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One of the classes you may choose for your character inBaldur’s Gate 3is the rogue class. Becoming a rogue is a great option for you if you prefer a fighting style that revolves around stealth. Similar to the other classes, the rogue class has subclasses you can specialize in. One of the subclasses a rogue can choose is the thief subclass.
The Thief subclass is a great option if you’re after mobility. As you level up in the thief subclass, you are granted features that allow you to perform more actions, fall from greater heights, and avoid attention. With that, you’ll want to equip your Thief Rogue with a build that maximizes this advantage.
Thief Subclass Features Overview
This subclass favours different play styles.You can have your thief rogue as a ranged unitthat can deal great damage to enemies while hidden from afar.You can also have them as sneaky melee unitsthat can strike first and get away from an opponent’s reach in one turn.
Your thief rogue has unique features that unlock at levels 3 and 9.
3
9
Supreme Sneak (Action): Blend into the environment so completely that you become Invisible.
Best Thief Rogue Race: Wood Elf Or Duergar
Depending on your preferred play style, there are certain races that maximize the Thief Rogue’s advantages best.
Wood Elf
A wood elf is a good pick for either melee or ranged thief rogues.Regardless of weapon choice, their ability to see in the dark, Proficiency in Stealth, and increased movement speed make for a great thief rogue build overall.
What makes this specific race great for a ranged unit is the option to use a Longbow, thanks to their Proficiency in this weapon class.
You have Proficiency with the Longsword, Shortsword, Shortbow, and Longbow.
Mask of the Wild
You gain proficiency in stealth
Perception, Stealth
Duergar
This race is great for a rogue thief because of the Invisibility spell that can be unlocked at fifth level. Paired with the Sneak Attack damage, this can easily turn battles in your favour.
You can see in the dark up to 24m.
Invisibility (Spell)
Duergar unlock the Invisibility spell at level 5. This does not use a spell slot.
Best Thief Rogue Background: Charlatan, Criminal, Or Urchin
To maximize your thief rogue’s skills, you can choose to be a Charlatan, a Criminal, or an Urchin.Not only do these backgrounds give you an edge when it comes to a thief rogue’s specialities, but picking these backgrounds as a Thief Rogue will also give you a better chance to gain Inspiration.
Charlatan
If you want to use your thief rogue to gain an advantage in terms of exploration and conversation, pick the Charlatan background.With this background, you can deceive people in conversations, pick locks and pockets more easily, and disarm traps as you explore.
Skills: Deception, Sleight of Hand
Criminal
The Criminal background is good for both conversation and battle.Their skills in deception will allow you to sway your listeners, while their stealthiness will help you get past watching eyes.
Skills: Deception, Stealth
Urchin
The Urchin background is a good option for thief rogues in both exploration and battle.You’ll have an advantage in picking locks and pockets and in disarming traps. You’ll also have an upper hand when it comes to stealth gameplay.
Skills: Stealth, Sleight of Hand
Best Thief Rogue Abilities
Depending on how you’ll be using your Thief Rogue, there are certain abilities you should focus your ability points on.
About
Dexterity (at least 16)
A thief rogue’s edge is their high Dexterity. You should prioritize this ability to get the most out of this class.
Constitution (at least 14)
If you’ve chosen a build that only allows Light Armour Proficiency, you’ll want more points in Constitution to increase your max health.
Wisdom
Wisdom is important if you’re using your thief rogue for spotting traps and the like as it affects your Perception.
Charisma
If your thief rogue will be speaking for your party in dialogues, Charisma will help you succeed in your Deception attempts.
Best Thief Rogue Feats
You will be able to choose Feats for your thief rogue at levels four, eight, ten, and 12.Depending on your race or your play style, there are different Feats that will favour your build.
Sharpshooter
If you prefer a ranged thief rogue, this is an essential feat.
Use this feat to further increase your Dexterity.
Moderately Armoured
Use this feat to further increase your Dexterity. This will also allow you to equip Medium Armour.
Alert
This Feat will allow you to perform actions ahead of everyone else.
Dual Wielder
you may use this feat to gain the ability to equip a rapier in each hand, which is helpful if your shortswords deal less damage.
1
4
6
Expertise: Acrobatics, Perception, or Deception
8
10
12
Feat: Alert
Feel free to switch out Dual Wielder for Lucky once you find better weapons that you can dual-wield without using a feat. You can do this byasking Withers to change your class.
Best Thief Rogue Equipment
If you want to maximize the best of what a thief rogue has to offer, there are certain pieces of equipment that you’ll want to obtain.
Location
you’re able to purchase this from Lady Esther at the Rosymorn Monastery Trail.
Dropped by Minthara in the Shattered Sanctum.
Cloak: Cloak of Cunning Brume
Cunning Brume: When the wearer Disengages, they also create a foggy cloud with 2m radius that lasts for 1 turn.
You can purchase this from Mattis at the Last Light Inn.
Helmet: Haste Helm
Smooth Start: At the start of combat, the wearer gains Momentum for 3 turns.
You can loot this item from a chest near the Blighted Village Waypoint.
Advantage onSleight of HandChecks.
After completing theFind the Missing Shipmentquest, you’re able to purchase this from Brem in the Zhentarim Hideout. You must have sided with the Zhentarim to see his wares.
Dropped by Nere in the Grymforge.
Amulet: Magic Amulet
Innate Fortitude: Once per Long Rest, you can use a Reaction to make an Attack Roll or Saving Throw With Advantage.
Can be obtained by completing theSarin’s Skeleton puzzlein the City Sewers.
Stealth +2, Sleight of Hand +2, Charisma -1
Can be looted from a skeleton under The Risen Road bridge.
Dropped by Novice Crusher in the Goblin Camp.
Best Thief Rogue Weapons
Whether you prefer a ranged unit that’ll shoot at enemies from afar or a sneaky unit that’ll get up close to an enemy on the battlefield,there are specific weapons in the game that will give you the best advantage as a thief rogue.
Combine a dagger with a Sussur Tree Bark in the Blacksmith’s Forge in the Blighted Village as part of theFinish the Masterwork Weaponquest.
You can purchase this from Brem in the Zhentarim Hideout. You must have completed theFind the Missing Shipmentquestline in favour of the Zhentarim.
You can get this by looting Yurgir in the Gauntlet of Shar.
you may find this in a chest in a dormitory room in the Grymforge.
You can purchase this from Fytz the Firecracker in the Stormshore Armoury.
