Rogue 5E Guide D&D 2024 [Uncover Strategies, Tips, & Tricks]

Welcome to the exhilarating world of Dungeons & Dragons, where your imagination is both your weapon and your realm. Today, you’ll be stepping into the shoes of the cunning and stealthy character known as the Rogue 5E. With a character class abundant in tricks and surprises, this guide aims to help you unravel every bit of its prowess.

Despite their reputation for living on society’s fringe, Rogues embody agility and finesse. These elusive operators can be instrumental figures in your quest, but navigating this class isn’t always straightforward.

We want you armed with all the know-how before diving into an adventure with a Rogue by your side or deciding to take on one’s identity yourself.

This guide will help you understand all there is to this class of character without resorting to the complicated jargon, making this journey easier and more fun for you.

What is Rogue 5E?

Rogue 5E is a character class intrinsic to the Dungeons & Dragons universe, particularly famed for its stealth and sly undertakings. But it’s not all about skullduggery in the shadows.

Rogue’s flair is unsurpassed, and they embody a certain panache that wins over NPCs (non-playable characters) as easily as it conquers tangible threats.

These diverse characters are acclaimed for their unique skill sets, ranging from nimble fingers adept at picking locks to silver tongues capable of bluffing their way past watchful guards. They’re masters of many skills, utilizing their wit to survive in a world filled with risk and uncertainty.

Yet the true charm of Rogue lies in their inability to be boxed into one stereotype – you’re as likely to meet a gracious charismatic rogue as you are to cross paths with one lurking from the shadows! This exciting versatility lets you customize your character extensively and assures that no two rogues will ever be identical.

So forget everything you know about traditional heroes. It’s time to delve into this unconventional journey and uncover all there is to be a fantastic Rogue 5E.

Also Read: Dire Wolf 5E Monster [Abilities, Strengths, & Weaknesses]

Quick View of Rogue 5E

Level	Proficiency Bonus	Sneak Attack	Features
1st	+2	1d6	Expertise, Sneak Attack, Thieves’ Cant
2nd	+2	1d6	Cunning Action
3rd	+2	2d6	Roguish Archetype
4th	+2	2d6	Ability Score Improvement
5th	+3	3d6	Uncanny Dodge
6th	+3	3d6	Expertise
7th	+3	4d6	Evasion
8th	+3	4d6	Ability Score Improvement
9th	+4	5d6	Roguish Archetype Feature
10th	+4	5d6	Ability Score Improvement
11th	+4	6d6	Reliable Talent
12th	+4	6d6	Ability Score Improvement
13th	+5	7d6	Roguish Archetype Feature
14th	+5	7d6	Blindsense
15th	+5	8d6	Slippery Mind
16th	+5	8d6	Ability Score Improvement
17th	+6	9d6	Roguish Archetype Feature
18th	+6	9d6	Elusive
19th	+6	10d6	Ability Score Improvement
20th	+6	10d6	Stroke of Luck

What Are the Best Feats for Rogue 5E?

Choosing the right set of feats for your Rogue is a critical component of your character’s development in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Your selections dramatically impact how your character interacts within the greater narrative and engages during encounters. Let’s delve into some of the top feats you should consider:

