D&D 5E Thieves Tools: Disarm magic traps?

[I'm A Banana]

RAW is to use Int(Arcana) check, not Int(Thieves Tools). But it doesn't really break anything if you do thieves tools instead. Ups the power of thieves' tools a bit, diminishes the power of Arcana a bit, but likely not going to be noticeable.

Reasoning is probably based on "logic": a lock pick and a set of files aren't going to help you arrange the pins on a magical rune circle, but being familiar with magical rune circles and their use and operation might let you find the weaknesses and imperfections in the magical ley lines of the thing. A rogue who wants to disable magical traps can dip Arcana and everyone's happy.

But, again, doesn't exactly break anything to do it some other way.

 

[Warmaster Horus]

Is Arcana even a Rogue skill?

 

[SkidAce]

Normally no, but a background could provide it. Or a feat.


And most skills can be used (i.e. climbing) even if you aren't trained, you just don't get the prof bonus.

 

[Plaguescarred]

I let rogues do Dexterity or Intelligence (Arcana) check to disarm magical traps using thieves' tools.