Wvaske: Major rewrite for Level 8 rebuild: now Shadar-kai single-class Rogue (Raven's Shadow), INT-based subclass casting, Sneak Attack 4d6, Reaper's Strike, Soul Tokens, Cunning Strike, updated stats/skills/items/tactics

2026-05-30T21:37:43Z

Major rewrite for Level 8 rebuild: now Shadar-kai single-class Rogue (Raven's Shadow), INT-based subclass casting, Sneak Attack 4d6, Reaper's Strike, Soul Tokens, Cunning Strike, updated stats/skills/items/tactics

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Wvaske: Updated to new tabular format for easier reference during gameplay

2026-01-23T22:57:22Z

Updated to new tabular format for easier reference during gameplay

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Wvaske: Updated guide to match character sheet exactly - removed inaccurate information, added missing abilities

2026-01-23T15:41:45Z

Updated guide to match character sheet exactly - removed inaccurate information, added missing abilities

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Wvaske: Upload player guide for Gootcha/Player Guide

2026-01-23T01:13:23Z

Upload player guide for Gootcha/Player Guide

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''This is a beginner-friendly guide for playing Gootcha. For full character details, see [[Gootcha]].''

== Overview ==

'''Role in the Party:''' Stealth Expert, Scout & Single-Target Damage Dealer

'''Core Strengths:'''
* Massive damage with Sneak Attack (3d6 extra)
* Incredible mobility with Cunning Action
* Can scout ahead safely with stealth expertise
* Versatile combat options (melee and ranged)
* Eldritch powers for magical versatility
* Can deal damage beyond death with Phantom abilities

'''Key Stats to Know:'''
* '''AC:''' ~16 (leather armor + Dex)
* '''HP:''' ~45 (moderately fragile - avoid direct hits)
* '''Sneak Attack:''' 3d6 extra damage (once per turn)
* '''Spell Slots:''' 2 slots (Pact Magic, recharge on short rest)
* '''Skills:''' Many proficiencies + Expertise in key skills

== COMBAT - What Can I Do On My Turn? ==

=== Your Turn (Main Action) ===

'''1. Rapier Attack (Melee)'''
* '''To hit:''' +7 (high accuracy)
* '''Damage:''' 1d8+4 piercing
* '''+ Sneak Attack:''' Add 3d6 damage if you have advantage OR an ally is within 5 feet of target
* '''Total damage with Sneak Attack:''' Averages 18-20 damage per hit
* '''When to use:''' When you can get Sneak Attack damage

'''2. Shortbow Attack (Ranged)'''
* '''To hit:''' +7 (high accuracy)
* '''Damage:''' 1d6+4 piercing
* '''Range:''' 80 feet (320 feet max)
* '''+ Sneak Attack:''' Add 3d6 damage (same conditions as melee)
* '''When to use:''' When staying at range is safer, or when flanking isn't available

'''3. Hex Blade Attack (Pact Weapon)'''
* Your pact weapon can be summoned as a bonus action
* Attacks use Charisma instead of Dex/Str (if you chose that invocation)
* Can be any weapon you're proficient with
* Disappears if you dismiss it or summon a different weapon

'''4. Cast a Spell (Warlock Spells)'''

'''Offensive Spells:'''
* '''Eldritch Blast''' (cantrip, ranged) - 1d10 force damage per beam (2 beams at your level), range 120 ft
* '''Hex''' (1st level, bonus action) - Curse a target, add 1d6 necrotic to each hit, lasts up to 1 hour
* '''Hellish Rebuke''' (racial, 1/long rest) - When damaged, reaction to deal 2d10 fire damage
* '''Arms of Hadar''' (1st level) - 10-ft radius, 2d6 necrotic damage to all creatures

'''Utility Spells:'''
* '''Misty Step''' (if known) - Teleport 30 feet as a bonus action
* '''Invisibility''' (if known) - Turn invisible until you attack or cast
* '''Darkness''' (if known) - Create magical darkness in 15-ft radius

'''5. Use Special Rogue Abilities'''

'''Tokens of the Departed (Phantom Feature):'''
* When a creature you can see dies within 30 feet, you gain one soul trinket
* You can have maximum proficiency bonus (currently 3) trinkets at once
* '''Uses:'''
* Ask the dead one question (trinket destroyed)
* Grant advantage on death save or attack/ability check (trinket destroyed)
* Use Wails from the Grave for extra damage

'''Wails from the Grave:'''
* When you deal Sneak Attack damage, deal half that damage (rounded up) to another creature within 30 feet
* '''Example:''' Sneak Attack for 14 damage → deal 7 necrotic to a second target nearby
* Can use soul trinket to use this even if you've already used it this turn

