new player, just a few questionsFollow

Hello, I am about to start playing Wow again, my first time playing, I did not play for very long (only got to level 14 and had to quit). I just have a few simple questions, any help would be greatly appreciated.

1) I've pretty much decided that I am going to play a Rogue. I think that I want to be on the alliance side; if so, human is the best race yea? This is what I've been seeing throughout these forums, just trying to make sure.

2) I know that being an Orc is a very good choice for a Rogue (or at least I've read), due to that ability that gives you added attack points for a brief period, is that ability good enough to change my mind about going to the alliance side for better performance? Or is that just a minor change?

3) How well are Rogues doing after all of these years of the game evolving? Are they in demand for groups, raids, stuff like that, and do their damage compare well versus other classes? I am a total noob atm in Wow, and I just want to make sure that I am picking a class that performs well, so I won't have to reroll after grinding levels just because no one wants a Rogue anymore.

4) Could anyone suggest a good combination of tradeskills for me for a rogue? I was thinking leathercraft/skinning, because rogues can only wear up to leather armor. I might be missing something though, any better options for leveling/attaining good gear to start and level with?

5) As far as poisons go, I really do not know much yet about how it works (I am sure I will find out soon enough), but from my understanding of what I've read on this site so far,I can get the quest at 16, and for solo grinding/leveling/questing, it is best to use wounding/wounding. Amirite?

6) I am a former FFXI player, and I am not entirely sure yet of whether to do a PvP or PvE server. PvP was almost non-exsistant in FFXI. I guess my question would be, should I go to a PvE server (since this is what I am used to from playing FFXI), or should I join a PvP server and just refrain from PvP until I learn the ropes? I have heard PvP is a major element of this game.

7) Any other possible advice for starting out? Such as what weapons to start out with (dagger? sword?), gear to strive for, etc. just to get me going. What would be the best way to spend my talent points for the purpose of soloing and grinding levels?

Many thanks for anyone who would be kind enough to answer my totally noobish questions, thank you for taking time out to assist me :)

Edited, Nov 29th 2008 9:25am by Goodknightdrg

Hello Good, Welcome to the addiction known as WoW.

In general Rogues(imo) are the most fun class to play. I personally have played every other class at the highest level possible(pre-wrath), and always see myself coming back to my rogue. I really enjoy the fact that we don't have a spell book full of spells.

I also prefer PvP servers over PvE. Yes, you will get ganked alot as you level, but when your a high level you get to return the favor when you are bored.

As for professions, while leveling just grab mining/herbalism and skinning. You can sell everything you gather for money for your mounts, and whatever else you may need. When you get to level 80 you can use the money that you have made to power level whatever professions you choose to keep. I personally think you should always keep a gathering profession to make money with though.

As for daggers or swords. The last I read Combat swords was the best leveling spec. Of course, that was pre 3.0 patch. I personally am leveling mutilate and loving every minute of it.

Have fun with whatever class you decide to choose and good luck with the game.

OP,

While I am by far no expert on the rogue class I will give you my inputs about the class.

1. Race choice is dependent on what type of gamer you are. If you are into the aesthetics pick what ever race you like the most. If you are about maxing out your toon to the best of their abilities Human is one of the best picks. You get sword/mace expertises and "Every Man for Himself" which is basically a free trinket to break out of movement impairing effects. Also, the recent change to "Perception" is nice.

2. Race choice really comes down to racial abilities. From what I have seen Undead is hands down the top PvP race horde side. Check the sticky at the top of this forum. They do a really good job of breaking all that stuff down. I do not like the way Undead look but am a big fan for Horde. However, I play alliance with some friends of mine and chose human. The other races just do not look good to me. Again if you are into aesthetics than pick whichever side you are interested in most.

3. I have not done any endgame raiding yet as my rogue. From what I have heard blizzard is transitioning to a "Bring the player not the class" mentality. This is good news for rogue as many hybrid classes offer so much more to a group than a rogue can bring. In the end rogue plays really well and does some solid DPS. Personally, I have tried other classes and just love my rogue to death.

4. Professions is really up to you. I would go gather/gather until later on when you are more familiar with what the the other professions do and decide for yourself. I went tailoring/enchanting. Skinning is a good gathering skill that also gives you "Master of Anatomy" which increases your crit rating. Herbing/mining is very easy to gather and sell. If you like cool gadgets and toys to play with engineering is a blast. Alchemy goes with herbing where you can create potions to buff you and keep you alive in shady situations. If you do leatherworking take up skinning and you can create some decent gear to help you level. Blacksmithing I would not recommend for rogue.

5. As far as poisons are concerned wound/wound is great for leveling. From what I hear deadly/wound is the way to go for raiding. I do not remember any quest for poisons as I am a fairly new rogue with maybe a month of playing WoW.

6. I too played XI several years ago. I am an avid PvP lover. I play with friends on a PvE server though because they are not into it so much. PvP servers can get annoying to level in sometimes. On PvE servers you can do Arena and Battlegrounds. World PvP just adds more flavor to the world and I feel thats the way this game should be played. PvP I wouldn't say is a major aspect to this game. Warhammer online is a great example of a PvP focused game. The only PvP I have done is just dueling at the moment. PvE is easier to level in and you still have arena and battlegrounds.

7. Check the information at the top of this forum. There are many different builds and they are all explained there. For leveling supposedly combat swords is the best. Personally I switched to mutilate at 50 and I find it funner and easier than combat. As far as what to put your points in their are links in the post on the top of this forum that will break down every single point for you.

Welcome to WoW and good luck on your rogue.

Poisons were changed so you no longer have to make them (they're bought ready-made from NPCs), but the original lvl20 chain is still there. I'm not sure if you can buy the poisons right away or if you're required to complete the quest chain first because the change came right when I was finishing up the final quest.