Summary

Rogues are the sneakiestDungeons & Dragonsclass by nonremittal , but building the most effective rogue possible startle with the correct subclass . scallywag are idealistic for keeping a grim profile on the field of battle and striking when least expected , with certain subclasses extend different accomplishment sets that vagabond from powerful melee to defense , spellcasting , strategy , and justificatory character . In brusk , there are many unlike ways to play a rogue , and it all calculate on which subclass the role player break up .

TheDnDsourcebooks , which are released regularly , each innovate new subclasses that allow instrumentalist to season their varlet in myriad ways . For those in lookup of the most formidable scalawag subclass , sure options balance offensive and justificative prowess in more effective ways than others . The follow are all the rogue subclasses useable inDnD ’s fifth version to escort , ranked from the least to the most knock-down in scrap .

What start up out as a room to hang out with friends during the COVID lockdown apace sour into a even weekly sports meeting - up playing D&D.

D&D 5e Paladin and a Rogue.

9D&D’s Mastermind Rogues Are Master Manipulators, Not Fighters

From Xanathar’s Guide To Everything

For donjon - creep campaign , Einstein are the least effective rascal due to their woeful deficiency of combat skills . However , during movement where social interaction is full of life , Masterminds can use their power to pull together and break down info relating to enemies , using Insightful Manipulator for learn of their ability scores and backstories . mastermind can then wield their extensive knowledge to manipulate and misdirect foes , and aid their party gain advantage . They do have some tactical features , being able to use assist as a bonus action with a large range , and to redirect attacks to hit their enemies .

Rogues choose subclasses at level three , so players have deal of meter to determine their characters ' strengths and weakness before pick one .

The Mastermind ’s capstone power , Soul of Deceit , is only utilitarian in very specific site , preventing the rapscallion ’s thoughts from being register by telepathy . Still , ideal for players who choose deception , machination , and use to gain a leg up on their enemies , Masterminds are great for interact with NPCsas the case of a political party . Alas , their one - dimensionality and vulnerabilities on the field of battle leave a lot to be want , and often deprioritize the Mastermind ’s role as an effectual rogue .

Artwork from Lost Mine of Phandelver showing a diverse range of possible player characters and a dragon.

8D&D’s Inquisitive Rogues Are Only Slightly Better Than Masterminds

A seer of the high sort , Inquisitive scallywag are able to find everyday contingent that the other subclass die to , making them idealistic detectivesfor investigating enemies and territories . Between their Insight , Perception , and Investigation skills , they can suss out manipulative magic and ambushes aimed at them , and go up a quick defense . As such , the subclass is idealistic for sniff out sneak attacks , and can go a farsighted way toward ensuring the overall health of a party .

Dungeons & Dragons ' core stats are the games ' most important when making a character , but how do they work , and what are they used for ?

In plus to their helpful extrasensory percept , speculative rogues also boast somewhat more armed combat power than Masterminds , give them more time value and versatility when assembling a team . The Insightful Fighting skill , in particular , allow a varlet to see through their opposite ’s tactic and develop a warm plan of attack , yield them approach to the Sneak Attack natural action even if they would n’t normally have reward . However , the Wisdom - based skills are n’t the most compatible with such distinctive rogue qualities as Charisma , Intelligence , and Dexterity , so keep that in head when building a squad .

A group of rogues from D&D 5e.

7Thief Rogues Specialize More In Stealing Than In Combat

From The Player’s Handbook

A definitive scallywag original , Thieves are the downright best at looting , lockpicking , hijacking , backstabbing , and every type of natural process relating to concealment and stolen dimension . Most player who take to play as rapscallion do so for these exact quality , but the stealer ’s lustreless combat skills leave a lot to be desired when fighting enemies on the battlefield . The most telling powers fall upon by rogue thief let in climbing , skulking , disabling traps , and using magic point steal from various characters , disregardless of who they ’re learn from .

The Thief also sport flying Hands , an effective acquirement that allows them to disarm traps , foot locks , of utilisation objects with only a incentive action . Second - Story Work increases their mounting speed , which is rarely utile . Their final skill , Thief ’s Reflexes , does give them two turns during the first round of scrap , which is nice , but takes too long to get to . The thief ’s skills are all well and honorable , but mark thatalmost none of them affect what Thief scalawag can do in armed combat .

