I’m also torn on staves vs dual blades, I’m thinking I’ll probably run 80 rats with blades and 40 with blades and staves. When they get the bonus attack it definitely seems worthwhile to have staves. But without it probably not.
keep in mind what someone else posted, 25mm bases are just shy of an inch so plague monks can fight in two ranks as long as they’re base to base to base. With staves that can become three ranks worth. I may play test before i build.