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Rogue
Rogue
Rogue Crest
Available to Alliance & Horde All playable races (except Dracthyr)
Specializations Assassination Assassination (melee DPS)
Outlaw Outlaw (melee DPS)
Subtlety Subtlety (melee DPS)
Resource(s) Energy, Combo points
Primary attribute Agility
Weapon skills Bows, Crossbows, Daggers, One-handed Swords, Maces, Axes and Fist weapons
Armor type Leather; can also equip Cloth.
Signature abilities Ability vanish [Vanish]
Ability sap [Sap]
Ability rogue eviscerate [Eviscerate]
Spell shadow ritualofsacrifice [Sinister Strike]
Ability rogue sprint [Sprint]

“You're gonna find a number of outfits that covet our skills, <name>. Adventurers, SI:7... heck, even the disorganized rabble wouldn't mind a spy or two inside Stormwind. But you remember this: You're your own man. Don't let nobody bully you into doing something you don't wanna do! Besides, we hold all the cards... at least, we do before the game's done.”

Jorik Kerridan[1]

The rogue is a lightly armored class that specializes in melee damage. Their role in the world is that of an elite assassin, sneaky pickpocket, waylaying bandit and more.[2] Some aren't magic users but use magic items.[3] Others utilize the Void to attain relative invisibility,[4] with some being able to instantly become completely invisible even in broad daylight.[5]

Rogues often initiate combat with a surprise attack from the shadows, leading with vicious melee strikes. When in protracted battles, they utilize a successive combination of carefully chosen attacks to soften the enemy up for a killing blow. They must take special care when selecting targets so that their combo attacks are not wasted, and they must be conscious of when to hide or flee if a battle turns against them. By skillfully wielding dual-wielded weapons, rogues can deliver catastrophic damage to their targets. They sneak about the battlefield, hiding from enemies and delivering surprise attacks to the unwary when opportunity arises. Rogues coat their weapons in poison, allowing them to quickly dispatch weakened foes. By planning and combining successive melee attacks, they can build up combo points that allow them to deliver devastating finishing blows in combat.[6]

Rogue talents can strengthen their ability to hide in shadows, kill foes with quick, deadly strikes, and survive in extended slugfests:

  • Assassination rogues are deadly masters of poisons who dispatche victims with vicious dagger strikes.[6]
  • Outlaw rogues are ruthless fugitives who use agility and guile to stand toe-to-toe with enemies.[6]
  • Subtlety rogues are dark stalkers who leap from the shadows to ambush their unsuspecting prey.[6]

Class overview[]

Sonya Shadowdancer

Sonya Shadowdancer, a human rogue in Hearthstone.

Rogues fend for themselves, looking for fights in which they dictate the terms. They’re the shadows in the night that remain unseen until the right moment comes to strike—then they dispatch an opponent with quick blade work or a deadly toxin snuck acutely into the bloodstream. Rogues are opportunistic thieves, bandits, and assassins, but there’s an unparalleled art to what they do.[7]

Game guide[]

For rogues, the only code is the contract, and their honor is purchased in gold. Free from the constraints of a conscience, these mercenaries rely on brutal and efficient tactics. Lethal assassins and masters of stealth, they will approach their marks from behind, piercing a vital organ and vanishing into the shadows before the victim hits the ground. Rogues can dip their weapons in paralyzing toxins that render foes unable to defend themselves. These silent stalkers wear leather armor so they can move unencumbered, ensuring that they land the first strike.

With the rogue’s poisons and speed, the first strike is often the last step before the killing blow.[6]

Creation screen description[]

Rogues are most successful when their deeds never come to light. Fond of poisons and silent projectile weapons, rogues rely on a blend of stealth and minor mysticism. Usually in the employ of rich nobles or local governments, the rogue redistributes wealth or eliminates designated targets. A rogue's allegiance lasts only as long as the latest contract.[8]

Rogues often serve as assassins or scouts, though many are lone wolves. Rogues can often sneak around enemies or attack an opponent from behind to try and finish them off quickly.

