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Rogue Talent builds

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Other classes: Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock, Druid

Rogues are energy-based melee assassins built around combo points, finishers and stealth openers. Forever gives them Shank (an off-hand strike from the trainer at 24), Mutilate (the Assassination capstone at level 40) and Venom (an Assassination talent that makes Shank boost your poisons), the Combat talents Coup de Grace for harder Eviscerates, Puncturing Wounds for Backstab crits and Flawless Execution, which makes Eviscerate cheaper, and Death Mark, Subtlety's capstone finisher.

Assassination: Malice and Lethality leveling (level 20)

A questing build that stays in Assassination: Malice for crit on everything, Remorseless Attacks for a crit on the first builder after each kill, Ruthlessness so finishers often leave a point behind, and a first point of Lethality for harder builder crits. Relentless Strikes moved to tier 5 in the 4 November build, so Lethality takes its point.

Open with Ambush if you carry a main-hand dagger, or Garrote otherwise, then build with Backstab from behind or Sinister Strike from the front. Spend the first point or two on Slice and Dice on longer fights and finish with a 5-point Eviscerate. Chain your pulls, since Remorseless Attacks only waits 20 sec after a kill. The Poisons class quest opens at 20 and Instant Poison comes with the skill; put it on your weapons once you have it, because Malice raises poison crits too. The level 30 leveling build adds Vigor, the second Lethality point, Cold Blood, Improved Poisons and Venom.

Assassination: Slice and Dice and Lethality for groups (level 20)

For dungeons at 20: Malice for crit, Ruthlessness and Improved Slice and Dice so the attack speed buff stays up with fewer finishers spent on it, and a first point of Lethality. Relentless Strikes is now a tier 5 talent (4 November build), so Lethality takes its point.

Stay behind the tank's target. Put Slice and Dice up with the first 1 or 2 points, build with Backstab (main-hand dagger) or Sinister Strike, and finish with Eviscerate at 5 points. Ruthlessness often hands a point back after each finisher, so refreshing Slice and Dice costs less. Feint when you get close to the tank's threat. The level 30 group build fills Improved Slice and Dice and Lethality and takes Vigor, Cold Blood, Improved Poisons and Venom.

Assassination: Eviscerate burst with a longer Gouge (level 20)

A PvP build for 20: three points in Improved Gouge lengthen your only mid-fight incapacitate, Malice adds crit to Ambush, Backstab and Eviscerate, and Coup de Grace (called Improved Eviscerate before the 4 November build), in Combat's first tier, makes a 5-point Eviscerate hit 20% harder.

Open with Ambush from behind (main-hand dagger) or Garrote, Backstab while the target turns, then Sinister Strike once it faces you. Gouge to stop a cast when Kick is on cooldown, or to let Energy refill before the Eviscerate. You have no stuns or Vanish yet, so only start fights you can end with an opener, a few builders and one or two Eviscerates. At 30 the build moves the Combat points back into Assassination for Cold Blood, Vile Poisons and Improved Kidney Shot.

Assassination: Venom and Cold Blood leveling (level 30)

The 4 November build moved Mutilate to tier 7, so it needs level 40 now. At 30 this leveling build takes Venom instead: the tier 5 talent that turns each Shank into a poison boost, and the one Mutilate later requires. On the way it picks up Vigor, Lethality, Cold Blood and Improved Poisons.

Keep poisons on both weapons: Instant Poison comes with the Poisons skill from the level 20 class quest, and trainers teach Deadly Poison at 30. Open with Cheap Shot (from 26) on dangerous mobs, or Garrote, and build with Sinister Strike or Backstab. Press Shank (from the trainer at 24, off-hand weapon needed) whenever it's ready: it costs 5 Energy, gives 15 back and, with Venom, makes your poisons stronger for a few seconds. Finish with a 5-point Eviscerate and save Cold Blood for a tough mob. Kidney Shot, at 30, stuns casters and runners.

Assassination: Venom and poisons for groups (level 30)

Mutilate sits in tier 7 at level 40 since the 4 November build, so the level 30 group build takes Venom in tier 5 instead and plays as a poison and Eviscerate spec until then. Improved Slice and Dice is full, and Vigor, Lethality, Cold Blood and Improved Poisons fill the tiers on the way down.

Keep poisons on both weapons and Slice and Dice up. Build with Backstab from behind (main-hand dagger) or Sinister Strike, press Shank whenever it's ready so Venom keeps boosting your poisons, and finish with 5-point Eviscerates. On a boss, save Cold Blood for an Eviscerate at 5 points. Expose Armor is worth it only on long boss fights with no Warrior keeping Sunder Armor up.

