What spells can an Arcane Trickster Rogue choose from when gaining levels?

Question

Trying to understand how an Arcane Trickster Rogue works with regards to spell selection. In the Player's Handbook, page 98, it says (emphasis mine):

You know three 1st-level wizard spells of your choice, two of which you must choose from the enchantment and illusion spells on the wizard spell list.

Then it goes on to say:

The spells known column of the arcane trickster spell casting table shows when you learn more wizard spells of 1st level or higher. Each of these spells must be either an enchantment or illusion spell of your choice.

Can I have spells of the other types starting at level 3 or not?

If I can only cast spells from any school at 8th level, what are the acceptable types of spells that I start out with (besides mage hand)?

Answer 1

The Arcane Trickster rogue's Spellcasting feature says:

When you reach 3rd level, you gain the ability to cast spells. See Chapter 10 for the general rules of spellcasting and chapter 11 for the wizard spell list. (5e PHB p. 98, emphasis mine)

The arcane trickster (generally) chooses from the Wizard spell list, inferred from above, and generally must make those choices from the enchantment or illusion schools. There are exceptions, both to the school-limitation and to the wizard-limitation:

1. Cantrips. Two of your starting cantrips and the cantrip you learn at 10th level must come from the wizard list but are not restricted by school.
2. Leveled Spells. One of the leveled spells you learn at 3rd level and the single leveled spell you learn at each of 8th, 14th, & 20th level must come from the wizard list but are not restricted by school.
3. At 17th level you become a Spell Thief and "can steal the knowledge of how to cast a spell from another spellcaster. (Ibid.)" So these spells are not restricted to the wizard list.

So the spells you're choosing at leveling-up are always from the wizard list, mostly enchantments and illusions. But you can steal a spell from any list.

Answer 2

Here is the breakdown of what you need to know:

• At 3rd level: 2 spells from any combination of the Enchantment and Illusion schools, plus 1 spell from any school.
• 4th through 6th levels: 3 spells from combo of Enchantment and Illusion schools, plus 1 spell from any school.
• 7th level: 4 spells from combo of Enchantment and Illusion schools, plus 1 spell from any school.
• 8th through 9th levels: 4 spells from combo of Enchantment and Illusion schools, plus 2 spells from any school.
• 10th level: 5 spells from combo of Enchantment and Illusion schools, plus 2 spells from any school.
• 11th through 12th levels: 6 spells from combo of Enchantment and Illusion schools, plus 2 spells from any school.
• 13th level: 7 spells from combo of Enchantment and Illusion schools, plus 2 spells from any school.
• 14th through 15th levels: 7 spells combo, plus any 3 spells from any spell.
• 16th through 18th levels: 8 spells combo, plus any 3 spells from any school.
• 19th level: 9 from combo, and 3 spells from any school.
• 20th level: 9 spells combo, plus 4 spells from any school.