Classic guide[]

Fans of knives and poisons, Rogues stalk their foes from the silent dark, always ready to slit throats and pick the pockets of the unwary.[9]

Background[]

See also: Rogue races
Icon-search-48x48 This section contains information that needs to be cleaned up. Reason: Source needed, possible RPG info
Aesadonna Almere

Aesadonna Al'mere, a blood elf rogue.

For as long as there were dark alleys and needs for dark services, there have been rogues, and thus they are one of the oldest professions in Azeroth. Rogues are a diverse class, and they are typically made up from the dregs of society — cutthroats, pirates, robbers, and low-lifes. The only code rogues live by is the contract, and their word is only as good as the money their services are bought for. The diverse aspects of their trade require rogues to be well-versed in lockpicking, toxicology, rudimentary alchemy and brawling. In combat, rogues rely on the element of surprise, and tactics which are regarded by most as vile and cowardly. They are rarely seen entering a fight without weapons laced in poisons and ample supplies of everything from bombs to elixirs in their backpacks. Their attacks concentrate on weak points in the body in an attempt to finish fights brutally and quickly. Rogues play prominent roles in every aspect of society — albeit they will rarely be written in history books because their involvements will be largely unknown to the common person, but they are always there, greatly affecting the flow of events from the shadows.

From the high-contract assassin hired in secret by respected noblemen to the lowly street mugger, rogues are the ones called upon when maintaining the status quo requires a questionable solution — and by fulfilling it, are branded as outcasts by the very society that calls upon their service.

Rogues are best known for being sneaky and very sharp in the slit-your-throat kind of way.[10]

Notable[]

Mathias Shaw cinematic

Mathias Shaw, leader of SI:7.

Main article: List of rogues
Name Role Affiliation Status Location
Neutral IconSmall EdwinVanCleef Edwin VanCleef Former kingpin of the Defias Brotherhood and leader of the Stonemasons Guild. Defias Brotherhood Deceased Killed in the Deadmines
Horde IconSmall Garona Garona Halforcen Shadow and Champion of the Uncrowned. Former personal assassin of Gul'dan. Uncrowned, Independent Alive Various
Alliance IconSmall Dwarf Male Hulfdan Blackbeard Leader of the Hidden Circle and member of the Uncrowned. Hidden Circle, Kingdom of Ironforge, Uncrowned Alive Forlorn Cavern, Ironforge
Horde IconSmall Voss Lilian Voss Representative of the Forsaken on the Horde Council, and Champion of the Uncrowned. Desolate Council, Undercity, Uncrowned Active Various
Neutral IconSmall Human Male Jorach Ravenholdt Lord of the Assassin's League and Shadow leader of the Uncrowned. Ravenholdt, Uncrowned Alive Various
Alliance IconSmall Maiev Maiev Shadowsong Leader of the Watchers. Former jailor of Illidan Stormrage. Watchers, The Wardens, Darnassus Alive Various
Alliance IconSmall Mathias Mathias Shaw Director of the SI:7, Champion and ally of the Uncrowned. SI:7, Stormwind Assassin's Guild, Stormwind Alive Various
Neutral IconSmall Pandaren Female Taoshi Taran Zhu's right hand and Shadow of the Uncrowned. Shadow-Pan, Uncrowned Alive Various
Alliance IconSmall Tess Tess Greymane Princess of Gilneas, Shadow and Champion of the Uncrowned. Gilneas, Uncrowned Alive Various
Neutral IconSmall Human Male Tethys Fleet Admiral of the Bloodsail Buccaneers, Shadow and Champion of the Uncrowned. Bloodsail Buccaneers, Uncrowned Alive Various
Horde IconSmall Orc Female Thega Graveblade Chieftain of the Shattered Hand clan and rogue trainer in Orgrimmar. Shattered Hand clan, Uncrowned Alive Barracks, Orgrimmar
Neutral IconSmall Valeera Valeera Sanguinar King Anduin's personal spy, Shadow and Champion of the Uncrowned. House of Wrynn, Uncrowned Alive Various
Neutral IconSmall Vanessa Vanessa VanCleef Champion of the Uncrowned, former Kingpin of the Defias Brotherhood. Uncrowned, Independent Alive Various

Organizations[]

Lord Jorach Ravenholdt TCG

Lord Jorach Ravenholdt and his assassins.

