Rogue-less Party Viable?

Some RPGs grant significant party XP whenever rogues open locks or disarm traps (Baldur's Gate 2 comes to mind). Is this the case with either locks or traps for ToEE?

I am hoping that, as long as there is no risk of losing XP, a rogue-less party should be viable, since there are spells to open locks, find traps, and detect secret doors. Since only rogues can properly disable traps, is it safe to have a character set them off instead? Are there any traps that are too deadly for this to work, even with protection spells? Finally, if a character sets off a trap, is there any chance to lose the loot within (I seem to recall a game with that issue)?

Thanks in advance!

 

Good feedback, thank you.

 

Also, a high reflex save stat, (Dexterity) will help when receiving damage from traps, most allow you to save for half damage.

 

A Knock spell will disarm a trapped chest, I have done a no Rogue party and did not notice any real XP differences by the end of the game

 

The disarming effect of Knock is a pleasant surprise; it appears to be an undocumented feature: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/knock.htm.

 

Agree with other feedback- I can't think of any traps where the "cleric's disarm device" (i.e. spring trap, take damage, cast Heal) isn't an adequate strategy. It's the massed sneak attack dice that make rogues worth playing in this game, imo.

 

I actually always take a rogue in my party, and that's not for classical reasons. Unlike in a RPG game like Baldurs Gate a rogue is not really necessary for classical skill use in ToEE. BUT if you understand viable as capable of surviving I found a rogue against the Noble Fire Salamanders extremly viable. Especially in the Fire Node I think i could only survive that fight with a rogue, since he attracted all those nasty fireball that hardly ever hit him because of his excellent Dex saving throws and evasion makes sure you get only half or no damage.

 

Entirely possible to play w/o a rogue and if you really want a face man to handle NPC dialogue you could always play a bard, depending on your alignment...

 

A Half-Elven Sorcerer can be a decent face man

 

Protection from elements spell really helps with those nasty sally-man-or-durps.

 

Finally had a chance to test this, so here's a bit more info:

1. Opening locks with a rogue does not award XP.
2. Disarming traps with a rogue does award XP. However, disarming traps with your face rewards just as much XP!

It appears that as long as you have the right spells, you should be able to find/open everything without losing any XP.

In addition, there is an NPC rogue available early in the game and can apparently be added to and removed from the partly as often as you wish without negative consequences. With heavy buffs, I suspect that his skills should be good enough for ToEE's locks/traps.

 

He also has a ring of invisibility...

 

Indeed he does, but is there any way to separate him from it without killing him?