=== Bonus Actions ===

* '''Cunning Action:''' Dash, Disengage, or Hide (THIS IS YOUR BEST FRIEND)
* '''Dash:''' Double your movement (60 feet total)
* '''Disengage:''' Leave melee without provoking attacks
* '''Hide:''' Attempt to hide (even in combat if obscured)
* '''Hex:''' Curse a target for extra damage
* '''Summon Pact Weapon:''' Create your hex weapon
* '''Misty Step:''' Teleport if you know this spell

=== Reactions ===

* '''Opportunity Attack:''' When enemy leaves your reach without Disengaging
* '''Hellish Rebuke:''' When hit, burn the attacker (racial trait, 1/long rest)
* '''Uncanny Dodge:''' When hit by an attack you can see, use reaction to halve damage (AMAZING SURVIVABILITY)

=== Passive Abilities (Always On) ===

* '''Sneak Attack:''' Once per turn, add 3d6 damage when you have advantage or an ally is within 5 feet of target
* '''Evasion:''' When you make a Dex save, take half damage on fail, no damage on success
* '''Expertise:''' Double proficiency in selected skills (usually Stealth and one other)
* '''Darkvision:''' See in dim light as bright, darkness as dim light (60 feet)
* '''Whispers of the Dead:''' Gain proficiency in skill/tool of your choice for 1 hour (1/short rest)

== SOCIAL SITUATIONS - How Can I Interact? ==

'''Skill Proficiencies (with likely high modifiers):'''
* '''Stealth:''' +9 or higher with Expertise (best in party for sneaking)
* '''Deception:''' +6-8 (great for lying and disguises)
* '''Sleight of Hand:''' +7 (pickpocketing, palming items)
* '''Perception:''' +5 (spotting hidden things)
* '''Insight:''' +5 (detecting lies and motives)
* '''Persuasion or Intimidation:''' Moderate (depending on build)
* '''Acrobatics:''' +7 (tumbling, balancing, escaping bonds)

'''Special Abilities:'''
* '''Whispers of the Dead:''' Temporarily gain proficiency in any skill or tool for 1 hour
* '''Example uses:''' Learn Forgery Kit proficiency to fake documents, learn Navigator's Tools for sea voyage
* '''Tokens of the Departed:''' Ask a soul trinket one question about its life
* '''Thieves' Cant:''' Secret language of rogues - communicate with other rogues covertly

'''Roleplay Strengths:'''
* Master of stealth and infiltration
* Can gather information unseen
* Skilled liar and manipulator
* Connections to underworld through Harper faction
* Can speak to the dead (via tokens)

== EXPLORATION - How Can I Help Outside Combat? ==

'''Skills for Exploration:'''
* '''Stealth:''' +9+ with Expertise - best scout in the party
* '''Perception:''' +5 (passive likely 15+) - spotting traps, hidden doors, ambushes
* '''Investigation:''' Moderate - searching rooms and finding clues
* '''Sleight of Hand:''' +7 - disarming traps, picking locks, pickpocketing

'''Special Abilities:'''
* '''Cunning Action (Hide):''' Can hide in combat and exploration, even with light cover
* '''Whispers of the Dead:''' Gain temporary tool proficiency
* '''Uses:''' Thieves' Tools for locks, forgery kit, navigator's tools, disguise kit
* '''Tokens of the Departed:''' Interrogate the dead for information
* '''Darkvision:''' See in darkness without light

'''Utility Spells (if known):'''
* '''Invisibility:''' Perfect for scouting or infiltration
* '''Misty Step:''' Bypass locked doors, chasms, climb walls instantly
* '''Spider Climb:''' Walk on walls and ceilings (if you take this invocation)

'''Movement:'''
* '''Speed:''' 30 feet normally, 60 feet with Cunning Action (Dash)
* '''Evasion:''' Great for avoiding traps that require Dex saves
* '''Uncanny Dodge:''' Survive surprise attacks and ambushes

'''Other Abilities:'''
* '''Thieves' Tools Proficiency:''' Pick locks and disarm mechanical traps
* '''Light Armor Proficiency:''' Quiet movement with leather armor
* '''Fey Ancestry (Half-Elf):''' Advantage on saves vs charm, can't be magically put to sleep

== RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Resource !! Total Available !! Recharges On
|-
| '''Warlock Spell Slots''' || 2 slots (2nd level) || '''Short or Long Rest''' (huge advantage!)
|-
| '''Sneak Attack''' || Unlimited || Once per turn (always available)
|-
| '''Cunning Action''' || Unlimited || Every turn
|-
| '''Uncanny Dodge''' || Unlimited || Once per round (uses reaction)
|-
| '''Soul Trinkets''' || 3 maximum || Gain when creature dies near you
|-
| '''Whispers of the Dead''' || 1 use || Short or Long Rest
|-
| '''Hellish Rebuke''' || 1 use || Long Rest
|-
| '''Wails from the Grave''' || 1 use/turn || Always available with Sneak Attack
|}

