One D&D Rogue: An Overview
The Rogue class in One D&D embodies the quintessential master of stealth, subterfuge, and precise strikes. Rogues rely on cunning, favoring subtle tactics over brute force, and excel as Faces, Scouts, and Strikers. With expertise in skills and deadly sneak attacks, they are versatile and powerful.
Core Rogue Features in 5e
In 5th Edition, the Rogue’s core features emphasize skill proficiency and combat finesse. Key abilities include Expertise, granting double proficiency bonus to chosen skills. Sneak Attack allows for significant damage, while Cunning Action provides tactical flexibility. These elements define the Rogue’s role as a versatile and deadly character.
Sneak Attack Mechanics
The Sneak Attack is a defining feature of the Rogue class in D&D 5e, emphasizing precision and exploiting vulnerabilities. Once per turn, a Rogue can deal extra damage to a creature they hit with an attack if they have advantage on the attack roll. This attack must utilize a finesse or ranged weapon, reflecting the Rogue’s preference for agility and cunning over brute strength.
However, advantage is not always necessary. If another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and the Rogue doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll, the Sneak Attack can still be triggered. This encourages tactical positioning and collaboration with allies, allowing the Rogue to capitalize on distractions and opportunities created by their companions.
The amount of extra damage dealt by Sneak Attack increases as the Rogue gains levels in their class, as indicated in the Sneak Attack column of the Rogue’s class table. This ensures that the feature remains relevant and powerful throughout the character’s progression, solidifying the Rogue’s role as a potent damage dealer in the right circumstances. The mechanics of Sneak Attack reward careful planning and execution, making it a central element of the Rogue’s combat strategy.
Cunning Action Options
Cunning Action is a core Rogue feature that grants unparalleled mobility and tactical flexibility in combat. Starting at 2nd level, a Rogue can use a bonus action on each of their turns to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. This versatility allows Rogues to quickly reposition themselves, evade danger, or vanish from sight, making them elusive and difficult to pin down.
The Dash action allows a Rogue to cover significant ground, enabling them to close the distance to an enemy or escape from a threatening situation. The Disengage action provides a safe retreat, preventing enemies from making opportunity attacks as the Rogue moves away. The Hide action allows a Rogue to attempt to conceal themselves, potentially gaining advantage on their next attack or avoiding detection altogether.
These options empower Rogues to control the flow of battle and adapt to changing circumstances. Whether it’s darting in for a Sneak Attack and then disappearing, maneuvering to flank an enemy, or simply escaping harm’s way, Cunning Action is an indispensable tool in the Rogue’s arsenal. It reinforces their role as agile and resourceful combatants, capable of outmaneuvering their opponents and exploiting vulnerabilities with precision.
Expertise and Skill Proficiencies
Rogues are renowned for their exceptional skill set, making them invaluable assets both in and out of combat. This aptitude is primarily fueled by their Expertise and extensive Skill Proficiencies. At 1st level, Rogues gain Expertise, allowing them to choose two skills in which they are proficient and double their proficiency bonus for any ability check they make that uses either of those proficiencies. This bonus is applied to skills like Stealth, Acrobatics, and others. At 6th level, they can choose two more skills.
This feature significantly enhances their reliability in crucial situations, such as disarming traps, picking locks, or persuading others. Furthermore, Rogues receive more skill proficiencies than any other class, reflecting their diverse training and adaptability. They typically gain proficiency in skills like Acrobatics, Athletics, Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth.
The combination of Expertise and numerous skill proficiencies makes Rogues the quintessential masters of skill checks. They can effortlessly navigate social encounters, uncover hidden clues, and overcome obstacles that would stymie other adventurers. This proficiency not only contributes to their effectiveness in exploration and social interaction but also enhances their combat prowess, allowing them to set up ambushes, exploit enemy weaknesses, and control the battlefield with finesse.
One D&D Rogue: Key Abilities and Stats
Rogues in One D&D prioritize Dexterity for their combat finesse and skills. While archetype choices can influence ability priorities, Dexterity remains crucial. Cunning, stealth, and exploiting vulnerabilities define the Rogue’s approach, making them formidable and adaptable adventurers in any campaign setting.
Dexterity as a Primary Ability
For Rogues in One D&D, Dexterity stands as a cornerstone ability, influencing many crucial aspects of their effectiveness. With very few exceptions, Dexterity is always going to be the Rogue’s primary ability. It directly impacts their Armor Class (AC), making them harder to hit in combat, which is vital given their preference for avoiding direct confrontations. Their finesse relies heavily on Dexterity, enabling them to strike accurately and deliver devastating sneak attacks. The Rogue prioritizes subtle strikes over brute strength.
Furthermore, Dexterity governs numerous skills essential to the Rogue’s role, including Stealth, Acrobatics, and Sleight of Hand. These skills are at the heart of the Rogue’s ability to navigate treacherous environments, disarm traps, pick locks, and move unnoticed. The Rogue is included as one of the standard character classes in the 5th edition Players Handbook.