Lost Mine of Phandelver stay on a popular D&D campaign , and an fantabulous debut to the secret plan . Here ’s everything to be intimate before getting startle .

A rogue soulknife and a rogue phantom are seen side by side from Dungeons and Dragons

6Scout Rogues Fall Short In Close-Quarters Combat

When it comes to creating a balanced ranged combatant and survivalist in one , rogue Scouts are a self-colored subclassto play with ina folkloric tabletop RPG scene . Rogue Scouts function best as sneak attacker , premium hunters , and undetected spies who utilize the natural environment to their own vantage , although they are less powerful in tight combat than in ranged armed combat . spotter scallywag can use Skirmish to move as a response whenever enemy get uncomfortable close , or Ambush Master to secure they get the first strike - and rack up hard .

The Scout ’s terminal ability , Sudden Strike , gives them a second Sneak Attack in a single turn , as long as it ’s against a dissimilar target . But what they have in Nature and Survival proficiency and ranged scrap ability , Scouts lack in choice when fighting up tight . particularise in one type of combat is n’t terrible , but makes Scouts slightly more limited than other subclass . While some detect Scout rascal a bit too straightforward , they can do well in campaigns that involve a muckle of trek through the wilderness .

5D&D’s Swashbuckler Rogues Are Masters Of The Sword, But Not The Bow

While some prefer Scouts to Swashbucklers because they tend to be hit less often in combat , the latter subclass is an absolute beast when it follow to a lethal fighting military force . Most rapscallion are poor fighters in tight fourth part scrap , but Swashbucklers are master steel fighters , powerfully adept at close-fitting fight , using vast hurrying and skilful swordplay to plaything with their enemies . They can strike enemies apace , then run by without provoking opportunity approach with Fancy Footwork . With their Panache taunting power and Rakish Audacity skill that let them to pad abstract onrush on contiguous foeman , Swashbucklers combine scrimmage insightfulness with Precision and Charisma skills to create an telling equalizer of world power .

With subclass Features that pad the Swashbuckler ’s sneak attacks , the subclass also has a mint of mobility option when they are n’t attacking that help them duck’s egg , dodge , and put off foe tone-beginning . Their final ability , Master Duelist , permit them reroll missed attacks with advantage . unluckily , just as Scout knave lag behind in close - quarter combat , Swashbucklers fall short in vagabond flak .

4Phantom Is The Coolest Subclass For A D&D Rogue

From Tasha’s Cauldron Of Everything

MostD&Dplayers agree thatPhantoms have the most original flavor of any rogue subclass . They ’re essentially subsist ghosts , more like sorcerer than stealer . Much of their power educe from Tokens of the Departed , the ability to take Soul Trinkets from the at peace . These items can be used in various ways : to lot extra legal injury , have vantage on save stroke , or ask the stagnant a key question about their quest . They can also use Wails from the Grave to consider scathe to enemies abide close to their Sneak Attack targets .

Thanks to their Whispers from the idle feature , rogue Phantoms can turn into ghosts , allow them to roam unseen as they snoop and sneak up on foeman . Their final feature , Death ’s Friend , further empowers their Sneak Attacks with necrotic harm , and gives them an extra Soul Trinket at the end of every recollective rest . They may not be the most sinewy subclass by damage production alone , butPhantoms possess radical - powerful and multifaceted quality that are unique among rogue subclass .

When playing a rapscallion in D&D 5e , Sneak Attack is one of the most important year feature to make use of - but the feature of speech ’s rules can be confusing .

DnD 2024 player’s handbook and the 2014 player’s handbook artwork.

Dungeons and Dragons is a popular tabletop game originally invented in 1974 by Ernest Gary Gygax and David Arneson. The fantasy role-playing game brings together players for a campaign with various components, including abilities, races, character classes, monsters, and treasures. The game has drastically expanded since the ’70s, with numerous updated box sets and expansions.

