Unleash your inner trickster with our comprehensive Baldur’s Gate 3 Rogue Guide, where stealth, cunning, and agility reign supreme. Whether you prefer the shadowy finesse of the Thief, the lethal precision of the Assassin, or the magical mischief of the Arcane Trickster, this guide will equip you with essential strategies and build tips to dominate your foes. Dive into the art of deception and discover how to maximize your Sneak Attacks, master dual-wielding, and navigate the treacherous world of Faerûn like a true rogue.
- Urchin, granting proficiency in Sleight of Hand and Stealth.
- Criminal, granting proficiency in Stealth and Deception.
- Charlatan, granting proficiency in Deception and Sleight of Hand.
Best race for Rogue
Choosing the best race for a Rogue in Baldur’s Gate 3 can significantly enhance your character’s effectiveness. The Lightfoot Halfling stands out due to its natural bonuses to Dexterity and its unique ability to hide behind larger allies, making it an excellent choice for stealthy gameplay. Wood Elves also make great Rogues, benefiting from increased movement speed and proficiency in Dexterity saving throws, which complements the Rogue’s agile nature. Additionally, Tieflings offer a compelling option for players interested in the Arcane Trickster subclass, as their Charisma boost can enhance spellcasting abilities. Ultimately, the best race depends on your preferred playstyle, but these options provide strong foundations for a successful Rogue build.
The most important Rogue attributes are Dexterity and Intelligence. Some races granting bonuses to them are:
- Elf, with 2 Dexterity and 1 Intelligence or Wisdom, depending on the subrace.
- Drow, with 2 to Dexterity and 1 to Charisma.
- Halfling, with 2 to Dexterity and 1 to Charisma or Constitution, depending on the subrace.
- Gnome, with 2 to Intelligence and 1 to Dexterity or Constitution, depending on the subrace.
Rogue’s Ability Scores
Rogues in Baldur’s Gate 3 are primarily defined by their Dexterity, which serves as their main ability score, influencing their attack rolls, damage, and overall effectiveness in combat. This focus on Dexterity enables Rogues to excel in stealth and agility, allowing them to navigate the battlefield with finesse. In addition to Dexterity, a balanced investment in Constitution can enhance their survivability, while Wisdom and Charisma can be useful for skills related to perception and social interactions. Rogues also benefit from unique features such as Sneak Attack, which significantly boosts their damage output under specific conditions, making them formidable opponents when they strike from the shadows or exploit enemy vulnerabilities.
- Dexterity is every Rogue’s primary stat. It affects both your accuracy and weapon damage. It also increases your Initiative and Armor Class.
- Rogues are proficient in Intelligence Saving Throws. High Intelligence will keep them sharp, help them find clues and investigate. Rogues can easily spot traps, hidden objects and recognize wounds. High Intelligence is especially important for the Arcane Trickster subclass, which grants spellcasting and a wide roster of spells.
- HighConstitution will grant you more hit points with every level up.
Best subclass for Rogue
The best subclass for a Rogue in Baldur’s Gate 3 largely depends on your preferred playstyle, but many players find the Thief subclass to be particularly advantageous. Thieves excel in stealth and utility, gaining abilities like Fast Hands, which provides an additional bonus action for tasks such as disarming traps or picking locks. This subclass enhances mobility with Second-Story Work, allowing for better positioning in combat and exploration. Alternatively, the Assassin subclass offers devastating surprise attacks, making it ideal for players who enjoy a more aggressive approach to taking down enemies. Finally, the Arcane Trickster combines spellcasting with traditional Rogue skills, providing versatility in both combat and problem-solving situations. Each subclass has unique strengths, so consider your party composition and personal gameplay preferences when making a choice.
Once your Rogue reaches Level 3, you’ll have two subclasses to choose from:
- Arcane Tricksteris a spell caster and knows the Mage Hand cantrip, which creates an invisible spectral hand that can be used to safely perform some tasks. The available spells include Magic Missile, Acid Splash, Sleep, Shocking Grasp and many others.
- Thief has two passive abilities and can perform additional actions on their turn. Fast Hands grants them an additional bonus action every turn, while Second-Story Work prevents fall damage.
Best Rogue class actions
Rogues in Baldur’s Gate 3 are versatile characters that excel in stealth, damage output, and utility. The best Rogue subclasses—Thief, Assassin, and Arcane Trickster—each offer unique advantages that cater to different playstyles. The Thief is adept at sneaking and disarming traps, while the Assassin specializes in dealing devastating surprise attacks. Meanwhile, the Arcane Trickster combines spellcasting with traditional Rogue skills, allowing for creative combat strategies. Regardless of the subclass chosen, Rogues leverage their Sneak Attack ability to maximize damage by exploiting enemy vulnerabilities, making them invaluable assets in any party.
- Sneak Attack Melee – deals additional 1d6 damage on melee attacks.
- Sneak Ranged Attack – deals additional 1d6 damage on ranged attacks.
- Cunning Action Dash – doubles movement speed during the current turn.
