The waxwork rogue in Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass is a standout option in the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons, offering a unique and dynamic subclass. These rogues, animated by mysterious wax magic, go beyond traditional stealthiness; they are adaptable, cunning, and equipped with a range of intriguing abilities.
With capabilities that allow them to shape wax and wield fire, waxwork rogues embody versatility and creativity. Whether you envision them as simple messengers or as elaborately themed spies, this guide will assist you in crafting a character that excels in combat while making a memorable impact at the gaming table.
Highlights of the Waxwork Rogue
The essence of a waxwork rogue lies in their Enchantments and Wick Points. By level three, you’ll have the opportunity to learn several Enchantments fueled by these points, which increase as you climb higher levels.
Aside from Enchantments, which we’ll delve into later, this class also includes features focused on light production and enhanced Sneak Attacks:
- At third level, you acquire the cantrips Dancing Lights and Produce Flame.
- At ninth level, you can boost your Sneak Attack damage by adding a D6, drinking up to four Wick Points in the process.
- At 17th level, you can create a unique candle (usable once per long rest) that grants immunity to fire damage and reduces the cost of Enchantments by one.
Top Enchantments for Waxwork Rogues
Upon reaching level three, you will select three Enchantments, with two more available at levels five, ten, and fifteen. You can replace old Enchantments when you gain new ones, and by level 13, some Enchantments get upgraded versions.
If you don’t know any of the upgraded Enchantments by level 13, you can learn one for free. However, it may be smarter to replace an existing one for balance.
Every Enchantment consumes a certain number of Wick Points, and the amount you have equals your rogue level. Similar to a monk’s resource management, these points refresh during short or long rests.
Level Three Enchantments
There’s a myriad of Enchantments available for waxwork rogues, making it crucial to assess your build and team dynamics before making selections. With only three Wick Points at this stage, some specific Enchantments really shine across various rogue builds.
Delicacy is an excellent supportive Enchantment that takes care of your party’s food needs and allows members to heal a D6 as a bonus action. Priced at just one Point, it’s a perfect way to expend any leftover Wick Points during a short rest.
Flooding Abundance may require setup but is a fantastic way to manipulate the battlefield, creating a 15-foot-wide area of difficult terrain for only two Wick Points. This area is flammable, providing a means to inflict area damage if needed.
Lastly, Maker’s Mark serves as a straightforward offensive tool, particularly with weapons that have the Vex property. Weapons with this property grant advantage on your next hit, enabling you to deliver Sneak Attack damage without needing allies nearby.
Level Five Enchantments
By level five, waxwork rogues excel as crowd-control specialists through the Detonate Enchantment, which inflicts 2D6 fire damage and 2D8 thunder damage in a 20-foot area. While you could switch out Flooding Abundance for this option, combining both yields significant fire damage synergy.
While Detonate costs three Wick Points, you can choose to spend additional points to amplify the fire damage.
For players leaning towards support, Shielding Seal provides temporary hit points. Like Delicacy, it’s an effective use of leftover Wick Points, but you can only maintain one Seal at a time.
Level Ten Enchantments
At level ten, you’ll gain access to Consuming Flame, which acts as a specialized version of Counterspell. This Enchantment allows you to hold onto spells of level three or lower and cast them within 24 hours before the magic dissipates. This is also a great level to consider adding Wick Whip, which creates a flaming whip that deals 3D4 damage and allows you to use your Dexterity modifier for both attack and damage rolls.
Level Fifteen Enchantments
Your best Enchantments should already be in your arsenal by this point, with some receiving upgrades at level 13. You could explore additional unique options like Iron Seal for securing doors or items and Bocha Glue Wax for bonding items together.
Best Species Options
When constructing a character, it’s useful to pick a species that enhances sneaking abilities. Halflings excel at hiding, making them advantageous for rogues. For a thematic affinity with fire, tieflings with infernal legacy traits offer access to additional fire spells and resistance to fire damage, reducing risks if you accidentally trigger some explosive enchantments.
Optimal Stat Placements
Similar to regular rogues, waxwork rogues benefit greatly from a focus on Dexterity and Constitution. Choose between Wisdom or Charisma as a third priority to help with common saving throws against harmful effects you might encounter.
Recommended Starting Equipment
You won’t need to stress about maintaining a supply of wax to enact your Enchantments, but it’s wise to check with your Dungeon Master regarding any specific items, like parchments or signet rings, that might feature in your abilities.
The basic rogue equipment will suffice, but keep in mind that waxwork rogues perform best in close quarters. Ranged options are helpful, but prioritize melee weapons for combat scenarios.
Recommended Feats and Backgrounds
When developing a 2024 class character, it’s important to select your background with care, as your stats derive from it. The Soldier background provides the necessary Dexterity and Constitution, while the Savage Attacker origin feat greatly enhances your combat damage.
If you often employ melee strategies, consider the Charger feat, which allows you to dash further and deal more damage after charging, plus even push the target back if they are not significantly larger than you.
Best Multiclassing Options
Multiclassing as a waxwork rogue requires careful thought, especially since it may lead to the loss of valuable Wick Points. Seek options that don’t demand excessive commitment. For example, choosing the ranger class is ideal, as it grants access to Hunter’s Mark as early as level one, complementing all your standard damage operations.