Races[]

Main article: Rogue races

The following races can play the rogue class:

Strength Agility Stamina Intellect Spirit Armor Health
Alliance Alliance DwarfDwarf Dwarf WoW Icon update 26 19 22 19 19 38 65
GnomeGnome Gnome WoW Icon update 16 25 21 24 20 50 55
HumanHuman Human WoW Icon update 21 23 21 20 20 46 55
Night elfNight elf Night elf WoW Icon update 17 27 21 20 20 54 55
WorgenWorgen Worgen Cataclysm 23 25 21 16 19 50 55
Void elfVoid elf Void elf Legion N/A
Dark Iron dwarfDark Iron dwarf Dark Iron Battle for Azeroth N/A
Kul TiranKul Tiran Kul Tiran Battle for Azeroth N/A
MechagnomeMechagnome Mechagnome Battle for Azeroth N/A
Neutral Neutral PandarenPandaren Pandaren Mists of Pandaria 21 21 22 19 22 37 123
Horde Horde Blood elfBlood elf Blood elf Bc icon 18 25 21 23 18 50 55
GoblinGoblin Goblin Cataclysm 18 25 21 23 18 49 55
OrcOrc Orc WoW Icon update 24 20 22 17 22 40 65
TrollTroll Troll WoW Icon update 22 25 21 16 21 50 55
UndeadUndead Undead WoW Icon update 20 21 21 18 25 42 55
NightborneNightborne Nightborne Legion N/A
Mag'har orcMag'har orc Mag'har Battle for Azeroth N/A
Zandalari trollZandalari troll Zandalari Battle for Azeroth N/A
VulperaVulpera Vulpera Battle for Azeroth N/A

Attributes[]

-Acid Hands- McGillicutty TCG

An undead rogue.

Rogues depend on the following primary attributes:

  • Agility - Increases attack power, critical strike, and dodge. Agility is a rogue's most important stat.
  • Stamina - Increases health. While not a priority for rogues compared to other stats, stamina is necessary to stay alive. Most rogue gear pairs agility with stamina.

Rogues also desire the following secondary attributes:

Strength, intellect and related caster stats give no benefits for rogues.

Equipment[]

Timmo Shadestep

A gnome rogue with Nightslayer Armor.

See also: Rogue sets

Rogues can use five types of melee weapons: daggers, fist weapons, one-handed maces, one-handed swords, and one-handed axes. They dual wield, which means they can equip a weapon in each hand when most classes can equip only one; the trade-off, however, is an increased chance to miss with each weapon and reduced damage from the off-hand. Rogues cannot equip two-handed weapons or shields. A rogue's choice of weapon typically reflects their talent specialization: the Assassination and Subtlety trees favor the use of daggers, while the Outlaw tree favors the use of swords, axes, maces, and fist weapons. In order to optimize damage, rogues must pay attention to the weapon speed and damage per second of the weapon in each hand.

Rogues wear leather armor. Leather is weaker than the mail and plate worn by other melee classes, making rogues more "squishy". To compensate for this, rogues have an array of defensive abilities to improve their survivability, including Spell shadow shadowward [Evasion], Ability rogue feint [Feint], Ability rogue sprint [Sprint], Ability vanish [Vanish], and Spell shadow nethercloak [Cloak of Shadows]. Rogues can also wear cloth, but this is not recommended, as virtually all cloth items are intended for casters. Rogues also benefit from Inv chest leather 06 [Leather Specialization] when wearing only leather.

Abilities[]

Main article: Rogue abilities

Rogue combat centers around using instant attacks to build combo points, which are used to unleash more powerful finishing moves on the target. Many of the rogue's abilities depend on their ever-replenishing pool of energy.

Melee combat[]

Combo points

Energy is represented as a yellow bar under the rogue's health. Combo points are represented as red dots beneath the energy bar.

Combo points pre-7.0

Prior to patch 7.0.3, combo points were shown on the enemy's portrait.

