Do Rogues Get Extra Movement? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is a resounding yes, rogues are masters of mobility in D&D 5e! While they don’t get a traditional “extra movement speed” boost like some classes, their kit is designed to enable them to cover impressive distances in a single round. Their unique abilities and features allow them to be incredibly nimble, darting in and out of combat with surprising speed. Let’s delve into the mechanics of how rogues achieve this enhanced movement and explore some frequently asked questions.
Enhanced Movement Through Cunning Action
Rogues are not static; they’re designed to be highly mobile. Their key to extra movement lies in their Cunning Action feature. At level 2, a rogue gains the ability to use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. The most relevant for movement is Dash, which effectively doubles the rogue’s movement speed for that turn. This ability, combined with their normal movement, allows them to cover a lot of ground quickly.
The Power of a Bonus Action Dash
Here’s a breakdown of how this works:
- Normal Movement: A rogue starts their turn with their standard movement speed (e.g., 30 feet).
- Action: They use their action to move a full 30 feet.
- Bonus Action Dash (Cunning Action): They then use their bonus action to take the Dash action, moving an additional 30 feet.
Therefore, a rogue with a standard 30-foot movement speed can effectively move 60 feet in a single round using their action and bonus action. This flexibility makes them incredibly difficult to pin down and allows them to reposition effectively during combat.
Achieving Triple Movement?
The article you referenced mentions rogues moving “three times their movement”. This is achievable, however, it requires a bit more than just Cunning Action. It utilizes the Ready Action which does not provide an extra movement like Cunning Action does.
Here’s how it works with a little clarification.
- Normal Movement: The rogue starts their turn with their standard 30-foot move
- Action: The rogue Dashes using their action, for 30 feet of movement.
- Bonus Action Dash: They then use Cunning Action to Dash, moving an additional 30 feet for 60 feet in total.
- Ready Action: The rogue uses their action to prepare the Move action for when a given trigger is reached.
- Reaction Move: When their trigger occurs, the rogue uses their reaction to move a further 30 feet.
With this combination of actions and reactions, a rogue with 30 feet of movement can move up to 90 feet in a single round. This is a niche use case requiring specific combat circumstances and an action to be used outside of standard attacking or utility options. In other words it’s not an efficient combat use, but it is a use case none the less.
Why Is Rogue Movement Important?
The rogue’s enhanced movement is crucial for their role in combat. They are typically damage dealers that rely on positioning to use their sneak attack ability. Mobility allows them to:
- Flank Enemies: Get into favorable positions to gain advantage on attack rolls.
- Escape Danger: Quickly retreat from dangerous situations or out of reach of melee enemies.
- Reposition Effectively: Maneuver around the battlefield to take advantage of enemy weaknesses.
- Engage and Disengage: Move in to attack and quickly move out to avoid retaliation.
- Complete Objectives: Rapidly move to fulfill other non-combat objectives while using their actions for other more important tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about rogue movement and related abilities:
1. Do rogues get an extra bonus action for additional movement?
No, rogues do not get an extra bonus action. They have one bonus action per turn that they can use for a variety of abilities, such as Dashing, Disengaging, or Hiding using Cunning Action. No additional bonuses actions are available through class features or specific feats.
2. Can rogues use Cunning Action to Dash multiple times?
No. Cunning Action can only be used once per turn, using a bonus action. This means that a rogue can only Dash as a bonus action once per round.
3. Does a rogue’s movement speed increase with levels?
Generally no, a rogue’s base movement speed remains constant unless modified by racial traits or specific feats and items. They have the same basic movement speed as most classes and races. The enhanced movement comes from their usage of Cunning Action.
4. Do rogues get advantage on attacks after using Cunning Action to Dash?
No. Using Cunning Action to Dash does not give advantage. Advantage will generally come from other sources, such as flanking or hiding. Rogues are able to use their Cunning Action to Hide, gaining advantage on their attacks for the next round if they are hidden successfully.
5. Can a rogue use Cunning Action to Disengage and then move?
Yes! Disengaging with Cunning Action allows a rogue to move without provoking opportunity attacks, giving them a huge advantage in maneuvering and escaping melee combatants.
6. Can a rogue use their Ready action to move an additional time?
Yes. If a rogue uses the Ready action to move under the requirements of a certain trigger, they can move their movement speed as a reaction. The ready action will cost an action, meaning the Rogue cannot attack, but can move.
7. Does a rogue’s armor affect their movement speed?
Yes, but only specific kinds of armor. Rogues typically wear light armor, which does not impede their movement. However, wearing medium or heavy armor might give disadvantage on Stealth checks which can prevent the rogue from gaining access to their advantage and bonus action movement options.
8. Does race affect a rogue’s movement capabilities?
Yes, racial traits can give extra mobility or movement advantages. Certain races like Halflings and Goblins also have special traits that support rogue-like gameplay.
9. Can a rogue use a magic item to further enhance their movement?
Yes! There are various magic items that could affect a Rogue’s movement such as the Boots of Elvenkind or Boots of Speed.
10. Can a rogue use their bonus action for other things besides movement?
Yes, Cunning Action allows for more than just dashing. Rogues can also use their bonus action to Disengage or Hide, providing further tactical flexibility in and out of combat.
11. Is it worth it to always use Cunning Action to Dash?
Not necessarily. The best use of Cunning Action is situational. Sometimes Disengaging to avoid an attack or Hiding to get an advantage is a better use. It depends on the needs of each turn.
12. How do rogues deal with being slowed?
Rogues are highly susceptible to being slowed, as this impedes their ability to gain movement. Items and spells should always be considered to reduce the effects of these spells and abilities that may impede movement.
13. Does a rogue’s subclass affect their movement?
Not usually. Most of the rogue subclasses focus on combat or utility abilities. However, some subclasses like the Swashbuckler gain additional mobility benefits, emphasizing their theme.
14. Do Rogues get Extra Attack?
No, Rogues do not get an Extra Attack. They utilize their single attack to deliver sneak attack damage to their foes. This encourages rogues to focus on positioning over multiple attacks.
15. Is mobility the most important aspect of playing a rogue?
While movement is a critical aspect for rogues, it’s not the only important factor. Their stealth, skills, sneak attack, and cunning are all equally vital to their playstyle. Mobility works hand-in-hand with these other features.
Conclusion
Rogues are indeed masters of movement in D&D 5e, allowing them to dart around the battlefield with incredible speed and agility. Their unique Cunning Action feature provides a significant boost to their mobility, enabling them to excel at their role as damage dealers who rely on positional advantages. While they don’t have a simple speed increase, their kit grants them an impressive tactical advantage through their bonus action movement options. Understanding these movement mechanics is vital for any player seeking to maximize the potential of their rogue character.