Arcane Trickster FAQ

The Arcane Trickster is an Intelligence-using magical Rogue that combines Sneak Attack, Cunning Action and Expertise with limited Wizard spellcasting, illusion and enchantment magic, and an enhanced mage hand. Choosing Arcane Trickster at Rogue 3 adds spellcasting without giving up the Rogue's normal Sneak Attack, Expertise, Cunning Action, and later defensive progression.

Read more: Read full explanation D&D Portal - What is the Arcane Trickster Roguish Archetype? Arcane Trickster FAQ The Arcane Trickster is an Intelligence-using magical Rogue that combines Sneak Attack, Cunning Action and Expertise with limited Wizard spellcasting, illusion and enchantment magic, and an enhanced mage hand. Choosing Arcane Trickster at Rogue 3 adds spellcasting without giving up the Rogue's normal Sneak Attack, Expertise, Cunning Action, and later defensive progression. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/arcane-trickster/what-is-the-arcane-trickster-roguish-archetype/

Arcane Trickster adds limited Wizard spellcasting, Mage Hand Legerdemain, Magical Ambush, Versatile Trickster, and Spell Thief to the Rogue. The result is a Rogue that uses illusion, enchantment, and magical setup to create safer infiltration, stronger control, and better opportunities to land Sneak Attack.

Read more: Read full explanation D&D Portal - What are the main Arcane Trickster features? Arcane Trickster FAQ Arcane Trickster adds limited Wizard spellcasting, Mage Hand Legerdemain, Magical Ambush, Versatile Trickster, and Spell Thief to the Rogue. The result is a Rogue that uses illusion, enchantment, and magical setup to create safer infiltration, stronger control, and better opportunities to land Sneak Attack. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/arcane-trickster/what-are-the-main-arcane-trickster-features/

Build the Arcane Trickster on top of a normal Dexterity-focused Rogue, then invest in the secondary abilities and skills that support the archetype. Use spells to create advantage, concealment, control, mobility and infiltration rather than trying to become a full Wizard. Keep a finesse or ranged weapon available because Sneak Attack still applies to weapon attacks, not ordinary spell attacks.

Read more: Read full explanation D&D Portal - How do you build and play a Arcane Trickster Rogue? Arcane Trickster FAQ Build the Arcane Trickster on top of a normal Dexterity-focused Rogue, then invest in the secondary abilities and skills that support the archetype. Use spells to create advantage, concealment, control, mobility and infiltration rather than trying to become a full Wizard. Keep a finesse or ranged weapon available because Sneak Attack still applies to weapon attacks, not ordinary spell attacks. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/arcane-trickster/how-do-you-build-and-play-a-arcane-trickster-rogue/

Arcane Trickster does not replace Sneak Attack with spell damage. Magic is strongest when it creates a better Sneak Attack turn: invisibility, illusions, control or Versatile Trickster can help produce advantage or safer positioning. Magical Ambush works in the opposite direction, using Rogue stealth to make saving-throw spells harder to resist.

Read more: Read full explanation D&D Portal - How does Arcane Trickster interact with Sneak Attack? Arcane Trickster FAQ Arcane Trickster does not replace Sneak Attack with spell damage. Magic is strongest when it creates a better Sneak Attack turn: invisibility, illusions, control or Versatile Trickster can help produce advantage or safer positioning. Magical Ambush works in the opposite direction, using Rogue stealth to make saving-throw spells harder to resist. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/arcane-trickster/how-does-arcane-trickster-interact-with-sneak-attack/

The 2014 Arcane Trickster uses Intelligence and a limited Wizard spell progression. It learns mage hand plus other Wizard cantrips and a small number of Wizard spells, with most learned spells restricted to enchantment or illusion and a few unrestricted choices at specific Rogue levels. It uses spell slots and eventually reaches 4th-level spells; it is not a prepared caster and does not use a spellbook like a Wizard.

Read more: Read full explanation D&D Portal - How does Arcane Trickster spellcasting work? Arcane Trickster FAQ The 2014 Arcane Trickster uses Intelligence and a limited Wizard spell progression. It learns mage hand plus other Wizard cantrips and a small number of Wizard spells, with most learned spells restricted to enchantment or illusion and a few unrestricted choices at specific Rogue levels. It uses spell slots and eventually reaches 4th-level spells; it is not a prepared caster and does not use a spellbook like a Wizard. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/faq/arcane-trickster/how-does-arcane-trickster-spellcasting-work/