attack.

Magic rogue was fun, but you have to be a pretty high level to see significant benefits. Probably not a lot of people's cup of tea to raise a magic rogue from 0.

As a general baseline, 2x pick/disarm will let you pick your own stuff from around level 8 to level 25. Then you might want to pick up locklore and disarm lore.

Remember, think short-term. Do what you think will be fun for a year, then FIXSKILLS. Also, IIRC you have a grace period of a month (?) where you can play around with fast migration.

As StrayRogue said, there are some things you should always train in:

2x weapon (duh)
1x armor (depends on what path you choose...35 ranks will let you wear brigandine with no hinderance, 80 ranks will keep you in metal breastplate or hauberk with minimal physical hinderance)
2x dodge (cheap, adds to Defensive Strength)
2x perception (no matter how you swing it, you need perception while hunting, whether for aiming melee, ambush or ranged attacks. Also for spotting traps)
1x-2x hide (I would argue that archers, unless you want to snipe, could get away with not even bothering to hide since you already bypass parry DS. It's not until like 200 ranks of S&H that you get max sniping efficiency anyway)

[GuildRat]

Post up what path you want your new rogue to take (magic, tank, picker, combo), that'd make it easier for us to "advise" you....oh and post the rogue's race too.

[Boris]

I've seen a lot of rogues that almost always go for picking and stay away from training in skinning skills. What is more lucrative skinning or picking and is it possible to get both?

[StrayRogue]

You need to be about 50 to really cash in on skinning.

[Gan]

Picking is by far more lucrative. Especially when you become competent in picking higher level boxes for customers who arent counting every silver. The tips are great, and I keep all the scarabs I disarm, unless I'm picking for a friend.

Not to mention that by being able to pick your own boxes, it saves you having to tip the picker.

[AestheticDeath]

(at level 24), your current skill bonuses and ranks (including all modifiers) are:
Skill Name | Current Current
| Bonus Ranks
Armor Use..........................| 108 26
Shield Use.........................| 108 26
Combat Maneuvers...................| 152 52
Edged Weapons......................| 152 52
Ambush.............................| 152 52
Physical Fitness...................| 108 26
Dodging............................| 152 52
Disarming Traps....................| 152 52
Picking Locks......................| 152 52
Stalking and Hiding................| 176 76
Perception.........................| 152 52
Climbing...........................| 20 4
Swimming...........................| 20 4
Training Points: 17 Phy 23 Mnt

Thats my rogue right now, his climbing and swimming are low... because I never use them. Before too long though I will need to get more ranks. I was able to hunt most of my guys up to 40 without ever needing climb or swim. Probably could have gone farther, but it can limit your options.

[StrayRogue]

Picking is by far more lucrative. Especially when you become competent in picking higher level boxes for customers who arent counting every silver. The tips are great, and I keep all the scarabs I disarm, unless I'm picking for a friend.

Not to mention that by being able to pick your own boxes, it saves you having to tip the picker.

A good skinner in the right area makes 1k per kill at least. I doubt the randomness of boxes can surpass this.