#laerryn went to the James Cagney Birdman school of Dont Fuck With Rogues

[bardly-working]

Veth v. Laerryn: the hypothetical fight mechanics breakdown no one asked for

The weasels have the wheel and they want to figure out how such a fight would go mechanically (based off of the information we have on critrolestats).

Cause if they don’t have the right spells, a high level rogue can fuck a wizard’s shit up.

The biggest advantage to a rogue is their bonus action hide.  You Can’t Hit What You Can’t See still (mostly) applies for casters.  Laerryn’s Passive Perception of 17 isn’t bad, but it doesn’t compare with Veth’s 25 minimum roll with Reliable Talent.  And even if she wastes her action to look for Veth... okay: with a +7 to Perception, against Veth’s +15 (at an equivalent level 14 at least)... that’s a 1.5% chance Laerryn has of actually spotting Veth.  Ooph. So.  Laerryn pretty much can’t see Veth.  That takes a considerable number of her listed spells out of the running.

Basically Laerryn’s gonna need to use the LORGE AN CHONKY AoE spells that don’t require line of sight.  There’s only two listed on Laerryn’s CRS character sheet, but iirc that only reflects what’s been used in game, so let’s go over some other possibilities! (* for those she may not have)

Fireball: ol’ reliable right here is a great one with excellent damage output.  The only problem is that it’s a Dex save, and even if she failed (she has a +10), with Evasion the most Veth would end up taking is half damage.

Reverse Gravity: depending on the environment/if there’s a ceiling, this could royally screw Veth out of her ability to hide.  She’d need to be really quick in casting Invisibility before she’s dragged up and out of her hiding place so Laerryn couldn’t just wreck her once she’s out in the open.  And with Feather Fall as a reaction, there’s no fall damage when the spell ends.

Slow*: would limit Veth to either an Action or Bonus Action — meaning no more hiding after she attacks!  If Laerryn cast this in order to end concentration on Reverse Gravity, this would remove Veth’s reaction, meaning no Feather Fall and Veth would take full damage.  But.. Veth is proficient in Wisom saves thanks to her Resilient feat.

Storm Sphere*: continuous damage on a failed Strength save?  Hell yes!  The damage is fairly minimal, but the description says that the lightning bolt strikes out towards a creature of your choice within 60 ft of the storm... it does not say that you have to see them.

Horrid Wilting/Cloudkill/Sunburst*: these are all large-AoE damage spells, each requiring a Con save (which Veth only has a +1 in).  Sunburst, which blinds enemies on a failed save, is particularly useful.

Basically, Laerryn’s win is going to rely on what other spells she has in her arsenal, as without those it’s insanely unlikely she’ll be able to spot Veth in time to prevent a sneak attack or use one of her targeted attack spells.  With just the spells we currently know?  ...It doesn’t look great.

Veth’s win is going to rely on making her saving throws while staying hidden, and whittling down Laerryn’s 142 hit points (175 with Arcane Ward).  But with 8d6+5 damage every round that she’s hidden? I think she could actually do it.  She’s crazy enough to pull it off, she has some solid saving throws, and she has a ridiculous stealth check.  Unless Laerryn preps the exact right spells, Veth could take this whole thing.