In WOW, The Rogue is a pure DPS class with a few tricks necessary in group situations. The potential DPS output of a well played Rogue is always wanted in groups, and the ability to crowd control and pick locks only sweeten the pot.
   If built and played Rogue correctly, there is nothing short of a DPS machine for Rogues in WOW.
Regarding to the Assassination talent tree for Rogues, concentrates on increasing burst DPS. It boasts talents to increase critical strike rating, gain extra combat points, and increase the utility of poisons. Rogues who wish to do a lot of damage very quickly will find this tree quite useful. Highlights of the Rogue Assassination tree include Malice which increases critical strike rating by 5% with 5 points and Lethality which increases by 30% combo move critical strike damage with 5 points.
The combat tree for Rogues is designed around increasing the overall DPS of the Rogue while supplementing that increase with an improved survivability. In this tree, talents generally improve dodge and parry rating, increase over DPS and improve the Rogue's auto attack. Highlights from the Combat tree include Dual Wield Specialization which increases the off-hand weapon damage by 50% with 5 points and Vitality which increases energy regeneration by 10% with 3 points.
The Subtlety tree increases the stealth-based abilities for Rogues. Talents in the Subtlety tree can increase movement speed while stealthed, increase combo point generation and improve the Rogue ability to extract from combat. Highlights from the Subtlety tree include Improved Ambush which increase critical strike chance of ambush by 50% with 2 points and Deadliness which increases attack power by 10% with 5 points.
In other words, Rogues are a lightly armored melee class capable of dealing massive damage to their enemies in a flurry of attacks. They are masters of stealth and assassination, passing by enemies unseen and striking from the shadows, then escaping from combat in the blink of an eye. Rogues can also craft poisons that damage or cripple their enemies, reducing their effectiveness in battle. Groups will find rogues valuable, for not only do they deal massive damage, but they can open locked doors or chests, and disarm hidden traps as well.
Due to the Rogues have no buffs to aid their party and only bring one thing to the table, the Rogue is basically a pure DPS class. Rogues can kill an unsuspecting target before they even have a chance to react. Using surprise tactics and poisons to cripple their enemies, a well played Rogue with no cool downs spent may have the best DPS potential in the Game.
As a DPS class, Rogues are a popular class which feared in PvP and always sought after for dungeons and raids. High level rogues are expected to know how to cause massive amounts of DPS without drawing threat away from the tanks and wasting precious healer mana. But if damage is the goal, the World of Warcraft Rogue is a great choice.
Why the Rogues become so popular? Because is a fantastic class for both solo and social players. The fast energy regeneration coupled with the availability of secondary skills like First Aid makes the Rogue a soloing machine with little to no downtime.
In a group, the Rogue can provide lock-picking services and speed up group kills with their massive damage output. If necessary, a Rogue can even make a decent secondary tank, provided there is a competent healer in the group.
The Rogue is a decent class for anyone interested in fighting up close and personal while still maintaining some independence.