My default way of playing the rogue (in combat) is:
(start with max Dex and 14 Con at minimum, decent Wis; dump Str and Int-- or Cha, depending on personal playstyle, preference)
1. Keep at range with two hand crossbows,
2. Never use the "sneak attack" melee and range icon option to target. Instead, set the sneak attack reaction to always ask. It will trigger whenever possible.
3. If you go Thief (which I tend to think is the best), do not click off the double attack auto action button. instead, always try to start with the offhand attack first, so as to be careful that you don't waste a second attack on someone you might kill with one attack. The reason to leave on the double attack auto action is because it gives you a second attack with any attacks of opportunity you might make.
4. I generally prefer multiclassing into fighter a bit. 1 or 2 or 4 or 8 levels of fighter with the rogue work well, in my opinion. It gives you a fighting style, of which there are three strong options (archery, defense, two weapon fighting), and it gives you medium armor (which is fantastic with the yuan-ti scale mail armor that allows all of your dex bonus to AC), and it gives you the possibility to wear a shield if you want to stay ranged and still have a great AC. In addition, you can go further and pick up Action Surge, or even higher to make sure you don't miss out on feats (giving you 4 total feats by level 12), and if you go all the way to level 8, then you get two main hand attacks and two offhand attacks along with action surge.
For feats, max dex quick, then sharpshooter, and I like savage attacker. If you go with the fourth feat build, then pick something that fits your style and preference.
This is an all around fun build. It's solid. It's versatile with skills. It keeps up in combat. It can scout well.
It's not the assassin/gloomstalker kill 'em on the first round build, which I find kind of... well, just not as fun.
