Sneaky Scorch — Lvl 6
Four directions for L6+. All four are Feint-free and Intim-free. Off-guard comes from Tumble Behind / Gang Up / Underhanded Assault. A keeps the L1–L5 sheet intact; B / C / D propose retro-respecs of the early picks (need GM approval to actually retrain).
Locks (cannot move): Tailed Goblin (heritage), Goblin Weapon Familiarity (L1 anc), Battle Medicine (L1 Field Medic bg), Godless Healing (L2 skill), Fleet (L3 gen), Tree Climber (L5 anc), Weapon Tricks (L5 class auto), Thief racket. Dogslicers (one Bane vs horses, one Flaming) + Crunchy Crown (+2 Intim vs Birdcrunchers).
Community sourcing (2026-05-06): Build picks researched against RPGBOT Rogue handbook, TheGamer Remaster guide, Paizo goblin-dogslicer thread, and AoN rogue-feat list. Nimble Dodge and Tumble Behind are universal Sky Blue picks. Sly Striker is the most-cited reliability hedge for Thief. Off-guard without Feint/Intim: Tumble Behind (Acrobatics roll → off-guard), Gang Up (adjacent ally — no roll), Underhanded Assault (concealment → off-guard).
L1–L5 actual sheet (Build A keeps this; B/C/D propose retro-changes — see each panel)
| Lvl | Class feat | Skill feat | Anc / Gen / Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nimble Dodge* | Assurance (Stealth) + Battle Medicine (bg) | Goblin Weapon Familiarity (anc); Sneak Attack 1d6, Thief Racket |
| 2 | Underhanded Assault | Godless Healing | — |
| 3 | — | Quiet Allies | Fleet (gen); Sneak Attack 2d6, Deny Advantage |
| 4 | Tumble Behind | Assurance (Medicine) | — |
| 5 | — | Tumbling Teamwork | Tree Climber (anc); Weapon Tricks; ability boosts |
* L1 sheet shows Combat Climber (a L4 general feat) — likely sheet anomaly. Nimble Dodge inferred from reaction list.
A · Field Medic No respec needed — L1–L5 sheet kept
Drops the old Intim/Demoralize plan. Keeps every L1–L5 pick on the current sheet. L6+ doubles down on what's already invested: Tumble Behind already grants off-guard, so we add a damage payoff (Sly Striker) and push the medic identity (Continual Recovery, Master Medicine).
L6 Picks
| Slot | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Class feat | Sly Striker (L4, retro-pick legal at L6) | +1d6 precision on every Strike that hits, even when the target isn't off-guard. Removes the "Tumble Behind missed → no sneak attack damage" failure mode. Most-cited reliability hedge for Thief in community guides. |
| Skill feat | Continual Recovery (L2, Expert Medicine) | Treat Wounds immunity drops to 10 minutes per ally. Field Medic background + Battle Medicine + Godless Healing already invest the kit — this finally pays off out of combat. |
| Skill increase | Medicine → Expert | Prereq for Continual Recovery. Sneaky becomes the party's reliable second-stringer healer behind Rrrahäh. |
Pros
- Sneak Attack now happens every hit — no whiff round (Sly Striker for non-off-guard, Sneak Attack for off-guard)
- Continual Recovery unlocks fast healing chains between fights
- Zero re-spec; absolutely minimum disruption
- Works on any enemy — no fear-immune carve-outs, no Will save check
Cons
- No party buff (Build B/C have Gang Up which helps allies; this build is selfish)
- Sly Striker only triggers on hits with sneak-attack-eligible weapons (dogslicer qualifies — agile, finesse)
- Pure damage uplift is modest (+1d6 vs Build C's snare-deploy battlefield control)
Full L6–L10 Progression
| Lvl | Class feat | Skill feat | Skill increase | Anc / Gen / Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Sly Striker (L4, retro-pick) | Continual Recovery (L2) | Medicine → Expert | — |
| 7 | — | Robust Recovery (L2, Expert Medicine — +2 vs disease/poison) | Stealth → Master (rogue class auto) | Toughness (gen); Sneak Attack 3d6, Weapon Specialization |
| 8 | Opportune Backstab (L8 — react Strike when ally hits adjacent enemy) | Ward Medic (L2, Expert Medicine — Treat Wounds 2 targets) | Medicine → Master | — |
| 9 | — | Magical Shorthand (L2, Expert any tradition skill) | Acrobatics → Master | Cave Climber (L9 goblin) |
| 10 | Twist the Knife (L6, retro — persistent bleed = sneak attack dice when off-guard hit landed) | Pickpocket (L1, Trained Thievery) | Athletics → Expert | Ability boosts (DEX cap, CON, WIS, CHA) |
Off-guard triggers in this build: Tumble Behind (L4 class feat — already on sheet) and Underhanded Assault (L2 class feat — already on sheet, Strike from concealment).