- Cunning Action Disengage – movement during the current turn doesn’t trigger Opportunity Attacks.
Best build for Rogue
To create the best build for a Rogue in Baldur’s Gate 3, focus on maximizing Dexterity as your primary ability score, which enhances both your attack rolls and damage output through the Sneak Attack feature. Selecting the Thief, Assassin, or Arcane Trickster subclass will significantly influence your playstyle; for instance, the Thief excels in mobility and utility, while the Assassin specializes in dealing massive damage to unsuspecting foes. Invest in skills like Stealth, Persuasion, and Perception to enhance your effectiveness both in and out of combat. Additionally, consider taking feats such as Dual Wielder for increased damage potential or Sharpshooter to improve ranged attacks. This combination will ensure that your Rogue remains a formidable presence on the battlefield, capable of both inflicting significant damage and contributing valuable skills to your party.
- Race: High Elf
- Background: Urchin
- Subclass: Arcane Trickster
- Ability Scores: Strength 8, Dexterity 17, Stamina 14, Intelligence 14, Wisdom 12, Charisma 10
- Melee weapon: Rapier 1
- Ranged weapon: The Joltshooter
- Armor: Studded Leather Armour 1
What are the key differences between the Thief, Assassin, and Arcane Trickster subclasses for Rogues in Baldur’s Gate 3
In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Rogue class features three distinct subclasses: Thief, Assassin, and Arcane Trickster. Each subclass offers unique abilities and playstyles, catering to different player preferences.
Key Differences
| Subclass | Level 3 Feature | Level 9 Feature | Playstyle Overview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thief | Fast Hands: Gain an extra bonus action, allowing for more attacks and movement options. | Supreme Sneak: Gain advantage on Stealth checks and can become invisible when sneaking. | Focuses on versatility and mobility, enabling the Rogue to hit and run effectively in combat. |
| Assassin | Assassinate: Advantage on attack rolls against surprised enemies; automatic critical hits if they haven’t acted yet. | Infiltration Expertise: Ability to change appearance at will outside of combat. | Best at dealing high damage quickly, excelling in ambush scenarios but less effective in prolonged fights. |
| Arcane Trickster | Spellcasting: Access to spells from the wizard spell list, enhancing utility and combat options. | Magical Ambush: Enemies have disadvantage on saving throws against spells when cast from stealth. | Combines rogue skills with magic, offering a unique blend of stealth and spellcasting capabilities. |
Detailed Insights
- Thief: This subclass is highly regarded for its utility in combat due to the extra bonus action provided by Fast Hands, which allows for additional attacks or movement, making it easier to trigger Sneak Attacks. The Supreme Sneak ability further enhances stealth capabilities, making Thieves adept at navigating combat scenarios where positioning is crucial.
- Assassin: Assassins shine in the early stages of combat, leveraging their ability to gain advantage on attacks against enemies that haven’t acted yet. This makes them deadly in ambush situations, capable of taking down foes before they can react. However, their effectiveness diminishes in longer engagements where sustained damage output is required.
- Arcane Trickster: This subclass introduces spellcasting into the rogue’s toolkit, allowing for a mix of magical abilities alongside traditional rogue skills. While Arcane Tricksters can be versatile in their approach, they require a commitment to spellcasting to maximize their potential, making them less effective if players are looking for pure melee combat prowess2.
In summary, choosing between these subclasses depends on your preferred playstyle: whether you favor mobility and versatility (Thief), high burst damage (Assassin), or a blend of magic and stealth (Arcane Trickster).
Which subclass is best for a beginner Rogue in Baldur’s Gate 3
For beginners exploring the Rogue class in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Thief subclass is widely regarded as the best option. Here’s why:
Why Thief is Ideal for Beginners
- Utility and Versatility: The Thief subclass provides the Fast Hands ability at level 3, granting an additional bonus action each turn. This feature allows new players to engage more actively in combat, enabling them to attack, hide, or perform other actions without feeling overwhelmed by complex mechanics.
- Combat Effectiveness: With the ability to use bonus actions for hiding, Thieves can easily position themselves for Sneak Attacks, maximizing their damage output. This straightforward approach makes it easier for beginners to understand and utilize the Rogue’s core mechanics effectively.
- Non-Combat Skills: Thieves excel in exploration and utility outside of combat, with skills like lockpicking and disarming traps. This capability enhances the overall gameplay experience, allowing new players to contribute significantly during both combat and exploration phases.
Comparison with Other Subclasses
- Assassin: While Assassins can deal massive damage quickly, their effectiveness diminishes in prolonged fights. They require a more tactical approach to ambushing enemies, which might be less intuitive for beginners.
- Arcane Trickster: This subclass introduces spellcasting into the mix, adding complexity that may overwhelm new players. While it offers versatility through magic, it requires a good understanding of both Rogue and spellcasting mechanics.
In summary, the Thief subclass stands out as the most beginner-friendly option for Rogues in Baldur’s Gate 3 due to its balance of combat utility and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for those new to the game.