Rogues specialize in melee combat. A large portion of a rogue's damage comes from auto-attacks and poisons, but they can increase their damage using a variety of offensive abilities. Many abilities require energy, a resource with a fixed capacity that is spent quickly and regenerates quickly. Certain abilities are instant attacks that add up to five combo points to the target ("builders"); these combo points can then be used to execute finishing moves that last longer or are more powerful per combo point ("finishers"). Rogues also have powerful opening moves that can only be used from Ability stealth [Stealth] ("openers"), as well as cooldown-restricted abilities that greatly increase damage for a short period of time ("cooldowns"). The following are examples of offensive rogue abilities categorized according to this terminology:

Stealth[]

Nathressa Darkstrider TCG

Nathressa Darkstrider, a night elf rogue.

Main article: Stealth

Rogues have the ability to enter Ability stealth [Stealth], which makes them essentially invisible to enemies their level and lower. Stealthed rogues are detectable at close range, though will remain stealthed and appear translucent. Many rogue abilities require stealth, and others require being behind the target, which is often achievable only in stealth. Some abilities, notably Ability rogue sprint [Sprint] and Ability rogue distract [Distract], interact well with stealth, but normally using any ability or performing any action will break stealth.

Stealth opens up a range of tactics and roles for rogues. Groups may rely on a rogue's stealth ability to scout dungeons, and to use Ability sap [Sap] for added crowd control. In PvP, stealth combined with disables and burst damage gives an element of surprise that can be especially effective against cloth-wearers. Stealth also enables rogues to bypass mobs that other classes would be forced to engage, which is useful for solo play.

In addition to stealth, rogues have a number of other "sneaky" abilities, such as the ability to pickpocket mobs and pick locks (breaks stealth).

Warlords of Draenor Rogues no longer have access to Spell shadow grimward [Disarm Trap] and Ability spy [Detect Traps]. Inv glyph minorrogue [Glyph of Detection] still exists, but does not work on traps.

Legion Major glyphs have been removed, but the cooldown for Ability stealth [Stealth] has been reduced for the entire class, mimicking the effect that was provided by Glyph of Stealth. Similarly, Spell nature moonkey [Pick Lock] is now faster and mimics the effect from Inv glyph minorrogue [Glyph of Pick Lock].

Poisons[]

Envenom TCG

A gnome rogue using Ability rogue disembowel [Envenom].

Main article: Poisons

Rogues are the only class that can coat their weapons with poisons. Poisons generally either cause damage to the target (either instantly or as damage over time) or other hindering effects (slowing the target, reducing the effectiveness of healing on the target). They are applied as a buff to the player, lasting for one hour before they need to be reapplied; one Lethal and one Non-Lethal poison can be applied at the same time, and faster attacks (through faster weapon speed and attack speed, higher haste, and greater energy regeneration) will cause the poison to proc more often. Poisons are a core component of the Assassination spec and should always be used.

Mists of Pandaria Poisons are now no longer items, but individual buffs that can be applied to the weapons by the rogue. Also poison vendors no longer sell poisons.

Legion Poisons are no longer available to all three specs and can now only be used by Assassination rogues.

Disabling effects[]

Rogues have a number of ways to harm their enemies aside from raw damage. Note that diminishing returns apply to all effects that cause players to lose control of their character (stun, incapacitate, fear, etc.), as well as to status effects applied to NPCs.

Warlords of Draenor Ability rogue dismantle [Dismantle] and other Ability warrior disarm [Disarm] abilities have been completely removed.

Mobility, elusiveness and survivability[]

Vanish TCG

Vanish

Rogues are characterized by their high mobility as well as their adeptness at quickly engaging, disengaging or outright escaping from a skirmish. These two elements form a significant part of the rogue's core playstyle across all three specs, enabling them to use the battleground to their advantage, strike at an opportune moment and utilize their speed and abilities not only to attack from an advantageous position and stick to their targets, but also to evade pursuers, dodge targeted attacks, and mitigate ground effects and area of effect damage.

