Rogue Subclass Utility Advanced

Arcane Trickster Rogue Guide

Some rogues enhance their skills with magic, learning enchantment and illusion spells. These rogues are called Arcane Tricksters. They use magic to enhance their stealth, create distractions, and trick their enemies.

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Best Races for Arcane Trickster Rogue

All 10 races ranked by synergy with the Arcane Trickster. Click any to see the full build.

Arcane Trickster Features

Spellcasting

Level 3

You learn wizard cantrips and spells from the enchantment and illusion schools. You use Intelligence as your spellcasting ability. You know three cantrips: Mage Hand and two other wizard cantrips of your choice. You also learn three 1st-level wizard spells, two of which must be from the enchantment or illusion schools.

Mage Hand Legerdemain

Level 3

When you cast Mage Hand, you can make the spectral hand invisible. You can also perform additional tasks with it: stow or retrieve objects from containers, pick locks, or disarm traps at range. You can do these tasks without being noticed by making a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check contested by the creature's Wisdom (Perception) check.

Magical Ambush

Level 9

If you are hidden from a creature when you cast a spell on it, the creature has disadvantage on any saving throw it makes against the spell during that turn.

Versatile Trickster

Level 13

As a bonus action, you can direct your Mage Hand to distract a creature within 5 feet of it. You have advantage on attack rolls against that creature until the end of your turn.

Spell Thief

Level 17

When a creature casts a spell targeting you or including you in its area of effect, you can use your reaction to force the creature to make a saving throw with its spellcasting ability modifier. On a failure, you negate the spell's effect against you and steal the spell if it is between 1st and 4th level. For the next 8 hours, you know the spell and can cast it using your spell slots. The creature can't cast the stolen spell until 8 hours have passed. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Is Arcane Trickster Right for You?

Pick the Arcane Trickster if you want a Rogue focused on flexible skills and out-of-combat utility. Compare it with the other Rogue subclasses to make sure it fits your party, then build the Halfling version for the strongest start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best race for a Arcane Trickster Rogue?
Halfling rates highest (9/10) for the Arcane Trickster Rogue. Natural stealth abilities enhance the Rogue's ability to operate unseen. Human (7/10) and Elf (6/10) are also strong picks.
What does the Arcane Trickster specialize in?
The Arcane Trickster fills the Utility role — flexible skills and out-of-combat utility. Its features unlock at levels 3, 9, 13, 17.

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