So Weapon Finesse is a must on melee rogue right?

It's been a while since I played D&D but in order to use my DEX modifier rather than STR I must have this feat right? And even then it will only apply to "light" weapons?

 

Don't forget the best finesseable weapon of all - the spiked chain [an exotic weapon] and all the other feats you require: in order to use it for battlefield control

Combat expertise, improved trip, combat reflexes, deft opportunist, improved initiative plus being a dwarf (getting tripped by your own trip attempt is embarrassing)

I am personally sure that the best melee rogue is a fighter in order to access all these feats at a reasonable level.

 

That's why I always regretted the choice to play a character with weapon finesse. You have to spend an extra feat tol hit more often but make only a pitiful damage.
Interesting on the other hand the way Pygmy describes. But seems like a long way till that character works out to be a real killer.

 

Or just take point blank shot and precise shot and get your sneak attack with a long composite bow or crossbow while out of melee range

 

That's what I do... with pretty much every character save one (the one holding the enemy in melee).

 

My choice as well. If you can combine that with a little bit of glitterdust and crippling strike the rogue all of a sudden changes from supportive character to the main damage dealer.

 

+1 for the ranged rogue sniper. Feats are a limited resource, and rogues are too fragile to be getting into combat too often. Paying a feat to get Dex to hit in melee is quite expensive compared to buying a +6 belt of strength. Yes, you can't buy the belt early on, but I want Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot and Rapid Shot a soon as possible for a rogue.

 

Some of the feats added by Temple+ makes a rogue even more advantageous, like trading -2 fear save for a +1 damage per level on sneak attacks.

 

Where's that from? I thought I had all the 3.5e books...

 

That's why I like to make rogue/rangers, good skill compliments with a couple of nice free feats like rapid shot early

 

Craven. The Internet suggests it's from champions of ruin, but my Pnp days were mostly with early 2nd Ed so I can't confirm.

 

Hmmm... Never heard of that one...

 

That's why I said it was from Temple+, I like it but it does feel kind of Pathfinderish.

I think it's a fair trade though, negative for a positive.

Like Nightcanon said, it's in the Champions of Ruin book, (pg17), this book is a hardcover accessory to 3.5E.