20 Best D&D 5e Feats For Rogues, Ranked (2024)

Each class in fills a different role in the adventuring party. Fighters and barbarians often act as the team's tanks and frontline attackers, wizards and sorcerers provide arcane aptitude and knowledge, and rogues offer skill and tool proficiencies in and out of combat.

Rogues can be vitally important to a party. The standard D&D rogue build allows players to sneak through enemy strongholds, pick challenging locks, and deal devastating damage with their Sneak Attack. For those players who want more, however, there are feats to make their rogue even more powerful or versatile. Feats are helpful for all classes, of course, but the non-magical ones are especially raliant on feats to give them new abilities and bonuses in lieu of new spells, and that applies to rogues, too.

Updated on May 21st, 2024 by Louis Kemner: This list of the best rogue feats has been expanded with five more entries for players' reference when building their next rogue character. It's essential for D&D players to choose rogue feats carefully, after all, since this class lacks spellcasting and thus needs lifty feats and skill proficiencies of all kinds to contribute to the team.

20 Poisoner Adds a New Way For Rogues to Deal Damage20

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything pg. 80

In general, poison damage is an iffy choice for any D&D player character, so the Poisoner feat ranks last among the best rogue feats, though it can still have its uses. Enemies such as golems, devils, and yuan-ti are downright immune to poison, but if the party is fighting more typical humanoids like orcs, elves, and humans, then Poisoner can do some work.

This feat is best used at lower levels, before the party starts fighting enemies that frequently have immunity to damage types like poison. With this feat, a rogue can simply ignore resistance to poison damage, and use a poisoner's kit to add poison damage to their weapon attacks. The attack will deal 2d8 poison damage and might even give the enemy the poisoned condition if they fail a CON save.

19 Telekinetic Lets Rogues Use Mage Hand Even If They're Not Arcane Tricksters

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything pg. 81

In general, rogues can rely on their sharpened skills like Sleight of Hand and Stealth to sneak around, steal things, and disarm traps, but sometimes, a rogue doesn't want to risk their own skin. If a rogue is confident that something is rigged with a trap, the rogue can take the Telekinetic feat to handle that risky item from a safe distance.

With the Telekinetic feat, a rogue can cast the Mage Hand cantrip, which happens to be of all. It's a utility spell that lets the caster, from a wizard to a rogue, manipulate or move items remotely, so long as those things aren't too heavy. In deadlier dungeons, using such telekinesis on iffy doors or treasure chests can save a rogue's life.

18 Ritual Caster Is Good For Find Familiar

Player's Handbook pg. 169

Ritual Caster is one of several D&D feats that allows a non-caster like a rogue to perform some token spellcasting. In this case, Ritual Caster can turn a rogue into a mini-wizard, granting them a spellbook and two first-level spells that can be cast as a ritual, hence the feat's name. Ritual casting takes time and isn't suitable for combat, but it's great for exploration and puzzle solving.

A rogue is advised to choose some of the game's best utility spells when using this feat, such as Find Familiar. As any wizard knows, familiars are immensely helpful for scouting potentially dangerous areas or spying on the enemy, and if the familiar is destroyed, another can be summoned. The only major restriction on this feat's usage is that the character must have an INT or WIS ability score of 13 or higher. That means a rogue will likely be designed up front with this feat in mind, since rogues normally don't care much about INT or WIS in many cases.

17 Skill Expert Turns Any Rogue Into a True Savant of Skills

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything pg. 80

The rogue class is famous for its heavy use of skills, which is also generally true for the best bard builds as well. But unlike bards, rogues have no spellcasting, so they rely even more heavily on skills ranging from Sleight of Hand and Deception to Insight and beyond. Feats like Skill Expert can take all this to the next level.

To begin with, Skill Expert boosts one ability score by 1, a useful and flexible boon for any rogue. Then, the rogue will gain proficiency with one chosen skill, and then they can choose any skill they're proficient with and gain expertise with it, meaning the proficiency bonus for that skill is doubled. The restriction is that the chosen skill must not already have expertise from some other source.

16 Inspiring Leader Isn't Just For Paladins

Player's Handbook pg. 167

It's usually charisma-based casters like paladins and bards who take the Inspiring Leader feat, and this feat lends itself well to paladins in particular for roleplay. Still, if the party's paladin or bard opted not to take this feat, or if the party lacks such characters, then a rogue may consider taking it for themselves.

This is a helpful feat to use right before the party dives into battle, taking a few moments to give everyone temporary HP and thus enhance their survivability in battle. It helps that rogues often have decent to high CHA scores so they can talk their way out of trouble or smooth-talk their way into someone's private chambers to steal something.

15 Resilient (Constitution) Makes Saving Throws Easier to Pass

Player's Handbook pg. 168

Rogues are one of D&D 5e's best classes at saving throws. They get proficiency in very common Dexterity saving throws by default. At higher levels, they gain automatic proficiency in Wisdom saving throws. Coupled with their typical high ability scores like Wisdom and Charisma, this helps rogues avoid many harmful effects.

