In dnd 2024 every character knows common and 2 standard languages.
A rogue ability grants to the rogue the knowledge of the “thieves’ cant” and allows to select a language from the rare languages table.
I don’t understand if these 2 new rare language add to the first 3, making every rogue start with at least 5 languages, or if you just replace the two standard languages with “thieves’ cant” and another rare language.
Any suggestion on the proper rule interpretation? Also I have similar questions for druid and ranger abilities that grant new languages.
Phb page 37, on selecting languages, says:
Your character knows at least three languages: Common plus two languages you roll or choose from the Standard Languages table. Knowledge of a language means your character can communicate in it, read it, and write it. Your class and other features might also give you languages.
So your character gets at least three languages and also—so, additionally—what you get from other features like class or background.
In addition to what makeshiftreaper said, DND Beyond character builder treats them as additional languages, not replacements to what you normally have, so yes 5 appears to be correct.
Thank you, I think this ends the discussion!
Thanks for posting this, I thought I went crazy with all the languages my rogue knows.
I would interpret them as additional languages. First and foremost, thieves’ cant isn’t a language per se. It’s more of a series of code words and phrases to access shady parts of society. There may be local flavors, but it’s all generally similar regardless of the language you speak. Gaining one additional rare language is barely even a boon. Comprehend Languages is a 1st level spell. Unless language barriers are a significant part of your campaign, everyone is just going to be speaking common and frankly most players forget that they have other languages on their sheet anyway
Now I’m convinced that this is the proper interpretation, I think I will stick to the rule in my games but it still feels wrong for two main reasons:
- I’ve never considered rogue or ranger a language heavy class, for me a wizard that knows 5 languages makes much more sense.
- Apperently, according to the rules, there are 0 persons on the entire planet that know only 2 languages, even the stupidest barbarian out there has to know perfectly at least 3 languages.
What do you think?
