The Thief Roguish Archetype is the closest to a default rogue subclass in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. It covers the archetypal rogue whose abilities lend themselves more to quick thinking and action than spellcasting or meticulous assassinations. The D&D 5e Thief rogue has versatile features that tend towards utility and a bit of combat strength.
It's difficult to make a non-viable Thief rogue build in D&D 5e, even if the subclass doesn't peak as high as its competitors. Players who want more power can improve their Thief build with a few clever decisions that capitalize on its strengths and compensate for its weaknesses.
Thief Rogue Build Summary
Ability Scores (In Order Of Importance) | Dexterity, Constitution, Charisma/Wisdom, Intelligence, Strength |
|---|---|
Race | Variant Human/Custom Lineage, Satyr, High Elf |
Background | Urchin, Criminal |
Feats | Fighting Initiate, Piercer, Mobile |
Multiclass | Fighter, Bard/Cleric |
Perks Of A Thief Rogue Build
Rogue Level | Thief Feature |
|---|---|
3 | Fast Hands, Second Story Work |
9 | Supreme Sneak |
13 | Use Magic Device |
17 | Thief's Reflexes |
The Thief rogue in D&D 5e gives players very open-ended abilities. It isn't designed specifically for magical sneaking like the Arcane Trickster, lone wolf murders like the Assassin, or daring bravado like the D&D 5e Swashbuckler rogue. Instead, its subclass features give players versatile new tools inside and outside combat and trust them to make the best of it. The Thief is the best rogue subclass in D&D 5e for players who want to use their wits to even the odds.
Fast Hands is one of D&D 5e's most unusual combat abilities. A Thief rogue can use their bonus action to use thieves' tools, perform a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check, or use an object. This requires players to put in effort. However, robbing enemy spellcasters of their component pouch or throwing Alchemist's Fire is more than worth a bonus action. Second Story Work provides a significant mobility bonus by improving the Thief's ability to climb and jump. They can easily get high ground for tactical advantages.
Supreme Sneak builds on a D&D 5e rogue's already impressive stealth capabilities. Assuming the Thief moves less than half their speed, they have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks. Coupled with a rogue's likely high bonus, this is almost unbeatable. It also lets the Thief gamble speed for stealth if they have to reach an area quickly.
Use Magic Device is one of the most flexible abilities in the game. A Thief rogue can attune to almost any magic item in D&D 5e regardless of its level, race, or class restrictions. Aside from the comedy value of a rogue wielding a Holy Avenger rapier, this opens up potential avenues for spellcasting using items like staves, scrolls, or wands.
Thief's Reflexes gives the Thief rogue an extra turn on the first round of combat. Other rogue subclasses in D&D 5e can get additional Sneak Attacks or bonus damage at high level, but none get anything as impressive as an entire turn. This doubles a rogue's mobility, versatility, damage, and more. It's one of the best abilities in all of D&D 5e.
Best Stats For A Thief Rogue Build
All D&D 5e rogues need their Dexterity as high as possible. Sneak Attack requires finesse or ranged weapons, both of which require or permit Dexterity. In addition, it boosts a rogue's Armor Class due to their reliance on light armor. With its bonus to valuable rogue skills like Sleight of Hand and Stealth as well, Dexterity is the obvious choice for a primary ability score.
Thief rogue builds in D&D 5e shouldn't neglect Constitution either. Even if they fight at range and use Uncanny Dodge to reduce damage, rogues aren't the sturdiest class. With low Constitution, a single unlucky turn could see them knocked unconscious. Furthermore, high Constitution can help with some of D&D 5e's best Concentration spells if they pick up a good staff for Use Magic Device.
Charisma is another possible ability score to keep high. D&D 5e Thief rogues don't get any social features. However, a rogue's base Expertise is enough to make them a powerful social force. A Thief rogue might want high Charisma and Expertise in Persuasion or Deception if their party lacks a dedicated face character. In other circumstances, Wisdom is an ideal score to keep high for its saving throw and benefits to skills like Perception.
The Best Race & Background For A Thief Rogue Build
Variant human and custom lineage are two of the best lineage options for any build in D&D 5e. Even with the rogue's additional Ability Score Improvement, powerful feats are in high demand. A free one is better than most lineage features, particularly alongside the flexible skill proficiencies of either option.
