The Rogue's Gallery

[Concillian]

I haven't gotten used to using Gouge or Garrote at all.  In fact, it took me about 10 levels extra to get some of those to higher ranks because I simply saw no need.  Am I missing out on Gouge?  Keep in mind that at least 80% of the time I'm in a group with my friend's hunter and others, and I have a very group-based build.

Gouge is incredibly useful, but realistically it has all it's use at Rank 1. The usefulness of gouge is:
1) 4 second stun if target not attacked (more with improved gouge). Great solo, you can run away a bit, and have a completely full energy bar after your gouge as the mob runs back up to you. For a backstab spec, this allows you to get into place when solo.

2) Breaks casting. If kick is not ready, or misses, gouge. Even in a group this is important, as spellcasters are pretty weak when they aren't casting. If you give them a second or two before gouge, they just completely wasted that time. It also allows you to interrupt a spell that you want to interrupt, but wait for them to cast the school you want to silence for 5 seconds before using your kick.

3) gives a combo point with almost no damage. Yes this is a bonus in a group. Aggro control. Same cost as SS, and you gain a CP with no damage done.

You aren't missing much with Garrotte, but against elites, the DoT can be nice. Not affected by armor, so damage can be pretty high relative to physical attacks. Solo Garrotte is almost useless because most rely on gouge for some defense and Garrotte breaks gouge. I rarely use Garrotte.

Group oriented Rogues would be better served going Backstab/Ambush than SS with swords, if you have the right group members.  Nearly always having a Hunter's bear with me has been a great help, as I'm backstabbing throughout the entire fight.  In my party, I would do much less damage overall if I was SS oriented.

I disagree, and feel the sword/mace in the main hand is more flexible, but to each his own, I guess. I think you have better aggro control, gain combo points faster, and more group focused talents with a mace/sword build. The right dagger build is okay for groups though, as long as you don't go very deep in the Combat tree. It's a much tougher build though. You want to get Seal Fate, and Improved Backstab and Improved Ambush, but you can't get all three without sacrificing either MoD or Camo, which are both pretty key in a group. The other group skill you almost have to forego is Improved Sap, which can be the difference between you being added to the group or not.

As I said, it's just less flexible, and you have to forego some of the better group talents or gimp your solo play, while a good sword/mace, is very good at both instances and solo.

I also just love to string together the cool stun combos that you can using improved Cheap Shot and low energy combo point attacks.