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Is it time to make a new character?
Or maybe it’s your first time creating one inDungeons & Dragons?
One of the first and biggest decisions you’ll make in the character-creating process is what class to play.
Aartwork by Nathaniel Himawan, John Grello, and Bryan Sola via Wizards of the Coast.
Especially as the 2024 Player’s Handbook leads you in picking your class before your species.
The Dungeons & Dragons species we have the most in common with.
This guide is all about humans and their changes in the 2024 Player’s Handbook.
A Dexterous Expert by Aurore Folny.
It further allows you tosynergize well with the other martial classesin your party.
Subclass Highlights
There arefour rogue subclassesto choose from.
They are thearcane trickster, assassin, soulknife, and thief.
A Dexterous Expert by Aurore Folny.
Spell choices and suggested spells will be covered a bit further down in this guide.
Thief
Then there isa good, old-fashioned thief.
If you likeuncovering secrets and finding treasure, this could very well be the subclass for you.
Kenku Artificer by Dave Greco
But it’s not just about stealing, believe it or not.
Want to craft some goods during your downtime?
Whether you are a DM or a player unsure about crafting, this is the guide for you.
Arguing Councilors via Zoltan Boros
For both species, this is due totheir natural feats.
Forhalflings, theirNaturally Stealthy ability goes hand-in-hand with rogues.
Forelves, each legacy gives you something that wouldbenefit the different rogue subclasses.
Artwork by Nathaniel Himawan via Wizards of the Coast
Other non-2024 Player’s Handbook choices includechangelings, tabaxi, and owlins.
Best Stat Placements
Your first priorityshould always be your Dexterity.
So many skills that are best used by rogues are Dexterity-based, likeStealth and Acrobatics.
Artwork by Ignatius Budi
Not to mention,your finesse weapons will benefit most from a high Dexterity score.
Subclass
Stat Priorities
Why?
You use Intelligence as your spellcasting modifer.
Artowrk by Yuhong Ding via Wizards of the Coast
And Constitution isn’t only about giving you more health but a better chance of maintaining Concentration on spells.
Dexterity is theonly skill used for your abilitiesso having your Dexterity score as high as possible is most important.
After that, Consitution will help with hit points.
Artwork by Jodie Muir via Wizards of the Coast
Your skills are all Dexterity-based, and the extra Constitution hit points are always nice.
This is basically achoice between equipment or starting with only goldfor you to then spend on what you want.
Buthandaxes, sickles, darts, raipers, and shortswordsare all excellent choices too.
When it comes to damage, you want to go forshortswords.
For kits, you only start out with proficiency inThieve’s Tools.
However,there are some skills that any rogue could benefit from.
Keys from the Golden Vault cover, via Wizards of the Coast
Actor
Great choice for rogues who want to useCharisma-based skills to deceive and charmNPCs.
Keen Mind
ChooseArcana for your arcane trickster rogueor Investigation if you want toget to the bottom of things.
Background Name
Why This Background?
Concept Art from Keys from the Golden Vault by Evyn Fong
Plus, beingable to forge documents?
Plus, you gain Alert to helpensure you have the quickest draw in combat.
This also aids if you plan tomake use of disguises.
Vitriolic Sphere by Ignatius Budi
Noble
This gives you Skilled,one of the best featsin the game.
Plus, you might use your status toopen doors when lock picks wouldn’t be enough.
Best Multiclassing Options
Naturally, you could choose any class.
They all have their own benefits and strengths.
Multiclass Options
Who Should Pick These?
Artwork by Mike Pape via Wizards of the Coast
Bag of Holding by Evyn Fong
Tieflings playing cards by Clint Cearley
Artwork by Igor Grechanyi