B · Roof-Runner Mobility / Climbing — proposes retro-respec
Vertical-mobility identity. Sets up sneak attack via Tumble Behind + Gang Up, never via Feint. Original L1–L5 picks (Assurance Stealth, Underhanded Assault, Quiet Allies, Assurance Medicine, Tumbling Teamwork) are fine but several can be retro-swapped for tighter parkour synergy.
Proposed L1–L5 retro-respec (vs current sheet)
| Lvl | Slot | Was | Replace with | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free skill | Assurance (Stealth) | Cat Fall (L1, Trained Acrobatics) | Roof-runners fall a lot. +5/15/25 ft no-damage threshold scales with Acrobatics. |
| 2 | Class feat | Underhanded Assault | Mobility (L2 Rogue) | Stride at half speed without provoking reactions. Core to the parkour identity. Underhanded Assault still works in concealment but Mobility fits the theme. |
| 3 | Skill feat | Quiet Allies | Quick Jump (L1 Trained Athletics) | High Jump / Long Jump in 1 action. Quiet Allies is a party-stealth-mode feat — less load-bearing if Build B is the parkour solo-scout. |
| 4 | Skill feat | Assurance (Medicine) | Combat Climber (L1 Trained Athletics) | Climb without one hand free + Strike while climbing. Direct combat utility from elevated ground. |
| 5 | Skill feat | Tumbling Teamwork | Powerful Leap (L2, Expert Athletics) | Requires Athletics → Expert (push at L3 skill increase). +5 ft horizontal Long Jump, vertical Leap = 5 ft. Roof-to-roof staple. |
Skill-increase plan to make Powerful Leap legal at L5: L2 → Stealth Expert (or Acrobatics), L3 → Athletics → Expert, L5 → Acrobatics → Master? No — Master needs L7 char level. So L5 → Thievery Expert. Athletics Master at L7 unlocks Wall Jump.
L6 Picks
| Slot | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Class feat | Gang Up (L6 Rogue) | Adjacent enemies are off-guard whenever an ally is also adjacent. Zero action, zero roll, works on mindless foes. Highest-rated rogue L6 feat in community guides. |
| Skill feat | Acrobat (L1, Trained Acrobatics) | Tumble Through doesn't trigger reactions. Stacks with Mobility (L2) — Sneaky becomes a reaction-immune mover. |
| Skill increase | Acrobatics → Master | Unlocks Wall Jump (L7) and feeds Tumble Through DC math against high-prof enemies. |
Pros
- Always-on sneak attack via Gang Up + adjacent ally — no roll, no action tax
- Tumble Behind (L4) still backs up off-guard when solo
- Mobility + Acrobat = move through enemy zones without reactions
- Cave Climber (L9) + Tree Climber (L5 locked) = traverse anything
- Foundation for Wall Jump / Quick Climb at L7+
Cons
- Melee-only — ranged dogslicer-throw doesn't benefit from Gang Up
- Requires retraining 4 of 5 L1–L5 skill feats (GM call)
- No backup medic role (loses Assurance Medicine + Tumbling Teamwork team utility)
Full L6–L10 Progression
| Lvl | Class feat | Skill feat | Skill increase | Anc / Gen / Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Gang Up | Acrobat (L1) | Acrobatics → Master* | — |
| 7 | — | Wall Jump (L7, Master Athletics) | Athletics → Master | Incredible Initiative (gen); Stealth → Master (rogue class auto) |
| 8 | Skirmish Strike (L6, retro — Stride+Strike) | Quick Climb (L7, Master Athletics) | Acrobatics → Master (carryover) | — |
| 9 | — | Foil Senses (L7, Master Stealth) | Thievery → Master | Cave Climber (L9 goblin) |
| 10 | Sneak Savant (L10 — fail Stealth → success once/min) | Swift Sneak (L7, Master Stealth) | Survival → Expert | Ability boosts (DEX cap, STR, CON, CHA) |
* Acrobatics → Master at L6 is invalid — Master needs character L7. Push that increase to L7 and take a different L6 increase (e.g. Athletics → Expert if not already, or Acrobatics → Expert).
C · Trapper-Saboteur NEW concept — proposes retro-respec
Sneaky doesn't just stab — Sneaky pre-deploys the battlefield. Ambush prep with Hampering, Marking, Alarm, and Spike snares; combat opens with enemies already debuffed. Skirmish Strike kites them into deployed snares. Heavy Crafting investment from L1.
