Why Playing The Edgelordâ„¢ Rogue Is The Most Fun
As my first blog post about Dungeons & Dragons, I feel it pretty apt to spend this time discussing my absolute favourite class to play: The Rogue.
Why do you like playing rogues so much? I hear you ask. Well, it's pretty simple really. Two words: sneak attack.
There is nothing more satisfying than rolling a large handful of d6s and adding up all that precious sneak attack damage (all you pyromaniac wizards know what I’m talking about - fireball, anyone?).
Sneak attack aside, there are plenty of other reasons to love rogues.
As one of the few classes who isn’t based in magic (unless, of course, you take the Arcane Trickster archetype at level 3…), the rogue’s abilities are suitably OP to make up for the lack of spellcasting.
Even without the abilities granted by their specific archetype, rogues in general get some amazing perks in addition to their infamous sneak attack. Here's my favourite of them:
1. Cunning Action
At just second level, Cunning Action gives a rogue the ability to run a distance equal to their movement, flee without invoking opportunity attacks, or hide, all as a bonus action.
A freaking bonus action!
If you can play tactically, cunning action is totally your friend. Many a DM will be ripping their hair out as your masterful rogue sweeps into combat, lands devastating sneak attack damage, and then flees without even so much as a scratch on their person. Perfection!
2. Uncanny Dodge and Evasion
Before reaching even level ten, rogues get access to two different features called Uncanny Dodge and Evasion, which make it super hard for enemies to damage them.
Rogues basically get to negate half the damage they should take on a good proportion of attacks against them!
As long you you can see your enemy, any attacks that hit you, Uncanny Dodge will halve the damage if you use your reaction to invoke it. And if you ever have to make a Dex save to avoid an AOE attack, Evasion will half the damage if you fail, and completely negate it if you succeed!
Who needs tons of hit points when you can just nope away the damage?
3 - Reliable Talent
If all the above doesn’t make you scream ‘rogues are too OP!’ then feast your eyes on the Reliable Talent feature.
Have you rolled a 9 or lower on your d20 for an ability check that you have proficiency with? Oh well, don't worry, we'll just make that a 10 now - add your modifier and have at it, my illustrious sneak-thief!
Let me know in the comments what you think about my choice of class! Have I missed a rogue's best feature? What do you think about rogues? Love them as much as I do, or is another class better?