Level 19 rogue twinking guide

So you want to make a level 19 rogue twink? Well, it's not going to be easy and it's not going to be fun (until it's done that is), and it is most certainly not going to be cheap.

First things first; selecting your race. For Horde your choices are orcs, trolls, Forsaken, and blood elves. For the Alliance you have the choice of gnomes, night elves, dwarves, and humans. Choose carefully because you will be spending A LOT of time and money on this character. You may want to consider the racials or the starting stats, or like me, just pick on looks alone. You can find all the racial skills and starting attributes on the race page of your choice.

=Equipment Recommendations=
 * Head
 * Lucky Fishing Hat (BoP); Bonus Reward from Fishing Contest on Sundays in Stranglethorn Vale.
 * Green Tinted Goggles
 * Neck
 * Sentinel's Medallion (level 18)[[File:Alliance 15.gif‎]] or Scout's Medallion (level 18)[[File:Horde 15.gif‎]]; PvP Honor System reward in Warsong Gulch.
 * Shoulder
 * Serpent's Shoulders (BoP); Dropped by Lady Anacondra in the Wailing Caverns.
 * Rugged Spaulders (BoP); Dropped by Rethilgore in Shadowfang Keep.
 * Exceptional Stormshroud Shoulders (BoA); Sold by and in Wintergrasp. Cost:
 * Back
 * Tumultuous Cloak of the Bandit = +4 Agility +4 Stamina +8 Attack Power(BoP); Lucky bag from doing random instance
 * Tumultuous Cloak of the Monkey = +5 Agility +5 Stamina(BoP); Lucky bag from doing random instance
 * Sentry Cloak (BoE); World Drop
 * Glowing Lizardscale Cloak (BoP); Dropped by Skum in the Wailing Caverns.
 * Chest
 * Blackened Defias Armor (BoP); Dropped by Edwin VanCleef in the Deadmines
 * Tunic of Westfall (BoP) [[File:Alliance 15.gif‎]]; Quest reward from The Defias Brotherhood (quest).
 * Wrists
 * Forest Leather Bracers (BoE); World Drop.
 * Wrangler's Wristbands of Stamina (BoE); World Drop.
 * Wrangler's Wristbands of the Monkey (BoE); World Drop.
 * Hands
 * Gloves of the Fang (BoE); Dropped by Druid of the Fang in Wailing Caverns.
 * Scouting Gloves of the Monkey (BoE); World Drop.
 * Waist
 * Vigorous Belt (level 25) of the Bandit = +5 Agility +5 Stamina +10 Attack Power(BoP); Lucky bag from doing random instance
 * Vigorous Belt (level 25) of the Monkey = +6 Agility +6 Stamina(BoP); Lucky bag from doing random instance
 * Deviate Scale Belt (BoE); Leatherworking Pattern (Quest reward from Deviate Eradication).
 * Belt of the Fang (BoP); Dropped by Lady Anacondra in the Wailing Caverns.
 * Blackened Defias Belt (BoE); Dropped by Captain Greenskin in Deadmines.
 * Legs
 * Leggings of the Fang; Dropped by Lord Cobrahn in Wailing Caverns.
 * Scouting Trousers or Rigid Leggings of the Monkey (BoE); World Drop
 * Scouting Trousers or Rigid Leggings of Agility (BoE); World Drop
 * Dark Leather Pants (BoE); Leatherworking Pattern (Trainer)
 * Smelting Pants; Dropped by Gilnid in Deadmines.
 * Feet
 * Feet of the Lynx (BoE); World Drop.
 * Footpads of the Fang (BoP); Dropped by Lord Serpentis in Wailing Caverns.
 * Finger
 * Seal of Wrynn (BoP)[[File:Alliance 15.gif‎]]; Quest reward from An Audience with the King.
 * Seal of Sylvanas (BoP)[[File:Horde 15.gif‎]]; Quest reward from Arugal Must Die (quest).
 * Meadow Ring of Eluding (BoE) World Drop
 * Finger
 * Protector's Band[[File:Alliance 15.gif‎]] or Legionnaire's Band[[File:Horde 15.gif‎]]; PvP Honor System reward in Warsong Gulch.
 * Meadow Ring of Eluding (BoE) World Drop
 * Trinket
 * Inherited Insignia of the Alliance[[File:Alliance 15.gif‎]] or Inherited Insignia of the Horde[[File:Horde 15.gif‎]] (BoA); Sold by and in Wintergrasp. Cost:
 * Insignia of the Alliance[[File:Alliance 15.gif‎]] or Insignia of the Horde[[File:Horde 15.gif‎]]; PvP Honor System reward.
 * Swift Hand of Justice (BoA); Sold by and  in Dalaran. Cost:
 * Trinket
 * Arena Grand Master; Quest reward from Arena Grandmaster
 * Minor Recombobulator; Engineering schematic (Vendor).
 * Goblin Jumper Cables; Gnomes only.
 * Main Hand
 * Shadowfang (BoE); Random drop in Shadowfang Keep.
 * Assassin's Blade (BoE); Random drop in Shadowfang Keep.
 * Off-Hand
 * Tail Spike (BoP); Dropped by Skum in Wailing Caverns
 * Assassin's Blade (BoE); Random drop in Shadowfang Keep.
 * Thief's Blade (BoP); Dropped by Mr. Smite in the Deadmines
 * Cruel Barb (BoP); Dropped by Edwin VanCleef in the the Deadmines.
 * Sentinel's Blade (level 18)[[File:Alliance 15.gif‎]] or Scout's Blade (level 18)[[File:Horde 15.gif‎]] (BoP); PvP Honor System reward in Warsong Gulch.
 * Ranged
 * Hand of Argus Crossfire (BoP); [[File:Alliance 15.gif‎]] Quest reward from Blood Watch (quest).
 * Throat Piercers (BoE); Buy from Vendor Eralan in Tranquillien.
 * Thick Bronze Darts (BoE) craft with blacksmithing.
 * Charmed Ancient Bone Bow (BoA); Sold by and in Dalaran. Cost:

