Changes to Rogues in GS4

New Skills

All skills are open to every profession. Below are likely skills in which a Rogue might train.

Dodging

A character training in this skill learns combat techniques to deflect or avoid blows, provided that the character is not completely incapacitated (sleeping, paralyzed, etc.). The character’s Defensive Strength (DS) and ability to avoid many maneuver attacks take the Dodging skill into account.

Note: More information on the influence of Dodging can be found on the Combat page.

Harness Power

By training in this skill, the character becomes more capable of tapping into the mana weave that encompasses and infuses Elanthia. Each training will increase the character’s maximum Mana capacity. There will no longer be an automatic increase in mana each training. Mana capacity will only increase with training in the Harness Power skill.

In numbers, every rank up to the character’s level will yield 3 mana points. Each rank above that gives 1 mana point. Characters will have more mana in the beginning, however, as starting mana is calculated as the average mana stat bonus/2.

Mana Control

The Mana Control skills will replace Mana Share. Additionally, it will only be possible to hold your maximum amount of mana, regardless of how much mana is sent. Finally, the transfer of mana to another character is not a perfectly efficient science; some mana will always be lost in a transfer.

Elemental	This skill determines a character’s ability to manipulate Elemental mana, allowing the character to transfer mana to others who have this skill and providing greater control over the use of mana in some Elemental spells.
Spiritual	This skill determines a character’s ability to manipulate Spiritual mana, allowing the character to transfer mana to others with this skill and providing greater control over the use of mana in some Spiritual spells.

Survival

This skill represents a character’s ability to survive in the wilderness. Success in performing actions such as skinning an animal, foraging for edible or medicinal herbs, or building a fire is affected by this skill. Training in Survival will aid in resisting freezing in Icemule and other cold climates, as well as avoiding slipping on the ice patches on the trail between Icemule and the Landing.

Note: First Aid and Survival are equally weighted in determining skinning success. It appears to be based on ranks, as GM Despil has stated that doubling one is the same as singling in both.

Combat Maneuvers

Rogues have access to the new Combat Maneuvers system.

Guild Changes

- Lock Mastery

Lock Mastery is a series of skills centered on the locksmithing profession. Training for this skill takes place in the Rogue Guild. As a rogue advances, they’ll find themselves less likely to break lockpicks, able to pick/disarm in shorter times, and occasionally able to yank trap components right out of most traps, to use in various ways, much like scarabs now. There are several skills that compose Lock Mastery that rogues will learn as they progress. Currently, over 30 ranks of the Lock Mastery skill have been released into the guilds and are available for training.

- Cheapshots

Various cheapshots have been updated. Footstomp’s RT has lowered to 4 seconds. Nosetweak’s RT is now 3, while the duration of the penalty has increased. Templeshot’s RT is now 3 seconds, and the penalty duration has also increased. Eyepoke’s RT is now 3 seconds, the penalty duration has increased and the stamina cost has lowered to 6. Throatchop’s penalty duration has increased and the stamina has lowered to 8.

Stealing

Stealing has become much more complex and interesting. Not only are you able to steal from a specific container, but it is also possible to steal more than coins and gems.

- Changes to Syntax

In order to specify the container, it must be open and worn on the target. You may specify a type of item, such as amulet, gem, or wand. However, it is not possible to further specify to crystal amulet, diamond, or blue wand. In order to specify an item, the container must also be specified, for it would be unlikely that a thief could rummage through the target’s entire inventory looking for a particular item. There are two ways in which you can complete this task. The words in brackets are the new optional additions to STEAL.

Stealing command syntax: STEAL [ITEM] [FROM] <player> [CONTAINER]

Alternate Syntax: STEAL <player> [ITEM] [CONTAINER]

It will still be possible to simply STEAL from the target without having to say what you want or from which container.