'''Important Notes:'''
* **Warlock spell slots recharge on SHORT rest** - you can use spells liberally
* Sneak Attack recharges every turn - use it every single turn if possible
* Cunning Action is unlimited - Disengage/Hide/Dash freely
* Soul trinkets are limited but powerful - save for important moments
* Uncanny Dodge doesn't use a resource, just your reaction

== COMMON TACTICS ==

'''1. The Assassin Strike (Maximum Single-Target Damage)'''
* Before combat: Cast Hex on priority target (lasts 1 hour)
* Turn 1: Hide as bonus action (Cunning Action)
* Turn 2: Attack from hiding with advantage
* '''Damage:''' 1d8+4 (rapier) + 3d6 (Sneak Attack) + 1d6 (Hex) + half Sneak Attack to second target (Wails from the Grave)
* '''Average:''' 25-30 damage to primary target, 10-12 to secondary target in one turn

'''2. The Hit-and-Run (Survival in Melee)'''
* Move up to enemy
* Attack with rapier (Sneak Attack if ally nearby)
* Bonus Action: Cunning Action (Disengage)
* Move away to safety
* '''Why:''' You don't provoke opportunity attacks, and you're out of melee range for enemy turns

'''3. The Ranged Sniper (Safe Damage)'''
* Stay 40-60 feet from combat
* Attack with shortbow each turn
* Get Sneak Attack when allies are in melee with target
* If hit, use Uncanny Dodge to halve damage
* If things get scary, use Misty Step or Cunning Action (Dash) to escape
* '''Why:''' Maximum safety while still dealing full Sneak Attack damage

'''4. The Scout (Information Gathering)'''
* Before the party enters dangerous area, use Cunning Action (Hide) with Stealth Expertise
* Scout ahead invisibly (if you have Invisibility spell) or with extreme stealth
* Report back on enemy numbers, positions, traps
* '''Why:''' Your +9+ Stealth makes you the best scout, and you have escape tools if discovered

'''5. The Interrogator (Dead or Alive)'''
* '''For living targets:''' Use Deception/Persuasion/Intimidation to extract info
* '''For dead targets:''' Use Token of the Departed to ask one question
* '''For reluctant targets:''' Threaten with phantom powers or use social skills
* '''Why:''' You can get information from sources others can't access

'''6. The Eldritch Sniper (Unlimited Ranged Damage)'''
* Stay at long range (100+ feet away)
* Cast Eldritch Blast each turn (cantrip = unlimited uses)
* 2 beams at 1d10+modifier each
* Add Hex for +1d6 per beam
* '''Damage per turn:''' ~20 without using spell slots or Sneak Attack
* '''Why:''' Great when Sneak Attack isn't available or you're conserving resources

== QUICK REFERENCE ==

'''On Your Turn, Usually Do One Of These:'''
# Attack with advantage or when ally nearby → Sneak Attack damage (3d6 extra)
# Cast Hex (bonus action) → Attack with weapon (extra 1d6 per hit)
# Eldritch Blast → Reliable ranged damage without resources
# Hide (Cunning Action) → Attack next turn with advantage
# Attack → Cunning Action (Disengage) → Move away (hit-and-run)

'''Bonus Action Options (Pick One Per Turn):'''
* Cunning Action: Dash, Disengage, or Hide (MOST COMMON)
* Hex: Curse a target for +1d6 per hit
* Misty Step: Teleport 30 feet

'''Reaction Options:'''
* Uncanny Dodge: Halve damage from one attack (USE THIS OFTEN)
* Opportunity Attack: Standard melee attack when enemy leaves reach
* Hellish Rebuke: Burn attacker for 2d10 fire (once per long rest)

'''Remember:'''
* Sneak Attack works ONCE PER TURN (not once per round - can use on reactions too!)
* You can use Sneak Attack with ranged OR melee attacks
* You need advantage OR an ally within 5 feet of the target
* Cunning Action is your bread and butter - use it every turn
* Uncanny Dodge can save your life - don't forget your reaction
* Warlock slots recharge on SHORT rest - use them more freely than other casters
* Wails from the Grave lets you damage TWO targets when you Sneak Attack

[[Category:Player Resources]]
[[Category:Player Characters]]

Gootcha/Player Guide - Revision history

Wvaske: Major rewrite for Level 8 rebuild: now Shadar-kai single-class Rogue (Raven's Shadow), INT-based subclass casting, Sneak Attack 4d6, Reaper's Strike, Soul Tokens, Cunning Strike, updated stats/skills/items/tactics

Wvaske: Updated to new tabular format for easier reference during gameplay

Wvaske: Updated guide to match character sheet exactly - removed inaccurate information, added missing abilities

Wvaske: Upload player guide for Gootcha/Player Guide