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Is it time to make a new character? Or maybe it’s your first time creating one inDungeons & Dragons? One of the first and biggest decisions you’ll make in the character-creating process is what class to play. Especially as the 2024 Player’s Handbook leads you in picking your class before your species.
Of the 12 classes there are to choose from, all with their different strengths and weaknesses, why should you consider picking a rogue? This guide will not only explore the why but also some of the best options open to you on your journey in crafting a character.
Rogue Highlights
One of the first things about rogues that a lot of players gravitate to istheir Sneak Attack. Another reason some pick a rogue over any other class in D&D is because ofhow many skills they gain proficiency inand gaining that sweet, sweetExpertise in two skillsat level one, andanother two skills at level six.
This means you really do become an expert in these skills, as you will bedoubling your proficiency bonuswhen calculating how you fared with the dice roll.
All of a rogues features work together to ensure you can quickly getinto and out of situations while dealing the most amount of damagepossible.
It further allows you tosynergize well with the other martial classesin your party. Though that’s not to say you pair badly with the ranged spellcasters, but it would mean you’reusing your sneak attack less often.
Differences In The 2024 Player’s Handbook
There are a number of key differences between the rogues of the 2014 Player’s Handbook and the 2024 Player’s Handbook. One difference that will be noticed right away is that the 2024 rogue will geta feature called Weapon Mastery, making it clear from the beginning that youknow your way around more than daggers.
In fact, the 2024 rogues gained many feats that were missing or otherwise not a part of the 2014 rogue’s kit. The 2024 Player’s Handbook changes the rogue as they:
Yes
On the whole,this makes rogues strongerand gives them access to certain abilities that they’ve never had before,such as Cunning Strike. This allows you to do away with one of your Sneak Attack dice in order toinflict a different effect on your target.
Subclass Highlights
There arefour rogue subclassesto choose from. They are thearcane trickster, assassin, soulknife, and thief. 2014 players will recognize three of these immediately asall but the soulknife were featured in the 2014 Player’s Handbook.
Soulknifewasn’t originally in that sourcebook but became part of the base rules after the subclassappeared in Tasha’s Cauldron Of Everything.
Arcane Trickster
If you’re looking tohave access to magic and spellcastingin addition to being a martial powerhouse, thenarcane trickster may be the choice for you. You will have access towizard spells, though, since you are a combination of a caster and a physical fighter, thehighest level spell slot you’ll obtain is fourth levelby the time you hit character levels 19 and 20.
If you’vebeen martial classes before but are looking to dip your toes into magic, an arcane trickster could be an excellent choice for you. That’s not to say only beginners will enjoy this class, as you cancover a lot of bases and wear a lot of hats as an arcane trickster.
Spell choices and suggested spells will be covered a bit further down in this guide.
Assassin
Theassassin is the way you want to goif you plan on beingone of the deadliest forces on your team. This subclass choice empowers the rogues' innate damaging abilities bygiving advantage to initiative rollsandadvantage on your first strikeagainst an enemy. As you level up, this power only increases when your target fails a Dexterity saving throw, letting youdouble your damage dealt.
You also get the ability tomimic voices, handwriting, and the like if you study your target for more than an hour,thanks to the level nine feature, Infiltration Expertise.
This makes it so that it’s not all about combat with the assassin and that even out of battle, you may use your skills tospy on, trap, or trick your foes. This makes an assassin fun to play in campaigns that focus on roleplaying and intrigue, as well as those that will have you in the throes of combat often.
Soulknife
Who needs real daggers when you make use of psionic blades?A soulknife roguedoes not justmake use of psychic damagebut also the powerfulSoulknife Energy dice. This can help withskill checks and team communicationby either giving yourself a little extra hand or telepathically bonding with your party members.
Having that extra boost of power can make this very helpful for playerswho are starting out and are a bit too intimidated by the spell list and choices arcane tricksters get.
However, those who like gettingcreative with their combat performances, as well ashaving multiple ways of causing damage, particularly unseen damage, will be drawn to playing a soulknife rogue.
Thief
Then there isa good, old-fashioned thief. If you likeuncovering secrets and finding treasure, this could very well be the subclass for you.
But it’s not just about stealing, believe it or not. These roguescan attack from the shadows while remaining unseenand, eventually,can take two turns in combatbecause of their quickness, and a little feat calledThief’s Reflexes.
This is for the player whoisn’t daunted by tricky situationsand can make calm and collected use of all of the thief’s abilities in tense moments. This option also works aspart of a team where you know you can be working in the backgroundor can rely on the other players totake some of the heat off of youso you can operate to the best of your abilities and features.
Best Species Options
In the 2024 Player’s Handbook, some ofthe best species optionsyou can choose to play a roguearethe halflingandany of the elves,depending on which subclass you go for. For both species, this is due totheir natural feats.
Forhalflings, theirNaturally Stealthy ability goes hand-in-hand with rogues.
Forelves, each legacy gives you something that wouldbenefit the different rogue subclasses. High elvescompliment arcane tricksters, drow make forexcellent thieves, and wood elves’extra speed and access to Pass Without A Tracemake them some of the best rogues, period.