• Actor: With this feat, you master vocal disguise and mimicry, allowing your rogue to leave no traces behind. It provides bonuses to charisma-based skill checks, making it a perfect fit for deception-focused rogues.
• Agent of Order: The Agent of Order feat bestows benefits to rogues operating under the cover of law, offering interesting ramifications for role-play scenarios and potentially shaping how your character interacts with their broader world.
• Alert: Ideal for preserving survivability in difficult situations, Alert increases your initiative by +5, prevents others from having an advantage on attack rolls against you as a result of being hidden, and ensures you aren’t surprised while conscious.
• Athlete: Boosting physical prowess, Athlete makes climbing and long jumps easier. A handy skill when quick getaways are necessary or for traversing rough terrains in style!
• Baleful Scion: This feat strengthens any rogue eager to induce fear or exert their wrath on foes. You channel the intimidating presence with extra psychic damage or create panic among enemies.
• TCoE Chef: What’s rogue life without a bit of eccentric flavor? Not only does this feat give you proficiency in cooking utensils, but it also lets you whip up tasty treats that can restore hit points!
• Cohort of Chaos: Highly beneficial if your campaign is dotted with chaotic themes or entities, this feat grants skills aiding in survival against such forces.
• Crossbow Expert: Outstanding for rogues favoring crossbows as their weapon. It eliminates the disadvantage of close-range crossbow attacks and provides an opportunity for a bonus ranged attack!
• TCoE Crusher: While not traditionally associated with rogues, Crusher is useful for strength-based builds. It facilitates enemy crowd control and potentially sets up an extra attack of opportunity for you and your teammates.
• Defensive Duelist: A fantastic pick for rogues preferring one-handed finesse weapons. It offers access to precious AC bumps in tight spots, enhancing your survival instincts in combat.
• Let’s continue to explore more feats suited for your Rogue character.
• Dual Wielder: Venturing the back alleys with a weapon in each hand is no problem for rogues who’ve acquired this feat. It significantly enhances your damage output and defense when dual-wielding.
• Durable: This feat makes your rogue tougher and more resilient to dents in their health pool. It is especially beneficial when far from the safety of civilization or during long, draining encounters.
• TCoE Eldritch Adept: The Eldritch Adept feat allows you access to Warlock invocations. If you fancy adding a magical spin on your rogue or seek greater versatility, it’s an unexpected but valuable choice.
• XGtE Elven Accuracy: Precision is paramount for rogues. Elven Accuracy offers superior accuracy on attacks that have an advantage, ensuring that no strike goes to waste — invaluable for sneak attack opportunities!
• GotG Ember of the Fire Giant: For those favoring brutal strength over sly dexterity, this feat lets you add extra fire damage to your successful attacks while increasing stingy grapples’ success rates.
• XGtE Fade Away: Losing sight of a cunning foe can be disconcerting. With Fade Away, you’ll momentarily turn invisible when damaged – a remarkable tool against numerous suspicious enemies.
• TCoE Fey Touched:
  This enhances magic use by providing bonuses on two spells – one being Misty Step (always useful in tight scrapes!) – from enchantment/divination lists and enhancing spellcasting modifier-based skills.
• TCoE Fighting Initiate: Equipping different fighting styles can be pretty advantageous in various scenarios. Whether you aim for better protection with defensive options or hardier strikes via Dueling or Two-Weapon Fighting style, this feat covers you!
• GotG Fury of the Frost Giant: Serving cold fury against your adversaries was never easier. This feat allows for added damage and can force your opponent to brace themselves, opening opportunities for quick escapes or follow-up attacks.
• FToD Gift of the Chromatic Dragon: Do you feel like embodying a bit of draconic prowess? Avail this feat for varied elemental resistances and the chance to retaliate with magical beings infused with chromatic energy.
• FToD Gift of the Gem Dragon: This extends your mental fortitude by enhancing skills such as Wisdom checks or giving an avenue to use psionic energies against foes while establishing telepathic communication. It’s really useful if you’re considering a more nuanced approach to engagements.
• Great! Let’s continue our exploration of the useful feats for your Rogue 5E character. Each one characterizes not just the combat abilities but also the personality and strategic angle that your character brings to the game.
• FToD Gift of the Metallic Dragons: A blend of resilience and resourcefulness, this feat offers armor class bonuses, the ability to invoke flight briefly, and a breath weapon reminiscent of metallic dragons – quite an intriguing package for a rogue!
• Grappler: For those rogues who are masters of close combat, Grappler aids in pinning down opponents. It’s an excellent choice for strength-based builds focusing on control and disruption.