Rogues can struggle with their Constitution saving throws, however. If they take the Resilient feat and select Constitution, they become rare characters proficient in the three most common saving throws. Constitution is invaluable for rogues, as it resists poisons and other high-damaging effects. Rogues aren't the sturdiest of classes. Many Constitution-targeting effects can prove lethal to them if they fail, so Resilient ranks a bit low among rogue feats, though it can still be fairly helpful at times.

14 Eldritch Adept Gives Rogues a Taste of Magic

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything pg. 79

The Eldritch Adept feat is perfect for rogues looking to spice up their character's skill set with some arcane enhancements. This feat only works if the character already has access to some form of spellcasting. This would only work for D&D 5e Arcane Trickster rogues or rogues who multiclass into a spellcasting class.

Eldritch Adept allows the player to learn one Eldritch Invocation from the warlock class. Players can choose Devil's Sight to gain darkvision, Eldritch Sight to cast Detect Magic while checking for traps, or many more great options. Few feats have as interesting flavor as Eldritch Adept while complementing any number of rogue toolkits as well.

13 Actor is Ideal For Fooling NPCs With Cool Roleplay

Player's Handbook pg. 165

Stealth takes many forms in D&D, and rogues can be good at most. The traditional form involves creeping unseen. However, sneaking or infiltrating can involve impersonating somebody else. Rogues can get good at this with high Charisma and Expertise in skills like Deception and Performance.

The Actor feat can make them even better at it. It gives advantage on Deception or Performance checks to impersonate another person. The Actor feat also lets rogues mimic speech or creatures' sounds. These features, combined with a rogue's skill proficiencies and Expertise, can make for the best spy or sneak in D&D.

12 Skilled Makes Rogues Even More Useful Outside of Combat

Player's Handbook pg. 170

The rogue is one of the most skilled classes in D&D, and they get a lot of skill proficiencies, too. Rogues are proficient in thieves' tools and four skills of their choice from their very first level. The only other class that may be more skilled than a rogue is the bard, thanks to its Jack of All Trades feature. For any player looking to make their rogue invaluable to the party, the Skilled feat is an excellent way of doing so.

The Skilled feat allows the player to become proficient in any combination of three skills or tools. This lets a rogue become proficient in almost half of D&D 5e's skills. This also synergizes well with their Reliable Talent feature. With more proficiencies, the rogue gets even more skills they can't roll below a ten on.

11 Fighting Initiate Makes Rogues Hit Like a Fighter

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything pg. 80

Rogues are similar to many of 5e's martial classes, but they lack Fighting Styles to represent their lesser combat focus. As combat is a significant part of most D&D games, rogues can benefit from the Fighting Initiate feat. It gives them a single Fighting Style – with many potential options.

Defense can be good for frontline rogues who take hits hit too often. Two-Weapon Fighting or Thrown Weapon Fighting can bolster damage for specific builds. Archery may be the most tempting, however. Many rogues prefer ranged weapons. A +2 to hit is a significant accuracy boost that lets them inflict Sneak Attack damage more often.

10 Skulker is Ideal For Rogues Who Operate in Dim Lighting

Player's Handbook pg. 170

Skulker is perfect for rogues who enjoy traversing inside the shadows in and out of combat. Dim light no longer imposes disadvantage on Perception checks relying on sight with the feat. Skulker also allows rogues to hide from enemies even when only lightly obscured.

If a rogue misses a ranged attack in combat, the target doesn't immediately know their location. Hiding and attacking unseen are excellent ways to trigger Sneak Attack. With Skulker, a rogue becomes much more able to flit around the battlefield and attack from hiding places, so Skulker ranks comfortably among the best rogue feats.

9 Piercer Boost Damage From Rapier and Crossboew Attacks

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything pg. 80

Most weapons commonly used by rogues – like rapiers, shortswords, daggers, or crossbows – deal piercing damage. The Piercer feat makes those weapons more deadly and ensures that critical strikes are even more punishing to enemies.

The Piercer feat improves a player's Strength or Dexterity score by one, lets them re-roll one of the attack's damage die for higher damage, and allows the player to roll an additional die when scoring a critical hit. Rogues already benefit from critical hits and want as many as possible. With Piercer, they're rewarded even more for them.

8 Tough Gives a Rogue More Hit Points to Work With

Player's Handbook pg. 170

D&D 5e rogues prefer not to get hit at all. Their abilities favor a ranged or hit-and-run playstyle, but no D&D 5e character can avoid all damage. Rogues might fail to escape a dangerous situation, trigger traps, or get caught out while scouting. When this happens, their relatively low hit die can be a liability.

Tough provides a significant boost to a rogue's durability. An extra two hit points per level gives them similar hit points to a barbarian. With features like Uncanny Dodge and Evasion, they become surprisingly tanky. Tough isn't essential for D&D 5e rogues, but it gives them an invaluable safety buffer against damage.

