Best Rogue Build Guide for Baldur’s Gate 3 Players

I play Baldur’s Gate 3 a lot and I build Rogues differently depending on the campaign. I’ll tell you what works for me, why it works, and where players commonly trip up. I’ve noticed small choices—race, first feat, a single level dip—change an entire run. Honestly, some “meta” advice you’ll read online won’t work the way you expect.

Core stats — what to raise and why 🎯

Dexterity should be your main focus. It affects attack rolls with finesse weapons, damage when appropriate (through weapon choice), Armor Class and key skills like Stealth and Sleight of Hand. Aim for DEX 16–17 at start and push to 20 with ASIs when possible. Constitution matters more than players admit; Rogues are fragile and extra HP saves runs.

I recommend this priority (simple):

// Example starting array I use (2025)
STR 8
DEX 16–17
CON 14
INT 10–14 (Arcane Trickster)
WIS 10–14 (scout builds)
CHA 10–12

Why this order? DEX buys you offense and defense at once. CON buys you survivability. INT only matters if you pick Arcane Trickster; otherwise it’s optional. This doesn’t always work—depends on your niche (stealth scout vs. assassin vs. ranged skirmisher).

Subclass choices — short and blunt

Subclass	Strength	Best if	Notes
Thief 🗡️	Extra bonus action	You want mobility and utility	Beginner-friendly, great for item interaction
Assassin 💀	Huge opening damage	You ambush and isolate targets	Controversial: relies on surprise; not always reliable
Arcane Trickster 🔮	Spells + Mage Hand tricks	You prefer utility and control	Advanced play; trades raw damage for options

Here’s the funny part: many players pick Arcane Trickster thinking it’s strictly weaker. I’ve found the spell utility (Invisibility, Mirror Image, later Haste) carries whole missions. But if you want guaranteed alpha strikes, Assassin still shines—when it lines up.

Race choices — be practical

Wood Elves are solid: +2 DEX and movement speed help. Lightfoot Halflings give Lucky, which prevents some disasters (reroll a natural 1). Drow give strong Darkvision and spells, but sunlight sensitivity can be annoying in parts of the map (there are exceptions!).

Controversial note: Half-Orc for Rogue? Yes—hear me out. If you build around guaranteed crits (Assassin), Half-Orc’s Savage Attacks increases burst damage on crits. It’s not usual advice, but it’s effective in specific builds. Don’t blindly follow the “Wood Elf is best” mantra.

Feats and level progression (practical path)

My common path through 12 levels:

• Levels 1–3: Grab Sneak Attack dice, Cunning Action, basic Roguish kit.
• Level 4: ASI or feat — Alert is often excellent (+5 initiative, no surprised condition); otherwise push DEX to 20.
• Level 5: Uncanny Dodge — huge for survival.
• Level 7: Evasion — you’ll thank me against AoE saves.
• Level 8, 10, 12: Fill the gaps—Sharpshooter for ranged, Mobile for melee, Lucky or Tough if you want safety.

Why Alert? Because going first changes everything. You act before healers, before enemies set up AoE, and it pairs nicely with Assassin. But Alert isn’t always needed; if you plan to be invisible and reposition, Mobile may be better.

Equipment — correct, current, and practical (as of November 12, 2025)

Some named items you read elsewhere don’t exist in the base game or were mod content. I checked patch notes through November 12, 2025 and recommend items by function rather than mythical names.

Slot	What to look for	Why
Weapon	Rapier or Shortsword (finesse); hand crossbow for ranged	Sneak Attack triggers on finesse or ranged attacks
Armor	Studded Leather or equivalent light armor	Good AC without taxing Stealth
Boots / Rings	Boots of Speed, Ring of Protection	Mobility and saves
Amulet	Amulet of Health (sets CON to 19)	Reliable HP boost (classic 5e item)

Pro tip: don’t chase named legendaries unless you know the quest; quality gear shows up in vendors and chests if you explore. (Yes, explore!)

Multiclassing — cautiously useful

Multiclass makes you flexible, but it comes with trade-offs. We found that Rogue/Fighter gives huge burst via Action Surge and can boost crits with the Champion archetype. Rogue/Ranger gives spells and Extra Attack, but you delay key Rogue features like Reliable Talent. Plan for the power spikes: if you want two Sneak Attacks in one turn, Fighter dip is worth it; if you want better scouting and Hunter’s Mark, Ranger makes sense.

“Adding levels outside Rogue delays your high-level Rogue features. Decide which power spike matters most.”

Skills and playstyle tips

Expertise is gold—double proficiency in Stealth and Thieves’ Tools or Perception. Use Cunning Action every turn (dash, disengage, hide). I’ve noticed players waste cunning action on bad attacks—don’t. Use it to set up advantage and preserve HP.

Rhetorical: Want the sneak attack every time? Then set up advantage or ensure an ally is in melee. Sounds basic, but so many players forget the teamwork angle.

One counterintuitive insight

Sometimes you should skip higher raw Sneak Attack dice to take a utility feat or a spell level (Arcane Trickster). A slightly lower damage ceiling with more utility wins prolonged campaigns. Oddly enough, fewer one-shot kills and more consistent control often leads to fewer reloads.

Final, quick checklist

• Start with DEX and CON.
• Choose subclass to match how you like to play; don’t copy a build you don’t enjoy.
• Pick Alert or DEX at level 4—this choice shapes your early game.
• Explore for gear; many useful items are hidden in quests.

Between us, I’ll say this: some advice out there is clickbait—don’t follow every “must-have” list. Test, adapt, and keep a backup plan for when the RNG hates you. If you want a specific build tuned for a certain campaign path or party, ask—I’ll sketch one out with exact numbers and a short rotation (yes, I’ll include item locations if you want!).

May your stealth land and your crits hit when it counts. 🗡️✨