A high Dexterity score allows Rogues to excel as scouts, infiltrators, and manipulators, outmaneuvering opponents and exploiting vulnerabilities. Investing in Dexterity ensures that the Rogue remains agile, elusive, and deadly, making them a force to be reckoned with in any adventuring party. Rogues rely on cunning, stealth, and their foes vulnerabilities to get the upper hand in any situation.
Rogue Subclasses (Roguish Archetypes)
Rogues in One D&D gain access to various Roguish Archetypes, each offering unique abilities and playstyles that significantly shape their character’s progression. These subclasses, often chosen at 3rd level, provide a distinct identity and determine how the Rogue operates throughout their adventuring career. Rogue subclasses are extremely powerful, frequently granting features at 3rd level which define how your character plays for the rest of their career, and offering a tempting prize for builds which can handle a 3-level class dip.
Some popular archetypes include the Assassin, specializing in eliminating high-value targets with deadly precision, and the Thief, excelling in infiltration, larceny, and quick-handed maneuvers. The Arcane Trickster blends roguish skills with arcane magic, casting spells and illusions to enhance their stealth and combat prowess. Players can choose between several main rogue archetypes with varying abilities and traits. However, not all subclasses are made equal.
Each archetype grants unique features that augment the Rogue’s core abilities, providing new tactical options and roleplaying opportunities. Rogues have many features in common, including their emphasis on perfecting their skills, their precise and deadly approach to combat, and their increasingly defining the Rogue’s niche within the party and their overall impact on the game world.
New Features and Tweaks in One D&D Rogue
One D&D introduces new features and tweaks to the Rogue class, including Cunning Strike, Steady Aim, and Weapon Mastery. These additions aim to enhance the Rogue’s versatility and combat effectiveness. There are also tweaks to base subclasses like the Thief, Assassin, Arcane Trickster.
Cunning Strike and Steady Aim
One D&D introduces notable features, Cunning Strike and Steady Aim, designed to augment the Rogue’s combat capabilities and tactical options. Cunning Strike, a new 14th-level feature, builds upon the existing Cunning Action, offering Rogues enhanced control over the battlefield. This allows them to inflict additional effects on their targets alongside their Sneak Attack damage.
Steady Aim, an optional feature, provides Rogues with a reliable way to gain advantage on attack rolls, particularly when they need to ensure their Sneak Attack hits. By forgoing movement during their turn, Rogues can focus their aim, increasing their chances of landing a critical blow. This tactical option enhances the Rogue’s consistency in dealing significant damage;
These features contribute to a more dynamic and versatile Rogue playstyle. Cunning Strike adds a layer of strategic depth to combat encounters, while Steady Aim offers a consistent method for maximizing damage output. Together, they represent meaningful enhancements to the Rogue class in One D&D, providing players with greater control and effectiveness in various combat scenarios, granting features at 3rd level defining how your character plays.
Weapon Mastery
Weapon Mastery is a notable addition to the Rogue class in One D&D, enhancing their combat prowess and versatility. Rogues gain Weapon Mastery at level 1. This feature allows them to apply special properties to weapons they wield, granting tactical advantages in combat. The specific properties available depend on the weapon type, offering a range of options to suit different playstyles and combat situations. For example, a dagger might gain the “Finesse” property, allowing the Rogue to use Dexterity for attack and damage rolls, while a shortbow could gain the “Range” property, increasing its effective range.
Weapon Mastery adds a layer of customization to the Rogue’s combat abilities. By choosing weapons with properties that complement their skills and tactics, Rogues can optimize their effectiveness in battle. This feature also encourages experimentation with different weapon types, allowing players to discover new and creative ways to utilize their Rogue’s combat potential.
Moreover, Weapon Mastery enhances the Rogue’s thematic connection to their chosen weapons. Whether they prefer the subtle precision of a dagger or the ranged accuracy of a shortbow, Weapon Mastery allows Rogues to master their preferred tools of the trade, solidifying their identity as skilled and adaptable combatants. In combat, Rogues prioritize subtle strikes over brute strength, making one precise strike.
Playing a Rogue: Tactics and Builds
Playing a Rogue in D&D 5e involves a blend of cunning, adaptability, and strategic thinking. Rogues excel in various roles, from stealthy infiltrators to charismatic negotiators, making their tactical approach highly dependent on the situation and chosen subclass. When it comes to tactics, Rogues prioritize positioning and exploiting enemy vulnerabilities. Their Sneak Attack ability rewards flanking or having an ally nearby, encouraging teamwork and careful planning in combat. Cunning Action allows them to disengage, hide, or dash as a bonus action, providing unparalleled mobility and escape options. Rogues are the quintessential Face, Scout, and Striker.
When crafting a Rogue build, consider the desired playstyle and the party’s needs. A Thief Rogue might focus on utility and exploration, while an Assassin Rogue specializes in burst damage and eliminating high-priority targets. An Arcane Trickster blends magic with stealth, offering a versatile mix of offense and support.
Dexterity is paramount for most Rogue builds, enhancing their stealth, agility, and attack rolls. Charisma can be valuable for social encounters, while Intelligence supports skills like Investigation and Arcana. Ultimately, the best Rogue tactics and builds capitalize on their unique strengths, turning them into indispensable assets both in and out of combat.