- Factors for Getting Caught

If a target has just put an item in their container and the thief makes an attempt for it, the chance of being caught is increased greatly. Additionally, the more often a thief steals from the same mark within a given time frame, the more likely they are to be caught. A target that is watching the thief has a significant bonus to catch that player stealing from them. However, they might be at a penalty to catch a third player stealing from them. Additionally, crowd size is a major factor, as it is much easier to steal in a larger crowd than a smaller one. If the target is able to catch the thief by a high enough margin, then the target’s item or coins will be automatically returned.

- Sense

Rogues can SENSE and get an idea of the relative difficulty or ease of picking pockets in an area, based on crowd size, lighting conditions, etc., as well as a chance to see people watching them. An unskilled rogue has a chance to be caught scanning the area by a perceptive bystander.

- Restrictions to Items

Although the variety of items that can be stolen has increased, it is important to note that altered items (i.e. items that might end in wand or crystal, etc) cannot be stolen; the item in question must be a generic item from the treasure system. It is also important to mention that in the interest of fairness to both thieves and marks, an item might be disqualified from being stolen based on how many charges it has. This is determined by the relative power of the item; a crystal amulet is more likely to swap pockets than would a ruby amulet with the same number of charges.

- Items Able to Be Stolen

amulet	feather	knuckle	spine
canine	finger	nail	stinger
coins	firethorn	nose	talon
crystal	gems	pincer	tooth
ear	herbs	scale	whisker
eye	horseshoe	scraping	wands
fang	incisor	skins

Attributes

Primary Attribute:	Agility
Secondary Attribute:	Dexterity
Mana Attributes:	Aura and Wisdom

Attributes Assigned by Autoconverter

STR	90
CON	60
DEX	90
AGL	90
DIS	70
AUR	70
LOG	50
INT	50
WIS	60
INF	30

Skill Costs

Skill	Cost	Times
Armor skills
Armor Use	4/0	2x
Shield Use	3/0	2x
Weapon Skills
Edged Weapons	2/1	2x
Blunt Weapons	3/1	2x
Two-Handed Weapons	6/2	2x
Ranged Weapons	3/1	2x
Thrown Weapons	2/1	2x
Pole Arm Weapons	7/2	2x
Brawling	3/1	2x
Combat Skills
Two Weapons Combat	2/2	2x
Combat Maneuvers	4/4	2x
Multi-Opponent Combat	10/3	1x
Ambush	2/1	2x
Physical Fitness	3/0	2x
Dodging	3/2	3x
General Skills
Climbing	1/0	2x
Swimming	2/0	2x
Disarming Traps	1/1	3x
Picking Locks	1/1	3x
Stalking and Hiding	1/1	3x
Perception	0/1	3x
First Aid	1/2	2x
Trading	0/3	2x
Picking Pockets	1/0	2x
Survival	2/2	2x
Magic Skills
Arcane Symbols	0/6	1x
Magic Item Use	0/7	1x
Harness Power	0/9	1x
Spell Aiming	4/22	1x
Mana Control: Elemental	0/10	1x
Mana Control: Spiritual	0/10	1x
Mana Control: Mental	0/15	1x
Spell Research		1x
Minor Elemental	0/64
Minor Spiritual	0/64
Elemental Lore		1x
Air	0/15
Earth	0/15
Fire	0/15
Water	0/15
Spiritual Lore		1x
Blessings	0/15
Religion	0/15
Summoning	0/15
Sorcerous Lore		1x
Demonology	0/30
Necromancy	0/30
Mental Lore		1x
Divination	0/40
Manipulation	0/40
Telepathy	0/40
Transference	0/40
Transformation	0/40

Stat Growth Intervals by Race

	CON	DEX	DIS	LOG	INT	STR	AGL	INF	WIS	AUR
Base	20	25	20	20	25	25	30	15	10	15
Dark Elf	18	30	18	20	25	25	35	15	10	15
Dwarf	25	22	23	20	25	30	25	13	13	15
Elf	15	30	15	20	25	25	33	18	10	20
Giant	23	23	20	20	27	30	28	15	10	15
Half-Elf	20	27	18	20	25	27	32	17	10	15
Halfling	25	30	18	18	25	20	35	15	10	15
Human	22	25	20	20	27	27