The satyr is an ideal race for a D&D 5e Thief rogue build. Its movement speed bonus synergizes well with the rogue's Cunning Action and general mobility. Its Mirthful Leaps add to Second Story Work to make the Thief rogue capable of jumping any gap. Persuasion and Performance proficiencies are never unwelcome, even if the rogue lacks Charisma. Magic Resistance is one of D&D 5e's best lineage abilities, particularly with a high-level rogue's Wisdom saving throw proficiency.
High elf is a very common D&D 5e race choice that works wonders for a melee-focused Thief rogue due to its free cantrip. As rogues only make one attack, there is no drawback to casting Booming Blade instead of taking the Attack action. This can still trigger Sneak Attack on top of the bonus damage and mobility restrictions of Booming Blade.
Many backgrounds give valuable Dexterity skills for a Thief rogue build in D&D 5e, but they should explore other proficiencies as well. Urchin gives Stealth and Sleight of Hand for players who want to cover archetypal rogue skills and leave their other proficiencies open for more exotic choices. Criminal gives Stealth but also provides Deception for Thief rogues looking to take on a more social role in their party.
Best 5e Feats For Thief Rogues
Rogue Level | Recommended Feat |
|---|---|
1 (Variant Human/Custom Lineage Only) | Fighting Initiate/Piercer |
4 | Ability Score Increase: Dexterity |
8 | Ability Score Increase: Dexterity |
10 | Fighting Initiate/Mobile |
12 | Ability Score Increase: Constitution |
16 | Alert |
19 | Skilled |
Fighting Initiate is one of the best feats in D&D 5e for a Thief rogue build who prefers ranged combat. A +2 to hit with ranged attacks makes Sneak Attack far more likely to land and provides a significant damage increase. It's less valuable for melee rogues, however, due to the mediocre benefits for a single attack of other Fighting Styles.
Mobile is a better option for melee Thief rogues in D&D 5e. Rogues are at their best when they hit-and-run in combat rather than getting bogged down in melee. Mobile prevents a rogue from needing to use Cunning Action to Disengage from lone enemies. They can instead use it to Dash for significantly more distance.
Piercer is ideal for any rogue. The best Sneak Attack weapons, like bows, crossbows, and rapiers, all deal piercing damage. With how many damage dice Sneak Attack involves, it's almost guaranteed that one will roll a 1 for Piercer to reroll. Rogues should aim to have an odd Dexterity score before they take Piercer so it can increase their Dexterity modifier as well.
Alert is beneficial for any rogue in D&D 5e, but especially the Thief. Going first helps a rogue get somewhere safe early in a fight while holding their action to Sneak Attack as soon as allies move into position. Thief's Reflexes, the subclass' best ability in D&D 5e, doesn't work when Surprised. As a result, Alert's other benefit prevents the Thief's best ability from becoming useless in a bad situation.
Skilled has much more use for a D&D 5e rogue than for other classes. Reliable Talent ensures a rogue will always get a respectable result with a skill they're proficient in, even if their ability score is questionable. Skilled expands a rogue's repertoire even further to fill any gaps the party might have.
Multiclassing A 5e Thief Rogue
The Thief rogue's powerful late-game abilities in D&D 5e encourage players to keep their levels within a single class and not delay things. Nonetheless, certain multiclasses synergize distinctly well with Thief rogue abilities.
Two levels of fighter grant a Fighting Style, such as Archery. This saves on a valuable feat that can be spent elsewhere. However, Action Surge is the real prize. A high-level Thief rogue build with a fighter multiclass in D&D 5e can potentially Sneak Attack three times in one round using readied actions. This is enough to destroy almost any foe.
A few levels in a spellcasting class can make Use Magic Device significantly more powerful. Some of the best D&D 5e magic items for a Thief rogue have their own spell saving throw DC. However, one or two levels in a spellcasting class can give a rogue a respectable saving throw DC of their own for items like a Staff of Power. A single level in cleric can achieve this for rogues with higher Wisdom while giving Domain features and emergency spellcasting. Two levels in bard favor Charisma-centric Thief rogue builds while giving Jack of All Trades to enhance ability checks even further.