Starting a new rogue (need help!)

[Gaaaaavin]

I might get flamed for this opinion, but you DO have other options that aren't Barbarian/Dwarf. There are definite advantages, higher starting strength specifically. However, come Kunark you'll likely be at or near strength cap thanks to gear anyway. So in the end, strength wise, everyone pretty much tends to come out even. However, some other classes give you other benefits such as more dex, hide that starts out at skill 50, etc.

So in the end, don't feel trapped into the Barbarian or Dwarf races. I've leveled up a wood elf rogue to 60 twice and he has always had just as much strength and done just as much damage as his Barbarian counterparts.