You're right - they don't solo well
You shouldn't
have to two box to play your character - and twinks are for the people who don't want to actually PLAY a game, and just want everyone to see their new shiny shoes. Go find a group? Hahaha - maybe when you're lvl 65.
I've always been a rogue, in D&D in EQ Live, anywhere there was a rogue class I would at least try. One thing about the rogue - can't solo crap. It doesn't matter what race you are, while you might not be terrible, other classes can solo better than you.
Yeah I can pick locks, find/disarm traps, and pick pockets but in games like this, theres not
much opportunity where that comes in exceptionally helpful.... We're not useless by any means but lets face it... we rogues have been made into the tag-a-long. We're the temps at the office.
At level 20 I got poison. It was excited until I started trying to use it. Aside from having a terrible time making epic treks through cities looking for the ingredients I need (then failing at making the poison) at level 20 my poison only did weak stat damage and had a life tap equivalent effect. My SK friend was using life tap when he was still a noob. It didn't seem to fit my character level.
It's also exceptionally difficult to train any of your rogue specific skills. You can't train Back Stab when you're toe to toe with something. And while you can buy practice ingredients for making poison, by the time your skill is lvl 22 you don't gain anything for using the practice items. Somehow, though you've outgrown the practice items, you'll still fail 4 out of 5 times when you try to make real poison. Make sure you buy your ingredients in bulk.
Picking pockets is FAR more trouble than it's worth...Sooner than later, after a couple of botched attempts you're KOS and NOT just in the one city you were caught in. The guards keep in touch - you'll be KOS everywhere... buy some food and water before you practice, you'll be away for a while... or abuse some green mobs.
Race is a huge factor in how your rogue character pans out....don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It definitely seems like many of a rogues subtle aspects were overlooked. I've always been a scout type rogue: recon for the group, bring back some loot, but with all of the no drop items its impossible. Here it seems like a rogue is only thought of as a thug - go get some guy's eyes or pull out someones fingernails because they betrayed the guild. You work for the Sopranos. This is what you can look forward to with the rogue quests. You're not really a "rogue"... you're an assassin (YES there is a difference). It's tough to RP a sneaky rogue when you're forced to follow low-brow mentality.
If you want to be able to solo - my suggestion is to look elsewhere. My druid friend has been kiting yellow/red mobs since he was lvl 13... and out-leveled me in a day. He's now way out past me, and we're on just as often as each other.
If you're one of those few who want to struggle your way through, not twink or two box, and try to enjoy the RP on the way - welcome to the narrow road.
