Hello patrons! This week’s post is my take on a new subclass for 5e rogues. This is definitely still a WIP and I welcome any and all feedback on how to improve this build. Eventually, I would love to write a whole book full of character options (including stuff like the Unique Backgrounds and more subclasses) for 5e.
This subclass was inspired by the priesthood of the goddess Eloéle in the Birthright setting, a group that combines the arts of the rogue with those of the cleric. I started thinking about what a divine version of the arcane trickster subclass might look like, and here we are!
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Divine Trickster
There are some gods worshipped only by those who work in the shadows. Rogues, thieves, assassins, bandits, pirates, and their ilk make prayers to avoid capture, to find rich (and ideally unguarded) treasures, or to escape imprisonment. There are some rogues who are not-quite-priests, but whom are chosen by the gods as their instrument. These adventurers mingle the roles of religion and thiefcraft, skulking in the shadows to steal back forgotten relics of their faith or interfering in attempts to disrupt a thriving smuggler’s guild.
Spellcasting
When you reach 3rd level, you gain the ability to cast spells. See Spells Rules for the general rules of spellcasting and the Spells Listing for the cleric spell list.
Cantrips: You learn three cantrips: thaumaturgy and two other cantrips of your choice from the cleric spell list. You learn another cleric cantrip of your choice at 10th level.
Spell Slots: The Divine Trickster Spellcasting table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your cleric spells of 1stlevel and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.
For example, if you know the 1st-level spell blessand have a 1st-level and a 2nd-level spell slot available, you can cast bless using either slot.
Spells Known of 1st-Level and Higher
You know three 1st-level cleric spells of your choice, two of which you must choose from the enchantment and abjuration spells on the cleric spell list. (check this to be sure those are the right schools)
The Spells Known column of the Divine Trickster Spellcasting table shows when you learn more cleric spells of 1st level of higher. Each of these spells must be an enchantment or abjuration spell of your choice, and must be of a level for which you have spell slots. For instance, when you reach 7th level in this class, you can learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level.
The spells you learn at 8th, 14th, and 20th level can come from any school of magic.
Whenever you gain a level in this class, you can replace one of the cleric spells you know with another spell of your choice from the cleric spell list. The new spell must be of a level for which you have spell slots, and it must be an enchantment or abjuration spell, unless you’re replacing the spell you gained t 3rd, 8th, 14th, or 20thlevel from any school of magic.
Spellcasting Ability
Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your cleric spells, since you learn your spells through meditation and prayer. You use your Wisdom whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Wisdom modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a cleric spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier
Divine Trickster Spellcasting
Rogue Level Cantrips Known Spells Known Spell Slots Per level
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
3 3 3 2 — — —
4 3 4 3 — — —
5 3 4 3 — — —
6 3 4` 3 — — —
7 3 5 4 2 — —
8 3 6 4 2 — —
9 3 6 4 2 — —
10 4 7 4 3 — —
11 4 8 4 3 — —
12 4 8 4 3 — —
13 4 9 4 3 2 —
14 4 10 4 3 2 —
15 4 10 4 3 2 —
16 4 11 4 3 3 —
17 4 11 4 3 3 —
18 4 11 4 3 3 —
19 4 12 4 3 3 1
20 4 13 4 3 3 1
Thaumaturgic Distraction: Starting at 3rd level, when you cast thaumaturgy, you can generate a cloud of swirling smoke at your feet that grants you total cover, allowing you to make a Stealth roll with advantage to Hide even if you are being directly observed.
In addition, you can use the bonus action granted by your Cunning Action to change the effect of thaumaturgyto any other option granted by that spell.
Divine Dodge:Starting at 9th level, you may conceal yourself under a magical shroud of shifting images. As a bonus action on your turn, you can make a Deception check against an adjacent target. If you are successful, all attacks against you have disadvantage until the beginning of your next turn.
Divine Versatility:At 13th level, you gain the ability to capture a target’s attention with a magical image of your holy symbol. As a bonus action on your turn, you can designate a creature within 30 feet. Doing so gives you advantage on attack rolls against that creature until the end of the turn.
Vitality Thief: At 17th level, you gain the ability to magically steal life energy from another being and add it to your own. When you successfully sneak attack an enemy, you may heal yourself or an ally within 30 feet a number of hit points equal to the sneak attack damage you inflict. If you choose, you may instead gain temporary hit points equal to half the sneak attack damage.