The rogue's use of stealth and their ability to vanish in the middle of combat aid in their ability to stay alive and oftentimes escape from a dire situation, but they also open up a number of offensive tools: for example, attacks that are only usable from Ability stealth [Stealth] such as Ability rogue ambush [Ambush] or Ability rogue shadowstrike [Shadowstrike] deal high damage, which can be increased further by adding the talent Ability stealth [Nightstalker]. Ability vanish [Vanish] is also utilized as a means of increasing damage output in the middle of a fight, most notably for Assassination and Subtlety rogues, as this enables them to use their stealth-only abilities and proc the damage increase from Ability stealth [Nightstalker].

Mobility and elusiveness are among the rogue's most important tools, as vital as their ability to deal heavy damage in a small window of time and quickly dispatch their targets. Numerous talents and abilities fall under one or the other of these traits; they are listed as follows:

  • Ability rogue sprint [Sprint] increases running speed by 70% for 8 seconds (60-second cooldown). It is usable both in and out of Ability stealth [Stealth].
    • Worgen rogues are also able to use their racial ability, Ability racial darkflight [Darkflight], which increases movement speed by 40% for 10 seconds and can be treated as a longer but slower additional Ability rogue sprint [Sprint]. The two abilities do not stack on top of each other, meaning that you will only receive the 70% movement speed bonus from Ability rogue sprint [Sprint] if both abilities are active at the same time.
  • Ability vanish [Vanish] allows a rogue to disappear from combat and enter stealth instantly (2-minute cooldown). Stealth cannot be broken by enemy attacks or other harmful effects for 3 seconds after triggering Ability vanish [Vanish], and movement-impairing effects that were applied to your character will be removed. In a dungeon or raid setting, casting Ability vanish [Vanish] can be utilized as part of an offensive rotation, as well as to drop aggro if you come under attack.
  • Ability rogue tricksofthetrade [Tricks of the Trade] is meant for use in dungeons, raids or other PvE groups, and will redirect any threat that you generate, applying it to a selected friendly player: when cast, the player will be marked for 30 seconds, and the spell will trigger after your first attack, with the effects lasting for 6 seconds. This ability is best-utilized proactively instead of reactively, as you may not immediately lose aggro from enemy NPCs if you use it when you are already under attack.
  • Ability rogue quickrecovery [Fleet Footed] is a class-wide passive trait that increases movement speed by 15%.
  • Ability rogue fleetfooted [Hit and Run] is a level 30 passive talent for Outlaw rogues that increases movement speed by an additional 15%.
  • Ability stealth [Nightstalker] is a level 30 passive talent for Assassination and Subtlety rogues, with different effects for each:
    • Increases movement speed by 20% while in Ability stealth [Stealth] or while Ability rogue shadowdance [Shadow Dance] is active, and increases damage dealt by your abilities while in stealth by 12%. (Subtlety)
    • Increases movement speed by 20% while in Ability stealth [Stealth], and increases damage dealt by your abilities while in stealth by 50%. (Assassination)
  • Ability rogue grapplinghook [Grappling Hook] is a level 30 talent for Outlaw rogues that allows you to quickly grapple to a targeted location within 40 yards of your character (30-second cooldown). It can be used in mid-air to limit or avoid fall damage, and can also be used to pull your character to areas that are higher or lower in elevation, but can sometimes not be used on sloped or bumpy terrain, and as such, is most reliable on flat ground.
  • Ability rogue shadowstep [Shadowstep] can be used by Subtlety and Assassination rogues to quickly teleport behind a selected target within 20 yards and can be utilized while in or out of stealth (30-second cooldown). Movement speed is also increased by 20% for 2 seconds after the teleport.
  • Ability rogue shadowstrike [Shadowstrike] allows Subtlety rogues to attack from Ability stealth [Stealth] and teleport behind their target; it has a range of 15 yards and consumes 40 energy, generating 1 combo point (2 with Spell shadow possession [Premeditation]).
  • Spell shadow nethercloak [Cloak of Shadows] removes all harmful spell effects, as well as granting immunity from these effects for 5 seconds (90-second cooldown).
  • Ability rogue feint [Feint] is a powerful damage mitigation tool that reduces area-of-effect damage by 50% for 5 seconds; consumes 20 energy.
    • Ability rogue turnthetables [Elusiveness] is a level 60 talent available to all specs that augments Ability rogue feint [Feint], causing it to also reduce damage from all other sources (i.e., non area-of-effect damage) by 30%.
  • Ability rogue crimsonvial [Crimson Vial] restores 30% of your maximum health over 6 seconds, costing 30 energy (30-second cooldown).
    • Inv misc organ 11 [Iron Stomach] is a level 60 passive talent for Outlaw rogues that increases the amount of health restored by Ability rogue crimsonvial [Crimson Vial], Healthstones and potions by 30%.
  • Ability rogue cheatdeath [Cheat Death] is a level 60 passive talent for all specs that causes fatal attacks to instead lower you to 7% of your maximum health; once triggered, you will take 85% reduced damage for 3 seconds and cannot trigger it again for 2 minutes. Ability rogue cheatdeath [Cheat Death] will not activate if you are hit by an attack that deals damage greater than 200% of your maximum health; as an example, if your maximum health is 200,000, then the spell will not trigger if you are hit by an attack that deals more than 400,000 damage.
  • A pair of cooldowns can help rogues to temporarily tank NPCs in an emergency situation or to weather an attack from multiple targets or single, dangerous targets:
    • Spell shadow shadowward [Evasion] increases your dodge chance by 100% for 10 seconds, available to Assassination and Subtlety rogues (2-minute cooldown).
    • Ability parry [Riposte] increases your parry chance by 100% for 10 seconds, available to Outlaw rogues; when active, every attack that you parry will return damage to the attacker, no more than once per second (2-minute cooldown).