Assassination: Cold Blood and Kidney Shot burst (level 30)

Mutilate moved to level 40 in the 4 November build, so the level 30 PvP burst is now Cheap Shot, Sinister Strike or Backstab, Kidney Shot and a Cold Blood Eviscerate. Improved Gouge, Malice, Ruthlessness, Vigor and Lethality stay, Vile Poisons keeps your poisons on through dispels, and a first point of Improved Kidney Shot adds damage during the stun.

Open with Cheap Shot, build to 4 or 5 points and Kidney Shot; inside the stun, press Cold Blood and Eviscerate. Ruthlessness often leaves a point after Kidney Shot toward that Eviscerate. Gouge bridges the gap while Kidney Shot is on cooldown, Kick stops heals, and Vanish (from 22) gets you out or back into Stealth for a second Cheap Shot. Keep Crippling Poison on a weapon against runners.

Assassination: Seal Fate and Mutilate leveling (level 40)

At 40 the leveling build reaches Mutilate, now Assassination's tier 7 talent, through Venom. It fills Improved Poisons, takes all five points of Relentless Strikes, new to tier 5 in the 4 November build, and all of Seal Fate, which now has 3 ranks. Mutilate crits add a combo point through Seal Fate, and every 5-point finisher gives 25 Energy back.

Mutilate needs a dagger in each hand. Keep poisons on both: Mutilate deals 20% more to a poisoned target and Venom raises poison damage after every Shank. Open with Cheap Shot or Garrote, build with Mutilate (2 combo points a press, 3 when it crits), press Shank on cooldown, and finish with a 5-point Eviscerate, which Relentless Strikes always pays back. Keep Slice and Dice up on longer fights and save Cold Blood for a tough mob. Blind, from 34, takes a second mob out of the fight.

Assassination: Seal Fate and Mutilate for groups (level 40)

The level 40 group build reaches Mutilate, which the 4 November build moved to tier 7 behind Venom. On the way it fills Improved Poisons and takes all of Relentless Strikes, new to tier 5, and all three ranks of Seal Fate, so Mutilate crits add combo points and 5-point finishers give Energy back every time.

Mutilate needs a dagger in each hand and works from any side, but stay behind the tank's target anyway. Keep Slice and Dice up, build with Mutilate, press Shank on cooldown for Energy and Venom's poison boost, and spend 5 points on Eviscerate. Cold Blood goes on an Eviscerate on a boss. Feint after a run of crits. Expose Armor only on long boss fights with no Warrior's Sunder Armor.

Assassination: Seal Fate and Improved Kidney Shot burst (level 40)

The level 40 PvP build fills Vile Poisons and Improved Kidney Shot, takes Seal Fate and reaches Mutilate. Since the 4 November build Mutilate needs Venom, so the build takes it, plus three points of Relentless Strikes to open Seal Fate's tier. Cheap Shot and one Mutilate crit can now be enough for a 5-point Kidney Shot.

Open with Cheap Shot, Mutilate to 4 or 5 points and Kidney Shot; inside the stun the target takes 10% more damage from Improved Kidney Shot, so Mutilate again, then Cold Blood and Eviscerate. Shank between Mutilates keeps Energy and Venom's poison boost coming. Gouge and Blind (from 34) bridge the gaps between stuns, and Vanish resets a fight that goes wrong. Keep Crippling Poison on one weapon against runners.

Assassination: Mutilate with Vile Poisons and Coup de Grace (level 50)

At 50 the leveling build fills Vile Poisons, so poisons hit harder on top of Venom, then goes into Combat for Coup de Grace, 20% more Eviscerate damage at 3/3, and two points of Lightning Reflexes for dodge and to open Combat's second tier later.

The rotation doesn't change from 40: Mutilate to build, Shank on cooldown, Slice and Dice on longer fights and a 5-point Eviscerate, which now hits harder with Coup de Grace. Mutilate and Kidney Shot both get rank 2 from the trainer at 50, and Slice and Dice and Vanish get rank 2 at 42. Keep poisons on both weapons: Vile Poisons and Venom only add to poison damage.

Assassination: Mutilate and Puncturing Wounds for groups (level 50)

At 50 the group build goes into Combat for Coup de Grace, two points of Lightning Reflexes and Puncturing Wounds, which gives Mutilate 15% more critical strike chance and so more Seal Fate points, and puts its last two points in Vile Poisons.

The boss rotation is the level 40 one: Slice and Dice up, Mutilate to build, Shank on cooldown, 5-point Eviscerates and Cold Blood on one of them. Puncturing Wounds makes Mutilate crit more, and with Seal Fate each crit is an extra point, so you finish more often. Mutilate rank 2 comes at 50 and Kidney Shot rank 2 at 50; Sap rank 3, from 48, holds a Humanoid for up to 45 sec before the pull.

