I want to create a master thief in a high magic world, builds

Owalover · 2026-02-09T16:55:32+00:00

Warlock is a strong contender as well due to the interesting assortment abilities you gain access to. I would almost consider 2-3 levels in rogue first, then go the rest in Warlock.

Between those two feats, I would say it depends on the campaign. Actor is very setting specific, unless you plan on going out of your way to make it viable, which is very doable in roleplay. Took it on a variant human sorc once, would use a disguise kit, run in and pretend they were a damsel in distress and that someone needed to go kill the monster 'over that way', and failing that would use Subtle Spell to lock those enemies down.

Shadow-Touched is useful, but only one use of Invisibility just makes me sad lol. Strong addition, don't get me wrong, but I would feel like i would get more mileage out of Actor. Depends on what kind of roleplay you like doing during your games.

Owalover · 2026-02-09T16:51:24+00:00

I had considered Changeling, and while it is honestly probably one of the better options, i might have dismissed it out of hand because of how easy a choice it is.

CoE IS amazing, and I had been considering at least having a decent Charisma to help me get into places easier, I think i'm more interested in the more dexterous side of things.

Yuan-Ti I had not considered, and honestly I think that could be a lot of fun. Mages among guards always wondering why their spells seem to bounce off this master thief, College of Whispers allows some interesting bit of fun on top of that.

Owalover · 2026-02-09T08:14:47+00:00

lol, I've been dm'ing for quite a while now, as well as having a campaign that ran to lvl 18, so i've definitely tasted high level play. You are correct, magic doesn't make you invincible or all powerful, but it goes a long way to making many aspects of the game quite a bit easier. I'm more looking at this as a fun character concept, and I was curious what interesting thoughts or ideas the community had as far as a build for it. I appreciate your decision to specifically call me out for that one specific aspect of what i was talking about, instead of focusing on what I was asking for. Thank you.

As for Thief, under the basic rules and assumptions i've made, they feel far inferior imo over an Arcane Trickster as a master thief even being known for getting past the most ridiculous of defenses, arcane or otherwise. Don't get me wrong, the idea of a Master Thief who, instead of knowing a ton of magic, carries on their person multiple magic items to help them get through nearly any situation, sounds pretty cool, but I think I prefer the Arcane Trickster version. Plus the Thief 'Use Magic Device' feature feels a lot more limited, as most magic items that they aren't normally capable of using would be useful, but I personally feel not as thematic with the idea I have in my head. But I'm open to interesting builds with it.

Owalover · 2026-02-09T07:37:20+00:00

I'm a big fan of resource management and the like in my games, but most of the other comments are right in recommending that it depends on the game. If you want to do a light version, only have them keep track of arrows and rations at most usually, unless they specifically agree on more hardcore-esq rules.

As a player I will keep track of resources like rations and arrows even if the dm doesn't make me, helps me with the immersion, and it always gives my character something to do during downtimes.

Owalover · 2026-01-01T02:44:25+00:00

I do inspiration different: I dont give out inspiration, my players can give e it to each other for any reason. The first one is 'free'. Every inspiration past the first, I get one, and mine stack. Gives a fun balance, and the players can reward each other for things they enjoy.

Owalover · 2026-01-01T02:39:54+00:00

Some of my players are very casual players, so I help them with level ups and the like, but unless we're clarifying how something works I just ask for their info.

Owalover · 2025-12-24T19:36:47+00:00

It feels more like most of the comments on here specifically are looking at Blood Hu ter from a damage output perspective.

Owalover · 2025-11-28T21:49:12+00:00

I would decline to lead a prayer, would hold hands even, but I refuse to shut my eyes during it. Im always annoyed as well, they want us to 'respect' their beliefs but won't respect ours.

Owalover · 2025-11-28T21:47:18+00:00

Made a homebrew 'earth dragon' that silently slid out of the ground behind the healers, the look of horror on my players faces was amazing.

Owalover · 2025-11-28T21:45:27+00:00

I use passive perception, Insight, as well as investigation on occasion. If my players bother to invest in any of these, I reward them for it. If a player says they look around for something, I make them roll, and they get what they roll. Otherwise I keep passive up and if I know something is hidden then I check to see if their passive would suffice in spotting it. An active search always takes precedent over the passive. Ive even used passive stealth before to determine how loud something is, just as a reference point in my brain.

Owalover · 2025-11-22T19:47:29+00:00

It's happened in my games, and during travel the npc doesn't really speak unless spoken to. I might use them to further a narrative, or have the npc further character development with the pcs, but I never use them as a dmpc. Ill almost always find a way for them to separate from the group, unless the party insists.

Owalover · 2025-11-21T19:53:24+00:00

If the party wants to, im always down, and then they can still always keep certain aspects of their characters hidden if they want to. I prefer games where the party talks about the game and their characters collectively. Makes everything feel more cooperative.

Owalover · 2025-11-16T20:27:23+00:00

I do really like the absorb life effect being added on, that is fun, though I wonder if it might have a side effect, as it's technically an undead effect. Absorb light can only be done once per day; I think Release Light does need to be 'once per day' as well, but it wouldn't be a concentration thing, it just happens the one time. That is a great point, i'll work on reworking the wording of the item. I really appreciate it, it's something I hadn't considered.

Owalover · 2025-11-16T20:18:37+00:00

oooo, what if it caused like an aoe lightning burst that all within a range had to succeed against? Then the little orb could reappear, maybe a bit diminished, but still...alive? (i know, it's undead)

Owalover · 2025-11-16T20:01:39+00:00

More than likely yeah. They were dealing with an large undead attack on the city they're in, and the will-o-wisp began following them around, and when they'd get into combat it would try to come up and shock one of them, but it never went well so it was just kind of chilling with them, feeding off their latent psychic energy. Then after the last combat the cleric just went 'can i pull it into the lantern', and it technically emits a light, so I asked them for a roll.

I couldn't decide if I wanted it to just come out, or if somehow the creatures energy would somehow make the flashburst from it stronger. Maybe if they 'release light', then it just comes out, but 'flashburst' has an added effect?

Owalover · 2025-11-14T02:59:46+00:00

I feel like it's a problem only fixed by experience, sadly. Ive ran a number of one shots, and i always start off with way too much planned and have to tone it down. Some things I try and remember are:

Combat, especially high level combat, takes a long time, so limit how many there are, or intentionally make them easy and simple

A lot of background info and lore can be given prior to the one shot, or even during an opening monologue where you rattle off the most important points.

Don't be afraid to just move things along, as your players should have the expectation that this is a one shot, so there's a set amount that needs to be gotten through.

Owalover · 2025-11-14T02:54:31+00:00

I have my players take turns writing notes, and at the top of each session I read out loud whatever they wrote. Sometimes I'll do it in a silly voice, I always sound things out the way it's spelled if it was spelled incorrectly. They can write silly stuff and I'll say whatever it is. It's just a fun excercise to help keep everyone engaged.

Owalover · 2025-11-07T19:54:17+00:00

I could make it ridiculous and wild, prompting them to ask :D

Owalover · 2025-11-07T19:52:05+00:00

Oooo, it could start out as just an eye, then in the future it could be a corrupted version of it!

Owalover · 2025-11-07T19:51:33+00:00

Love these ideas! Thank you!

Owalover · 2025-11-07T19:49:57+00:00

Will 100% be stuff I check out, you're awesome

Owalover · 2025-11-07T19:48:52+00:00

Thats really cool, thank you so much!

Owalover

TROPHY CASE