• Great Weapon Master: Typically suited for strength rogues willing to trade accuracy for damage, this feat unleashes massive damage potential with two-handed weapons- quite a dramatic sight on a battlefield!
• GotG Guile of the Cloud Giant: This feat helps you emulate a cloud giant’s stealth and guile- making you disappear- useful when maintaining a low profile is crucial.
• TCoE Gunner: For rogue characters favoring firearms in their adventures, Gunner eliminates loading property issues and close-range firing disadvantages while also bumping up dexterity slightly.
• Healer: Displaying your caring side as well as pragmatism, Healer makes better use of healing kits – outdoing even magical healing at times. What’s more gratifying than bringing back allies from near doom?
• Heavily Armored/Heavy Armor Master: These feats equip you with heavy armor proficiency and resistance against regular weapon attacks, respectively. It is ideal if you envisage regularly facing confrontations or standing on frontline defenses.
• Inspiring Leader: Charming enough to inspire your fellow adventurers? This feat lets you bolster their hit points through rousing speeches – fueling team spirit while safeguarding everyone’s survival!
• Keen Mind: This feat sharpens your mental faculties, giving you uncanny precision about time, directions, and recalling information- essential attributes to outsmart foes and crack intricate mysteries.
• GotG Keenness of the Stone Giant: A feat that gives your Rogue additional durability and a higher Wisdom score. This giant-inspired power makes you tough as bedrock and offers great potential for survival in tougher scenarios.
• Lightly Armored: While Rogues are proficient with light armor, this feat lets you dabble in medium armor while keeping your talent intact. It’s perfect if you prefer a bit more defense with little hindrance to your mobility.
• Linguist: The gift of tongues opens many doors (and secrets!). If your rogue is an intel collector or diplomatic conveyor, Linguist adds depth to those roles by expanding communication possibilities.
• Lucky: This feat is like having a guardian angel sit on your shoulder. When you seem to be out of luck, turn the tides of fate using this feat – a valuable asset that could determine a rogue’s success or failure.
• Mage Slayer: Tailored for rogues playing mage hunters or those regularly encountering magic users, using Mage Slayer can disrupt magic users’ concentration and give you opportunities to strike when they cast.
• Magic Initiate: What about mixing some wizardly flavors into your rogue’s repertoire? Choose spells from any class list and add surprising magical twists to your arsenal!
• Martial Adept: Get access to maneuvers from the Battle Master archetype regardless of whether you’re an actual Battle Master. Spar, disarm enemies, or assist allies with newfound expertise!
• Medium Armor Master: Offering further protection without compromising Stealth skills or speed, Medium Armor Master can be beneficial if robust defense matters most for your rogue character.
• TCoE Metamagic Adept: By implementing some sorcerer specialties, Metamagic Adept grants flexibility in manipulating spell effects – not typical for rogues but certainly fun to experiment with!
• Mobile: The Mobile feat is almost tailor-made for Rogues. With an extra 10 feet of movement, it’s easier to dash around foes, and it increases your chances of evading attacks, keeping you healthy for longer.
• Moderately Armored: This feat offers a good option if you’re looking to beef up your character’s defenses. It bestows extra proficiency with medium armor and shields, ensuring you’re not as squishy in a fight.
• Mounted Combatant: If your campaign involves frequent horseback encounters, then Mounted Combatant is a boon. It bolsters your combat efficiency, protects your mount from harm, and can grant an advantage on melee attacks against unmounted foes.
• Observant: A great pick for the insightful Rogue, Observant enhances passive perception and investigation scores. Your knack for spotting traps or noticing tiny details will skyrocket.
• XGtE Orcish Fury: To channel the brutal power of Orcs, consider adding XGtE Orcish Fury to your feats. As long as you have this, no opponent would dare underestimate the threat of an aggressive Rogue!
• Outlands Envoy: The Outlander background typically benefits from this feat, providing you with multiple uses of Tireless, thus increasing both character resilience and endurance.
• TCoE Piercer: For those rogues who wield piercing weapons effectively, TCoE Piercer becomes invaluable. It opens doors to rerolling damage dice and can even deal additional damage when scoring critical hits.
• Planar Wanderer: For rogues engaged in high levels of planar travel throughout their campaign’s course, Planar Wanderer can help ward off various environmental dangers that may be encountered in such strange locales.
• TCoE Poisoner: Poisoner allows rogues to apply poison to weapons swiftly in mid-battle while granting bonuses to poison-centric crafting and damage output; ideal for assassins inclined toward the use of toxic substances!
