Non Multiclassing Rogue Messing with Sneak Attack Dice

[dmhelp]

In a non multiclassing campaign has anyone tried messing with sneak attack dice progression?

I'm using a 17, 15, 13, 13, 11, 8 array.

Rogue sneak attack seems underwhelming compared to optimized extra attack classes (especially hunter's mark/hex and even worse with a Hunter Ranger).

I was thinking of saying:
Rogue 5-10 5d6
Rogue 11-16 8d6
Rogue 17-20 10d6

That gives more of an oomph at level 5 (extra attack) and 11 (fighter 3rd attack/paladin improved smite).

My reservation is Assassin doubling the dice on surprise (10d6 at level 5)....

An alternative would be (following the proficiency bonus increases):
5-8 4d6
9-12 6d6
13-16 8d6
17-20 10d6

[OldTrees1]

Rogue does not seem underwhelming to me. They just have a smoother growth curve than the Extra Attack classes. So Rogue will outperform them at times, and be outperformed at times. Not to mention, Rogue is about the Expertise.

Consider 3rd level Hexblade vs 3rd level Arcane Trickster (so we can ignore weapon cantrip math).
Curse once per short rest = Curse once per 2 encounters.
Hex twice per short rest = Hex once per encounter.
1d8+1d6+mod+prof/2 ~= 1d6+1d8+1+mod
vs Rogue
1d8+2d6+mod

Consider 7th level Hexblade vs 7th level Arcane Trickster (Shadow Blade)
2d8+2d6+2xmod+prof/2 vs 1d8+1d8/3+4d6+mod

Consider 9th level Hexblade vs 9th level Arcane Trickster (Shadow Blade)
2d8+2d6+2xmod+prof/2 vs 1d8+1d8/3+5d6+mod

The same is true mid Tier 2 and mid Tier 3. If you front load all of that at the beginning of each tier, you are creating imbalance. Your concern about Assassin is a warning sign.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

It's fine how it is, nothing is broken, so nothing needs fixing. Rogue doesn't deal damage in the same way as martial classes or spellcasters or hybrids of those do, and trying to change their damage mechanics to work the same way as other classes is completely unnecessary and it's unfair to the elegance of the class itself. If you want a damage boost at certain levels, go Arcane Trickster with Booming Blade and/or Green-Flame Blade, and take Magic Initiate for Hex or Hunter's Mark.

Rogue super-duper outperforms when you get a reaction attack for a second sneak attack each turn. Whether from taking Sentinel, or having a Battle Master with Commander's Strike, or having an Order Cleric, or any combination of those, if you're getting a second sneak attack even once every 3-4 rounds you're outperforming martial classes.

[JellyPooga]

It's really really really worth stressing that Rogue is simply not a Class that is focused on dealing damage.

Just look at their features; apart from Sneak Attack, all of their features are about skill use and damage avoidance/mitigation. I find it a good comparison to think of Sneak Attack as the Rogues Firebolt or Eldritch Blast. Yes, it's a good staple source of damage in combat, but unless you really focus on improving and/or making the most of it, it's just not going to be all that impressive or, more importantly, exciting.

It's why I consider the Swashbuckler to be rather a dull subclass compared to Arcane Trickster and Thief. The former offers little except greater incentive to use Sneak Attack, while the latter two expand upon the Rogues ability to do things other than just Attack. Imagine a Wizard School that was all about improving and dealing Cantrip damage...do you think it would be well received? No, because it would miss the point of the Wizard Class in favour of improving it's baseline/backup option. Same deal for the Swashbuckler and for your houserules for the Rogue; yeah, it might be fun to use and make you more competetive at doing what a Fighter or Barbarian typically does better than the Rogue, but it sort of misses the point of what a Rogue is and does best.

[DevilMcam]

Rogues do about as much damage as your average (not gwm/ss/Xbow...) fighter trough most levels.

Rogues also have a major accuracy advantage over fighters. If you use a ranged weapon you more or less always have advantage thanks to cunning action, if you use a melee weapon you can dualwield to get a second shot a landing that sneak attack. Howerver, compared to the fighter you only need 1 attack to land to deal full damage, where the fighters need to land all of his.

Yes it is nearly impossible to optimise damage on a rogue, but as mentionned earlier, rogue are a skill class. So if we make rogues fight as good as fighter, we should probably make the fighter as good with skills as the rogue. and then both class completely lose their identity.
while we are at it the barbarian should cast as well as the wizard, because it's not fair that they are not on the same level spellcasting wise

[GoodmanDL]

Rogues ate competitive but not dominant in combat, but also don't need to be. Just have to pull weight. Rogues can't go nova like a pally, they also don't run out of Sneak Attack and can usually get it on their own.

Granted synergies aren't a given. Other characters are often going to be doing their own thing rather than setting you up wits advantage and reaction attacks. But if the party has a Bard, your rogue needs to be their best friend. That Bard (or a battlefield control Wizard) can make you look really good.