The best races, feats and skills for a 2014 rules rogue, how to land Sneak Attack every turn, two ready-made builds, and what to pick at every level from 1 to 20.
The rogue makes one big hit per turn with 
Sneak AttackSneak AttackLevel 1 featureBeginning at 1st level, you know how to strike subtly and exploit a foe's distraction. Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon. instead of many small ones, and uses its bonus action to hide, dash or disengage. It has more skills than any other class and doubles its bonus in its best ones with 
ExpertiseExpertiseLevel 1 featureAt 1st level, choose two of your skill proficiencies, or one of your skill proficiencies and your proficiency with thieves' tools. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies.. In a party it scouts, opens locks, finds traps and finishes off whatever the fighter has softened up.
Every dungeon I ever drew had a locked door, a trapped chest and a guard who wasn't paying attention. A rogue handles all three before lunch. In a fight, stand next to the fighter's target and stab it. You don't need to be clever every turn, just next to a friend.
ExpertiseExpertiseLevel 1 featureAt 1st level, choose two of your skill proficiencies, or one of your skill proficiencies and your proficiency with thieves' tools. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies. in the best ones
Cunning ActionCunning ActionLevel 2 featureStarting at 2nd level, your quick thinking and agility allow you to move and act quickly. You can take a bonus action on each of your turns in combat. This action can be used only to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.: hide, dash or disengage as a bonus action
Uncanny DodgeUncanny DodgeLevel 5 featureStarting at 5th level, when an attacker that you can see hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to halve the attack's damage against you. and 
EvasionEvasionLevel 7 featureBeginning at 7th level, you can nimbly dodge out of the way of certain area effects, such as a red dragon's fiery breath or an ice storm spell. cut damage taken
Reliable TalentReliable TalentLevel 11 featureBy 11th level, you have refined your chosen skills until they approach perfection. Whenever you make an ability check that lets you add your proficiency bonus, you can treat a d20 roll of 9 or lower as a 10. makes skill checks near-certain from level 11Dexterity, then Constitution, then Wisdom or Charisma. Dexterity drives your attacks, AC, initiative and Stealth. Constitution keeps you standing. Then Wisdom for Perception or Charisma if you talk for the party. In the 2014 rules your race gives your ability score increases. With the standard array and a Lightfoot Halfling (+2 Dex, +1 Cha), you start with:
Put your level 4 Ability Score Improvement into Dexterity 18 and Constitution 15, and reach 20 Dexterity by level 8. Rogues get an extra Ability Score Improvement at level 10, a good place for a feat.
Feats are optional in the 2014 rules and only one is in the free SRD, so these come from the Player's Handbook. Ask your DM before you plan around one.
The Thief is the rogue archetype in the free 2014 rules. You choose it at level 3. It gets more out of your bonus action and climbs anything.
Your Cunning Action can also make a Sleight of Hand check, use thieves' tools on a lock or trap, or take the Use an Object action.
Climbing costs no extra movement, and your running jumps go further by your Dexterity modifier in feet.
Advantage on Stealth checks if you move no more than half your speed that turn.
Ignore class, race and level requirements on magic items.
Take two turns in the first round of combat: one at your initiative and one at your initiative minus 10. Not when you are surprised.
The Player's Handbook adds the Assassin and the Arcane Trickster, who casts wizard spells. They are not in the free rules, so this guide does not cover them.
Sneak Attack works once per turn with a finesse or ranged weapon, when you have Advantage on the attack or another enemy of your target is within 5 feet of it (and you don't have Disadvantage). It starts at 1d6 and adds a die every odd level, up to 10d6 at level 19. Use a rapier in melee and a shortbow at range.
Double your proficiency bonus in two skills, or one skill and thieves' tools. Two more at level 6. Stealth and Perception are the usual picks.
Dash, Disengage or Hide as a bonus action. Attack, then hide or step away, every turn.
Use your reaction to halve the damage of an attack that hits you.
Take no damage on a successful Dexterity save against area effects, half on a failure.
Any d20 roll of 9 or lower on a proficient ability check counts as 10. With Expertise, you rarely fail.
Shoot, then hide behind the fighter with Cunning Action. Naturally Stealthy means you always have something to hide behind.
Build this rogue
Talks the party past the guards, and stabs the ones who won't listen. Six skills from class and race at level 1 cover most of what the party needs outside a fight.
Build this rogue| Lvl | PB | Features | Sneak Attack |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | +2 |
ExpertiseExpertiseLevel 1 featureAt 1st level, choose two of your skill proficiencies, or one of your skill proficiencies and your proficiency with thieves' tools. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies.
