Since the Early Access for Solasta the question of whether one should use a Rogue or a Lowlife Ranger as their party thief has come up numerous times. The short of it is that both are perfectly viable on most difficulty settings, with the Rogue being a bit better at skill checks (including crafting, if you use the Academic background), while the Ranger will deal a bit more damage.
Solasta is primarily combat, however, so one could argue that this means the Ranger is the superior option and there is admittedly some truth to that, though I would recommend people pick whichever they think will be the most fun to play with. Unfortunately for me, I like both classes, so I might just have to run the numbers anyway.
TL;DR
The Ranger will consistently deal more damage than a Rogue at most points in the game, if that is what you think should decide whether or not a Lowlife Ranger makes for a better thief character than a Rogue.
What builds, levels and why?
We’ll be looking at lvl 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9. For the most part we will assume simple stats and equipment, but I’ll include a comparison using actual Solasta equipment to show much more that the game favors Rangers in combat.
I will mostly look at dexterity based builds that dual wield, seeing as this is the most probable builds in my mind when the choice is between Rogue and Ranger for party thief.
The Ranger is barely a class at lvl 1 and the game ends its tutorial with you reaching lvl 2, so I’ll begin there.
No accuracy
Because the characters would have the same accuracy in each of these comparisons, I won’t adjust the damage for accuracy.
Edit: Accuracy comparisons: https://forums.solasta-game.com/replies/10520
Hunter v Shadowcaster
I will assume a Hunter Ranger with Colossus Slayer going up against a Shadowcaster Rogue. A Marksman Ranger can reduce their damage by 4.5 from lvl 3 onwards compared to the Hunter, while Shadow Tamer can replace the 4.5 with anything from +2 to +12 depending on when and what you are fighting.
This is not to say you should only play a Hunter with Colossus Slayer, but it is a good baseline for comparison.
I’ll use the Shadowcaster Rogue because it seems like the overall best Rogue in Solasta, but if you want to use Darkweaver instead, add 7 poison damage at lvl 9. Just keep in mind that poison is commonly resisted and the DC is quite low, making it very unreliable.
Ranger damage calculations
Dual wielding Rangers are a touch more complicated to calculate than it might seem at first glance because Hunter’s Mark uses your bonus action. In the interest of that, I’ll include 3 values for DW Ranger: 1) set up round, 2) ideal round and 3) no magic.
1) The set up round is the round where you use your bonus action to activate Hunter’s Mark.
2) The ideal round is a round where you’re attacking a creature that already has Hunter’s Mark active on them.
3) The no spell round is when you don’t want to, or can’t, use magic to boost your damage.
Rangers who primarily use a bow or sword’n’shield do not need to differentiate 1) and 2), since they rarely use their bonus action.
I won't account for Favored Enemy, though picking Undead and either Elementals or Monstrocities will significantly increase their damage over the course of the story. The simple truth is that the Ranger doesn't even really need it. FE can add anything from +1 to +12 damage per round.
Rogue calculations
I will assume Sneak Attack and off-hand attacks every round, even though this won’t be reflected in practice.
Calculation setups
The formulae will usually follow this format:
(weapon damage dice) + (ability score and enchantment modifier) + (sneak attack / hunter’s mark) + (colossus slayer)
Each step will be consolidated, so if a Rogue attacks with 2 shortswords the weapon damage dice will be summed up as 2d6, instead of 1d6 twice.
Dual Wielding Builds
Level 2
Rogue
16 dex
2x shortswords (1d6)
1d6 sneak attack
Rogues do not get any fighting style, so they only get their dexterity bonus to their mainhand attack.
2d6 + 3 + 1d6 = 13.5
Ranger
16 dex
2x shortswords (1d6)
Two-weapon style
Hunter’s Mark
1) 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 = 10
2) 2d6 + 6 + 2d6 = 20
3) 2d6 + 6 = 13
Conclusion
At lvl 2, the Rogue is 0.5 damage ahead if the Ranger does not use Hunter’s Mark, but falls behind quickly if the Ranger gets 2 rounds worth of attacks on a target.
Level 3
Rogue
16 dex
2x shortswords (1d6)
2d6 sneak attack
Ranger
16 dex
2x shortswords (1d6)
Two-weapon style
Hunter’s Mark
Colossus Slayer (1d8)
Conclusion
These calculations would be identical to the lvl 2 ones, except for the added 1d6 to Rogues and 1d8 to Rangers. This means adding 3.5 damage to Rogues and 4.5 to Rangers.
Rogue: 17
Ranger:
1) 14.5
2) 24.5
3) 17.5
Level 5
This is where most classes get a major bump in power and Rangers are definitely among them. By now you will likely have +1 weapons and 18 (+4) in your primary stat, so that is the assumption we are working with for both classes.