• Polearm Master: This is an unexpected choice for most rogues but offers a rewarding opportunity to get two crackling shots at scoring sneak attacks—once during your turn and once during your opponent’s with an opportunity attack.
• XGtE Prodigy: The XGtE Prodigy feat is particularly noteworthy for rogues. It grants you one skill proficiency, one tool proficiency, and fluency in one of your choice’s languages. This feat can further hone a rogue’s physical abilities or expand upon their pre-existing skills.
• In continuation of the former discussion, we bring you the next set of key feats that potentially could enhance your Rogue character’s skill set in D&D 5E:
• Resilient: Choose one ability score and earn proficiency in saving throws related to it—an ideal choice for covering your vulnerabilities or enhancing an essential rogue skill, like dexterity.
• ERLW Revenant Blade: Perfect for elves wielding a double-bladed scimitar, this feat enhances your accuracy during attacks and boosts your AC when the weapon is in hand.
• Righteous Heritor: With this feat, you gain bonus paladin spells and a +1 increase on a physical stat. It adds dimension to rogue-paladin multiclass narratives!
• Ritual Caster: When magical sophistication is in order, Ritual Caster is the fitting approach. Learn and cast spells of 1st level or higher using ritual casting!
• GotG Rune Shaper: If you’re up to sprinkle some magic on your melee skills, Rune Shaper is just right, as it lets you imbue weapons with enchantments.
• Savage Attacker: For rogues bent on heavy damage strikes, Savage Attacker can be quite useful. With this perk, reroll weapon damage dice once per turn for a chance of better results!
• Scion of the Outer Planes: Broaden your access to spells originating from other planes; a splendid way to add mystery and intrigue to your role-playing roadmap.
• XGtE Second Chance: The golden ticket for halflings aiming at becoming elusive combatants. In situations where an attack manages to hit you, this feat allows you a reroll!
• Sentinel: Keep foes close and under control; this feat grants opportunity attacks even if they Disengage, halts their movement when hit by an opportunity attack, and allows a reaction attack if they strike a nearby ally.
• TCoE Shadow Touched: Dabble more in the realm of shadows and intrigue; earn an Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma increase by one, and gain access to darkness spells and other illusion and necromancy spells of the first level.
• Sharpshooter: A dream feat for archer rogues! With this feat, you’ll ignore long-range weapon disadvantages while potentially dealing astronomical damage, making it a dangerous tool in a rogue’s arsenal.
• Shield Master: Although it may seem odd for rogues, this is optimal for those looking to boost their defense. Relying heavily on Dexterity-based characters, the ability to shove enemies adds to your roguish versatility during combat.
• TCoE Skill Expert: Grant’s proficiency in new skills and expertise in one you’re already proficient with. It is very handy from various role-play perspectives, strengthening your rogue’s adaptability.
• Skulker: Enhances your abilities in dim light or darkness. Missed shots don’t give away your position, and attempting to hide after an attack becomes much easier. A true boon for any shadowy Rogue!
• TCoE Slasher: Favors those Rogues who wield chopping weapons like axes. Each slash threatens to reduce the enemy’s speed or debilitate them with critical hits.
• GotG Soul of the Storm Giant: You can harness the power of zapping foes with lightning bolts or have cloud giants at your disposal for guidance—an electrifying edge best suited for campaigns involving giants.
• Spell Sniper: Helpful combination of ranged spell attack extension and spell slots addition. It’s particularly efficient if you’re playing an Arcane Trickster rogue and can ignore cover when attacking with spells.
• XGtE Squat Nimbleness: Increases dexterity while improving speed and the ability to wriggle free from creatures holding you down – a lifesaver when trapped!
• GotG Strike of the Giants: Unleash mighty attacks that strike like giants onto foes, causing sizeable damage! Best suited again for campaigns featuring giant themes.
• TCoE Telekinetic: Forget touching – move objects or push enemies away with just your mind! This is an incredibly fun and handy advantage on various occasions.
• TCoE Telepathic: Overcome obstacles of language barriers, secrets, or keeping a low profile by simply communicating mentally.
• Tough: While not the most glamorous feat, it’s a lot more hit points for you. Assuring longevity on the battlefield is never frowned upon in D&D!
• GotG Vigor of the Hill Giant: Embody the vitality of giants, making long rests more effective while also adding temporary hit points occasionally. Another survival-enhancing choice!
• War Caster: Handy for Arcane Tricksters. It grants advantages on Concentration saves, allows somatic components even with weaponry in hand, and, most thrillingly, lets you cast a spell as a reaction to opportunity attacks!
• Weapon Master: Gain proficiency in four weapons of your choice – somewhat limited in use but can be exciting if your campaign has exotic weaponry awaiting discovery.

