Source
r/dndnext•
macboot

Best way to play a dungeoneer?

Character Building

I'm starting a new game soon, and for my character I think it would be really neat to make a character who specializes in finding, studying and surviving dungeons. Sort of an Archaeologist adventurer. I know the Thief archetype is pretty close to that, and the Dwarf's Stonecutting skill would help a lot, but they don't really feel right, especially as a dwarven thief. So I'm wondering how other people would do it, either with homebrew or vanilla assets?

Posted Oct 21, 2017, 5:16 PM UTC

826
KittenWithMittensWizard•

So long as whatever you end up with has proficiency in whips.

8
skr788•

Obligatory Yuan Ti based campaign required.

5
macbootOP•

"Why does it have to be snake-people..."

3
anita_usernameWhipsinger•

If you haven't seen it, there's an Archaeologist (and Anthropologist for that matter) background recently released in Tomb of Annihilation. It gives you proficiency in History and Survival, one language of your choice, proficiency with either Cartographer's Tools or Navigator's Tools, a Signature Item from a short list (including the choices of whip, hat or medallion), and a feature that lets you quickly identify the original builders and original purpose of ruins and dungeons that you enter, in addition to the value of 100+ year old art objects. This in and of itself is a lot of what you need to make the concept work with any class or race you fancy.

I'm using this background with a Halfling Rogue 1/Wizard 2. Considered a Rock Gnome as well for Artificer's Lore and Advantage against int/wis/cha saves from magic, but I love playing Halflings. Started in Rogue because it fit my backstory of growing up in a gypsy caravan engaging in occasional graverobbing. Took the Bladesinging tradition (because my DM doesn't follow the racial restrictions), and am using a Whip as my main weapon. Planning to eventually pick up Spell Sniper so I can use the melee cantrips at 10' reach of the whip.

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macbootOP•

Hahah, that does sound like an awesome setup, looks like I'll have to find Tomb of Annihilation! I also really like playing halflings because of the lucky feature(and they seem like fun people). Gnome could be useful though, and I almost forgot that they existed until this thread :P

3
SplitFireify•

The tabaxi get a climbing speed of 20 ft and they are naturally curious. They also get free proficiency in Stealth and Perception which is good for dungeoneering and scouting. The Thief archetype is a solid choice. I also suggest to look at the Scout Rogue coming up in Xanathar's Guide.

6
SleepyMagus•

Im actually playing a Dwarven Rogie thief /knowledge Cleric with a Treasure hunter (Archaeologist) really loving it so far.

Expertise in Investigation, Perception, and Knowledge expertise in Arcana, Nature really help out.

4
macbootOP•

Ooh, I hadn't thought of knowledge Clerics! I'll have to look into that... I am starting at level 1 though so that slows things down!

3
SirKiren•

Knowledge cleric could work, I have a similar character idea that's a cleric; he's not overly religious just has a fascination with artifacts and found a relugious group as a sort of sponser.

4
Shouju•

Rock Gnome Thief would be my choice, for the artificer's lore. Also being small allows you to get into places others cannot. I'd definitely take the mobile feat if you don't manage to find something like the boots of striding and springing. You gotta be able to outrun those boulders if need be. Investigation, athletics, acrobatics, and perception would be my choice skills. Though swapping out one of the a's for insight if you've got decent enough wisdom would be nice to help get the sense of that man who's going to sell you an ancient treasure map.

Also, consider getting a whip and never letting anyone touch your hat.

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macbootOP•

Oooh that's a good idea. I could call myself Sword Coast Jones!

1
ELAdragonWarlock•

My immediate thoughts go to making sure you have one level in Knowledge Cleric and one level in Rogue. Arcane Trickster works really well for this concept in general, too.

A Dex, Wisdom, Intelligence character with Observant and expertise in 2 knowledge skills along with Perception and Stealth/Investigate/Thieves' Tools would work pretty well.

Lore Bard works really well for the idea, too. But then you're stretching the ability scores you need pretty thin. Alternatively, you could do Druid, which would get you some pretty cool abilities when it comes to scouting and infiltration.

3
Keldr•

Druid is a unique angle on this question, but damn, you're right that wild shape would be immensely helpful for traversing dungeons. It would be fun to make a kind of Ruins Druid, one who protects old vestiges of dead cultures.

3
ELAdragonWarlock•

I've been brainstorming a sort of class like that inspired by the concept of Druids-as-wardens of lost places that need to stay lost (in a setting where lost places often contain dangerous/powerful stuff).

I think Druid as infiltrator, though, is a woefully underplayed concept. They are even the only real natural caster of Pass Without Trace, which is outrageously powerful.

2
ebrum2010•

The archaeologist background from Tomb of Annihilation is a start. Then I'd probably go rogue scout or monster slayer ranger (from Xanathar's Guide). The first would be great for trap filled dungeons, the latter for monster filled ones. Maybe even multiclass.

3
macbootOP•

Are the Xanathar classes available yet? I've seen people mention them but I didn't think the book was out!

1
ebrum2010•

The playtest versions are available. For some of them only a few balance changes were made but for others like the Monster Slayer they changed it from a fighter subclass to ranger subclass. I'm letting my players do the playtest version til it comes out, but they're also starting at level 1 so they may not hit level 3 in a month. There's a playtest version of the scout. Talk to your DM, it's only a few weeks as long as you're willing to switch to the final version when Xanathar's comes out, they might be willing to cut a deal with you. Totally depends on the DM.

1
macbootOP•

Hmm I'll try and find those, could be useful then!

1
ebrum2010•

Just make sure you talk to your DM first as playtest versions are not final versions and may not be fully balanced, requiring the DM to make changes to it themselves. The Xanathar's Guide will have the final versions. Some DMs don't allow playtest material because it requires more work on their part if the material is not balanced. Also I wouldn't multiclass until the final versions are out. Playtest stuff is usually broken for multiclassing.

2
pasiphilo•

I've been playing a human rogue with the Dungeon Delver feat and climbing gear, and having lots fun with him. In particular, I consider all three dimensions of any space, since such a character would be equally comfortable repelling down the wall as slipping past a trapped door. As an example, in my last fight, I harnessed myself upside down on the ceiling to stay out of reach of the giant scorpions attacking us while I sniped them with my crossbow. Rogues are cool; dungeoneer rogues are way cool.

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Whifflebat_Paladin+3 Mace of Befriending•

Do you think straight rogues or arcane tricksters would be better for a character like this? 'cause I'm imagining all sorts of outside-the-box tactics an arcane trickster could pull off (as well as added general utility).

2
pasiphilo•

Well, my character is rogue thief with a "tomb raider" feel, but I'm sure an arcane trickster would bring an equally fun and versatile approach to the dungeon delving. For example, I can imagine such a character creating illusory sounds of scarier monsters to scare away real monsters.

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Whifflebat_Paladin+3 Mace of Befriending•

Imagine spiderwalking up a wall to get past floorplates!

2
praetorrent•

I feel like there doesn't need to be any class or race. I would actually love to see a player use this as a reason they became an adventurer.

2
Caedem•

Don't worry too much about trying to get the perfect build with abilities you want, you'll end up playing a mechanics based PC rather than a character who is actually interesting.

Also the dwarven rogue in my team would probably want a word or two with you about your dwarven thief comment!

2
macbootOP•

I was just wondering if there was a set of mechanics that would help reinforce the character. I wasn't really set on a character for it beyond that, and I was curious just how other people would do it so I left it open.

I'll keep a more open mind about dwarves and their place in society! I'm sure being fat and strong helps plenty in sneaking!

1