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Apr 5, 2012 -- 9:09PM, DuelistDelSol wrote:

Frost Dagger in one hand, Spiked Shield in the other, Light Shield on the arms.

The CB won't let me put the Light Shield on the arms.  Plus, the Iron Armbands of Power go on the arms.

Neither shield is showing as a choice for the Arms slot.  Could it be that at one time, the Spiked Shield was considered a "shield" and not a "light blade"?

But now I'm even more confused...I thought the Items listed at the end of each of Philip's builds were the total items equipped/carried/used.  Why then would the Iron Armbands of Power be listed?

Alright then, regardless of what was intended as optional or not, here's what I've got for my Level 9 Halfling Rogue (shooting for Shadow Assassin once I hit Paragon).  The general idea of Philip's builds is a huge influence...

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Koll Underfoot, level 9
Halfling, Rogue (Scoundrel)
Build: Trickster Rogue
Rogue Tactics Option: Artful Dodger
Rogue Option: Scoundrel Weapon Talent
Born Under a Bad Sign (Born Under a Bad Sign Benefit)
 
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
STR 11, CON 10, DEX 22, INT 8, WIS 10, CHA 18
 
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
STR 11, CON 10, DEX 18, INT 8, WIS 10, CHA 14
 
 
AC: 26 Fort: 16 Ref: 26 Will: 20
HP: 74 Surges: 6 Surge Value: 18
 
TRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +17, Athletics +9, Insight +9, Perception +9, Stealth +17, Thievery +17
 
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +3, Bluff +8, Diplomacy +8, Dungeoneering +4, Endurance +4, Heal +4, History +3, Intimidate +8, Nature +4, Religion +3, Streetwise +8
 
POWERS
Basic Attack: Melee Basic Attack
Basic Attack: Ranged Basic Attack
Halfling Racial Power: Second Chance
Rogue Attack 1: Piercing Strike
Rogue Attack 1: Deft Strike
Rogue Attack 1: Opening Move
Rogue Attack 1: Blinding Barrage
Rogue Utility 2: Sneak in the Attack
Rogue Attack 3: Low Slash
Rogue Attack 5: Bloodbath
Rogue Utility 6: Swift Parry
Rogue Attack 7: Lashing Blade
Rogue Attack 9: Knockout
 
FEATS
Level 1: Defensive Mobility
Level 2: Two-Weapon Fighting
Level 4: Two-Weapon Defense
Level 6: Backstabber
Level 8: Nimble Dodge
Level 9: Light Blade Expertise
 
ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit
Climber's Kit
Thieves' Tools
Lantern
Belt Pouch (empty)
Camouflaged Clothing
Footpads
Disguise Kit
Glass Cutter
Fine Clothing
Frost Brand Dagger +2 x1
Inquisitive's Kit
Rhythm Blade Dagger +1 x1
Shield of Eyes x1
Blending Leather Armor +2 x1
Cloak of Displacement +2 x1
====== End ======

...what I aimed for was maximing my Attacks (+19 to-hit with CA) & also my bonuses vs OAs (+10) so I can dart in with a Deft Strike and then Move (not shift) with my Move Action so the Fighter can take an OA vs him when he takes his OA vs me. I'm not thrilled with my Fort at this level, but with Nimble Dodge I should be fine.  I've also got some nice Minor, Immediate & Oportunity attack powers as well to help me increase my DPR.

Feedback is appreciated.

Its been several months since I made my post, but thanks for the feedback JohnQ.  Its also been at least a couple of months since I used my Rogue (we cycle through a few different games), but I still appreciate the suggestions as I expect we'll be coming back to my Rogue game soon.

Since my original post, I've had my Shield of Eyes called into question by my DM because I'm doing Two-Weapon fighting with two blades.  Although the Shield of Eyes goes in the Arms slot & not the Off-Hand slot, it specifically says in the Compendium "Arms Slot: Any shield" which makes it a special enchantment on "Any shield"...which I do not carry.  So although the CB allows me to use it, it doesn't actually apply.

I'm familiar with the Challenge-Seeking weapons, I have a high-Initiative bursty/blasty controller that uses it...awesome for her.

And I'll definitely take a peek at your suggestions as well.  Been a long time since I've even looked at my Rogue in the CB, been playing Gamma World for the last several weeks.

I have played a rogue not too different from the one presented in this thread. And I have a question regarding the level 13 encounter power.
- But first a few observations of my own:

1. The feat Opportunity Knocks (OK) has been an absolute must for my character. We are only 3 PCs total in our group, and as such flanking CA can be hard to come by (it would be the same in a group with few melee PCs), and OK has been my most important feat. I can warmly recommend it.
As others have noted, it also works well with Harlequin Style.

2. If you, for some reason, need more AC vs OAs (and I do since I went with no shield) I can also recommend to get more items from the Blade Dancers Regalia. For some reason I haven't seen anyone mention this in spite of the fact, that the build already uses the Rhythm blade from the set. Just one more item and you have +2 AC vs OAs. In my campaign my GM is quite restrictive when it comes to items, but I managed to get 4 items from this set. - However, in spite of its awesomeness, as you level up, it does become less and less interesting when compared to the alternatives. Still it is worth a look.

3. The level 1 Daily: Duelist's Prowess, can be surprisingly powerful. It only allows 1 interrupt per turn, but since you now also get Sneak Attack once per enemy turn this can really dish out some damage in prolonged combat, and if nothing else will certainly make an enemy think twice about attacking you.
You will need Opportunity knocks to make it work like it does for me, but since I usually use OK to get my OAs I will usually have CA against the enemy that I will punish with Duelist's Prowess anyway.
The same goes for the level 7 encounter power: Lashing Blade. If you have a group of mobs standing close, you run in (and maybe back out and back in to make sure everyone has taken an OA against you so you have CA against them all), use Lashing Blade, and everyone adjacent takes a hit in their turn. Quite powerful.

4. On this character I have taken mainhand rapier and offhand dagger. If I were to make this character again, I would take mainhand dagger and the shield as proposed in the original build by OP. The extra AC+reflex is worth it, but you also need a dagger (IMO) for the occasional ranged attack, and that extra +1 to hit isn't a bad thing either (just go for powers with less damage and more riders).

And now to my question: As the level 13 encounter power everyone seems to take Stunning Strike, and I do see why. However, I would like to hear if others are considering something else. Personally I have looked at Tornado Strike.
TS has more damage (interesting since I have rapier), it attacks 2 opponents and it slides both quite far - and adds some extra movement.
I can see that TS is more situational than SS, that always has a use. Still TS seems very appealing to me.
So can anyone perhaps give me a few of their insights on why SS is still the winner? I mean a stun is nice (especially against solos and elites), but is it really a hands down winner when looking at TS?