Also Read: Carrion Crawler 5E Monster [Abilities, Size, And Strength]

Best Multiclass Options for Rogues 5E

Before you embark on your campaign, it’s crucial to contemplate the best multiclass options for your Rogues. Multiclassing allows you to expand your character’s capacity, offering a broader range of skills and abilities.

While this may seem like an intensive task, the benefits of correctly choosing a multiclass can drastically elevate your gameplay.

One excellent option available to Rogues is the Wizard class. So, let’s unfold the mystery behind blending these two contrasting classes.

Wizard

The merger of a stealthy Rogue and a formidable Wizard may seem paradoxical at first; however, this unique combo carries a slew of benefits that make this pair work wonderfully.

Being a Rogue-Wizard means witnessing the harmony between brute force and delicate stealth. Your Rogue gets access to an array of magic spells, while the arcane knowledge of Wizards enhances their ability to solve problems or challenges in unconventional ways.

When spellcasting comes into play, as a Rogue-Wizard, you can conjure illusions or charms that efficiently guide you out of tricky situations.

Invisibility or charm spells work hand in hand with the subtlety of Rogues. Also, an enchantment such as Mage Armor upgrades your defense capabilities.

Pertaining to skills, wizards tend to have high intelligence, which segues nicely into many classic rogue skills like Investigation or Arcana Knowledge.

You would be casting attacks with finesse rather than strength if you opt for War Caster feat, ensuring advantage on concentration checks and allowing opportunity attacks using spells.

On top of these benefits, if an Arcane Trickster is the chosen archetype for your rogue side, then there are affinity points for being from the same source i.e., arcane magic user, which makes wizardry even more beneficial.

By achieving a harmonious balance between cunning, street-smart tactics, and impressive magical prowess through multiclassing as a Wizard alongside being a Rogue, you are guaranteed to bring an element of surprise to your gameplay. Not only will you unnerve your DM, but you’ll also breathe life into your D&D sessions.

Warlock

When it’s time to add a touch of mysticism and mystery to your Rogue, contemplate multiclassing with a Warlock. This union might appear unconventional, but it can make your Rogue not just versatile but also immensely powerful in certain campaign scenarios.

A key attraction is the spellcasting ability that the Warlock class brings to the sneaky Rogue. It’s much like how a Wizard multiclass introduces magic to our stealth expert.

The Union with a Warlock offers an alternative style of spellcasting through invocations and pact magic. This opens up a different realm of magical abilities, complementing the rogue’s cunning maneuvers.

When you choose Warlock as your rogue’s second class, you form a pact with otherworldly entities who grant you inexplicable powers.

Eldritch invocations provided by this class could add unique capabilities fitting superbly with various rogue play styles; for example, Devil’s Sightseeing in Complete Darkness – becomes incredibly useful for those who revel in stealth.

Another impressive feature is the Hex spell: cast it on an enemy and gain extra damage on each hit—a clear boon during combat scenarios. Also, consider Pact of the Chain for invisible flying familiars, which can aid in scouting or sneak attacks.

If you’re aiming for an Assassin-like character build, dipping into warlocks allows you access to Mask of Many Faces Invocation, which lets you cast Disguise Self at will – perfect if deception and surprise attacks are part of your arsenal.

Though this blend brings something fresh to the table, keep in mind that it requires careful management, as keeping track of two different sets of skills might appear overwhelming initially. However, when played judiciously, nothing comes close to such a surprise package!

Sorcerer

When you’ve chosen the path of the Rogue, stealth and skill are your best buddies. But imagine adding raw magic power into the mix. That’s what you get when you multiclass a Rogue with a Sorcerer.

Sorcerers are natural-born casters who draw magic from an innate source of power rather than acquiring it through hours of diligent study like Wizards do. This means that as a Rogue/Sorcerer, your power is unpredictable, gripping, and often astonishing.

One of the most versatile points about pursuing Sorcery as your secondary class is Metamagic – the signature ability of Sorcerers. This allows sorcerers to alter their spells in significant ways. Twinning buff or debuff spells can be tremendously effective for Rogues who prefer influencing the course of combat indirectly.

You’ll also gain access to stealth-enhancing spells such as Misty Steps or Invisibility with Sorcery, helping you enhance your sneak capabilities and slip undetected in crucial moments.

Now, when we talk about skill interactions, Charisma is the primary ability for both Sorcerers and Rogues (especially Swashbucklers). They use charisma for their casting abilities and persuasion tactics, which makes them a hard-to-resist combination.

Suppose you’ve always wanted to roleplay freedom-loving wild-child characters. In that case, opting for a wild magic subclass of sorcerers not only makes for a compelling narrative but also allows a spell surge feature that can turn tides within parts of seconds after you’ve cast a leveled spell.

Keep in mind choosing to be a rogue-sorcerer combo brings together the best of subtlety and surprise. You have both potent magical abilities at your disposal along with rogue skills that help navigate various obstacles creatively. Your foes won’t see what’s coming until it hits them!

Multiclassing allows you to uniquely mold your character’s development along twists and turns of storylines, giving you and your group enriched gaming experiences.

Don’t forget to consider the narrative of your campaign when selecting your secondary class. The goal is to make the game fun and engaging for everyone involved.