Assassination: Seal Fate burst with Coup de Grace and Improved Sprint (level 50)

At 50 the PvP build goes into Combat: Coup de Grace for a 20% harder Eviscerate, Lightning Reflexes for dodge, Precision so Kick, Gouge and Kidney Shot miss less, and Improved Sprint, which sits in Combat's second tier since the 4 November build, so Sprint can clear slows.

The burst is the level 40 one, with a harder Eviscerate at the end: Cheap Shot, Mutilate, Kidney Shot, Mutilate, Cold Blood and Eviscerate. Kidney Shot rank 2, from 50, stuns a second longer at every combo point, which leaves room for all of it. Press Sprint when you're slowed to clear it and run, and Vanish rank 2 at 42 is a better reset.

Assassination: Mutilate, Seal Fate and Venom at 60 (level 60)

The level 60 leveling build adds Precision for hit, Puncturing Wounds for more Mutilate crits and so more Seal Fate points, Endurance so Evasion and Sprint come back 60% sooner, and both points of Improved Kidney Shot.

The rotation is the level 40 one: Mutilate, Shank on cooldown, Slice and Dice on longer fights and a 5-point Eviscerate. Kidney Shot on a dangerous mob now also makes it take 10% more damage from your attacks and poisons. With Endurance, Evasion is ready for most hard pulls, and Sprint rank 3 at 58 gets you between quests faster. Mutilate rank 3 and Eviscerate's last rank come at 60.

Assassination: Venom, Vile Poisons and Precision at 60 (level 60)

The level 60 group build fills Vile Poisons, takes Precision for hit against bosses above your level, both points of Improved Expose Armor for groups without a Warrior's Sunder Armor, and Remorseless Attacks for a crit after each trash kill.

The priority is the level 40 one: Slice and Dice, Mutilate, Shank on cooldown, 5-point Eviscerates and Cold Blood on a boss. When the group has no Warrior keeping Sunder Armor up, Expose Armor at 5 points costs less and gives 2 points back through Improved Expose Armor. Mutilate rank 3 and Eviscerate's last rank come at 60.

Assassination: Seal Fate with Endurance and Improved Sprint (level 60)

At 60 the PvP build adds Combat's survival tier: Deflection and Riposte, Endurance so Sprint and Evasion come back 60% sooner, two more points of Lightning Reflexes, and the last two points of Relentless Strikes, so every 5-point Kidney Shot or Eviscerate refunds 25 Energy.

The burst doesn't change: Cheap Shot, Mutilate, Kidney Shot, Mutilate, Cold Blood and Eviscerate. Against melee classes, Riposte lights up after a parry and disarms them, and Evasion and Sprint are back far more often. Sprint rank 3 and Kick rank 4 come at 58, and the last ranks of Mutilate and Eviscerate at 60.

Combat: Sinister Strike and Endurance (level 20)

The safest questing build at 20: a harder Eviscerate, cheaper Sinister Strikes, better hit and a little dodge, and Endurance so Evasion and Sprint come back sooner. It works with any one-handed weapon.

Use the best one-handed sword, mace, axe or fist weapon you can find in the main hand and build with Sinister Strike from the front. On longer fights spend the first points on Slice and Dice, then Eviscerate at 5 points. Evasion is your emergency button when you pull two mobs, and with Endurance it's ready more often. The level 30 leveling build adds the second Endurance point, Deflection and Riposte, Flawless Execution, Aggression and Blade Flurry.

Combat: Dagger Backstab for groups (level 20)

A group build for a main-hand dagger: Puncturing Wounds makes Backstab crit far more often and often add a second combo point, Coup de Grace makes Eviscerate hit harder, Precision helps everything land, and Efficient Strikes makes the Sinister Strike you use when a mob turns cheaper.

Stand behind the tank's target with a dagger in the main hand. Put Slice and Dice up with the first points, build with Backstab, and finish with Eviscerate at 5 points. When a mob turns to face you, switch to Sinister Strike until you're behind it again. Kick casters and Feint when you get close to the tank's threat. The level 30 group build adds Lightning Reflexes, Endurance, Flawless Execution, Aggression, Weapon Expertise and Blade Flurry.

Combat: Riposte and Coup de Grace (level 20)

Combat at 20 punishes melee: Deflection raises your parry chance and opens Riposte, a strike after a parry that disarms the attacker; Lightning Reflexes adds dodge, Precision helps Gouge and Kick land, and Coup de Grace (called Improved Eviscerate before the 4 November build) makes Eviscerate hit 20% harder.

