Summary
There are many ways players can choose to experienceDungeons and Dragons, either by playing a character concept built around their backstory, their abilities, or even assuming a role to play within their party, akin to a balanced MMO team. This could be the tank,the healer, or even a rogue adept at stealth or thievery.
Rogue also happened to be the name of one the classes available to play inD&D. Though it is not considered to be one of the more difficult classes, newer players might still need this handy tips and tricks to get the most out of their rogue.
8Consider What Subclass to Focus On
There Are Multiple Ways to Play a Rogue
What to consider next after picking the class is what subclass appeals to the player the most. Inthe 2024 edition, there are four rogue subclasses available: assassin, arcane trickster, soulknife, and thief. Most of these are self-explanatory, but the arcane trickster and soulknife might require some reading to find out if it is the right fit for both player and character,
If players already have a concept in mind, say an assassin on a revenge mission, the choice of subclass is pretty obvious. For those who haven’t decided, they should research into the various subclasses to see what appeals most. Assassins are all about stealthy murder, thieves know how to relieve others of their goods, arcane tricksters use magic to beguile, and soulknife’s are a new addition, combining the rogue class with psionic abilities.
7Choose the Right Species
Certain Species Complement the Rogue Class Above Others
Species, previously known as races from the 2014 PHB, are essentially what kind of humanoid or humanoid adjacent people players want to choose to play, from the basic human to more fantastical beings such as a dragonborn. While most might just choose the species that appeals to them the most from a flavor or aesthetic standpoint, each comes with unique features and traits which might complement their chosen class.
For example, a halfing makes the perfect class for a sneaky rogue, as they have the Naturally Stealthy feature thanks to their smaller stature, but an elf could be a good fit too, as their Keen Senses let them read situations with a touch more insight than others. These are just a few examples of howless experienced playerscan choose the right species for their class.
6Know Where to Lend Expertise
There are Skills Rogues Get More Use From
Expertise is a handy skill rogues gain at levels 1 and 6, granting a total of 4 skills players can place expertise into, essentially doubling the proficiency bonus of skills that the player is already proficient with. This allows them to focus their character into a particular archetype should they wish, becoming the sneakiest thief, or a beguiling trickster.
Bread and butter rogue skills such asStealth and Sleight of Hand are strong contendersdepending on what rogue they want to be, but Deception and Acrobatics are also strong contenders to make a well-rounded rogue character.
5Select the Right Equipment
Players Need to Correctly Outfit Their Rogue
Every class has the option to pick and choose from the list of starting equipment, or roll a formula to work out how much gold they have to spend freely on equipment. Most players, even veterans, just stick to the starting equipment as it gives the players the basics they need for their characters, such as camping equipment, weapons and armor befitting of their class.
The starting equipment gives them daggers, thieves' tools, two daggers, and a choice of a rapier or shortsword, a shortbow or shortsword, a burglar’s pack, dungeoneer’s pack, or an explorer’s pack. Most players won’t need to worry about the latter too much, but weapons should be carefully considered. Are they going to be closer to the danger, or would they rather snipe from a distance? This should help them decide which weapons to arm themselves with before setting off on their path, but should they change their mind, they could always try and trade with a merchant.
4Strategize Placement in Battle
Rogues are Better Striking From the Shadows
Three things are inevitable in this TTPRG–dungeons, dragons, and combat. While exploring thevarious locations in their campaign, players will run into enemy forces, be it a completely pre-planned fight or a random encounter the DM rolled for, and then it will be time to roll for initiative. What each character wants to do on their turn will most likely be their number one consideration, but for caster classes and rogues, placement is another important factor they need to think about, and they might need to spend a turn getting into position.
Rogues work best when they aren’t surrounded by the enemy, but need to get in close for that all-important sneak attack. Flanking an enemy is a good strategy, especially if the DM runs the game with flanking rules, or getting behind an enemy to stab them right in the back. Rogues who use ranged weapons such as crossbows and bows and arrows will want to get on the high ground to avoid close quarters combat.
3Check for Traps
Rogues Have the Better Odds for Spotting and Disabling Traps
Whileexploring areas, particularly those indoors such as tombs or dungeons, one hazard players might come up against are traps. There are many inDungeons and Dragonsthat crafty DMs can cleverly place, and some even have the possibility to be quite deadly to the party if they don’t catch them in time.
But if there is a rogue in the party, they can lead the charge in the hopes of spotting traps and using their thieves' tools and skills as a rogue to disable the traps, allowing the party to explore further ahead without losing a limb or potentially their life. Rogues just need to remember to mention out loud they want to scan for traps as they go, and hope they pass the necessary perception checks to see them. Still, a rogue is the party’s best chance at finding and disarming them.
2Avoid Constantly Sneaking Away from the Party
There are Specific Situations That May Require Some Recon, but Not All the Time
Rogues are going to rogue at some point or another throughout the campaign, and there might even the situations that arise thatcall for the sneakiestamong the party to scout up ahead so they know what they may soon be facing. But when the rogue makes a habit of breaking away without alerting the party, that is when it becomes an issue, which could even lead to out of game friction with other players.
This causes problems as the players don’t know where the rogue is, what they are doing, if the actions are going to come back at the whole party, and it interrupts the flow of the game as the DM then has to dedicate one on one time for that player’s antics as the rest of the table waits. Players will develop a good game sense for when they should sneak off, but they shouldn’t always do so without letting the other characters know all the time. And if players are unsure, they could always ask in or out of character if they would like them to scout ahead, or if they don’t mind if they break away for RP purposes.
1Lean Away from Cliches
Break the Mold With a Unique Spin on the Class
The dark, brooding, lone-wolf character archetype is usually reserved for classes such as rogue and warlock, as these characters more often than not verge on the darker side ofD&D, but as a result, are rather overdone. While there is nothing wrong with characters playing into some cliches, particularly those just starting out, it can be fun to shake up the formula every once in a while. This helpsD&Dremain a fresh and fun hobby for those who are going to spend years or even decades indulging in it.
So, rogue players should set aside the lone-wolf character who is going to remain shady and mysterious to the rest of the party, and likely have the criminal character origin and a tragic backstory. Why not have a rogue who is a beaming ray of sunshine, all smiles and compliments while they reach for someone’s coin purse, or an assassin who treats their targets with the utmost respect, lying their bodies to rest afterward? The arcane trickster could use their magic skills to wow the small children in the most destitute parts of the cities they wander into, bringing small doses of joy in a hopeless world. There are a ton of ways players can reflavor rogues to make them stand out more.