Ranger

Another fantastic multiclass option clinging aptly to a Rogue is the Ranger class. Building a Rogue-Ranger character turns you into an indispensable powerhouse, fusing expertise in both stealth and distinct survival skills.

Think about it: you are not just a stealth master sneaking around; you become one with nature while carrying out covert operations.

This bond taxes your Ranger abilities, giving your Rogue an edge, especially in wilderness-based campaigns. Your character will be clued up on tracking creatures, finding hidden paths, and surviving roguishly — pun intended!

Navigating uncharted territories becomes so effortless that the wilderness might as well be your backyard. The “Natural Explorer” feature is typical to Rangers aids in such circumstances, making difficult terrains passable at a normal pace.

This ability gives you an advantage when initiating surprise attacks – something which effortlessly integrates with a Rogue’s ‘Sneak Attack.’

Choosing the right Ranger spells can also complement your rogue abilities exceedingly well. Spells like Pass without Trace or Hunter’s Mark can turn your Rogue into an unrivaled predator on his hunting grounds.

A distinctive blend of both these classes can help you greatly deal more damage thanks to the Colossus Slayer or Horde Breaker feature of the Ranger’s Hunter archetype, along with powerful Sneak Attacks from your uncanny Rogue.

Forging a multiclass character of Rogue and Ranger instills in you survival tactics akin to instinct and stealth movements synonymous with shadows themselves.

It facilitates gaining proficiency in two significant martial aspects – wilderness survival from Rangers and urban exploration prowess from Rogues.

Fighter

Another exciting multiclass option to explore for your Rogue is the time-honored Fighter class. Combining the strength and resilience of a Fighter with the elusive cunning of a Rogue creates a terrifying powerhouse on any battlefield.

At first glance, you might wonder how a stealth-based Rogue might benefit from dabbling in a straightforward class known for brute force and resilience. The answer lies in the versatility and combat proficiency of the Fighters.

The major allure of a Rogue-Fighter multiclass is action surge, an ability exclusive to Fighters that allows you to have an additional turn during combat once per short or long rest. Imagine the possibilities for your rogue when they double their turns – think double Sneak Attacks!

Another solid draw is the Second Wind feature, granting Fighters a swift health boost during combat once per rest, bolstering your Rogue’s survivability significantly.

Fighters also bring substantial benefits in terms of weapon and armor proficiency. This means your Rogue will have access to all armor types and martial weapons, which broadens your range beyond just light armor and finesse weapons.

It can provide an advantage on long-range sneak attacks as well, or hand crossbows could be used with Crossbow Expert without a disadvantage on adjacent targets, bringing Sneak Attack capitalizing fully on their cunning action bonus and disengaging from melee after that.

Adding Fighter levels to your primary Rogue class also provides crucial extra Ability Score Improvements (ASIs) at certain key levels, allowing faster attainment of feats that are quintessential for Rogue gameplay like Sharpshooter, Alert, etc.

If you root for diversifying your skill set in combat while maintaining that core rogue-ish charm identity intact, choosing Fighter as a multiclass option can indeed elevate your adventure.

It fosters strengths in battle, talent, & ranged attacks – ushering an unparalleled dynamism to your character development while venturing through the imaginative landscapes of Dungeons & Dragons.

Also Read: Darkness 5E [Effects, Uses, And Strategic Advantages]

Best Races for Rogue 5E

Choosing a character’s race is an essential decision you’ll make, as the race you pick determines your character’s abilities and characteristics. For Rogues, a strong foundation in Dexterity and Constitution balances out their playstyle effectively.

Standard Races

The Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition offers a diverse list of standard races, each with unique abilities and traits that are helpful to a Rogue’s gameplay. Let’s delve into each one.

