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Rogues are the classic scoundrels ofPathfinder.With a focus on sneaky tricks and methodical, high-damage attacks, a Rogue is a valuable member to any party. Whether you need to get somewhere you aren’t supposed to be or pick off a dangerous foe before they can become a threat, the Rogue has the skills to make it happen.
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Despite being a fairly focused class compared to many of the other options in Pathfinder, Rogues have multiple build options that let you specialize in a particular aspect of your criminal lifestyle. Pick the build that’s right for you below.
All the builds in this guide exclusively use options available in thePathfinder Core Rulebook.You may find Feats or other powers in other sourcebooks, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
Ability Scores
No matter which Racket you choose for your character, aRogue’s highest Ability Score should always be Dexterity.Most of your key Skills rely on Dexterity, it benefits the weapons that you’ll be using, and it helps keep you alive by boosting your Armor Class.
If you’re choosing the Ruffian Racket, Strength is actually more important than Dexterity, but that’s the exception rather than the rule.
After Dexterity,Strength and Charismashould be second and third. The exact order will depend on your Racket (see below).Wisdomwill benefit many of your Skills as well, so it’s worth trying to at least squeeze a +1 into it if you’re able to manage it.
Ancestry
Many of the Ancestries in Pathfinder make excellent Rogues, as Dexterity is one of the most common Ancestry Boosts.
ElvesandHumansmake great all-around Rogues, and can excel in any Racket.Halflingsalso fit the bill, though their lower Strength means they should pick the Scoundrel or Thief Racket instead of Ruffian.
GoblinsandHalf-Elvesare well-suited to the Scoundrel racket, the former thanks to their ability boosts and the latter for their ability to take the Charm spell as a feat later on. They can also do quite well as Thieves.
Half-Orcsmake the best Ruffians thanks to their Ancestry Feats and their Human versatility.
Equipment
Most Rogues will use a similar suite of equipment. Since you won’t be wearing expensive armor, it’s important to haveboth melee and ranged weaponsso that you can threaten enemies from wherever you are.
DaggersandHatchetsare fairly inexpensive and can serve as both melee and ranged weapons. If you prefer to focus on close combat, aRapieroffers the best damage potential overall, while aMain Gauchehas a ton of utility thanks to its many Traits.
A Star Knife is an extremely versatile weapon in the hands of a Rogue, but building up a stockpile of them for throwing can be expensive. Consider spending the spoils of your first big heist on a set!
Leather Armoroffers the best protection and shouldn’t impede your Dexterity Bonus. If your Dexterity Bonus ends up reaching +5 or higher, though, you’ll actually be better off going unarmored andrelying on your speed to dodge attacks!
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Backgrounds And Feats: Thief
Thieves rely on Dexterity even more than most Rogues, as they can use their Dexterity Bonus instead of Strength when calculating damage with Finesse weapons. Mobility and damage are the two key strengths of the Thief Racket in combat. TheAcrobat, Criminal, Prisoner, andStreet UrchinBackgrounds all offer Feats that can prove especially useful.
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Backgrounds And Feats: Scoundrel
Scoundrels shouldprioritize Charisma over Strength, as their focus will be on manipulating, fast-talking, and lying their way out of tricky situations. Scoundrels make heavy use of the Feint action to set up their opponents for Sneak Attacks.
At Rogue Level 9, you’ll get access to a key reaction called Debilitating Strike. Use it to weaken your enemies whenever you successfully hit them with Sneak Attack!
Outside of combat, social Backgrounds likeBarkeep, Barrister, Charlatan, Gambler, orMerchantall give the Scoundrel excellent opportunities to make use of their silver tongue.
Backgrounds And Feats: Ruffian
The Ruffian Racket focuses more on brute force and intimidation than stealth and trickery. Focus on building up yourStrength and Charismaas you level to make the best use of your Racket. TheGladiator, Guard,andWarriorBackgrounds are all great choices for a Ruffian.
In combat, a Ruffian shouldfocus on a single enemyand beat them down before moving on to the next one. Since you can equip a wider range of gear than Scoundrels or Thieves, considerupgrading to medium armorif your Dexterity Score is only +1 or +2, and switching to aMace or Morning Starfor more consistent damage. A Buckler could also be useful.
