Rift Rogue Class

Rogue Soul Specs for DPS, Tanking, and Support

All Rogues can dual wield one-handed swords, daggers, and axes. They can also wield bows or guns in their ranged slot. Whether ranged or melee, they will benefit from the stats of weapons they aren't using. Their armor type is leather, and as a consequence they can be pretty squishy. However, they are usually very good at dodging attacks and disabling opponents. That little Rogue in your sights may slip away and turn the tables on you, so watch out.

Energy
Rogues are limited in the actions they can take through Energy. Doing too much too fast will lower their damage output, so it's best to hit steadily to maximize DPS over time. Taking talents that increase energy or give some energy refund after kills can keep the Rogue going at max output for a longer duration. Still, there are situations in PVP and PVE that require quick kills, so the DPS Rogue's ability to burst will be used very often.

Builders, Finishers, and Combo Points
Rogues must use special attacks to build combo points on a target. These points are lost when the target is killed, although certain Rogue souls can get a refund of life, energy, a timed buff, or switch combo points to another target. At any point from 1-5 combo points, a Rogue can unleash a finisher. These have various effects and will do more damage or have a longer lasting effect the more combo points were consumed.

Rogue Support Souls

Bard
The Bard is a great support class, capable of bringing buffs to any other type of class. They get a variety of short-term buffs that must be 'played' regularly. These motifs will raise the stats of the entire raid. While they must choose from one of several anthems to cast on the party, they can use all three of their fanfares at once. This will provide stat boosts to all five of Rift's primary stats. 51-point bard is the way to go, to maximize healing and give them the most options for boosting the party.

Rogue Melee DPS Souls

Assassin
Assassins are one of two Rogue classes that utilize stealth to great effect. Being melee, they can unleash vast amounts of damage whilst keeping their prey stun locked. Assassins get poisons for their weapons, which trigger randomly on hit. These can increase the crit chance vs an enemy, or even leech some life for the Assassin. This soul plays very well with Bladedancer, Nightblade, and Riftstalker.

Bladedancer
The Bladedancer Soul in combination with Riftstalker is as close to a Warrior as the rogue is ever going to get. Bladedancers specialize in dodge and retaliatory attacks. They are excellent for hitting multiple targets, and get numerous situational dances (buffs) that can be used to increase dodge or offensive output for a time.

Nightblade
Nightblades specialize in elemental damage. They set their dual daggers ablaze and unleash punishing blows that deal fire and shadow elemental damage. They are great stealth souls, and can even incapacitate (sap) a target from a long range. They are unique in their ability to build combo points at range while doing respectable damage (sorry Bards).

Rogue Ranged DPS Souls

Marksman
The Marksman specializes in the use of Guns or Bows to deal heavy, rapid ranged damage. Many marksmen have to cool down before they draw aggression from the tank. They can run and gun just fine, but deal the most damage when they are able to stand still and focus on their targets for a time.

Ranger
Rangers get ranged attacks like the Marksman, but are the Rogue 'Pet' class. They won't do as much damage alone as the Marksman, but this output is boosted by the pet which can be healed and directed by the Ranger. This class works well with Marksman.

Saboteur
There's nothing as satisfying as pushing the big red button to watch things go 'boom' and Saboteurs will give you the opportunity. They build up charges as opposed to combo points. Stack combinations of charges (bleed, aoe, direct damage) and hit the detonate button. Boom! Huge chunks of the enemy's life are gone. They also get bombs to lay damage and debuffs down in a wide area. A very fun class for dungeon DPS or PVP.

Rogue Tanking Souls

Riftstalker
What? A Rogue Tank? Yes! They get augments to their endurance, armor contribution from items, and some very cool shielding abilities. They're all about damage mitigation and threat, just like any other tank. This role takes a bit more practice to excel at rather than the more familiar Cleric or Warrior tanking roles. This soul gets a skill called stalker phase which increases crit, and the ability to teleport behind opponents. As such, it works incredibly well as a complement to Assassin or Nightblade.