Hey there, adventurers! Ever felt like your character in Dungeons and Dragons 5e could use a little extra oomph? Maybe you're craving a blend of sneaky tactics and brutal combat prowess. If that's the case, then you've stumbled upon the right place. Today, we're diving deep into the OSC Rogue/Fighter multiclass – a build that’s all about maximizing damage, outmaneuvering your foes, and generally being an absolute powerhouse on the battlefield. This guide is your ultimate cheat sheet to building the perfect OSC Rogue/Fighter multiclass in 5e. We will explore everything from the best race choices and ability score allocations to the optimal level distribution and subclass combinations. Get ready to unleash the ultimate power within your OSC Rogue/Fighter multiclass!

Why Multiclass Rogue and Fighter? The Synergy Explained

So, why even bother multiclassing the Rogue and Fighter? Well, the answer lies in the incredible synergy these two classes offer. The Rogue brings in its expertise in stealth, deception, and dealing massive damage through Sneak Attack. On the other hand, the Fighter provides robust combat capabilities, access to powerful fighting styles, and extra attacks. Combining these two creates a truly versatile and devastating character.

• Sneak Attack: This is the Rogue's bread and butter. You deal extra damage once per turn if you have advantage on the attack roll or if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it. The Fighter's Action Surge ability provides an extra action, allowing you to potentially trigger Sneak Attack multiple times in a single round. Guys, imagine the damage potential!
• Fighting Styles: The Fighter class grants access to various fighting styles that can significantly enhance your combat capabilities. For instance, the Archery fighting style boosts your ranged attack rolls, while the Two-Weapon Fighting style allows you to add your ability modifier to the damage of your off-hand weapon. These styles can be game-changers.
• Action Surge: As mentioned earlier, Action Surge is a Fighter ability that lets you take an extra action once per short rest. This is incredibly potent for a Rogue, allowing you to either make two attacks (with Sneak Attack potential) or use an action to Hide or Disengage, while still attacking.
• Subclass Compatibility: Both Rogue and Fighter have subclasses that complement each other well. For example, the Assassin Rogue combined with the Battle Master Fighter creates an excellent burst damage character, capable of taking down enemies swiftly in the first round of combat. The Champion Fighter's improved critical hits also work well with the Rogue's Sneak Attack.
• Versatility: The multiclass offers a broad range of skills and proficiencies, making your character competent in both combat and social situations. This versatility ensures that you’re prepared for any challenge the DM throws your way. You are a jack-of-all-trades, master of… well, a lot!

In essence, multiclassing Rogue and Fighter allows you to create a character that is skilled in combat, stealth, and social interaction. It's a build that excels in both dealing and avoiding damage, making you a formidable opponent. The combination of these two classes provides a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience, perfect for players who enjoy tactical depth and strategic decision-making. Are you ready to dive deeper?

Best Race Choices for an OSC Rogue/Fighter Multiclass

Choosing the right race is crucial for any multiclass build, and the OSC Rogue/Fighter is no exception. The ideal race enhances your ability scores, provides useful traits, and complements your overall playstyle. Let's look at some of the best race options for your OSC Rogue/Fighter multiclass in 5e:

• Variant Human: The Variant Human is a classic choice for any multiclass build, and it works exceptionally well here. The ability score bonuses are flexible, allowing you to place +1 in two different stats. Most importantly, Variant Humans get a free feat at level 1, giving you a massive early-game power boost. This feat could be Crossbow Expert for ranged builds, Dual Wielder for dual-wielding, or Lucky for general protection and to swing the odds in your favor. This is the most versatile option, so consider this first.
• Wood Elf: The Wood Elf is a solid choice, especially if you plan to focus on ranged combat. They get +2 Dexterity and +1 Wisdom, which is great for a Rogue/Fighter. The Fleet of Foot trait increases your base speed to 35 feet, giving you excellent mobility. Wood Elves also get Mask of the Wild, allowing you to attempt to Hide even when lightly obscured by natural phenomena, which works excellently with the Rogue’s stealth abilities. Guys, this is great if you like to play sneaky. The Trance feature is another perk, reducing the need for sleep.
• Half-Elf: The Half-Elf race provides a blend of versatility and ability score bonuses. With +2 Charisma and +1 to two other ability scores of your choice, you can easily optimize your stats. The Half-Elf also gets two skill proficiencies, which can further boost your Rogue skills. The Darkvision trait is excellent for navigating dark environments and provides advantage on Perception checks, and Fey Ancestry grants advantage on saving throws against being charmed, protecting you from powerful social encounters. Consider this race if you like a balanced character.
• Halfling (especially Lightfoot Halfling): Halflings have inherent benefits that align well with Rogue tendencies. Lucky allows you to reroll 1s on attack rolls, ability checks, or saving throws, helping you avoid critical failures. Brave gives you advantage on saving throws against being frightened, providing extra survivability. The Lightfoot Halfling also allows you to Hide behind creatures one size larger than you, making them a master of stealth. These are the perfect builds if you like to play sneaky and small.
• Eladrin: Eladrin provides a boost to Intelligence and Dexterity, two crucial stats for this multiclass. More importantly, their Fey Step ability is fantastic, allowing you to teleport as a bonus action once per short rest. This provides excellent mobility for both combat and exploration. Eladrin also have a connection to the Feywild, adding to roleplaying potential.

