What is the Phantom Roguish Archetype?

Identity

The Phantom is a supernatural Rogue connected to the dead, able to borrow skills from spirits, spread Sneak Attack damage through Wails from the Grave and create Soul Trinkets from nearby deaths. Its supernatural features broaden what happens around a Sneak Attack or nearby death, but the character still fights and advances as a Rogue rather than as a spellcaster.

How it fits the Rogue chassis

Phantom begins at 3rd Rogue level and gains further archetype features at 9th, 13th, and 17th level. Phantom gains archetype features at Rogue levels 3, 9, 13, and 17. Soul Trinkets arrive at the important 9th-level milestone, while the base Rogue progression keeps Sneak Attack and survivability advancing in parallel.

Ability-score implications

Dexterity remains the main ability. Constitution helps survival. Wisdom can fit a spirit-sensitive investigator, but the subclass's major combat features do not require a separate spellcasting ability.

Combat and exploration role

Treat Wails from the Grave as a way to spread pressure when two important enemies are present. Preserve reactions when a Soul Trinket opportunity matters. Outside combat, Whispers of the Dead lets you adapt to the next task after a rest without permanently committing every proficiency choice.

Sneak Attack remains central

Wails from the Grave is triggered by Sneak Attack rather than replacing it. You first deal normal Sneak Attack damage to the creature you hit; the Phantom feature then creates a separate necrotic-damage effect against another eligible creature. Because it is tied to Sneak Attack, reliably landing one qualifying hit remains the core combat goal.