Rogue

Rogues are masters of precision and stealth, thriving where shadows linger and danger waits. Though not always criminals, rogues are often nimble thieves, charming swindlers, deadly assassins and clever spies, relying on expertise and guile above brute strength. Behind every locked door, whispered secret, or exposed weakness, they see opportunity, and their strike unerringly lands where it does the most damage.

Class Features

As a rogue, you have the following class features.

Hit Points

  • Hit Dice: 1d8 per rogue level
  • Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier
  • Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution modifier per rogue level after 1st

Proficiencies

  • Armor: Light armor
  • Weapons: Simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords
  • Tools: Thieves’ tools
  • Saving Throws: Dexterity, Intelligence
  • Skills: Choose four from Acrobatics, Athletics, Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

  • (a) a rapier or (b) a shortsword
  • (a) a shortbow and quiver of 20 arrows or (b) a shortsword
  • (a) a burglar’s pack, (b) a dungeoneer’s pack, or (c) an explorer’s pack
  • Leather armor, two daggers, and thieves’ tools
LevelProficiency BonusSneak AttackFeatures
1st+21d6Expertise, Sneak Attack, Thieves’ Cant
2nd+21d6Cunning Action
3rd+22d6Roguish Archetype
4th+22d6Ability Score Improvement
5th+33d6Uncanny Dodge
6th+33d6Expertise
7th+34d6Evasion
8th+34d6Ability Score Improvement
9th+45d6Roguish Archetype feature
10th+45d6Ability Score Improvement
11th+46d6Reliable Talent
12th+46d6Ability Score Improvement
13th+57d6Roguish Archetype feature
14th+57d6Blindsense
15th+58d6Slippery Mind
16th+58d6Ability Score Improvement
17th+69d6Roguish Archetype feature
18th+69d6Elusive
19th+610d6Ability Score Improvement
20th+610d6Stroke of Luck

Roguish Archetypes

Rogues have many features in common, including their emphasis on perfecting their skills, their precise and deadly approach to combat, and their increasingly quick reflexes. But different rogues steer those talents in varying directions, embodied by the rogue archetypes. Your choice of archetype is a reflection of your focus—not necessarily an indication of your chosen profession but a description of your preferred techniques.

Thief

You hone your skills in the larcenous arts. Burglars, bandits, cutpurses, and other criminals typically follow this archetype, but so do rogues who prefer to think of themselves as professional treasure seekers, explorers, delvers, and investigators. In addition to improving your agility and stealth, you learn skills useful for delving into ancient ruins, reading unfamiliar languages, and using magic items you normally couldn't employ.

Fast Hands

Starting at 3rd level, you can use the bonus action granted by your Cunning Action to make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check, use your thieves’ tools to disarm a trap or open a lock, or take the Use an Object action.

Second-Story Work

When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you gain the ability to climb faster than normal; climbing no longer costs you extra movement. In addition, when you make a running jump, the distance you cover increases by a number of feet equal to your Dexterity modifier.

Supreme Sneak

Starting at 9th level, you have advantage on a Dexterity (Stealth) check if you move no more than half your speed on the same turn.

Use Magic Device

By 13th level, you have learned enough about the workings of magic that you can improvise the use of items even when they are not intended for you. You ignore all class, race, and level requirements on the use of magic items.

Thief’s Reflexes

When you reach 17th level, you have become adept at laying ambushes and quickly escaping danger. You can take two turns during the first round of any combat. You take your first turn at your normal initiative and your second turn at your initiative minus 10. You can’t use this feature when you are surprised.

This is a copyable article! Click "Duplicate Article" at the bottom of the page, and a copy will appear in your active world. Then you can edit the article to fit your own worldbuilding vision! For non-commercial projects only, please!


All images (unless otherwise stated) are created by Janet Forbes using royalty free assets from Canva.