So my Filthy Rag monsters are dead. I had forgotten how rough the early levels are for rags. One, they don't naturally acquire speed so they're always at a bit of a disadvantage. Two, they rely on absorbing gloves with slaying pluses to improve their melee damage which don't come around very often in the early game. Three, they can only use devices for ranged damage. Also, leveling up only gives HP.
So now I'm trying out a Death Sword monster instead.