• Dwarf: Dwarves stand as formidable rogues due to their resilience. While not traditionally inclined towards stealth or subtlety, their Strength and Constitution provide advantages in combat situations.
• Elf: Elves are naturally suited to be Rogues due to their Dexterity bonus. Wood Elves, with their Mask of The Wild racial ability, can hide even when only lightly obscured by natural phenomena, making them excellent stalkers or burglars.
• Halfling: Halflings’ racial bonuses make them ideal candidates for Rogues owing to their elegant nature. Their ability “Lucky” helps in rerolling ones on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws.
• Human: Humans are versatile characters that can adjust easily to any class. They receive a +1 bonus to all ability scores, which aids the rogue class significantly.
• Dragonborn: Though not the conventional choice for rogues due to the lack of dexterity bonuses and slight charisma boosts, it is better suited for spellcasters than Rogues. They do possess resistance to fire damage, which can prove advantageous in certain situations.
• Gnome: Gnomes, especially Forest Gnomes, have potential as Rogues because of their +2 intelligence boost that complements arcane tricksters well. Their Natural Illusionist ability allows users to create an imaginary image, adding another way of confusing enemies.
• Half-Elf: The Half-Elf’s racial bonuses and their ability to gain proficiency in two skills of their choice make them tailor-made for the Rogue class.
• Half-Orc: While Half-Orcs boast Strength and Constitution bonuses, these don’t necessarily synergize with typical Rogues. Still, their “Relentless Endurance” and “Savage Attacks” features could craft a unique playstyle for a more brutish Rogue.
• Tiefling: With Charisma and Intelligence bonuses, Tieflings may not instantly appeal to Rogues. However, their innate spellcasting ability can offer unexpected advantages and diversify gameplay.

Stats don’t wholly dictate the best race but by what works well with your desired playstyle and narrative. Every race can play out positively in different situations if correctly utilized. Enjoy the experience of exploring different possibilities.

Non-Standard Races

Get ready to dive into the fantastical corners of Dungeons & Dragons as we take you on a tour of some out-of-the-ordinary, non-standard races.

Forget your usual suspects; instead, prepare to encounter the spirited Aarakocra or mysterious Changeling, amongst others. With such variety, you’re certain to find a new favorite that might significantly challenge and enhance your gaming experience.