Proposed L1–L5 retro-respec (vs current sheet)
| Lvl | Slot | Was | Replace with | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free skill | Assurance (Stealth) | Snare Crafting (L1, Trained Crafting) | Foundation feat — without it, no snares. Goblin background gives Crafting Trained or pick it as a skill choice. |
| 2 | Class feat | Underhanded Assault | Mobility (L2 Rogue) or keep Underhanded Assault | Mobility lets Sneaky deploy snares mid-fight without provoking. If party uses scout-and-position approach, keep Underhanded Assault for ambush opener. |
| 3 | Skill feat | Quiet Allies | Concealing Legerdemain (L1, Trained Thievery) | Hide trap reagents on person before deployment — sets up snare ambushes during peaceful approach. |
| 4 | Class feat | Tumble Behind (KEEP) | Tumble Behind | Still anchors melee sneak attack. Trapper isn't pure-ranged. |
| 4 | Skill feat | Assurance (Medicine) | Snare Specialist (L4, Expert Crafting) | Cornerstone feat — 4 free prepared snares/day at Expert (8 at Master). Requires Crafting → Expert at L3 skill increase. |
| 5 | Skill feat | Tumbling Teamwork | Lengthy Diversion (L1, Trained Stealth) | Extends pre-fight Diversion duration — buys time to plant snares before initiative. |
Skill-increase plan: L3 → Crafting → Expert (gates Snare Specialist at L4). L5 → Acrobatics or Thievery Expert. L7 → Crafting → Master (gates Quick Snares).
L6 Picks
| Slot | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Class feat | Skirmish Strike (L6 Rogue) | Stride+Strike or Strike+Stride. Kite enemies into deployed snares; reposition out of melee after a hit. |
| Skill feat | Plentiful Snares (L6, Master Crafting required) or Cat Fall if Master Crafting not yet | Crafting → Master is L7 char-level minimum. At L6 swap to Cat Fall (L1 Trained Acrobatics); take Plentiful Snares at L7. |
| Skill increase | Stealth → Expert | Crafting holds at Expert (Master needs L7). Stealth Expert sets up better Hide/Sneak rolls during snare-deployment phase. |
Pros
- Pre-combat prep wins fights before they start (Hampering snares cut enemy speed in half)
- Snare Specialist + Plentiful Snares = ~16 free snares/day at L7 Master Crafting
- Skirmish Strike + Snares = forced movement onto traps every round
- Strong synergy with party's existing scout doctrine (Quiet Allies on the goblin party already)
- Marking Snare on a tagged target shares its location with Bubble for ranged bombing
Cons
- Open-field encounters = snares wasted (no chokepoints)
- Heavy retro-respec required — touches L1, L3, L4, L5
- Loses Assurance Medicine — Battle Medicine still works, but rolls vary
- Requires session-prep (party scouts, then Bubble plants); not always practical at-table
Full L6–L10 Progression
| Lvl | Class feat | Skill feat | Skill increase | Anc / Gen / Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Skirmish Strike (L6) | Cat Fall (L1) | Stealth → Expert | — |
| 7 | — | Quick Snares (L6, Master Crafting) | Crafting → Master | Toughness (gen); Stealth → Master (rogue class auto) |
| 8 | Twist the Knife (L6, retro — bleed payoff for melee snare-kited targets) | Plentiful Snares (L6, Master Crafting) | Acrobatics → Master | — |
| 9 | — | Snare Hopping (L7, Master Crafting — move snares as a free action) | Thievery → Master | Cave Climber (L9 goblin) |
| 10 | Sneak Savant (L10) | Robust Recovery (L2, Expert Medicine) | Survival → Expert | Ability boosts |
D · Tomb Raider NEW concept — Thievery king + magic-item user
Sneaky as the party's tool specialist. Picks every lock, disables every trap, identifies every magic item, and uses any wand/scroll the party finds via Trick Magic Item — without taking a caster archetype. Combat sneak attack via Tumble Behind + Underhanded Assault; no spell DCs to worry about, no archetype tax.
Proposed L1–L5 retro-respec (vs current sheet)
| Lvl | Slot | Was | Replace with | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free skill | Assurance (Stealth) | Pickpocket (L1, Trained Thievery) | Foundation theft feat — Steal items as a free action when adjacent + non-noticing. |
| 2 | Class feat | Underhanded Assault (KEEP) | Underhanded Assault | Concealment-opener still anchors first-round sneak attack; tomb raiders favor the dark. |
| 3 | Skill feat | Quiet Allies | Subtle Theft (L1, Trained Thievery) | Steal at -2 to enemy Perception, witnesses don't notice unless they crit. Stacks with Pickpocket. |
| 4 | Class feat | Tumble Behind (KEEP) | Tumble Behind | Acrobatics → off-guard, anchors Feint-free sneak attack. |
| 4 | Skill feat | Assurance (Medicine) | Trick Magic Item (L1, Trained Arcana/Occultism/Religion/Nature) | Use any wand/scroll regardless of class. Massive utility — every found magic item becomes usable. Requires one tradition skill at Trained — pick Occultism (synergy with Pendant of the Occult + Staff of Impossible Visions). |
| 5 | Skill feat | Tumbling Teamwork | Concealing Legerdemain (L1, Trained Thievery) | Hide a small object during Sleight of Hand — pair with Pickpocket to make stolen-item recovery harder. |
Skill-increase plan: L2 → Thievery Expert (foundation). L3 → Occultism Expert (drives Trick Magic Item DC). L5 → Arcana or Crafting Expert (broader item pool).
