If you could categorize popular characters in media, a lot of them would classify as Human Rogues. Those characters would include Loki (from both Norse myths and Marvel), Robin Hood, Carmen Sandiego, Catwoman, and Black Widow. If you want to go the extra mile, you can always change their races to fit other D&D races.

Nevertheless, Human Rogues are great for both roleplaying and mechanical play. You gain access to a variety of abilities and features that lets you make a versatile and slippery character. Keep reading below for a quick guide on how to roll and play a Human Rogue character.

The Human race AND the Rogue class can be found in the Player’s Handbook. Click here to pick up your own copy of The Player’s Handbook!

How to Make a Human Rogue

The first step to rolling a Human Rogue is to decide what subclass you want to take. Your preferred subclass will determine how you put your ability scores in order. The Roguish Archetypes or subclasses are:

• Thief
• Assassin
• Arcane Trickster
• Inquisitive
• Mastermind
• Phantom
• Scout
• Soulknife
• Swashbuckler

If you’re taking the Thief or Assassin subclass, make Dexterity your highest ability score. Follow it up with Intelligence or Charisma, depending on the skills you want to be proficient in. If you want to cast spells as an Arcane Trickster, make Intelligence your highest ability score.

Next, to get the most out of your being a Human, pick the Variant Human. This option lets you add +1 to two ability scores, an extra proficiency in a skill, and a feat of your choosing. Use the two +1s to your top 2 ability scores and consider choosing the Dual Wielder Feat.

How to Play a Human Rogue

The Rogue is one of the best martial classes in 5e. The Sneak Attack ability is the Rogue’s unique and most powerful class feature. It lets you deal more damage when you attack foes that are occupied with your allies or otherwise distracted.

Evasion and Uncanny Dodge are also important and highly useful in combat. These abilities make you a slippery target and increase your chances of surviving heavy hits.

Don’t forget to use the abilities unique in the different subclasses. A Human Rogue Assassin is the most lethal and dangerous foe—no surprises there. Thieves are great at setting up ambushes and escaping fights.

For Arcane Tricksters, you’d do well with spells like Fog Cloud, Web, Minor Illusion, and Tasha’s Hideous Laughter. 

How to Roleplay as a Human Rogue

You don’t need to be dark, brooding, and edgy to have fun with a Human Rogue character. Find inspiration in the popular characters we mentioned in the intro. You can also use your creativity to roleplay a Human Rogue nobody has ever seen before.

Here’s a quick sample of a Human Rogue backstory you may want to try out:

Charlatans like Rexan are common in Faerun. Yet, few are as skilled as he is in taking the hearts and riches of wealthy women. This made him infamous in the cities that he visited. Many of his victims send assassins and goons to retrieve their jewels from him or at least teach him a lesson. Because of the risks, Rexan has decided to put his skills to good use.