Legion

  • Major glyphs have been removed. Ability rogue shadowstep [Shadowstep] is no longer available for all specs and can only be used by Assassination or Subtlety rogues; Outlaw rogues are the only spec that can utilize Ability rogue grapplinghook [Grappling Hook].
  • Ability rogue recuperate [Recuperate] has been removed, and is now effectively replaced by Ability rogue crimsonvial [Crimson Vial].

Specializations[]

"Subtlety" redirects here. For other uses, see Subtlety (disambiguation).
For a list of specialization-specific abilities, see Rogue abilities#Specializations.

At level 10 rogues may choose a specialization. All rogue specializations are themed around a certain type of historical scoundrel and primarily fulfill a melee damage role:

Assassination[]

Rogue preview Assassination
Ability rogue eviscerate

A deadly master of poisons who dispatches victims with vicious dagger strikes.

Much of an Assassination rogue's toolkit is based on heavy damage over time through poison effects, rapid auto-attacks (Assassination rogues require daggers in both hands to utilize many of their abilities), and abilities that cause bleed damage. Combat centers upon maintaining and managing bleed effects on your targets, focusing on the amount of time left on each bleed and maximizing your damage output by ensuring that they are constantly in effect. The use of poisons is exclusive and central to the assassination spec, forming a significant part of its damage output in unison with Ability rogue disembowel [Envenom], Ability rogue venomouswounds [Venomous Wounds] and Mastery: Potent Poisons.[11]

As their name suggests, Assassination rogues are themed around assassins: One of the favorite tools of the assassin is a pair of daggers coated with vicious poisons. The damage they inflict is deceiving at first—the initial wounds often seem survivable, even superficial. Then the toxins set about their business. Wounds don’t close, and blood loss continues unabated. Assassins begin their work stealthily, choosing their targets and methods of engagement carefully—but once committed to a course of action, they stick to their target until the job is done rather than disappearing into the shadows to avoid their quarry’s blows.[7]

Signature Abilities & Talents

Outlaw[]

Rogue preview Outlaw
Inv sword 30

A swashbuckler who uses agility and guile to stand toe-to-toe with enemies.

Outlaw rogues focus on consistent weapon (auto-attack) damage and cleave damage in multi-target situations via Ability warrior punishingblow [Blade Flurry] to provide sustained DPS. Rather than requiring stealth and relying on powerful openers, you can simply run up to most targets and quickly hack away at them, building combo points with Ability rogue sabreslash [Saber Slash] and Ability rogue pistolshot [Pistol Shot] while maintaining personal buffs through the use of Ability rogue rollthebones [Roll the Bones]; these enhancements are random and will either augment the characteristics of some of your abilities, reduce your cooldown times, or boost your secondary stats. As such, Outlaw tends to be the best spec for fast leveling, since you can move quickly from one enemy to the next with very little downtime instead of trying to sneak up on enemies.