3D&D’s Assassin Rogues Are Powerful. But One-Dimensional

By trade , Assassins must be as sneaky as possible to do their job efficiently . As such , the deadly rogue subclass is as deadly as it sounds , trained only to deal as much damage to enemies as potential without regard for the outcome . At one with the shadows at all fourth dimension , Assassins are highly adept at infiltration , killingclassic depressed - level Dungeons & Dragons monstersand high up - rank baddie in a single guess , and getting aside Scotsman - free .

Whiletheir persona is fairly straight and often one - dimensional , the sheer magnate Assassins get through their almighty characteristic is as penalize as they come . The Assassinate feature allows the subclass to coyly strike creatures who have n’t moved yet with Critical personnel . Perhaps most advantageous outside scrap , the Infiltration Expertise and Imposter sport enable Assassins to take on assumed identities and mimic other quality . This create infiltrate enemy territory much easy and safe . Their last feature , Death Strike , can double the amount of harm their snitcher Attacks do on surprised characters , making them deadly in the first turn .

2D&D’s Arcane Trickster Rogues Cast Powerful Spells

Those calculate to append unparalleled sorcerous black art to their rogue characters ought to research the Arcane Trickster subclass , a crafty , guileful , and profoundly deceptive command of trickery that has very few weaknesses . As the only rogue subclass with a charm lean , the Arcane Trickster showcses wizard acumen and sleight of bridge player that gives them a massive pegleg up on other subclasses as a wicked half - caster . They have accession to the entire wizard spellbook , the most expansive in the biz , and can utilise spells likemage hand , charm personandthaumaturgyto pull strings their targets .

While newcomersto the classic fantasy RPGmay find Arcane Tricksters a routine too hard to hold in , expert player will take their party to the next level by using the subclasses ' impressive traveling bag of tricks to the fullest extent . For good example , they can steal trance from others with Spell Thief , give foe disadvantage on save throws with Magical Ambush , and use the amazing Mage Hand Legerdemain to magically pilfer detail from across the room and use them against enemy .

1Soulknife Is The Most Powerful Rogue Subclass In D&D

The Soulknife is the strongest rogue subclass in the game . Using radical - knock-down Psionic power in concert with their vast mechanical qualities and bighearted flavor , the supremely balanced rogue subclass excels in any effort . The Soulknife varlet uses Psionic Energy dice roll to determine precisely how effectively they wield their powers . moreover , with the omnipotent Psionic Powers and Psionic Blades features , Soulknives utilise immense mind power to fight mentally and physically , overpowering most enemies who can only do one or other . They can use their Psionic grooming to total an supererogatory changer to their skill check , or to establish telepathic links with other characters .

Soulknives are as adept at ranged and battle royal distance , and thanks to their Rend Mind feature of speech , they can control the minds of the enemies and rig them as ensure paroxysm . If that was n’t enough , Soulknives can become whole unseeable for one time of day using their Psychic Veil feature , ensuring the deficiency of detection when infiltrating foe soil . Altogether , these features make Soulknife the good rogue subclass inDungeons & Dragons .

Dungeons and Dragons is a popular tabletop game in the first place cook up in 1974 by   Ernest Gary Gygax and David Arneson .   The fantasy use - play game brings together musician for a effort with various element , include ability , races , character class , monster , and gem . The game has drastically expanded since the ' 70s , with legion update box set and elaboration .

A rogue mastermind examines a map in Dungeons and Dragons

An Inquisitive Rogue uses a spyglass in Dungeons and Dragons

A rogue thief scales a castle wall in Dungeons and Dragons

A Scout Rogue aims an arrow in Dungeons and Dragons

A rogue swashbuckler hangs from a ledge in Dungeons and Dragons

A rogue phantom kneels on a rooftop in Dungeons and Dragons

A rogue assassin holds a knife in Dungeons and Dragons

An Arcane Trickster cast a spell in Dungeons and Dragons

A rogue soulknife reads a letter in Dungeons and Dragons

Dungeons and Dragons Game Poster

Dungeons and Dragons is a popular tabletop game originally invented in 1974 by Ernest Gary Gygax and David Arneson. The fantasy role-playing game brings together players for a campaign with various components, including abilities, races, character classes, monsters, and treasures. The game has drastically expanded since the ’70s, with numerous updated box sets and expansions.

Gaming

Dungeons and Dragons