Open with Garrote, or Ambush with a main-hand dagger, then build with Sinister Strike from any angle. Against a Warrior, Rogue, Paladin or Shaman, use Riposte every time it lights up after a parry. Against casters it rarely comes up, so there it's Kick, Gouge and a quick Eviscerate. The level 30 PvP build adds Improved Sprint, Endurance, Improved Kick, Flawless Execution, a point of Aggression and Blade Flurry.

Combat: Riposte, Aggression and Blade Flurry leveling (level 30)

At 30 the leveling build adds Deflection and Riposte, the second Endurance point, Flawless Execution, Aggression and Blade Flurry. The 4 November build moved Aggression up to tier 4, where it gives Sinister Strike and Eviscerate 15% more damage at 3/3, and moved Dual Wield Specialization to tier 5, so Aggression takes those points.

Build with Sinister Strike, keep Slice and Dice up on longer fights and finish with Eviscerate, now 15 Energy cheaper and harder-hitting. Press Riposte whenever it lights up after a parry. Shank, from the trainer at 24, costs 5 Energy and gives 15 back, so press it on cooldown if you carry an off-hand weapon. Blade Flurry is for pairs of mobs or a tough single mob; its extra hits break Gouge and Sap, so don't combine them.

Combat: Blade Flurry and Puncturing Wounds for groups (level 30)

The level 30 dagger group build adds Lightning Reflexes, Endurance, Flawless Execution, Aggression, a point of Weapon Expertise and Blade Flurry. Since the 4 November build Aggression no longer covers Backstab, but it still adds 15% to Eviscerate at 3/3, and Flawless Execution makes Eviscerate 15 Energy cheaper.

Stay behind the tank's target, keep Slice and Dice up, build with Backstab and finish with Eviscerate. Press Shank (trainer, level 24) on cooldown: it uses your off-hand, costs 5 Energy and gives 15 back. Blade Flurry goes on pairs of mobs or on a boss for the attack speed; keep it away from Sapped or Gouged mobs. Watch your threat after a run of Backstab crits and Feint before the tank loses the mob.

Combat: Riposte, Improved Sprint and Blade Flurry (level 30)

The level 30 PvP build adds Improved Sprint, now in tier 2, Endurance, Improved Kick, Flawless Execution and Blade Flurry. The point that used to go into Dual Wield Specialization goes into Aggression: in the 4 November build that tier 4 talent became Flash of Steel and moved to tier 6.

Open with Cheap Shot (from 26) and build with Sinister Strike; Kidney Shot at 4 or 5 points, and press Blade Flurry during the stun. Use Riposte whenever it lights up. Kick a heal and the target is also silenced, and Sprint clears slows when you press it. Vanish, from 22, is your last-resort exit.

Combat: Adrenaline Rush leveling (level 40)

At 40 the leveling build takes Dual Wield Specialization, new to tier 5 in the 4 November build, two points of Hack and Slash, all of Flash of Steel, which now makes Shank generate more Energy on a shorter cooldown, and Adrenaline Rush, which now requires Blade Flurry.

Fight with two one-handed weapons: Dual Wield Specialization raises your off-hand damage and Shank strikes with it. Press Shank on cooldown, since with Flash of Steel it gives far more Energy than it costs. Build with Sinister Strike, keep Slice and Dice up and finish with Eviscerate. On a tough mob or two at once, press Adrenaline Rush with Blade Flurry. Blind, from 34, takes a third mob out of the fight; keep it away from Blade Flurry.

Combat: Adrenaline Rush and Blade Flurry for groups (level 40)

The level 40 dagger group build finishes Weapon Expertise, takes Dual Wield Specialization, new to tier 5 in the 4 November build, a point of Hack and Slash, all of Flash of Steel and Adrenaline Rush, which now requires Blade Flurry.

Keep Slice and Dice up, build with Backstab, press Shank on cooldown and finish with Eviscerate. On a boss, Adrenaline Rush with Blade Flurry is your biggest burst; watch your threat during it and Feint first if you're close to the tank's. On trash, Blade Flurry breaks Sap, Gouge and Blind on anything nearby.

Combat: Adrenaline Rush and Weapon Expertise (level 40)

The level 40 PvP build fills Lightning Reflexes and Aggression, takes Weapon Expertise, now a tier 4 talent that requires Precision, so players dodge and parry you less, two points of Flash of Steel and Adrenaline Rush, which now requires the Blade Flurry this build already has.

The burst is Cheap Shot, Sinister Strikes, Kidney Shot, then Adrenaline Rush and Blade Flurry during the stun. Shank on cooldown keeps Energy coming, a little more with Flash of Steel. Against melee, Evasion early and Riposte on every parry. Blind, from 34, takes a healer out for a while; keep Blade Flurry away from them.