The best race choice ultimately depends on your desired playstyle and the specific build you want to create. However, all these options offer significant advantages, ensuring your OSC Rogue/Fighter is as effective as possible. Now, let’s move on to ability scores.

Optimizing Ability Scores for the OSC Rogue/Fighter

Your ability scores are the foundation of your character's capabilities. For an effective OSC Rogue/Fighter multiclass, you must prioritize certain stats over others to maximize your strengths. Here's a guide to optimizing your ability scores:

• Dexterity: Dexterity is your most important stat. It affects your attack and damage rolls with finesse weapons and ranged weapons, your Armor Class (AC), and your skills like Stealth, Acrobatics, and Sleight of Hand. You want this stat to be as high as possible. Aim for at least 16 at character creation, and increase it further with Ability Score Improvements (ASI) as you level up.
• Strength: Strength is essential if you plan to use Strength-based weapons. For builds using melee, you should have at least 13 Strength to be able to multiclass into Fighter. However, since the Rogue can benefit from Dexterity, Strength can be considered a secondary priority if you prefer finesse weapons. If you prefer Strength-based weapons, the higher, the better.
• Constitution: Constitution determines your hit points, and it helps you maintain concentration on spells. Having a decent Constitution score will increase your survivability. Aim for at least 14, especially if you plan to be in melee combat frequently.
• Intelligence: Intelligence is typically not a high priority for this multiclass unless you intend to play an Arcane Trickster Rogue. However, it affects skills like Investigation and Arcana. If you're not planning to focus on those skills, keep your Intelligence at a moderate level.
• Wisdom: Wisdom affects your saving throws against Wisdom-based effects, and it impacts skills like Perception and Insight. A higher Wisdom score will help you avoid being charmed, frightened, or detected by powerful enemies. Aim for at least 10 or 12 for decent protection against these effects. You won't focus on this, but it can still be important.
• Charisma: Charisma is less critical for a Rogue/Fighter, but it's essential for social skills like Deception and Persuasion. If you want to be a capable face character, you should invest in this. Otherwise, keep it at a moderate level.

Here’s a practical example to clarify: A typical stat allocation at level 1 might look like this (using point buy):

• Strength: 8
• Dexterity: 16
• Constitution: 14
• Intelligence: 10
• Wisdom: 12
• Charisma: 8

This build prioritizes Dexterity for damage, AC, and stealth, while balancing Constitution for survivability. You can adapt these scores based on your race and your desired playstyle. The key is to maximize your primary stat (Dexterity) while ensuring a reasonable level of survivability. Remember, you can adjust these numbers to fit your play style. Remember to keep in mind the minimum stat requirements for multiclassing, which typically require a minimum of 13 in the primary stats of each class you are multiclassing into (Dexterity for Rogue, and either Strength or Dexterity for Fighter).

Leveling Guide and Subclass Choices

Now, let's talk about the leveling strategy. The optimal level distribution between Rogue and Fighter depends on your goals and playstyle. The most effective builds typically focus on a mix of both classes. Here's a breakdown of common level splits and subclass options:

Rogue Focus Builds

• Rogue 17 / Fighter 3: This build maximizes your Sneak Attack damage by reaching level 17 in Rogue. You can pick up the Battle Master or Champion subclasses for Fighter. The Champion Fighter's improved critical hits, when combined with Sneak Attack, deliver devastating damage. Battle Master's maneuvers add tactical depth. This build focuses on pure damage and sneakiness.
• Rogue 11 / Fighter 9: A strong choice if you want to get more Fighter features. You get level 9 in the Fighter for subclass features and ASIs. You can gain the third attack. For subclasses, Battle Master is popular here, giving you plenty of tactical options. The extra ASI/feat is a big plus.