Enchant Recommendations
As of patch 3.1.0 Head Enchants have a level requirement of 50 As of patch 3.1.0 Shoulder Enchants have a level requirement depending on enchant and no known shoulder enchants currently are low enough level. As of patch 3.0.2 you can't get 12 dodge chance on cloak as it now requires a level 35 or higher item. (Billy Murlo here! I play on the Server Lethon, if that matters, but I thought I'd add this! I have Sentry Cloak on my Lv19 Rogue named 'Murlo'. It has a functioning +12 dodge rating enchant. I don't know why it works if it requires a higher level item, but it just does.) As of patch 3.1.0 it is no longer possible to get cleft or cobra leg enchants, as they require at least level 60.
 * Head
 * Shoulder
 * Back
 * Enchant Cloak - Lesser Agility
 * Enchant Cloak - Stealth *Note: Twink rogues do not stealth frequently, so lesser agility is preferred, but this is better than Shadow Resist.
 * Enchant Cloak - Lesser Shadow Resistance
 * Chest
 * Enchant Chest - Greater Stats
 * Bracers
 * Enchant Bracer - Superior Stamina
 * Hands
 * Enchant Gloves - Superior Agility
 * Legs
 * Medium Armor Kit
 * For Bind on Equip legs you can use Heavy Armor Kit
 * Feet
 * Enchant Boots - Minor Speed
 * Weapon main hand
 * Enchant Weapon - Agility
 * Enchant Weapon - Lifestealing
 * Enchant Weapon - Fiery Weapon
 * Enchant Weapon - Superior Striking (Great for ambush/backstab spec rogues.)
 * Weapon off-hand
 * Enchant Weapon - Agility
 * Enchant Weapon - Lifestealing
 * Enchant Weapon - Fiery Weapon

Glyphs
Major Glyphs
 * Glyph of Gouge
 * Glyph of Sinister Strike

Minor Glyphs
 * There aren't any minor glyphs that can really help a twink but here is a list of all the ones that are usable at level 19 so that you can choose for your self.
 * Glyph of Blurred Speed (Reccommended for obtaining Lucky Fishing Hat)
 * Glyph of Pick Pocket
 * Glyph of Pick Lock

Talent Builds
Untested WotLK talent builds

or one i like is
 * Stealthy
 * 5/5 Dual Wield Specialization (rogue talent)
 * 3/3 Master of Deception
 * 2/3 Deflection (rogue talent)
 * 2/5 Dual Wield Specialization (rogue talent)
 * 3/3 Master of Deception
 * 2/2 Opportunity
 * 3/3 Camouflage (rogue talent)
 * Assassin
 * 2/3 Improved Eviscerate (rogue talent)
 * 5/5 Malice (rogue talent)
 * 3/3 Ruthlessness

These builds were written prior to Patch 3.0.2 and have not been updated for new talents.


 * Duel 1
 * 3/3 Improved Gouge
 * 2/2 Improved Sinister Strike (rogue talent)
 * 5/5 Lightning Reflexes (rogue talent)
 * Duel 2
 * 3/3 Improved Gouge
 * 5/5 Master of Deception
 * 2/2 Dirty Tricks (old)
 * Arena/WSG 1
 * 3/3 Improved Gouge
 * 2/2 Improved Sinister Strike (rogue talent)
 * 5/5 Precision (rogue talent)
 * Arena/WSG 2
 * 3/5 Lightning Reflexes (rogue talent)
 * 2/2 Improved Sinister Strike (rogue talent)
 * 5/5 Precision (rogue talent)
 * Dagger 1
 * 5/5 Malice (rogue talent)
 * 5/5 Opportunity
 * Dagger 2
 * 5/5 Malice (rogue talent)
 * 3/3 Puncturing Wounds
 * 2/5 Opportunity
 * Dagger 3
 * 2/2 Remorseless Attacks
 * 5/5 Malice (rogue talent)
 * 3/5 Opportunity

Extras
Dynamite Bombs
 * Can be used with rogues with no stealth attacks (Sword Rogues) or to attack multiple targets.
 * For non-engineers use Ez-Thro Dynamite
 * Used to stop flag runners or if you are stunned, and need to stun other player.

