DnD Rogue Subclasses 2024
When choosing D&D Rogue subclasses in the 2024 edition, you define the path your rogue follows. Shaping how you fight, sneak, and outwit your enemies. Subclasses are chosen at level 3 and the 2024 Player’s Handbook presents four official rogue archetypes to explore. These are: the Arcane Trickster, the Assassin, the Soulknife and the Thief.
The Arcane Trickster, Assassin and Thief are classic archetypes that first appeared in the 2014 Player’s Handbook, returning as familiar choices for long-time players. The Soulknife, by contrast, is a newer addition to the Rogue lineup, having originally debuted in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, and brings a psionic-themed playstyle into the core rules for 2024.
All D&D 2024 Rogue Subclasses
Arcane Trickster
Arcane Tricksters blend the finesse of a thief with the utility of a Wizard. Whether used for grand illusions or silent burglaries, your magic is a tool for the trade.
Level Progression
Level 3: Spellcasting
You use Intelligence as your spellcasting ability and can use an Arcane Focus to cast your spells.
Cantrips: You know Mage Hand plus two other Wizard cantrips (Recommended: Mind Sliver, Minor Illusion).
Progression: You learn a 4th cantrip at level 10. You can swap one cantrip (except Mage Hand) whenever you gain a Rogue level.
Prepared Spells: You start by preparing three Level 1 Wizard spells.
Progression: Your list grows as you level (see table). You can swap one prepared spell for a different Wizard spell whenever you gain a Rogue level.
| Rogue Level | Prepared Spells | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – |
| 4 | 4 | 3 | – | – | – |
| 5 | 4 | 3 | – | – | – |
| 6 | 4 | 3 | – | – | – |
| 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | – | – |
| 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | – | – |
| 9 | 6 | 4 | 2 | – | – |
| 10 | 7 | 4 | 3 | – | – |
| 11 | 8 | 4 | 3 | – | – |
| 12 | 8 | 4 | 3 | – | – |
| 13 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | – |
| 14 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 2 | – |
| 15 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 2 | – |
| 16 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | – |
| 17 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | – |
| 18 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | – |
| 19 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 20 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
Level 3: Mage Hand Legerdemain
Your Mage Hand is far more versatile than a standard Wizard’s.
Bonus Action: You can cast the spell and control the hand as a Bonus Action.
Invisibility: You can make the spectral hand Invisible.
Sleight of Hand: You can use the hand as a Bonus Action to perform Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) checks at range.
Level 9: Magical Ambush
You strike best when you aren’t seen. If you have the Invisible condition when you cast a spell, any creature targeted by that spell (or in its area) has Disadvantage on its saving throw against it.
Level 13: Versatile Trickster
Your Mage Hand provides additional tactical interference. When you use the Trip option of your Cunning Strike feature, you can also apply the Trip effect to a second creature within 5 feet of your spectral hand.
Level 17: Spell Thief
You can turn an enemy’s magic against them.
Trigger: Use your Reaction immediately after a creature casts a spell that targets you or includes you in its area.
The Save: The caster must make an Intelligence Save against your Spell Save DC.
The Result (on failure):
The spell’s effect is negated against you.
If the spell is Level 1 or higher (and a level you can cast), you steal it.
You have the spell prepared for 8 hours, and the caster cannot cast it for those 8 hours.
Reset: You regain the use of this feature after a Long Rest.
Assassin
An Assassin is a master of precision, trained to end conflicts before they truly begin. By combining mastery over stealth, toxins and infiltration, you eliminate high priority targets with terrifying efficiency.
While many who follow this path operate as hired killers, spies or bounty hunters, these skills are invaluable for any adventurer tasked with neutralizing monstrous threats or striking from the shadows of a dungeon.
Level Progression
Level 3: Assassinate
You are a master of the opening gambit, gaining the following combat advantages:
- Superior Initiative: You have Advantage on Initiative rolls, ensuring you act before your enemies.
- Surprising Strikes: During the first round of combat, you gain two major benefits:
- Tactical Advantage: You have Advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn’t taken a turn yet.
- Lethal Precision: If you hit a target with your Sneak Attack during this round, the target takes extra damage (of the weapon’s type) equal to your Rogue Level.
Level 3: Assassin’s Tools
You gain the essential gear of your trade. You receive a Disguise Kit and a Poisoner’s Kit, and you are proficient with both.
Level 9: Infiltration Expertise
You have refined your ability to bypass security and maintain mobility.
- Masterful Mimicry: If you study a person’s speech or handwriting for at least 1 hour, you can mimic them with unerring accuracy.
- Roving Aim: Using your Steady Aim feature no longer reduces your speed to 0. You can stay mobile while maintaining your focus.
Level 13: Envenom Weapons
Your knowledge of toxins allows you to bypass natural defenses. When you use the Poison option of your Cunning Strike:
- Bonus Damage: The target takes 2d6 Poison damage if it fails the saving throw.
- Potency: This effect ignores Resistance to Poison damage.
Level 17: Death Strike
You become an avatar of termination. During the first round of combat, when you hit a target with your Sneak Attack:
- The Save: The target must make a Constitution Saving Throw (DC = 8 + DEX mod + PB).