Combat: Adrenaline Rush with Weapon Expertise and Malice (level 50)

At 50 the leveling build fills Hack and Slash, takes Weapon Expertise so fewer attacks are dodged or parried, and goes into Assassination for Malice, 5% more critical strike chance with all attacks and poisons.

The rotation is the level 40 one: Sinister Strike, Shank on cooldown, Slice and Dice and Eviscerate, with Adrenaline Rush and Blade Flurry for tough mobs. Hack and Slash's bonus follows your main weapon type, so pick swords or axes for extra attacks, daggers or fists for crit, or a mace to ignore armor. Slice and Dice and Vanish get rank 2 at 42 and Kidney Shot at 50.

Combat: Adrenaline Rush with Malice and Improved Slice and Dice (level 50)

At 50 the dagger group build adds two more points of Hack and Slash and goes into Assassination for Malice and Improved Slice and Dice, so Backstab crits more and Slice and Dice needs refreshing less often.

The boss rotation is the level 40 one: Slice and Dice up, Backstab, Shank on cooldown, Eviscerate at 5 points, and Adrenaline Rush with Blade Flurry. Slice and Dice rank 2, from 42, gives more attack speed, and Improved Slice and Dice makes it last 45% longer. Sap rank 3, from 48, holds a Humanoid for up to 45 sec before the pull.

Combat: Adrenaline Rush with Hack and Slash and Malice (level 50)

At 50 the PvP build takes all of Hack and Slash and goes into Assassination for Malice, 5% more critical strike chance with all attacks.

The burst is the level 40 one: Cheap Shot, Sinister Strikes, Kidney Shot, then Adrenaline Rush and Blade Flurry inside the stun. Kidney Shot rank 2, from 50, stuns a second longer at every combo point, and Vanish rank 2 at 42 is a better reset. With a sword or axe, Hack and Slash adds extra attacks; with a mace, it ignores armor, which helps against Warriors and Paladins in plate.

Combat: Adrenaline Rush leveling at 60 (level 60)

At 60 the leveling build goes further into Assassination: Ruthlessness and Improved Slice and Dice so finishers go further, Remorseless Attacks for a crit after each kill, and Lethality, now 2 ranks, so Sinister Strike crits hit 20% harder.

The rotation doesn't change: Sinister Strike, Shank on cooldown, Slice and Dice and Eviscerate, with Adrenaline Rush and Blade Flurry on tough mobs. Ruthlessness often hands a point back after each finisher, and Improved Slice and Dice means fewer refreshes. Sprint rank 3 comes at 58 and Eviscerate's last rank at 60.

Combat: Adrenaline Rush and Lethality at 60 (level 60)

At 60 the dagger group build adds Ruthlessness, Lethality (now 2 ranks) so Backstab crits hit 20% harder, Vigor for a bigger Energy pool during Adrenaline Rush, the last two points of Hack and Slash and a point of Improved Kick.

The boss rotation is the level 40 one, with harder crits: Slice and Dice up, Backstab, Shank on cooldown, Eviscerate at 5 points, and Adrenaline Rush with Blade Flurry. Ruthlessness often hands a point back after each finisher. On caster pulls, Kick has an even chance to silence the target as well. Backstab's top ranks and Eviscerate's last rank come at 60.

Combat: Adrenaline Rush, Improved Gouge and Dual Wield Specialization at 60 (level 60)

The level 60 PvP build adds Improved Gouge for a longer incapacitate, Ruthlessness so Kidney Shot often leaves a point for the Eviscerate, Dual Wield Specialization, new to tier 5 in the 4 November build, and two more points of Flash of Steel. Murder, which an earlier version of this build took, was replaced by Vigor in the 4 November build.

Gouge, now 1.5 sec longer, bridges the gap between Kidney Shots. Ruthlessness often gives a point back after Kidney Shot, and Shank with Flash of Steel refunds Energy for the Kick that follows. Sprint rank 3 at 58 and Improved Sprint make you very hard to kite.

Subtlety: Dagger opener leveling (level 20)

A leveling build around the Ambush opener: Opportunity, now 5 ranks, makes Backstab, Garrote and Ambush hit 20% harder, Improved Ambush makes the opener crit, Camouflage gets you back into Stealth sooner, and Premeditation starts each pull with 2 combo points. Ghostly Strike moved to tier 4 (level 25) in the 4 November build, so Premeditation takes its point.

Open every pull with Premeditation (when it's ready) and Ambush from behind with a main-hand dagger, then Backstab while you're behind the mob and Sinister Strike when it faces you. Finish with Eviscerate at 5 points. Restealth between pulls; Camouflage shortens Stealth's cooldown. The level 30 leveling build adds Setup, Serrated Blades, Initiative, Ghostly Strike and Hemorrhage.