Heavy Runecloth Bandage (can be used with 225 FA, but you need a friend/main to create it)
 * Used for healing in middle of a series of fights, or quick healing.

Healing Potion
 * Good for healing in the middle of multiple mobs.

Minor Recombobulator
 * Used to remove Polymorph effects from a friendly player. Good for twinks in need.

Swiftness Potion
 * Used for running the flag, or to fight the "slowing classes". Use sparingly can cost up to 10g a stack.

Heavy Sharpening Stone
 * Made by lvl 140 blacksmiths. When applied to your weapon they add +4 damage for 60 min (alternate stones for maces and blunt weapons).

Magic Dust
 * Incapacitates target for 30 sec.

Buffs
Potions and elixirs
 * Elixir of Minor Fortitude
 * Elixir of Lesser Agility
 * Elixir of Lion's Strength or Elixir of Giant Growth

Rumsey Rum Black Label
 * This adds an extra 15 stamina but does not stack with food buffs.

Arena
In arena your approach should be different to Warsong Gulch. You should be changing your weapons depending on the opponents and using a slightly different Talent Build.

Garotte: Rogues should concentrate on maximising the damage of their Garotte. In arena Garotte is far more useful than Ambush, which should only be used if you are certain the enemy will die from it. The best way to maximise your Garotte damage is to use an Agility Build from the equipment and enchants named above. Have your addon dual equip two Cruel Barbs both with the +15 Agility enchant. This will maximise your attack power, and hence your garotte damage.

General Strategy: The general strategy in arena is for the Rogue to gain the initial advantage (via Stealth) and then to maximise DPS to quickly defeat an opponent. The most difficuly part of this - is the Stealth aspect. As they will be aware that a Rogue is present. Mages will spam AOE, players will hide in places to prevent you getting a sap and the opponent will move in an anti-rogue formation. Because of this it is best to use a Subtlety Build built around Stealth and Garotte damage - Master of Deception (3/3) Opportunity (2/2) Dirty Tricks (2/2) Camouflage (rogue talent) (3/3)

=Addons= Item Rack or ClosetGnome
 * Closet addons let you switch weapons/armor with key binds or through menus.

AutoBar
 * This addon will automatically fill a movable action bar with all consumables in your inventory, including engineering explosives, health potions, food, bandages, etc..

EnergyWatch
 * Gives info about energy bar and when it will tick.

StunWatch
 * Gives info in stuns on you, and your stuns on enemies.

Other
Making a good twink is going to be expensive; and that's a fact. If you get the proper equips and enchants, it's gonna cost up to several thousand Gold. Saying that, it will be a great way to have fun when completed. G'luck

Races
Popular Alliance choices are Night Elf, for the extra agility, and Human, for Every Man for Himself. Gnomes are also rather popular and dwarves make appearances here and there. Popular Horde choices include Blood Elf and Undead. Every race has it's advantages and disadvantages, and your choice should be based largely on your play style.

Alliance

Human - The ability to detect stealth more adeptly than the other races is a bonus to survivability against other rogues. Every Man for Himself effectively allows you to have three trinkets, as it acts as an Insignia of the Alliance and shares the cooldown, too.

Dwarf - A survivability race, with more stamina and Stoneform, which will remove bleeds, poisons, and diseases and increase your armor slightly.

Night Elf - A very popular choice, Night Elves have the ability to Shadowmeld, which is similar to the Vanish ability. In addition, they have the most agility of any Alliance Race.

Gnome - The bonus to engineering for a gnome allows you to create higher-level Engineering items than the other races, however, you don't need to take up engineering in the first place. Escape Artist is a very nice racial ability that will remove all roots and snares (But NOT stuns!).

Horde

Orc - A high-stamina race with some nice racials. Blood Fury is nice for increasing your attack power and can give you the extra boost you need to take down other players. Hardiness will also reduce the duration of stun effects.

Forsaken - A very popular Horde race. Shadow Resistance will decrease the chance shadow spells hit you. Will of the Forsaken will remove charm, fear, and sleep effects on you, making for a potent combination versus Warlocks alongside Shadow Resistance. Cannibalize is a nice way to restore health without sitting down to eat, using a potion, putting stress on a healer, or running to a Rejuvenation powerup.

Troll - Many racials that benefit rogues. Berserking is a useful ability that will increase attack speed by amounts that vary depending on how badly injured the troll is. The highest possible bonus from Berserking is 30%. However, Berserking will cost you some Energy. Da Voodoo Shuffle is a new racial ability that decreases the duration of snares by 15%. Regeneration will increase your health regeneration rate by 10% and allow 10% of your health regeneration to take place during combat. While that may not seem useful at first it can save you in a pinch. Bow and Throwing Specialization will increase your ranged critical chance, be it with a bow or a throwing weapon.

Blood Elf - Arcane Torrent is the highlight here. Using it will silence every foe within an 8-yard radius and will also restore 15 energy. Magic Resistance will also decrease the chance that any spell will hit you by 2%.