Outlaw rogues are mainly themed around pirates: Outlaw rogues are the unscrupulous scoundrels of Azeroth. Operating outside the law, they bend the rules and distort the truth to get what they need. While they share plenty in common with other rogues, these outlaws have little use for tact or discretion, happy to engage in a tavern brawl or spontaneous duel, rarely patient enough to wait in stealth for the opportune time to engage. To survive in such a world, outlaws must become master swordsmen in toe-to-toe combat—and they can’t shy away from fighting dirty. If blade fails to cut too deeply, the outlaw takes advantage of a concealed pistol, catching the enemy by surprise with a quick blast.[7]

Signature Abilities & Talents

Subtlety[]

Rogue preview Subtlety
Ability stealth

A dark stalker who leaps from the shadows to ambush his or her unsuspecting prey.

Subtlety rogues like to stay in the shadows. This spec is based on moving quickly and staying hidden, choosing to strike at the most advantageous moment. Once they have initiated their attack, a subtlety rogue focuses on accumulating as many combo points as possible in a short amount of time, relying on high burst damage at the beginning of combat and pooling energy to maximize damage during phases of Ability rogue shadowdance [Shadow Dance] as a fight progresses.[12]

Subtlety is the archetypal (and infamous) PvP rogue spec, appearing from nowhere to overwhelm and defeat a player in a matter of seconds using a combination of incapacitating abilities and deadly damage. Subtlety rogues try to avoid a straight fight: their greatest strength is centered on their ability to catch their prey by surprise, and if they are unable to defeat the opponent in their initial burst, then they will often slip back into the shadows before their opponent is able to rally.

Subtlety rogues are mainly themed around ninjas: Subtlety rogues are the masters of the shadows, and they strike unseen. They don’t have the lethal poison-tipped daggers of the assassin or the brawling prowess of the outlaw, but their acumen on the battlefield and ability to hide in plain sight are unrivaled. Some claim the art of subtlety looks like malevolent shadow magic—but no matter from where their power is derived, these rogues are capable of performing devastating assaults on their enemies, slipping away unharmed to strike again without detection. Most rogues train their entire lives to learn how to walk in the shadows—subtlety rogues were born there.[7]

Signature Abilities & Talents

General role in raids and dungeons[]

As with all damage-dealers, the rogue's main priority in raiding and PvE group settings is to maximize DPS while staying alive. In dungeons, rogues may be asked to preemptively disable certain enemies with Ability sap [Sap], Spell shadow mindsteal [Blind] or Achievement character human male [Parley] before the party enters combat. More frequently, rogues may also be tasked with interrupting important spells during some encounters, notably against bosses such as Xhul'horac, Kel'Thuzad and General Vezax. General raid etiquette will also require you to handle any other responsibilities that your raid leader may ask you, as well as to provide your own flasks, food, potions and other supplies to maximize your buffs.

In general, rogues should not expect to be healed on a regular basis, meaning that you must oftentimes fend for yourself and rely on your mobility, positioning, and prudent use of abilities such as Ability rogue sprint [Sprint], Ability rogue shadowstep [Shadowstep], Ability rogue grapplinghook [Grappling Hook], Spell shadow nethercloak [Cloak of Shadows] and Ability rogue feint [Feint] to quickly move away from targeted attacks and ground effects and to minimize incoming damage. Utilize Ability rogue crimsonvial [Crimson Vial], potions and healthstones as needed, and especially in encounters with a large number of enemies, be sure to use Ability rogue tricksofthetrade [Tricks of the Trade] to transfer threat to one of your tanks and reduce the chances of taking aggro. If you come under attack, drop aggro with Ability vanish [Vanish], or mitigate damage by using Ability parry [Riposte] or Spell shadow shadowward [Evasion]. As a melee class, rogues will almost always find themselves in the middle of the action, usually alongside tanks, and will need to be wary of area of effect attacks and damaging auras; you can expect to come under fire from multiple directions, and must strike a balance between avoiding attacks while maintaining your own attacks and remaining close enough to your targets to deal as much damage as possible.