Other non-2024 Player’s Handbook choices includechangelings, tabaxi, and owlins. But, at the basis of every species you’re able to choose from, if they giveaccess to additional movement, add to the already impressivearsenal of skills a rogue can choosefrom, or allowyou to trick people, then you’re on the right track.
Best Stat Placements
Your first priorityshould always be your Dexterity. So many skills that are best used by rogues are Dexterity-based, likeStealth and Acrobatics. Not to mention,your finesse weapons will benefit most from a high Dexterity score.
You use Intelligence as your spellcasting modifer. And Constitution isn’t only about giving you more health but a better chance of maintaining Concentration on spells.
You’ll still prioritize Dexterity for your Stealth, but Consitituion will give you a bigger health point pool and Charisma is to deceive people with your mimicry and Deception.
Dexterity is theonly skill used for your abilitiesso having your Dexterity score as high as possible is most important. After that, Consitution will help with hit points.
Your skills are all Dexterity-based, and the extra Constitution hit points are always nice. Charisma can help bail you out if you get caught up in a place or found doing a thing you shouldn’t be.
Best Spells For Arcane Tricksters
Spells can vary widely based on the type of arcane trickster you want to play. For those who are interestedin using their Charismato help get them out of situations, cantrips likeFriends and Messagewill work well with your Mage Hand.
Fire Bolt
Cantrip
These spells work great if you want more damage in your kit. Look at any of the damaging cantrips under the wizard spell list, as thesewon’t wittle away at your spell slots.
Shield
Level One
Some of the best spells to keep on you at all times as a rogue,no matter how you want to play, as they canget you into and out of situationsquickly as tides turn.
Level Four
Spells For Using Your Charisma
These spells are perfect tokeep a ruse goingor aid people into seeing eye-to-eye with you. Keep in mind that you won’t be using Charisma to cast these spells, but they work well with your skills as a charismatic bard.
Transumtation
Best Starting Equipment
In the 2024 Player’s Handbook,you are given two optionswhen it comes to your starting equipment. This is basically achoice between equipment or starting with only goldfor you to then spend on what you want.
If you want toquickly pick up your rogueand start playing,option A, which lists out various items you will just start with, is a fine option.
When itcomes to weapons, youwant things that have the finesse or light options, which is what makes daggers such a popular choice. Buthandaxes, sickles, darts, raipers, and shortswordsare all excellent choices too.
When it comes to damage, you want to go forshortswords. If you need to arm yourself andwant to spend the least amountto do so,darts are a solid choice.Daggers are the tried and truethanks to theirthrown property.
As for armor,Studded leather is going to be your best betbecause, even though it costs more, it willincrease your Armor Class(AC for short).
For kits, you only start out with proficiency inThieve’s Tools. But if you’re looking to expand your knowledge, thenCalligrapher’s Supplies and Jeweler’s Toolscould make excellent additions, depending on how your Dungeon Master (DM) lets you use those kits.
You may also want to invest ina Poisoner’s Kit and Disguise Kit, depending on how you want to handle targets and situations.
Best Feats And Backgrounds
There are too many combinations and choices to go over every single one and what it would mean for your rogue. However,there are some skills that any rogue could benefit from.
Why This Feat?
Actor
Great choice for rogues who want to useCharisma-based skills to deceive and charmNPCs.
Keen Mind
ChooseArcana for your arcane trickster rogueor Investigation if you want toget to the bottom of things.
Mage Slayer
Fortifies you whengoing up against spellcasterswhile making it more likely they will lose concentration on spellsaffecting you or your party.
Moderately Armored
If you plan to be on the front lines, this will give youmedium armor to avoid even more damage.
Observant
Choose insight toget a read on your targets, or pick an expertise to help you doeverything you wanted to but even better.
Piercer
This will allow you todo more damage every turn, no matter if you’re playing a more martial rogue or one relying on sneak attacks from the shadows.
Skill Expert
Pick this if you want tobolster the skills you already have while gaining a new oneof your choice.
When itcomes to backgrounds, there are quite a few options that help eitherimprove what rogues are already good ator cancover some areas that can feel a bit lackluster.
Why This Background?
Charlatan
If you’re planning tolie and steal to get what you want, this is the background for you. Plus, beingable to forge documents? Yes, please.
Criminal
Use this to give you Stealth and Sleight of Hand,freeing up the choices you make when you select your class. Plus, you gain Alert to helpensure you have the quickest draw in combat.
Entertainer
The Acrobatics helps every rogue, but performance will be important for rogueswho plan to do a lot of the talking, and charming, in the group. This also aids if you plan tomake use of disguises.
Noble
This gives you Skilled,one of the best featsin the game. Plus, you’re able to use your status toopen doors when lock picks wouldn’t be enough.
Best Multiclassing Options
Naturally, you could choose any class. They all have their own benefits and strengths. But here are some of the best options and why they can help you and your character during the length of a campaign.
Rogues leaning intomartial abilities
Rogues leaning intoCharisma skills
Rogues leaning intomagical power