Subtlety: Opportunity Backstab for groups (level 20)

A dagger group build: Opportunity, now 5 ranks, makes Backstab, Garrote and Ambush hit 20% harder, Improved Ambush makes the opener crit, Dirty Tricks halves Sap's cost, and a point of Serrated Blades lets your attacks ignore some armor. Ghostly Strike moved to tier 4 (level 25) in the 4 November build, so Serrated Blades takes its point.

Before the pull, Sap a Humanoid the group isn't ready for; with Dirty Tricks you still have Energy for the opener. Once the tank has the target, Ambush from behind, put Slice and Dice up on longer pulls, build with Backstab and finish with Eviscerate. Kick casters and Feint when you get close to the tank's threat. The level 30 group build adds Initiative, Premeditation, all of Serrated Blades, Elusiveness, Ghostly Strike and Hemorrhage.

Subtlety: Improved Ambush and Premeditation opener (level 20)

A stealth opener build for 20: Master of Deception to reach a target unseen, Opportunity and Improved Ambush so the opener hits hard and often crits, and Premeditation for 2 free combo points before it. Ghostly Strike moved to tier 4 (level 25) in the 4 November build, so Premeditation takes its point.

Get behind a busy or hurt target in Stealth, press Premeditation and open with Ambush (main-hand dagger) for 3 points, then Backstab while they turn and Eviscerate as soon as your points can kill. If the opener doesn't put them low, Gouge and Sprint away; you have no Vanish or stuns at 20. The level 30 PvP build adds Dirty Deeds, Dirty Tricks, Initiative, Elusiveness, Ghostly Strike and Preparation.

Subtlety: Hemorrhage and Initiative leveling (level 30)

At 30 the leveling build adds Setup, Initiative, all of Serrated Blades, Ghostly Strike, now a tier 4 talent, and Hemorrhage, which since the 4 November build also makes the target take more Garrote damage.

Open with Premeditation and Ambush, or Garrote on a mob that will live through the bleed: with Initiative either gives 2 points, so Premeditation and Ambush start you at 4. Build with Hemorrhage from any side and Ghostly Strike whenever it's ready, which also lets your next Ambush or Garrote skip Stealth. Finish with Eviscerate on short fights or Rupture on long ones. Shank, from the trainer at 24, gives Energy back if you carry an off-hand weapon.

Subtlety: Hemorrhage and Rupture for groups (level 30)

The level 30 group build adds Initiative, Premeditation, all of Serrated Blades, Elusiveness, Ghostly Strike, now in tier 4, and Hemorrhage, so Rupture becomes the finisher for long boss fights. Since the 4 November build Hemorrhage also raises Garrote damage, so a Garrote opener pays off on bosses too.

On a boss, open with Premeditation and Garrote or Ambush, put up Hemorrhage, then Rupture at 5 points and keep both running; build with Backstab from behind and Ghostly Strike when it's ready. On trash, Eviscerate is better, since mobs die before Rupture finishes. Vanish, which Elusiveness brings back sooner, drops your threat if the tank loses a mob.

Subtlety: Preparation and Premeditation openers (level 30)

Subtlety PvP gains the most at 30: the build adds Dirty Deeds, moved up to tier 2 in the 4 November build, for a cheaper Cheap Shot, Dirty Tricks, Initiative, Elusiveness, Ghostly Strike and Preparation. The opener is Premeditation and Cheap Shot for 5 combo points, then Kidney Shot, with Vanish and Preparation for a second try. Heightened Senses now shares tier 5 with Preparation, and there's no point left for it at 30.

Press Premeditation, then Cheap Shot (20 Energy cheaper with Dirty Deeds) for 5 points and Kidney Shot straight away. Build with Backstab or Ghostly Strike during the stun and Eviscerate when it ends. If it goes wrong, Vanish and open again; Preparation gives you a second Vanish, Evasion and Sprint. Blind, at 34, is cheaper and quicker with Dirty Tricks and Elusiveness.

Subtlety: Hemorrhage, Boot Knife and Death Mark leveling (level 40)

Quietus and Thousand Cuts, which this build used to finish with, were replaced in the 4 November build, so at 40 it now takes Boot Knife, which makes Shank add 2 combo points, and Death Mark, Subtlety's new capstone finisher. On the way it fills Setup and Camouflage, takes a point of Dirty Deeds and Preparation, which Death Mark requires.

Shank is now a builder: with Boot Knife at 5/5 every Shank adds 2 combo points, gives Energy back and needs an off-hand weapon. Open with Premeditation and Ambush, or Garrote from the front thanks to Dirty Deeds, build with Hemorrhage and Shank, and keep Ghostly Strike for its dodge. On a tough mob, put Death Mark up at 5 points and hit hard during the 6 sec it stores damage, then Eviscerate. Preparation gives you a second Vanish or Evasion when a pull goes wrong.

