Halflings

Halflings excel at stealth, and their natural agility makes them good choices for any physically active rascal. Lidda, the iconic rogue presented in the Player's Handbook, is a halfling. Halflings are known to have

Like elves, halflings gain a racial bonus to Dexterity. Halflings have a racial Strength penalty that can be a hindrance in melee, but most rascals can live with that. A halfling's small size limits the damage the character can expect to deal with a weapon (and the character's Strength penalty makes matters worse); however, that size also gives the character a hefty bonus (+4) on Hide checks and may allow him to squeeze through spaces a larger character couldn't. A halfling's racial bonus on Move Silently checks makes the character extra stealthy, a handy trait for any rascal. A halfling's short stature also gives the character a fairly slow base speed of 20 feet, which can make a quick getaway tough to manage. A halfling can do better outwitting foes or perhaps hiding when a hasty departure is in order.

A halfling can do fairly well in combat, despite the hindrances noted above. The character's Small size improves Armor Class. Small characters also receive an attack bonus that helps offset a halfling's Strength penalty. Halflings gain extra attack bonuses with thrown weapons and slings. A halfling's saving throw bonuses give her an extra edge in combat and other dangerous situations. A halfling can do especially well if she chooses the Weapon Finesse feat and uses light weaponry or a rapier for melee.

Halflings make excellent rogues or scouts. A halfling ranger can get extra mileage out of the ranger's animal companion class feature by selecting a Medium fighting animal as a mount. Halfling monks don't deal much damage with their unarmed attacks, but halflings must deal with that problem whenever they fight, with or without weapons. A monk's fast movement class feature helps offset a halfling's lack of speed, and a halfling's stealth bonuses can make for a monk that's nigh undetectable. A halfling ninja enjoys similar advantages.

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