Classic Character Classes:
Rogue
What is a Rogue?
A
Rogue
is a versatile character that is capable of sneaky combat and nimble tricks. The rogue is stealthy and dexterous. In early editions of the Dungeons and Dragons’ Player’s Handbook, was the only official base class that is capable of finding and disarming traps and picking locks. The rogue also has the ability to “sneak attack” enemies who are caught off-guard, inflicting extra damage onto them.Rogue Subclasses
It may be surprising to learn there is more to
Arcane Trickster:
The Arcane Trickster brings magic to the Rogue class. Enchantments and illusions offer the Arcane Trickster powerful options of utility and trickery, but also bring along offensive magic too.
Assassin:
Assassins excel at two things, infiltration and assassination. A good option of subclass to use if you want to get into places undetected or just straight up murder people. However, they do lack utility options when handling situations outside their specialist skill.
Mastermind:
The Mastermind is a subclass that works best in a game with a lot of intrigue and social interactions. There is only one feature that applies to combat situations, Master of Tactics; everything else if for social situations.
Phantom:
The Phantom is an exploration of interactions with the dead as a class feature. This subclass makes necrotic damage and death-related stuff available to a class with no ability to cast spells. Despite the fact that interacting with the dead is primarily done by clerics and certain necromancy spells. This subclass has a more direct connection to the spirits of the dead, gaining proficiencies, damage output, and the ability to turn for the most part into a ghost.
Pirate:
The Pirate or Swashbuckler, eliminates the challenge of applying Sneak Attack reliably which makes the Rogue class an even more reliable source of damage. In addition, the Swashbuckler has fantastic abilities for moving through combat, evading enemies and even forcing them to engage the Swashbuckler, thus allowing the Rogue to serve as the party’s Defender on top of their typical roles as Scout and Striker.
Scout:
They outcompete Rangers in skill use with Nature and Survival, but lack any of the actual Ranger flavour. The Scout manages to keep at a safe distance; attack range. This is useful as your allies can distract enemies long enough for a Sneak Attack to happen.
Thief:
Thieves hone their skills in the larcenous arts. Burglars, Bandits, Cutpurses and other criminals typucally follow this archetype, as do Rogues who prefer themselves as professional treasure seekers, delvers, explorers and investigators. This subclass improves agility and stealth, as well as learning skills that are useful for delving into ancient ruins, reading unfamiliar languages and using magical items one wouldn’t normally be able to use.
Rogue
s than simply thieving and sneaking. They can utilise their abilities in different ways and can sometimes gain recognition for this.Arcane Trickster:
The Arcane Trickster brings magic to the Rogue class. Enchantments and illusions offer the Arcane Trickster powerful options of utility and trickery, but also bring along offensive magic too.
Assassin:
Assassins excel at two things, infiltration and assassination. A good option of subclass to use if you want to get into places undetected or just straight up murder people. However, they do lack utility options when handling situations outside their specialist skill.
Mastermind:
The Mastermind is a subclass that works best in a game with a lot of intrigue and social interactions. There is only one feature that applies to combat situations, Master of Tactics; everything else if for social situations.
Phantom:
The Phantom is an exploration of interactions with the dead as a class feature. This subclass makes necrotic damage and death-related stuff available to a class with no ability to cast spells. Despite the fact that interacting with the dead is primarily done by clerics and certain necromancy spells. This subclass has a more direct connection to the spirits of the dead, gaining proficiencies, damage output, and the ability to turn for the most part into a ghost.
Pirate:
The Pirate or Swashbuckler, eliminates the challenge of applying Sneak Attack reliably which makes the Rogue class an even more reliable source of damage. In addition, the Swashbuckler has fantastic abilities for moving through combat, evading enemies and even forcing them to engage the Swashbuckler, thus allowing the Rogue to serve as the party’s Defender on top of their typical roles as Scout and Striker.
Scout:
They outcompete Rangers in skill use with Nature and Survival, but lack any of the actual Ranger flavour. The Scout manages to keep at a safe distance; attack range. This is useful as your allies can distract enemies long enough for a Sneak Attack to happen.
Thief:
Thieves hone their skills in the larcenous arts. Burglars, Bandits, Cutpurses and other criminals typucally follow this archetype, as do Rogues who prefer themselves as professional treasure seekers, delvers, explorers and investigators. This subclass improves agility and stealth, as well as learning skills that are useful for delving into ancient ruins, reading unfamiliar languages and using magical items one wouldn’t normally be able to use.
Rogue Skills
- For the majority they devote their time mastering the use of a variety of skills as they do to perfecting their combat abilities, which gives them a broad expertise that few other characters can match. Many rogues focus on stealth and deception, while others, tend to refine their skills that help them in a dungeon environment, such as climbing, finding and disarming traps and finally, opening locks.
As for combat, rogues have a tendency to prioritise cunningness over brute strength. They prefer to make a precise strike, hitting exactly where the attack would hurt the target most, compared to wearing an opponent down with a barrage of attacks. Rogues have an almost supernatural knack for avoiding danger, and a few actually learn magical tricks to supplement their other abilities.
Are you a Rogue class? Comment down below if you hold any similarities!
For more detailed sources of information, see the following links:
Rogue Subclass Breakdown: DnD 5e Subclass Guide
Rogue
Rogue Wikipedia
Rogue Subclass Breakdown: DnD 5e Subclass Guide
Rogue
Rogue Wikipedia
