Rogue - Smoke Screen

[Cagus]

Hi,
I feel Smoke Screen is not as good utility as it could be. In PvP this makes you lose valuable round without bigger inpact and in PvE the gain is almost non-existent (for me at least).

I propose a boost of this grenade, which makes it of better use.
On the area where used, casts darkness with duration of 1 round per 2 rogue levels.
This would give duration of 6 rounds at minimum and 15 at maximum (pure rogue).

Because of accesibily of darkness (racial, gift, scrolls/wands with rogues UMD etc., infinity casts with warlock and true flame) this wouldn't impact overall power of the class, but gives rogue a little advantage and utility with this grenade.
Can be also used as supplement for HipS if rogue doesn't posses one, darkness and hide as action combination. Makes him look like a trickster (or modern mage, who throws smokeball to his feets and disappears).
Duration is still less than half to racial abilities and gift. And for option getting only five of them for each rest, wouldn't make rogues 'always in darkness' hidden class.

Stay dark and hidden.

[CosmicOrderV]

Is it possible to create the darkness effect, without the darkness animation? If Smoke Screen kept its smokiness, but otherwise had the Darkness effect added to the area, that would be super sweet! I have to double the sentiment, Smoke Screen is nigh useless. Most rogue grenades are, but for Smoke Screen specifically, somehow adding in the same effect as Darkness, while not changing the flavor, would be really cool.