Subtlety: Boot Knife and Death Mark for groups (level 40)

Cutthroat and Thousand Cuts were replaced in the 4 November build, so at 40 the group build takes Boot Knife, which makes Shank add 2 combo points, and Death Mark, the new Subtlety capstone, which stores part of your damage and deals it again. It also fills Camouflage and takes Preparation, which Death Mark requires.

On a boss, open with Premeditation and Garrote or Ambush, keep Hemorrhage's debuff, Rupture and Garrote up, and build with Backstab and Shank, which with Boot Knife adds 2 points every time. Death Mark at 5 points while your bleeds are running stores twice as much of their damage. On trash, Eviscerate is still the finisher. Camouflage gets you back into Stealth for the next pull's opener.

Subtlety: Hemorrhage and Death Mark with Preparation (level 40)

Quietus, which this build used to take, was replaced in the 4 November build, so at 40 the PvP build adds Serrated Blades and Hemorrhage for a builder that works from any side, Boot Knife so every Shank adds 2 combo points, and Death Mark, the new capstone, a finisher that stores part of your damage and deals it again.

Premeditation and Cheap Shot for 5 points, then Death Mark straight away and spend the next 6 sec on Hemorrhage, Shank and Ghostly Strike; when the mark ends it deals the stored damage at once. Kidney Shot and Eviscerate follow. Blind, from 34, is cheaper with Dirty Tricks and back sooner with Elusiveness. Preparation resets Vanish, Evasion, Sprint and Premeditation for a second try.

Subtlety: Death Mark with Coup de Grace and Efficient Strikes (level 50)

At 50 the leveling build goes into Combat: Coup de Grace now raises Death Mark's damage and storage rate as well as Eviscerate's damage, Efficient Strikes makes Hemorrhage cheaper since the 4 November build, Lightning Reflexes adds dodge for Setup, and Precision adds hit.

The rotation is the level 40 one: Premeditation and Ambush, Hemorrhage and Shank to build, Death Mark on tough mobs and Eviscerate to finish. Hemorrhage costs less, and every extra dodge from Lightning Reflexes is another chance at a Setup point. Ambush rank 5 and Kidney Shot rank 2 come at 50, and Slice and Dice and Vanish rank 2 at 42.

Subtlety: Death Mark with Coup de Grace and Puncturing Wounds (level 50)

At 50 the group build goes into Combat for Coup de Grace, which now raises Death Mark's damage and storage rate as well as Eviscerate's damage, Lightning Reflexes, Puncturing Wounds so Backstab crits far more often, and two points of Precision.

The boss rotation is the level 40 one: bleeds and Hemorrhage's debuff up, Backstab and Shank to build, Death Mark at 5 points while the bleeds tick. Puncturing Wounds gives Backstab a chance at an extra point, so you reach 5 sooner. Ambush rank 5 and Kidney Shot rank 2 come at 50, and Sap rank 3, from 48, holds a Humanoid for up to 45 sec.

Subtlety: Hemorrhage, Setup and Coup de Grace (level 50)

At 50 the PvP build takes all of Setup and Heightened Senses, then goes into Combat for Coup de Grace, which now raises Death Mark's damage and storage rate as well as Eviscerate's, and Lightning Reflexes, whose dodges feed Setup.

The burst is the level 40 one with a bigger Death Mark: Premeditation, Cheap Shot, Death Mark, then Hemorrhage, Shank and Ghostly Strike during the mark, Kidney Shot and Eviscerate. Against melee, every dodge from Ghostly Strike, Evasion or Lightning Reflexes can add a Setup point. Kidney Shot rank 2, from 50, stuns a second longer at every combo point.

Subtlety: Death Mark with Coup de Grace and Malice at 60 (level 60)

At 60 the leveling build goes into Assassination for Malice, Remorseless Attacks and Ruthlessness: more crits on everything, a crit on the first builder after each kill, and a combo point back after many finishers.

The rotation doesn't change: Premeditation and Ambush, Hemorrhage and Shank, Death Mark on tough mobs and Eviscerate. Chain your pulls so Remorseless Attacks is still up when the next fight starts. Ambush rank 6 and Sprint rank 3 come at 58, and Rupture's and Eviscerate's last ranks at 60.

Subtlety: Death Mark, Malice and Improved Slice and Dice at 60 (level 60)

At 60 the group build finishes Precision and goes into Assassination for Malice and Improved Slice and Dice, and puts its last point in Efficient Strikes, which since the 4 November build also makes Hemorrhage cheaper.

The boss rotation is the level 40 one: bleeds and Hemorrhage's debuff up, Backstab and Shank, Death Mark at 5 points while the bleeds tick, and Slice and Dice, which now lasts 45% longer. Ambush rank 6 comes at 58, and Rupture's and Backstab's top ranks at 60.

