Whos more DPS, Monk or Rogue? (Main differences?)

[VincentVolaju]

So I am trying to decide which alt I should make, I narrowed it down to a Rogue or Monk for melee DPS since my main is a Druid. However I had a few questions I was hoping some of you could answer to help me make up my mind.

I know both Monk and Rogue are like the 2 main melee DPS class's right? But I was wondering which class is the better DPS class? Also between the 2, which one is played the least / wanted more for groups? And finally what are the main difference between the 2 DPS class's? I know Monks can FD which helps them not die lol, and Rogues can Backstab for big burst hits but, is there any other big differences between the 2 class's?

[Dersk]

I'm just left thinking, ok?

Rogues are better dps unless they lack a (sober) tank. As far as everything else, perhaps you should brows through the wiki links if you are unaware of all the different utilities of the different classes.

[VincentVolaju]

Its always better to get the opinions of the people who know alot about the game / the class they play from the forums, instead of just reading ability / spell lists on websites etc. Thats why I have so many diff threads asking diff questions >< I prefer to read peoples discussions / arguments on whats better or why / how it is better then something else. It gives me a better idea and helps me make my mind up about w/e it is I was wondering. I don't mean to be annoying by creating diff threads about diff class's constantly, just want to hear what people think is all =D

[Lowlife]

RANJA

[rafster]

wiz>all
cleric>all

[MrSquirrelbane]

If you're looking for pure dps rogue is the way to go. In an ideal situation they will do more dps than a similarly geared monk.

Raids in this game, however, are rarely ideal. Its not always possible to be behind a mob. The goal of any melee performing a dps role is to be behind a mob (in order to avoid mob dodges parries and ripostes) but a monk will be able to do a respectable amount of dps in a much wider arc.

Point being both monks and rogues do great melee dps. It really comes down to play style. So here's a little comparison. I didn't play a rogue at all until late Kunark so I don't know as much about them in classic.

Monk Skills:
Feign Death: Best pulling tool in the game, saves your butt a lot, not so amazing till lvl 30 or so.
Mend: Amazing, once you get over 101 skill you have a free 25% heal every few minutes. It never fails after 101.
Defensive Skills: Monk defense allows us to tank a mob with little trouble. However monk defense is all avoidance and little mitigation. When you get hit you get hit very hard. Twinked out you should never have a problem tanking a mob in a group, but may have trouble holding aggro.
Weight Limit: This part sucks. Monks take a hit to AC the more you are over a certain weight limit. This hit can get brutal at times. /split helps a lot. Learn to love it when grouped.
Fist Progression: Your fists get better as you level. Every 5 levels you get a damage increase. At level 25 your delay starts to go down as well. Monk fists start at 4/36 and are 14/30 @ lvl 50. If you're twinking use 2 Enameled Black Maces until lvl 30/35.
Soloing: You can solo as a monk. Mend + bind wound allows you to solo better than rogues.
Flying Kick: Looks awesome, doesn't do as much damage as backstab but no angle restriction.

Rogue Skills:
Sneak/Hide: Explore explore explore! Great for CR, great for getting to that ass/supp group in lguk when bats are up.
Backstab: Owns, huge numbers.
Illusion masks: WTB the pre-nerf guise my monk on live had [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]
Poisons: I hear they're bugged here so I don't know... they were nice on live.
Soloing: Don't try it without a Rubi BP imo.
Defensive Skills: Rogues are the glass cannons of the melee world.
Kick: Spell interruption is good!

Honestly someone with a rogue main would be better qualified to talk about the class than myself. I'm partial to monks, but my main was a monk for nearly 5 years.

[Reiker]

What was said above pretty much covers it, just remember that monks get the best ratio weapons in classic (by far). If a rogue doesn't have a good weapon to backstab with, or good weapons in general, the monk can easily out-dps them. The monk's auto attack dps will put a rogue to shame, and flying kick is also a very powerful additional weapon. If your #1 priority is melee dps and we're forgetting utility (where the monk definitely outshines a rogue), then you have to decide if you prefer always having amazing free weapons from 30+, or if you'd rather work on acquiring the weapons necessary to top out your dps (Gloomwater Harpoon, Bone Razor, etc). Just remember that a naked level 50 monk could come close to a fully raid geared rogue's dps right now.

Rogues begin pulling away from monks a bit in kunark and especially velious, however.

[Soft]

i think i should also mention that the exp penalty monks suffer hurts during hell levels. If you are a power-gamer it does not matter, but you'll feel the penalty you pay for a monk, and love the bonus you get as a rogue.

[oldhead]

Common knowledge... Rog is more DPS than any class sept for wizzard burst.

Solo no so good

[MrSquirrelbane]

Originally Posted by Soft [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

i think i should also mention that the exp penalty monks suffer hurts during hell levels. If you are a power-gamer it does not matter, but you'll feel the penalty you pay for a monk, and love the bonus you get as a rogue.

Ah yeah. The good ol' xp penalty. 35 was the worst for me. 40 and 45 I was able to solo gnomes in Sol A while waiting to get a group. That made the level much easier to deal with.