Rogue
18 dex
2x +1 shortswords (1d6+1)
3d6 sneak attack
2d6 + 6 + 3d6 = 23.5
Ranger
18 dex
2x +1 shortswords (1d6+1)
Two-weapon style
Hunter’s Mark
Colossus Slayer (1d8)
Multiattack
1) 2d6 + 10 + 1d8 + 2d6 = 28.5
2) 3d6 + 15 + 1d8 + 3d6 = 40.5
3) 3d6 + 15 + 1d8 = 30
Conclusion
At level 5, the Ranger is the clear winner for damage thanks to multiattack. Even when not using Hunter’s Mark, they do ~30% more damage.
Level 7
Rogue
18 dex
2x +1 shortswords (1d6+1)
4d6 sneak attack
Ranger
18 dex
2x +1 shortswords (1d6+1)
Two-weapon style
Hunter’s Mark
Colossus Slayer (1d8)
Multiattack
Conclusion
Rangers are at the exact same place for damage at lvl 7 as lvl 5, while the Rogues have gained another 3.5 damage for a total of 27, meaning the Rangers are still ahead.
Level 9
At this level we expect the character to have 20 in their primary stat, giving them a +5 modifier.
Rogue
20 dex
2x +1 shortswords (1d6+1)
5d6 sneak attack
2d6 + 7 + 5d6 = 31,5
Ranger
20 dex
2x +1 shortswords (1d6+1)
Two-weapon style
Hunter’s Mark
Colossus Slayer (1d8)
Multiattack
1) 2d6 + 12 + 1d8 + 2d6 = 30,5
2) 3d6 + 18 + 1d8 + 3d6 = 43.5
3) 3d6 + 18 + 1d8 = 33
Conclusion
At this level, the Rogue can roughly keep up with a Ranger who is setting up or not using Hunter’s Mark, but quickly fall behind when the Ranger has Hunter’s Mark in play.
A more accurate comparison
So far the comparison has been based on very basic stats and equipment, which is not reflective of what you’re capable of doing in Solasta. So let’s take the Rogue and Ranger and give them weapons they might have in the endgame. Specifically a pair of Lightbringer Shortswords, even though these are not actually the best 1-handed weapons available. Stronger melee weapons (usable with the Ambidextrous feat) will favor the Ranger even more.
Let’s see how this changes things at lvl 9:
Rogue
20 dex
2x Lightbringer shortswords (+1d8 radiant)
5d6 sneak attack
2d6 + 7 + 5d6 + 2d8 = 40,5
Ranger
20 dex
2x Lightbringer shortswords (+1d8 radiant)
Two-weapon style
Hunter’s Mark
Colossus Slayer (1d8)
Multiattack
1) 2d6 + 12 + 1d8 + 2d6 + 2d8 = 39,5
2) 3d6 + 18 + 1d8 + 3d6 + 3d8 = 57
3) 3d6 + 18 + 1d8 + 3d8 = 46.5
Conclusion
The simple truth is so: Rogues cannot really compete for damage with Rangers the first 10 levels of the game, only being about on par with a Ranger who isn’t using its magic by lvl 9. Magical equipment skev in the Ranger’s favor, as two-weapon style and multiattack utilize them better.
Ranger’s also have the benefit of ramping up their damage earlier, getting most of their hitting power at level 5, as opposed to having to wait until level 9.
Archery
You will likely either focus on being an archer or use it alongside dual wielding as a Ranger or Rogue. In the interest of that, here is the damage calculations for archery.
Because there is no competition for the Ranger’s bonus action when using archery and it is easier to maintain concentration when at range, I will assume the Ranger is attempting to use Hunter’s Mark on every enemy.
Level 2
Rogue
16 dex
Shortbow (1d6)
1d6 sneak attack
1d6 + 3 + 1d6 = 10
Ranger
16 dex
Longbow (1d8)
Hunter’s Mark
1d8 + 3 + 1d6 = 11
Level 3
Rogue
16 dex
Shortbow (1d6)
2d6 sneak attack
1d6 + 3 + 2d6 = 13,5
Ranger
16 dex
Longbow (1d8)
Hunter’s Mark
Colossus Slayer (1d8)
1d8 + 3 + 1d8 + 1d6 = 15,5
Level 5
Rogue
18 dex
Shortbow +1 (1d6+1)
3d6 sneak attack
1d6 + 5 + 3d6 = 19
Ranger
18 dex
Longbow +1 (1d8+1)
Hunter’s Mark
Colossus Slayer (1d8)
Multiattack
2d8 + 10 + 1d8 + 2d6 = 30.5
Typos happen. More so on the phone.
Typos happen. More so on the phone.
Typos happen. More so on the phone.
yellow flower of courage
Typos happen. More so on the phone.
Typos happen. More so on the phone.
yellow flower of courage
Typos happen. More so on the phone.