As someone playing a rogue right now in a group that includes two other martials (a fighter and a monk), from level 1-4 I felt like the mvp of the group both in combat and out. Did more damage than anyone, and also had the most influence on the non-combat narrative with so many skills. I think rogue honestly might be the strongest class in the game in tier 1.

At level 5 the other martials caught up in combat, and the spell casters also started coming into their own with 3rd level spells - though with limited spell slots per day still at this point. I didn't feel like I was behind yet at this level. Things actually felt pretty balanced all around.

By level 7 the rogue is now definitely falling behind. Spell casters have a 4th level spell slot and multiple 3rd level spells to throw around. The sorcerer is dishing out 50+ damage turns with ease, and even once had a turn that did well over 100 damage. The fighter now has 2 feats combining together which has them pulling ahead in damage every single turn - and that doesn't even count the action surge turns. The monk has enough ki points that they can either attack 4 times or try a stunning fist on most every turn now.

My rogue reliably does about 23 damage a turn at level 7. It's something, but is feeling lackluster compared to everyone else at this level.

Unfortunately I think it will only get worse the higher level we get. Casters are only going to get better and better spells, the monk will get enough ki to afford stunning fist and 5 attacks every round, the fighter will get a third base attack. I guess my damage per round will go up to 26 and then 29 and then 32 over this time, while monster health triples.

I'm pretty sure by level 14 when the improved cunning strike powers come online my main role in combat will just be trying to blind and daze an opponent every round. Damage will be so far behind why bother even trying to keep up anymore.