A character’s background has a lot of depth behind it, even if some players don’t regard it as too important.
Backgrounds usually contain two essential aspects that a character needs to consider: whether the stats are beneficial and what the background says about the character before becoming an adventurer.
For a full roleplaying Rogue, you might look for backgrounds focusing on stealthy antics, criminal acts, and charismatic approaches.
Contents
Best Rogue Backgrounds
5. Courtier
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Insight, Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Two of your choice
Equipment
- Set of fine clothes (Value: 15 GP Weight: 6 lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 5 GP
Explanation
Courtier is perfect for a Rogue, giving two useful Rogue skills as well as two languages.
After that, it doesn’t provide you with much else, but the equipment is better than nothing.
4. Urchin
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Sleight of Hand, Stealth
Tool Proficiencies – Disguise kit, Thieves’ tools
Languages – None
Equipment
- Small knife (Value: 0 Weight: 0)
- Map of the city you grew up in
- Pet mouse
- Token to remember your parents by
- Set of common clothes (Value: 5 SP Weight: 3lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 10 GP
Explanation
Urchin gives you access to two very important Rogue skills, as well as some very nice tool proficiencies.
It doesn’t give you any additional languages, but it does give you some decent equipment as well.
3. Urban Bounty Hunter
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Choose two from among Deception, Insight, Perception, and Stealth
Tool Proficiencies – Choose two from among one type of Gaming set, one musical instrument, and Thieves’ tools
Languages – None
Equipment
- Set of clothes appropriate to your duties
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 20 GP
Explanation
Urban Bounty Hunter lets you choose two more Rogue skills if among some pretty important ones mentioned.
You also get access to Thieves’ tools and a Gaming set, as well as 20 GP and a very fitting background for your Rogue.
2. Criminal
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Deception, Stealth
Tool Proficiencies – One type of Thieves’ tools, Gaming set
Languages – None
Equipment
- Crobaw (Value: 2 GP Weight: 5 lbs)
- Set of dark common clothes (Value: 5 SP Weight: 3lbs) including a hood
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 15 GP
Explanation
Criminal gives you two excellent Rogue skills, and you also gain Thieves’ tools, which you can switch out for something else if you want to.
No languages are given, but the 15 GP is great, and the background fits a Rogue very well.
1. Faction Agent
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Insight and one Charisma, Intelligence, or Wisdom skill you choose, as appropriate to your faction
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Two of your choice
Equipment
- Badge or emblem (Value: 5 GP Weight: 0) of your faction
- Copy of a seminal faction text (or a code book for a covert faction)
- Set of common clothes (Value: 5 SP Weight: 3lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 15 GP
Explanation
Faction Agent gives you a lot of freedom when choosing a skill, as it lets you choose skills that aren’t usually available to the Rogue.
The equipment you get is worth a lot, and the 15 GP will go a long way to get you something better than previously possible.
Final Thoughts
Rogues are the assassins, tricksters, and thieves of D&D, specializing in stealth and dealing insane damage to single targets.
This list gives you some great options for both flavor and attainable benefits, letting you become the best Rogue possible.
You should also consider the fact that these backgrounds can be changed to fit your flavor, giving you even more character creation freedom!