• Aarakocra: Born in extraordinary realms of elemental air, Aarakocas are birdlike creatures brimming with adventure spirit. Naturally gifted with the power of flight, their speed and mobility add a fresh layer to gameplay. Those sky-high vistas aren’t unreachable when an Aarakocra is around!
• Aasimar: Seasoned players will appreciate the unique blend of mortal and celestial found in Aasimars. While they maintain human-like appearances, these beings carry divine bloodlines that unfold remarkable powers and a strong aptitude for Good alignments throughout the campaign.
• Changeling: Crave unpredictability? The Changeling is for you! These intriguing characters possess shapeshifting abilities, enabling them to duplicate other’s appearances at will – perfect for missions centered around espionage or social manipulation.
• Firbolg: Standing tall with a strong affinity towards nature and an inherent sense of community, Firbolgs offer balanced gameplay. They possess unique traits like speech without sound and invisibility amidst nature—ideal characteristics for those inclined towards tranquil rounds rather than ruthless combat!
• Genasi: Born from elemental planes, Genasi inherits one from among Earth, Fire, Air, or Water as their subraces. Each subrace reflects traits akin to their elemental parentage – for instance, water Genasis have gills, while fire Genasis is impervious to flame.
• Goliath: If strength and endurance are your forte, Goliaths won’t disappoint. Towering above most species, they possess rock-hard resilience, making them a hardy choice for exploring rugged terrains or battling formidable adversaries.
• Kenku: These crow-like creatures, cursed by an ancient god, echo sounds and voices instead of speaking. They are incredibly skillful with their hands, making them excellent thieves or spies in your campaign.
• Lizardfolk: Imagine possessing the advantages of both humanoid and reptile forms – this is the Lizardfolk! Cold-blooded and survival-centric, they carry some unique abilities, like creating tools from defeated foes or regenerating health by devouring flesh.
• Tabaxi: The cat-like Tabaxi are known for their curiosity is equaled only by their agility. A combination that spells an adventurous spirit and lightning-fast reflexes—perfect attributes for explorers seeking treasure-filled quests!
• Triton: Tritons rule beneath the waves in underwater kingdoms. Their unique abilities allow them to navigate comfortably underwater, controlling sea creatures or resisting the cold depths – adding a different dimension to campaigns crossing aquatic barriers.
• Sure thing! Let’s continue our exploration and take a closer look at these mesmerizing, non-standard races to develop a diversified grasp of the magnificent world of Dungeons & Dragons.
• Yuan-Ti Pureblood: Belonging to the snake-like Yuan-Ti race, the Purebloods are deceptive characters known for their semblance to humans. With a combination of human aesthetics and serpentine abilities, they make excellent infiltrators or manipulators in your campaign.
• Warforged: Introducing Warforged, sentient golems designed for war and armed with natural armor. These sturdy creatures know neither sleep nor age, making them unwavering companions in your battlefield exploits.
• Shifter: Descendants from werewolves, Shifters garner their name from their ability to tap into their lycanthropic heritage to ‘shift.’ Keen senses coupled with superior reflexes render Shifters as reliable scouts or frontline warriors in your party.
• Minotaur: Myths come alive with the Minotaurs! Possessing both human intelligence and bullish strength, Minotaurs can be an intimidating presence in both physical combat and tense negotiation scenarios.
• Centaur: Embodying the elegance of humanity and the raw power of horses, Centaurs make for agile warriors or swift explorers. Their dual nature can traverse difficult terrains effortlessly while maintaining forceful combat abilities.
• Simic Hybrid: The result of magical bioengineering experiments, Simic Hybrids carry traits of both humans and various beasts. This hybrid quality allows you to customize your character’s abilities to suit your gameplay style perfectly.
• Loxodon: Peace-loving yet formidable, Loxodons are elephantine beings known for their wisdom. With a strong sense of community coupled with hardy physical attributes, they make dependable allies in any quest!
• Vedalken: Embody these blue-skinned intellectuals known for their pursuit of progress and perfection. Vedalken’s focus lies in mental resilience over physical prowess, making them the brains of any effective D&D party.
• Bugbear: Don’t be fooled by the name – Bugbears are giant goblinoids with a knack for stealth despite their size. Combining strength with surprising agility, Bugbears can be a powerful addition to your adventure.
• Hobgoblin: Fearsome militaristic beings, Hobgoblins thrive on discipline and organization. If you seek tactical advantages and appreciate well-executed plans in your gameplay, nothing beats hobgoblins.
• Without further delay, let’s plunge headfirst into the next set of non-standard races that truly have their unique flavor and quirks. From the industrious Kobolds to the enigmatic Warforged, your character options are nearly limitless in this exciting realm of D&D.
• Kobold: Brilliant bore miners with a sharp instinct for survival beneath their scaly exterior. Kobolds come with a knack for setting up deadly traps and ambushes, making them excellent strategists on the battleground despite their small size.
• Orc: Brawny and fierce to the core, Orcs embody sheer physical power combined with an undying tribal loyalty. Ferocious adversaries or steadfast allies, Orcs can stand at the forefront of tumultuous battles, underlining raw strength.
• Goblin: Mischievous troublemakers who possess an uncanny ability to wriggle out of tight corners, Goblins add elements of cunning and unpredictability to your campaign. Their small-scale guerilla warfare tactics can throw adversaries off balance.
• Grung: If you fancy poison-dart frogs transforming into humanoid adventurers, Grungs are way up your alley! Native to humid jungles, they are disciplined warriors bearing a unique skin color hierarchy within their society that determines roles.
• Tortle: Envision humanoid tortoises – that’s Turtles for you. With natural armor in their robust shells and an inclination towards tranquility and wisdom, Turtles can add immense resilience coupled with insightful advice to your journey.
• Locathah: Persistent survivors even in the harshest underwater environments; Locathah personifies rugged endurance. Their discipline and collaborative spirit make them steadfast companions during aquatic quests or sea-borne adversities.
• Leonin: Valiant lion-like creatures owing allegiance to none but themselves, Leonins possess prideful spirits coupled with awe-striking combat prowess. Their roar alone can send enemies scrambling, which, along with their innate physical abilities, adds substantial muscle to any campaign.
• Satyr: Satyrs are the party-loving free spirits renowned for their overwhelming charm and enchanting music. Bestowed with natural agility and wit, they bring unexpected turns of events to the game through fascinating diplomacy or enthralling performance.
• Verdan: Imbued with a remarkable trait of constant evolution, Verdans can grow taller, alter skin color, or develop mental capacities as they age. These goblinoid beings, with their ever-changing characteristics, add dynamic flexibility and adaptability to any role-play.
• Warforged: Engineered for battle and equipped with an integrated armor design, the Warforged are resilient constructs that feature an intriguing blend of humanity and artificiality. Their lifelong learning ability, coupled with unnerving steadfastness, makes them uniquely competent as allies who wouldn’t falter under strain.

The beauty of Dungeons & Dragons lies in its ability to let you safely experiment within its realms. With these lesser-known races now unveiled to you, remember that your character should be more than an avatar.

It should be a reflection of you or the traits you aspire to experiment with in the game! Enjoy your journey into these fascinating realms.

Also Read: Monk 5E In D&D [Class Features, Subclasses, And Strategies]

FAQs about Rogue 5E