7 Mobile Ensures a Rogue Gets Wherever They're Needed on Time

Player's Handbook pg. 168

The Mobile feat is perfect for rogues who like to fight in melee. Rogues usually have fewer hit points than fighters or barbarians, so avoiding damage is always a priority. Mobile increases a character's speed by 10 feet and lets them ignore difficult terrain when Dashing.

Best of all, when a player makes a melee attack against any creature, they won't provoke opportunity attacks from their target for the rest of the turn. This stops a rogue from having to use their bonus action to Disengage. With Mobile, a rogue can reliably use their Cunning Action to Dash or Hide, making them even better at hit-and-run combat.

6 Alert Ensures a Rogue Starts Fighting Early in a Battle

Player's Handbook pg. 165

Surprise is powerful in Dungeons & Dragons. In particular, it can be devastating for a rogue to be Surprised. Rogues operate at their best when they can get into a good position and start combat on their terms. If the enemy gets the drop on them, they can inflict plenty of damage that the rogue can't necessarily take.

Players with the Alert feat can't be surprised and gain +5 to their initiative rolls. Other creatures don't have advantage on attacks just because the player can't see them. A rogue with Alert will almost always get one of the highest initiatives. They'll rarely find themselves on the back foot when violence breaks out.

5 Fey Touched Adds a Dash of Whimsy to Any Rogue Build

Tasha's Cauldron Of Everything pg. 79

Only the D&D Arcane Trickster subclass gets spellcasting naturally as a rogue. Most other subclasses use mundane means to get ahead. However, some magic is invaluable for any D&D 5e character. Fey Touched's spellcasting synergizes with a rogue's typical party role.

A free casting of Misty Step once per day can be invaluable. Rogues can use it for hit-and-run tactics, to teleport into locked areas, or to cross ground they would struggle to sneak through. A free first-level Divination or Enchantment spell also expands their toolbox, particularly in social situations, so Fey Touched is definitely one of the best rogue feats in D&D, with just a few truly amazing feats being even greater.

4 Dungeon Delver is Great For Dungeon Areas Filled With Traps and Secrets

Player's Handbook pg. 166

Rogues are natural thieves, most of all the Thief subclass. They gain immediate proficiency in Thieves' Tools and have abilities that tend towards stealth and underhand means. Rogues often go first in a dungeon. They can spot enemies, unlock doors, and disarm traps before their party can spring them.

Players with the Dungeon Delver feat have advantage on saving throws to avoid traps, advantage on ability checks when searching for secret doors, and the ability to resist damage dealt by traps. Rogues with this feat can go first in the marching order and make the dungeon much safer for their party.

3 Shadow Touched Gives a Rogue Stealth-Based Magic to Use

Tasha's Cauldron Of Everything pg. 80

Several feats give characters access to spells in D&D 5e. Shadow Touched is the best choice for the average rogue. It lets a character cast Invisibility for free once per day. Although this is less useful in combat, it synergizes excellently with much of a rogue's toolkit.

A first-level Necromancy spell is less practical, but Shadow Touched also gives Illusion as an option. A rogue who can cast Silent Image or something similar becomes even more effective at stealth and with many other skills. An increase to Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is another valuable perk.

2 Sharpshooter Is a Fine Pick For Archery-Centric Rogue Builds

Player's Handbook pg. 170

Rogues don't need to be within five feet of a target to deal lethal damage. As long as a rogue has advantage on their attack or an ally is within five feet of their target, a rogue gains Sneak Attack damage. The Sharpshooter feat ensures that rogues can snipe enemies from safe distances.

Sharpshooter also lets a character's ranged attacks ignore cover or disadvantage caused by long range. Furthermore, the player may take a -5 penalty to their attack roll in favor of an additional +10 damage on that attack. Coupled with Sneak Attack, a rogue with the Sharpshooter feat can deal more damage than almost any other D&D character.

1 Crossbow Expert Makes Crossbows Powerful and Effective in Any Fight

Player's Handbook pg. 165

D&D 5e Rogues can use many weapons, but they're best associated with crossbows. Most rogues can use a crossbow just fine, but the Crossbow Expert feat can make them a force to be reckoned with. When a rogue tries to attack an enemy within five feet with a crossbow, they have disadvantage on the attack – which prevents Sneak Attack. With Crossbow Expert, this no longer applies.

A crossbow-wielding rogue can be as lethal up close as they are at range without switching weapons. The bonus action attack with a hand crossbow can be vital. It improves a character's damage output per turn or gives a second chance at Sneak Attack if the first attack misses. The flexibility it provides in combat makes Crossbow Expert one of the best feats for rogue in D&D 5e, or perhaps the very best of them, depending on a given character's build and weapons of choice.

Dungeons and Dragons

A fantasy roleplaying tabletop game designed for adventure-seekers, the original incarnation of Dungeons & Dragons was created by Gary Gygax in 1974.

Franchise

Dungeons & Dragons

Original Release Date

January 26, 1974

Publisher

Wizards of the Coast , TSR Inc.

Designer

E. Gary Gygax , Dave Arneson

Player Count

4-8 Players Recommended

Age Recommendation

12+

Length per Game

3 hours +

Expansions

Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition , Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition , Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition , Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition