Which spec to level
Level Combat. Mobalytics and Icy Veins recommend it: Riposte and defensive talents keep you in the fight without rest, and from level 30 Blade Flurry hits two enemies at once. In dungeons, Combat is also the most reliable spec.
Warcraft Tavern doesn’t pick one tree: it advises against Assassination as a start (strong once you have Mutilate, but fragile), and Subtlety is good for an ambush opener but weaker in dungeons. The leveling tier list gives Rogue a B for Assassination or Combat.
| Spec | When to take it | Downside |
|---|---|---|
| Combat | Solo and dungeons, the whole way to 60 | Weak against several enemies until level 30 (Blade Flurry) |
| Assassination | From level 30, once you have Mutilate and daggers | Less survivability |
| Subtlety | An ambush opener, PvP | Weaker in dungeons |
Talents by level
Icy Veins order for Combat (updated Oct 17). Mobalytics (Oct 18) is almost the same up to level 30. Levels 31–60 are closed on the beta: this is the source’s plan, and we will check it on live after Nov 4.
| Levels | Talent | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 10–11 | Improved Sinister Strike | 2 |
| 12–14 | Improved Eviscerate | 3 |
| 15–16 | Precision | 2 |
| 17–19 | Deflection | 3 |
| 20 | Riposte | 1 |
| 21 | Precision | 3/3 |
| 22–23 | Endurance | 2 |
| 24 | Lightning Reflexes | 1 |
| 25 | Flawless Execution | 1 |
| 26–29 | Dual Wield Specialization | 4 |
| 30 | Blade Flurry | 1 |
| 31–34 | Hack and Slash | 4 |
| 35–36 | Weapon Expertise | 2 |
| 37–39 | Aggression | 3 |
| 40 | Adrenaline Rush | 1 |
| 41 | Hack and Slash | 5/5 |
| 42 | Dual Wield Specialization | 5/5 |
| 43–47 | Malice | 5 |
| 48–50 | Ruthlessness | 3 |
| 51–52 | Murder | 2 |
| 53 | Relentless Strikes | 1 |
| 54–57 | Lethality | 4 |
| 58 | Cold Blood | 1 |
| 59–60 | Vile Poisons | 2 |
TipMobalytics does not take Lightning Reflexes and Flawless Execution: instead it takes Improved Sprint and Dual Wield Specialization 5/5 before level 30. The Legacy Talented perk gives talents up to 5 levels earlier.
Abilities and trainer
| Level | What to take | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sinister Strike, Eviscerate, Stealth | A combo point builder and a finisher |
| 4 | Backstab | A strong dagger strike from behind |
| 6 | Gouge | Buy time for energy or a bandage |
| 8 | Evasion | An escape in combat |
| 10 | Slice and Dice, Sap, Sprint | Attack speed, control, running |
| 12 | Kick | An interrupt |
| 20 | Poisons (class quest) | A permanent damage boost |
| 22 | Vanish | Leave combat |
| 26 | Cheap Shot | A stun from stealth, 2 combo points |
| 30 | Kidney Shot | A stun in combat |
| 34 | Blind | Take an enemy out of the fight |
| 40 | Riding, dual specialization | — |
- 1Opening
usually without stealth, straight to Sinister Strike: it is faster. On a strong enemy, Stealth and Cheap Shot.
- 2In the fight
Sinister Strike up to 3–5 combo points, Riposte after a parry.
- 3Finishing
Eviscerate at 3+ points or when the enemy is nearly dead. Slice and Dice only against several enemies in a row.
- 4If it’s hard
Gouge, Kidney Shot, Blind, Evasion; from level 30, Blade Flurry on two enemies.
In dungeons on elites and bosses: Instant Poison in the main hand, Deadly Poison in the off hand (Mobalytics). For leveling and short fights, Instant Poison on both weapons. Kick stops dangerous spells.
Solo, duo, group
Level First Aid: Blind or Gouge, then a bandage — it is faster than eating. Keep a stock of powders: you need them for Blind and Vanish. You are slower in stealth: approach ordinary enemies openly. Pick locks: chests and safes give materials for poisons.
With a healer or a tank the Rogue comes into its own: you can hit from behind. Sap and Blind take extra enemies out of the fight.
There is little area damage, but a lot of control. From level 30, Blade Flurry covers pairs of enemies.
Stats and gear
Mobalytics puts Agility first (attack power, crit, dodge), then Spirit (health regeneration), Strength and Stamina. By 60, Warcraft Tavern raises crit chance above Agility. Swap weapons at the first chance: almost all your damage depends on them. Train a new weapon type on weak enemies.
Professions: First Aid is a must. Level lockpicking along the way: chests give materials for poisons. Class pairings and camp objects are in the professions guide.
How Forever differs from Classic
| What | In Forever |
|---|---|
| Combo points | Do not expire when you switch targets (Icy Veins, Mobalytics). Whether they carry over to the new target, the sources disagree; we will check at launch. |
| Energy | Regenerates smoothly, without a jump every 2 seconds. |
| Weapons | One-handed axes can be used. Hack and Slash gives a bonus to any weapon type: no need to change talents for your weapon. |
| New abilities | Mutilate and Venom for Assassination. |
| Poisons | Can crit. They stack with sharpening stones and Windfury Totem (Warcraft Tavern); Mobalytics writes the opposite about the totem: the sources disagree. |
| Hit chance | Up to 3% through a talent (it was 5% in Classic). |
| Dual specialization | From level 40. |
Questions
Which Rogue spec should I level in WoW Forever?
Combat: Mobalytics and Icy Veins recommend it. Warcraft Tavern doesn’t single out one tree, but advises against Assassination as a start.
When do poisons appear?
At level 20, after the class quest.
Why does the Rogue level slower than the Hunter and Mage?
It has almost no area damage or self-healing. First Aid and, from level 30, Blade Flurry help.
Which weapon should I take for Combat?
Any: Hack and Slash works with any type. Put the fast weapon in the off hand (Mobalytics).
Do combo points expire when I switch targets?
No, they stay on the previous target. The sources describe the transfer to a new target differently: we will check after Nov 4.
