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In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, rogue or thief is one of the base character classes. A rogue is a versatile character, capable of sneaky combat and nimble tricks. The rogue is stealthy and dextrous, and the only class capable of finding and disarming many traps and picking locks. The rogue also has the ability to "sneak attack" ("backstab" in previous editions) enemies who are caught off-guard or taken by surprise, inflicting extra damage.
Early editions
The class was known as "thief", and represented a variety of character concepts that under scrutiny and care must be designated thief, ranging from Bilbo Baggins to The Gray Mouser. The Thief character class was interestingly enough the only character class that any nonhuman type, such as an elf or dwarf or halfling could achieve unlimited levels in, partially the ironic humour within AD&D, but also partially the recognition that Dungeons and Dragons is a game about taking the possessions of others, regardless of whether or not those others slew and ate the original owners of these treasures. In some lights, it must be stated that thieves can be a very noble class indeed, and this is reflected in the AD&D game rules, permitting thieves to be neutral good or even lawful neutral, but never Lawful Good nor Chaotic Good. Gygax has noted in hindsight that this may have been an oversight, as alignment was never meant to be viewed as an absolute hierarchy of best to worst, and character classes should reflect their medieval fantasy counterparts, even into accurate ethical and moral alignment license. Yet how can one explain in character class terms a patriotic spy who steals documents to serve their nation, or a cautious heroine who pilfers fire for the sake of her tribe? In end examination, both of these are as much thieves as the noble Bilbo Baggins, the cynical Gray Mouser, the romantic icon Robin Hood, or as a slightly felonious yet gold-hearted private detective. A wide array of motive must be allowed those who, for whatever reason, find themselves preferring anonymity and subtle daring over obviously flamboyant (and often careless) doings.
Also, in early editions of AD&D and D&D, thieves were swiftest to learn new levels, and if played by a wise and clever player, they could readily become among the most powerful character class in the game -- after all, what other character class at any level permits a damage bonus that multiplies a single attack by five after all other damage bonuses have been factored?
Third edition
The class was renamed "rogue", to reflect the supposed new scope of any skilled and stealthy character. In actuality, the character class still bears only two large divergences from other character classes, namely their ability to commit into melee a "sneak attack" manuever and their capacity to notice traps intuitively. Since skill points are derived from an intelligence attribute, a low intellect rogue would be no better off than a sparkling student of a cleric, regardless of a broder scope of studies from which to choose. Be this as it may, spies, scouts, detectives, pirates, and sundry ne'er-do-wells, as well as thieves and just about any other character who relies on stealth or a broad range of skills, are stated to fall under the rogue class. A better designation would be a person who by very class and lifestyle or innate talent and outlook has achieved an intuitive approach to noticing ambushes and traps, as well as the provender in actual battle of unleashing devestating strikes when their opponent is unaware of their presence or inable to prepare even cursory defense.
The rogue has the ability to deliver a sneak attack whenever an opponent is unable to defend itself. In game terms, this attack applies whenever the opponent would be denied their dexterity bonus to armour class. The rogue can then take advantage of this momentary weakness to strike at a vital part of the anatomy, provided the creature has a discernible anatomy, and can be critically hit. Undead, for example, are immune to sneak attacks, as they have no vital organs (since they are dead).
The Iconic rogue is Lidda, a halfling female.
"Rogue (Dungeons & Dragons)"