Fighter Focus Builds

• Fighter 11 / Rogue 9: This build focuses on combat power, getting to level 11 Fighter gives you the third attack. The Rogue levels provide skill proficiencies, expertise, and Sneak Attack damage. For subclasses, Champion is a good choice for improved critical hits. The Assassin Rogue pairs excellently with this build, leading to high burst damage in the first round of combat, which can decimate enemies quickly.
• Fighter 5 / Rogue X: A versatile build. Getting to level 5 Fighter gives you Extra Attack and the Action Surge. This build is incredibly versatile, trading a bit of Sneak Attack damage for Fighter features. The extra action from Action Surge makes a massive difference in the game.

Subclass Recommendations:

• Rogue Subclasses:

  • Assassin: Excellent for burst damage, especially in the first round of combat. Its ability to automatically crit on surprised enemies is extremely powerful. Combined with the Fighter's Action Surge, it's a terrifying combination.
  • Thief: Provides extra bonus actions, enhancing your versatility and allowing you to do things like use two potions in one turn, or bonus action dash. Great for quick actions and strategic advantages.
  • Arcane Trickster: Adds magical versatility, letting you cast spells and use them strategically. Useful for those who want a bit of magic in their build, but it can be less damage focused than others.

• Fighter Subclasses:

  • Battle Master: Grants access to combat maneuvers that add tactical depth to your attacks. You can add extra damage, control enemies, and support allies, making your combat strategy more dynamic.
  • Champion: Its improved critical range enhances your Sneak Attack damage. The more attacks you make, the higher the chance of scoring critical hits.
  • Echo Knight: Lets you create a phantom echo of yourself that you can use to attack and move around the battlefield, giving you excellent positioning and tactical advantages. This subclass is great for versatility.

Combat Tactics and Strategy

To make the most of your OSC Rogue/Fighter multiclass, you'll need to develop effective combat tactics and strategies. Here are some key points to consider:

• Positioning: Use your Rogue skills to get into optimal positions. Hide behind cover, use your bonus action to dash to get into the perfect spot, or use your environment to your advantage. As a Rogue, positioning is key for maximizing Sneak Attack damage. Position yourself to have advantage or to ensure an ally is adjacent to your target, triggering Sneak Attack.
• Action Surge: Always use Action Surge in the first round of combat to either make two attacks or to set up your position. If you have an assassin, using Action Surge to deal massive damage in the first round is a game changer.
• Resource Management: Keep track of your resources like Action Surge, superiority dice (for Battle Master), and hit points. Use them strategically. Don't waste your best abilities on low-threat enemies. Sometimes, it’s best to conserve resources for the tougher encounters.
• Prioritize Targets: Focus on eliminating key targets like spellcasters or other high-threat enemies first. Quickly taking out these dangerous foes can turn the tide of battle.
• Use Your Skills: Make use of your Rogue skills like Stealth, Acrobatics, and Expertise. Hide, disengage, or dash as needed to stay out of danger and reposition yourself strategically. Use skills to your advantage. Deception can mislead enemies. Use your tools to set the situation in your favor.
• Teamwork: Coordinate with your party members. Support your allies, and set up opportunities for them to trigger Sneak Attack. Working together will make you more effective. If another character is a tank, use them as your adjacent character to get Sneak Attack!

Feats for Your OSC Rogue/Fighter

Feats can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your OSC Rogue/Fighter build. Here are some of the best feats to consider:

• Crossbow Expert: This feat is a must-have for ranged builds. It lets you ignore the loading property of crossbows, attack at close range without disadvantage, and make a bonus action attack with a hand crossbow. This is a game-changer for ranged builds.
• Sharpshooter: This feat allows you to ignore half and three-quarters cover and reduces the penalty on your attack rolls by 5 for a +10 damage bonus. It is perfect for ranged combat characters.
• Dual Wielder: If you plan to dual-wield weapons, this feat is excellent. It allows you to wield two weapons that aren't light, increases your AC by 1 while wielding two weapons, and lets you draw or stow two weapons at the same time.
• Lucky: This is a versatile feat that lets you reroll attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws. It provides a significant advantage in all aspects of the game and is useful for any character.
• Mobile: This is a great feat for hit-and-run tactics. It increases your base movement speed by 10 feet, and when you take the Attack action, you can move without provoking opportunity attacks. It’s perfect for the Rogue's hit-and-run style.

Conclusion: Mastering the OSC Rogue/Fighter

The OSC Rogue/Fighter multiclass is a powerful and versatile build that can excel in various roles. It combines the stealth and burst damage of the Rogue with the combat prowess and versatility of the Fighter. By understanding the synergies between these classes, optimizing your ability scores, choosing the right race and subclasses, and employing effective combat tactics, you can create a character that dominates the battlefield. Remember, the best build is the one that you enjoy playing. So, experiment, adapt, and have fun. Happy adventuring, guys!