L6 Picks
| Slot | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Class feat | Skirmish Strike (L6 Rogue) | Stride+Strike — escape after a sneak attack, repositioning to next concealment for Underhanded Assault. |
| Skill feat | Quick Identification (L1, Trained any tradition skill) | Identify Magic in 1 minute (vs 10). Critical on dungeon delves where the party finds 3+ items in a fight. |
| Skill increase | Thievery → Master | Master at L7 char-level minimum — defer to L7. At L6 push Thievery → Expert if not already, or Occultism → Expert for Trick Magic Item DC. |
Pros
- Every found magic item becomes usable — scrolls, wands, staves the party has no other class match for
- No archetype tax (vs old "Arcane Knife" Witch Dedication build) — full rogue feat budget
- Pickpocket + Subtle Theft + Concealing Legerdemain = best-in-party kleptomaniac
- Quick Identification means Sneaky resolves "what is this?" after every encounter
- Tumble Behind still active for off-guard; Skirmish Strike covers reposition
Cons
- Trick Magic Item is a roll — failure = item used unsuccessfully (still consumes charges)
- Roleplay rest required — Sneaky becomes the "deal with the loot" goblin
- No flashy combat upgrade — sneak attack damage stays same as Build A
- Touches L1, L3, L4, L5 retro-picks (3 free skill feats moved + 1 class feat kept)
Full L6–L10 Progression
| Lvl | Class feat | Skill feat | Skill increase | Anc / Gen / Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Skirmish Strike (L6) | Quick Identification (L1) | Occultism → Expert | — |
| 7 | — | Magical Shorthand (L2, Expert Occultism) | Thievery → Master | Toughness (gen); Stealth → Master (rogue auto) |
| 8 | Opportune Backstab (L8 — react Strike when ally hits adj enemy) | Recognize Spell (L1, Trained tradition skill — reaction to identify spells on cast) | Acrobatics → Master | — |
| 9 | — | Forager (L1, Trained Survival) or Robust Recovery | Occultism → Master | Cave Climber (L9 goblin) |
| 10 | Sneak Savant (L10) or Twist the Knife (L6 retro) | Pickpocket already L1 — pick Plant Evidence (L7) or Slick (L1, Trained Athletics — slip restraints) | Athletics → Expert | Ability boosts (DEX cap, INT, CHA, CON) |
Theme rationale: Sneaky already owns the Pendant of the Occult and Staff of Impossible Visions. The old Build D forced a Witch archetype to use them as a caster — but Trick Magic Item gets ~80% of that value at zero archetype cost. The pendant adds Occultism Trained baseline; the staff acts as a focus item for any occult spell scrolls/wands the party finds. No spell DC required — just the Trick check.
Side-by-side comparison
| Axis | A · Field Medic | B · Roof-Runner | C · Trapper-Saboteur | D · Tomb Raider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L6 Class feat | Sly Striker (L4 retro) | Gang Up | Skirmish Strike | Skirmish Strike |
| Off-guard trigger | Tumble Behind + Underhanded Assault | Gang Up (ally adj) + Tumble Behind | Snares (Hampering, Spike) + Tumble Behind | Underhanded Assault + Tumble Behind |
| Damage rider | +1d6 every hit (Sly Striker) | Sneak attack on every Gang Up | Snare debuffs + sneak attack on snared | None — pure sneak attack |
| L1–L5 respec needed? | No (sheet kept) | Yes — 4 skill feats + 1 class feat | Yes — heavy (Crafting investment) | Yes — 4 skill feats moved |
| Mindless enemy? | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Range play | OK | Melee only | Strong (snares + ranged) | OK |
| Party utility | Backup medic | Vertical scout | Battlefield prep + alarms | Item identification, scrolls/wands |
| Combat pace | Slow-and-steady | Fast (mobility) | Setup-heavy | Versatile |
Decision shortcut: If "no respec" matters → A. If you want Sneaky to be the party's position specialist → B. If you want Sneaky to be the party's setup specialist → C. If you want Sneaky to be the party's tool specialist (locks, traps, scrolls, wands) → D.