In the RPG[]

Defias renegade

Rogue in World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game.

Icon-RPG This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

Rogues are Azeroth's legerdemains. They possess a wide range of skills that allow them to accomplish feats from disarming traps to finding secret doors to smacking a magic item until it works. They are decent in a fight, and if they can strike quickly or unseen — or are flanking an enemy with the help of a thoughtful ally — they can be truly deadly. Of course, they also excel at stealth.[13]

The rogues of Azeroth are the masters of subterfuge, skilled and cunning adversaries of those who dare not look into the shadows to see what lurks there. Roguery is a profession for those who seek the adventures of stalking and silent forests, dimly lit halls and heavily guarded strongholds. Using trickery in combat and able to vanish at the slightest distraction, the rogue is a welcome addition to any group of adventurers. Ideal spies, deadly to those they can catch unaware, rogues have no problem finding a place in the world. Deadly masters of stealth, rogues are the whispers in shadowy corners and the hooded figures crossing dark fields. Skilled with daggers and the art of silent death, these vagabonds and bandits skulk about Azeroth seeking targets and profit. A member of almost any race can learn the tricks necessary to become a skilled rogue. Still, for the Tauren and Draenei, such a profession is an alien concept and therefore rare (if not non-existent) among those peoples.[14] Rogues can be found among all races on Azeroth. Whether they are diplomats, spies, thieves, scoundrels, entertainers, or simply adventurers, you can find them plying just about any trade from Mount Hyjal to Ratchet.[15]

Notes and trivia[]

Gallery[]

Trading Card Game
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Patch changes[]

  • Legion Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19):
    • All three specializations (Assassination, Subtlety, Outlaw) have been retooled.
    • The former Combat specialization has been changed to the Outlaw spec and now utilizes several new abilities, but retains much of the core gameplay that characterized the Combat spec.
    • Major glyphs and many minor glyphs have been removed, with some effects from minor glyphs (such as increased lockpicking speed from Inv glyph minorrogue [Glyph of Pick Lock]) incorporated into your abilities.
  • Warlords of Draenor Patch 6.0.2 (2014-10-14):
    • Combo Points are now shared across all enemies; you can swap targets and you won't lose your Combo Points.
    • Several of the Rogues abilities have been pruned down or become baseline in other abilities.
  • Mists of Pandaria Patch 5.0.4 (2012-08-28):
    • Ranged slot has been removed. Rogues will now throw their main hand item for their Ability throw [Throw] ability.
    • Poisons are now Spellbook abilities (instead of items) that affect both weapons at once. Poisons are divided into two categories, Lethal (Deadly or Inv misc herb 16 [Wound Poison]) and Non-Lethal (the rest), and you may have one poison of each type active at once.
    • Dagger speeds have been normalized such that the niche of the "fast dagger" intended for the off-hand no longer exists. Any dagger should be fine to equip in either hand.
  • Cataclysm Patch 4.0.1 (2010-10-12):
    • Lockpicking is no longer a manually-leveled skill. Your ability to open more difficult lockboxes will increase automatically as you level.
    • Poisons no longer have levels and scale as abilities do. Old poisons still work, but will not combine with new poisons into stacks in inventory.
  • Wrath-Logo-Small Patch 3.2.0 (2009-08-04): After much quiet contemplation, rogues now possess the ability to learn how to use one-handed axes.
  • Wrath-Logo-Small Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): Poisons skill removed. All finished poisons are available on vendors rather than created by the rogue.
  • Bc icon Patch 2.0.3 (2007-01-09):
    • Combo points added to a target should not be reset until you add a combo point to a different target.
    • When stealthed, there is now an indicator above the heads of mobs that can see through stealth.

See also[]

  • Rouge - A common (and often intentional) misspelling of the word 'rogue', arguably a sub-class in itself.
  • Rogue professions - Discussion of professions as they relate to the rogue class.

References[]

External links[]

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