Subtlety: Hemorrhage and Death Mark with Malice at 60 (level 60)

At 60 the PvP build takes Malice and Ruthlessness from Assassination and Quick Getaway, a new tier 4 Subtlety talent that lets you keep two enemies Sapped and gives you speed after each Sap. An earlier version took Murder and Lethality; Murder was replaced by Vigor in the 4 November build, and without it the 10 points that open Lethality's tier no longer fit, so Quick Getaway takes those points.

Against two enemies, Sap both, then open on a third or slip past; Quick Getaway's speed after each Sap gets you into position. The burst is Premeditation, Cheap Shot, Death Mark, then Hemorrhage, Shank and Ghostly Strike during the mark, Kidney Shot and Eviscerate, and Ruthlessness often leaves a point after it. Sprint rank 3 and Kick rank 4 come at 58, and Stealth rank 4 at 60 slows you only 30%.

Checked against WoW Forever build 1.60.1.70862.

Popular builds

Seen in WoW Forever: 5 players (5 characters). How it works: signed-in players upload their Companion addon file (its Your talent builds setting records each character’s talents). Each character counts once per level range, at most 2 of one player’s, and no names are shown. A spec appears once 5 characters from 3 different players at that level range have uploaded, and a build once 2 players run it.

Levels 10–19

4 Rogue characters at Levels 10–19.

Levels 20–29

2 Rogue characters at Levels 20–29.

Best in slot gear at any level: Assassination, Combat, Subtlety

Rogue abilities

No longer trainer abilities in the live client

Common questions

What's the best race for a Rogue in WoW Forever?

It depends on your faction and spec. ForeverDB's best race for each class lists the picks, and every racial is on the races page. Forever reworked most racials, so Classic advice does not carry over.

Alliance:
- Human: Ruthless adds 1% critical strike chance to all spells and attacks, Will to Survive instantly removes all stuns, and Perception sharply raises stealth detection for 20 sec.
- Night Elf: Quickness adds 1% dodge and 2% movement speed and makes you harder to detect in Stealth, Elune's Light adds 10% critical strike chance for 15 sec, and Shadowmeld drops you out of sight.
- Gnome: Eureka! makes your non-periodic damaging abilities cost 10% less Energy and deal 10% more damage for 8 sec, and Escape Artist frees you from snares and roots.

Horde:
- Orc: Blood Fury raises Attack Power and Spell Power by 10% for 15 sec, and Hardiness shortens stuns by 20%.
- Undead: Will of the Forsaken removes Charm, Fear and Sleep, and Touch of the Grave gives your hits a 20% chance to drain Health (up to 5% of your maximum).
- Troll: Berserking raises attack and casting speed by 10%, and Rapid Regeneration restores half your Health over 6 sec out of combat.

No race is uniquely best for a Rogue; pick for your spec and whether you PvP.

Sources: Which race to play: best races for every class · Races and racials · checked on build 1.60.1.70862

Is there a Rogue levelling guide for Forever?

Yes. ForeverDB has a full Rogue levelling guide built from the Forever client: which race to pick, every ability by level, what to press on one or several enemies, class quests, gear and dungeons, and the mistakes new Rogues make.

For talents, the Rogue builds page now has builds at levels 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 for all three trees (Combat, Assassination and Subtlety), with levelling, group and PvP versions, the reason for every point and a talent calculator, all checked against the current client. Combat is the most forgiving to level with: any one-handed weapon works and you don't need to stand behind the mob.

Everything Forever changed for Rogues is on the Rogue changes page.

Sources: Leveling a Rogue · Rogue talent builds and rotations · Rogue changes in Forever · checked on build 1.60.1.70862

How much damage does Mutilate do and when do Rogues get it?

Yes, but at level 40 now, not 30. In the current build Mutilate sits at tier 7 of the Assassination tree and needs Venom at 1/1 first. The cap is 60, so you can reach it.

Rank 1, from the client: instantly attacks with both weapons for 90% weapon damage plus an extra 39 with each weapon, with the damage raised by 20% against poisoned targets, and it awards 2 combo points. It costs 60 Energy. Higher ranks add more flat damage (Rank 2 plus 56, Rank 3 plus 79).

Mutilate needs a dagger in each hand even though the tooltip doesn't say so, and there's no positional requirement, so you don't have to stand behind the target. Everything Forever reworked for Rogues is on the Rogue changes page.

Sources: Mutilate (Forever client) · Rogue changes in Forever · Leveling a Rogue · checked on build 1.60.1.70862

The whole FAQ

Data from the WoW Forever client, build 1.60.1.70862, extracted .