- The Result: On a failed save, the total damage of your attack is doubled against that target.
Soulknife
A Soulknife strikes with the power of the mind, bypassing physical defenses to cut through both matter and spirit. These Rogues have tapped into a wellspring of latent psionic energy, channeling it to enhance their natural agility, stealth and lethality.
Level Progression
Level 3: Psionic Power
You harbor a wellspring of mental energy represented by Psionic Energy Dice.
1. The Energy Dice
Usage: You expend these dice to fuel your subclass powers.
Recovery: You regain one die on a Short Rest and all dice on a Long Rest.
Scaling: Your dice grow in size and quantity as you level:
| Rogue Level | Die Size | Total Dice |
| 3rd | d6 | 4 |
| 5th | d8 | 6 |
| 9th | d8 | 8 |
| 11th | d10 | 8 |
| 13th | d10 | 10 |
| 17th | d12 | 12 |
2. Initial Psionic Powers
Psi-Bolstered Knack: If you fail a check with a proficient skill or tool, roll a Psionic Die and add it to the total. The die is only expended if you succeed.
Psychic Whispers: As a Magic action, choose creatures up to your PB. Roll a Psionic Die; for that many hours, you share a 1-mile telepathic link.
Level 3: Psychic Blades
You can manifest blades of pure mental energy in your free hands.
Manifestation: You create a blade whenever you take the Attack action or make an Opportunity Attack.
Traits: Simple Melee, Finesse, Thrown (60/120 ft).
Damage: 1d6 Psychic + ability modifier.
Weapon Mastery: Vex (Advantage on your next attack against the target if you hit). This does not count against your Mastery limit.
Bonus Attack: If you attack with a blade on your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to strike with a second blade (1d4 + modifier) if your other hand is free.
Level 9: Soul Blades
Your blades gain two new psionic enhancements:
Homing Strikes: If you miss an attack roll with a Psychic Blade, roll a Psionic Die and add it to the total. The die is only expended if the attack then hits.
Psychic Teleportation: As a Bonus Action, expend and roll one Psionic Die. Throw your blade and teleport to an unoccupied space within 10 $\times$ the number rolled in feet.
Level 13: Psychic Veil
You can cloak yourself in psychic static to become unseen.
Effect: As a Magic action, you gain the Invisible condition for 1 hour.
Early End: Ends if you deal damage or force a creature to make a saving throw.
Cost: First use is Free per Long Rest. Subsequent uses cost one Psionic Die.
Level 17: Rend Mind
You can shatter a creature’s consciousness with a psychic strike.
Trigger: When you deal Sneak Attack damage with your Psychic Blades.
Effect: The target must make a Wisdom Save ($DC = 8 + \text{DEX mod} + \text{PB}$).
Failure: The target is Stunned for 1 minute (repeats save at the end of its turns).
Cost: First use is Free per Long Rest. Subsequent uses cost three Psionic Dice.
Thief
A master of ruins, a professional treasure hunter, and a peerless explorer, the Thief is the quintessential adventurer. You represent the perfect blend of athletic prowess and sharp witted resourcefulness.
Beyond the standard Rogue’s mastery of stealth, your training focuses on the specialized demands of dungeoneering. You possess the unique ability to navigate treacherous terrain, bypass ancient security measures, and extract the maximum potential from every magical relic you uncover in your travels.
Level Progression
Level 3: Fast Hands
Your fingers move with a speed that blurs the eye. You can use a Bonus Action to do one of the following:
Sleight of Hand: Pick a pocket, pick a lock, or disarm a trap (using Thieves’ Tools).
Utilize: Take the Utilize action (such as throwing ball bearings, lighting a torch, or using a healer’s kit).
Magic Action: Use a magic item that normally requires an action to activate.
Level 3: Second-Story Work
Your athletic training allows you to navigate vertical environments effortlessly:
Climber: You gain a Climb Speed equal to your walking speed.
Jumper: You use your Dexterity score (instead of Strength) to determine your jump distance.
Level 9: Supreme Sneak
You gain a specialized Cunning Strike option that allows you to remain a ghost on the battlefield:
Stealth Attack (Cost: 1d6): If you are currently Invisible from the Hide action, making this attack does not reveal your position, provided that you end your turn behind Three-Quarters Cover or Total Cover.
Level 13: Use Magic Device
You possess an intuitive understanding of magical enchantments, allowing you to bypass standard restrictions:
Expanded Attunement: You can attune to up to four magic items simultaneously.
Charge Efficiency: When you use a magic item property that expends charges, roll a 1d6. On a 6, the effect occurs but no charges are consumed.
Scroll Mastery: You can use any Spell Scroll (using Intelligence as your casting ability).
Level 0–1 Spells: You cast these automatically.
Level 2+ Spells: You must pass an Intelligence (Arcana) check (DC = 10 + Spell Level). On a success, you cast the spell; on a failure, the scroll is destroyed.
Level 17: Thief’s Reflexes
You move so quickly that you essentially exist in two places at once during the opening of a fight.
Effect: You take two turns during the first round of every combat.
- Timing: 1. Your first turn occurs at your normal Initiative count.2. Your second turn occurs at your Initiative minus 10.