Hi guys!
I was wondering:
Since I don't have many FGs, but I do have mixed junk items, I can go up to level 30-35 with melee and then switch to caster (based on my damage items).

The thing is, should I put some points into Intelligence? If so, when should I do that?

I know that in the past we used to build a lot of rogue casts, but I really don't remember how.

if you dont have or want to spend alot of fg just stick to melee. tank heavy armors, str charms and ee clubs are pretty cheap and easy to find

you need SIGNIFICANTLY better items to make caster rogue beat caster mage.

should be able to get a 30 int staff and 40 int robe for dead cheap. By comparison you'd probably want a 50 int+ weapon and 50+ int medium armor to compensate the lower starting intel.
Whilst the difference is only 20 stats, for intel this would also be 20 stats worth of mana. hence why i suggested at least 30 int minimum from weapon/armor.


If you were to do a caster rogue, ALL points go into intelligence/vitality.
"Hybrid" doesnt exist any more, it's just exceedingly inefficient and better off choosing a path of either melee or casting. This is why guardian is also a junk class. he has no purpose except as a tank healer which is practically never needed in any situation.

Even for a caster rogue, you'll probably want to melee the first 20 levels anyway as the mana pool isnt ideal as well as the starting int meaning ee staffs will do more damage.
so your current rogue setup: https://forums.d2jsp.org/user.php?c=3&i=254423&p=100617 is correct for attempting to rogue cast. Your issue is probably too low hp imo. I'd want 50 or so vitality by the time you're level 50.
I'd still suggest your caster rogue should level up significantly faster than your guardian ever did, the main point here is you'll also want to throw loads of stuff into the shrine to keep mana flowing decently. if like some people you're allergic to using the shrine then i would highly recommend melee.

One final benefit of casting is casting charms level 40+ with 120 or less ee will be dirt cheap as no-one does mage these days, seeing the main guide rotates about melee and it being significantly more simple to play without having to worry about a mana pool. However the caster route actually finds level 55+ easier than melee classes

I am an odd duck for builds and not very many players would suggest the following.

Melee / Heal is easier is solo'ing. The best thing is, that you could cast as well vs Sneaky. Guardians can not cast damage charms, making Rogue better.

Weapons to use should be Dexterity ratio: Axe / Dagger / Staff & Spear (Rogue usable) because you start off with 60 base dexterity.

Your intelligence only needs to reach a Base of 30, your Rogue base is 25.

Your Vitality base is dependent on Solo, Group (whom will initiate how to set up your rogue for the run) and the Gear you have available. Your base vitality is 35. Solo = 100 base (dependent on your gear). Group = 50 (as long as there is a decent healer in group taking up that role).

Run Down:

@ level 1 you start off with +10 Stat points. Option: Solo Melee / Heal= full vitality and keep pumping it to 100 base will be reached by level 57 (excluding Pinch / Treasure Pest objectives). Now add 5 points into Intelligence for base 30 (or add it at the start and reach 100 base vitality @ level 62) ... rest into Dexterity.

Just by stating above, you can see what options are left to you. You can also try to be a Melee / Caster (Heal) using gear to work for you:

Weapon: Must have EE and hopefully +Intelligence (Axe, Dagger, Staff & Spear)
Armor: +Intelligence... more the merrier & at least highest Tier to your character level... some other mods can help.
Main Charm: EE of course... must have either Dexterity or Intelligence... this charm can be either Damage or Heal type.
ACC Charm: Simple enough... EE, this is the alternate Damage or Heal to your Main charm.

Add first 5 points to Int & Vitality = 30 Base Int & 40 Base Vitality... the Rest goes into Intelligence because your Melee will only use your Base Dexterity stats.

You can only test this out for yourself and your Play Style... in a group, you will setup your Rogue that best suits the group run speed.