Sneak AttackSneak AttackLevel 1 featureBeginning at 1st level, you know how to strike subtly and exploit a foe's distraction. Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
 Thieves' CantThieves' CantLevel 1 featureDuring your rogue training you learned thieves' cant, a secret mix of dialect, jargon, and code that allows you to hide messages in seemingly normal conversation. Only another creature that knows thieves' cant understands such messages.
|
1d6 |
| 2 | +2 |
Cunning ActionCunning ActionLevel 2 featureStarting at 2nd level, your quick thinking and agility allow you to move and act quickly. You can take a bonus action on each of your turns in combat. This action can be used only to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
|
1d6 |
| 3 | +2 |
Roguish ArchetypeRoguish ArchetypeLevel 3 featureAt 3rd level, you choose an archetype that you emulate in the exercise of your rogue abilities: Thief, Assassin, or Arcane Trickster, all detailed at the end of the class description.
Fast HandsFast HandsLevel 3 featureStarting 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 WorkSecond-Story WorkLevel 3 featureWhen 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.
|
2d6 |
| 4 | +2 | Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score ImprovementLevel 4 featureWhen you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature. | 2d6 |
| 5 | +3 |
Uncanny DodgeUncanny DodgeLevel 5 featureStarting at 5th level, when an attacker that you can see hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to halve the attack's damage against you.
|
3d6 |
| 6 | +3 |
ExpertiseExpertiseLevel 1 featureAt 1st level, choose two of your skill proficiencies, or one of your skill proficiencies and your proficiency with thieves' tools. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies.
|
3d6 |
| 7 | +3 |
EvasionEvasionLevel 7 featureBeginning at 7th level, you can nimbly dodge out of the way of certain area effects, such as a red dragon's fiery breath or an ice storm spell.
|
4d6 |
| 8 | +3 | Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score ImprovementLevel 4 featureWhen you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature. | 4d6 |
| 9 | +4 |
Supreme SneakSupreme SneakLevel 9 featureStarting at 9th level, you have advantage on a Dexterity (Stealth) check if you move no more than half your speed on the same turn.
|
5d6 |
| 10 | +4 | Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score ImprovementLevel 4 featureWhen you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature. | 5d6 |
| 11 | +4 |
Reliable TalentReliable TalentLevel 11 featureBy 11th level, you have refined your chosen skills until they approach perfection. Whenever you make an ability check that lets you add your proficiency bonus, you can treat a d20 roll of 9 or lower as a 10.
|
6d6 |
| 12 | +4 | Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score ImprovementLevel 4 featureWhen you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature. | 6d6 |
| 13 | +5 |
Use Magic DeviceUse Magic DeviceLevel 13 featureBy 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.
|
7d6 |
| 14 | +5 | BlindsenseBlindsenseLevel 14 featureStarting at 14th level, if you are able to hear, you are aware of the location of any hidden or invisible creature within 10 feet of you. | 7d6 |
| 15 | +5 |
 Slippery MindSlippery MindLevel 15 featureBy 15th level, you have acquired greater mental strength. You gain proficiency in Wisdom saving throws.
|
8d6 |
| 16 | +5 | Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score ImprovementLevel 4 featureWhen you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature. | 8d6 |
| 17 | +6 |
Thief's ReflexesThief's ReflexesLevel 17 featureWhen 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.
|
9d6 |
| 18 | +6 |
 ElusiveElusiveLevel 18 featureBeginning at 18th level, you are so evasive that attackers rarely gain the upper hand against you. No attack roll has advantage against you while you aren't incapacitated.
|
9d6 |
| 19 | +6 | Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score ImprovementLevel 4 featureWhen you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature. | 10d6 |
| 20 | +6 |
 Stroke of LuckStroke of LuckLevel 20 featureAt 20th level, you have an uncanny knack for succeeding when you need to. If your attack misses a target within range, you can turn the miss into a hit. Alternatively, if you fail an ability check, you can treat the d20 roll as a 20.
|
10d6 |
Under the free 2014 rules, the Lightfoot Halfling: +2 Dexterity, Lucky, and it can hide behind a larger ally. High Elf and Half-Elf are close behind. From the Player's Handbook, the variant human with a level 1 feat is just as strong.
Once per turn, when you hit with a finesse or ranged weapon, you add extra d6s if you had Advantage on the attack or another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it and you don't have Disadvantage. It does not need you to be hidden.
Yes, especially for scouts and dungeon crawls. Fast Hands and Second-Story Work help from level 3, and Thief's Reflexes at 17 gives two turns in the first round. The Assassin and Arcane Trickster from the Player's Handbook are alternatives if your table allows them.
Play whichever rules your table uses. The 2024 rogue adds Weapon Mastery, Steady Aim and Cunning Strike, which trades Sneak Attack dice for effects. See the 2024 rogue guide for those rules.
Build a rogue in a couple of minutes and start an adventure in your browser. Play solo, or send your friends a link and play together.
This guide includes material from the System Reference Document 5.1 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. TableForge is not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast. Full licenses.
