Rogue specialization

Assassination Rogue in WoW Forever

Poison-focused attacks.

  • Your role: Melee damage
  • Advice for every level to 60
  • Class notes checked

Your character

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Choose the level you are playing now. The playbook and gear rankings update to match.

Level 45 · Damage in a group

How to play dungeons at level 45

Your combat loop

Press the first one that is ready.

Assassination’s own loop, from level 40. Before that every Rogue plays the same loop.

Own loop from: Combat level 10Subtlety level 10Assassination level 40

Use Instant Poison on the main hand, Deadly Poison on the off hand. It does 12% more than Deadly Poison on both weapons. About even (within 3%): Instant Poison on both weapons; or Deadly Poison on the main hand, Instant Poison on the off hand.

  1. Shank Rank 2 Every 10 sec

    Use it whenever it is ready, every 10 sec.

    1% of your damage
  2. Slice and Dice Rank 2 Keep up · combo points

    Keep it up with combo points.

    no damage of its own
  3. Rupture Rank 4 Keep up · combo points

    Keep it up with combo points.

    13% of your damage
  4. Mutilate Rank 1 Filler

    Spend the rest of your energy on it.

    19% of your damage
  5. Eviscerate Rank 6 Finisher

    Spend the rest of your combo points on it.

    5% of your damage
  6. Instant Poison IV Main hand

    Keep it on your main-hand weapon.

    13% of your damage
  7. Deadly Poison II Off hand

    Keep it on your off-hand weapon.

    11% of your damage
  8. Auto attack All the time

    Your weapon swings on its own. Stay in melee range.

    39% of your damage

The first 30 seconds

When to press each one from the pull. The blue line under a press is the global cooldown (1 sec) or cast it holds: nothing else on the global cooldown can go until it ends, so of two that are ready together the higher one goes first.

All the time
Instant Poison IVDeadly Poison IIAuto attack

How MaxDPS works this out

Talents at level 45

36 points at level 45: the first at level 10, then one every level.

The MaxDPS build at this level, in the game’s talent frame. Click a talent to learn it and right click to unlearn it, as in the game.

Talents
Unspent Talents
Point order: when each point goes in
  1. Malice 5/5 · levels 10–14 +5.3% damage
  2. Ruthlessness 3/3 · levels 15–17 +2.9% damage
  3. Improved Slice and Dice 3/3 · levels 18–19 and 22 +2.6% damage
  4. Lethality 2/2 · levels 20–21 +0.6% damage
  5. Blood Splatter 1/1 · level 23 +3% damage
  6. Vigor 1/2 · level 24 not counted here
  7. Vile Poisons 5/5 · levels 25–29 +3.9% damage
  8. Venom 1/1 · level 30 +8.8% damage
  9. Relentless Strikes 5/5 · levels 31–34 and 38 +7% damage
  10. Seal Fate 3/3 · levels 35–37 +2.4% damage
  11. Improved Poisons 1/5 · level 39 +0.9% damage
  12. Mutilate 1/1 · level 40 +14.9% damage
  13. Coup de Grace 3/3 · levels 41–43 +0.8% damage
  14. Efficient Strikes 2/2 · levels 44–45 not counted here

Every Rogue talent

Preliminary item rankings · Dungeons

Assassination Rogue gear rankings

Combo points and poisons; Mutilate assumes two daggers when talented · Level 45 · Calculated defaults

Hunt list
Show gear for

Main hand 168 items · Updating…

Where it comes from
Auction prices from

Materials: . Each reagent counts at the lower of a vendor’s price and its lowest buyout.

Key stats show the stats behind the three largest score contributions, as the game tooltip states them; open an item’s details for every value and source.

Main hand items with imported stats, weighted scores and acquisition sources.
Rank Item Score (pts) Where to get it Actions
1 in this filtered list
Widowmaker Dagger · iLvl 47 · Req. 42 · Other drop Key stats: 31.58 Weapon melee DPS8 Agility7 Strength
117.76
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 31.58 × 3.4044 = 107.51 pts
  • Agility: 8 × 0.8456 = 6.76 pts
  • Strength: 7 × 0.4983 = 3.49 pts

Rare

57 sources

Emerald Encrusted ChestContainer loot · 0.8%
Reinforced Steel LockboxContainer loot · 0.1%
Ahn'Qiraj War Effort SuppliesContainer loot · <0.1%
Jade SludgeNPC drop · <0.1% · The Hinterlands
Cavern ShamblerNPC drop · <0.1% · Maraudon
Solid ChestObject loot · <0.1%
Sul'lithuz AbominationNPC drop · <0.1% · Zul'Farrak
Earthen StonebreakerNPC drop · <0.1% · Uldaman
All 57 sources
2 in this filtered list
Satyr's Lash Dagger · iLvl 50 · Req. 45 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 33.24 Weapon melee DPS5 Agility
117.39
Lord VyletongueNPC drop · 54% · Maraudon

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 33.24 × 3.4044 = 113.16 pts
  • Agility: 5 × 0.8456 = 4.23 pts

Rare

Source

Lord VyletongueNPC drop · 54% · Maraudon
3 in this filtered list
Gut Ripper Dagger · iLvl 45 · Req. 40 · Other drop Key stats: 33.89 Weapon melee DPS
115.38
Galgann FirehammerNPC drop · 1.2% · Uldaman
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 33.89 × 3.4044 = 115.38 pts

Epic

28 sources

Galgann FirehammerNPC drop · 1.2% · Uldaman
Fungal OozeNPC drop · <0.1%
Southsea KidnapperNPC drop · <0.1% · Tanaris
Deeprot TanglerNPC drop · <0.1% · Maraudon
Zukk'ash WorkerNPC drop · <0.1% · Feralas
Saturated OozeNPC drop · <0.1% · Sunken Temple
Cavern ShamblerNPC drop · <0.1% · Maraudon
Constrictor VineNPC drop · <0.1% · Maraudon
Enraged Feral ScarNPC drop · <0.1% · Feralas
Sandfury Witch DoctorNPC drop · <0.1% · Zul'Farrak
All 28 sources
4 in this filtered list
Jhordy's Misplaced Screwdriver Dagger · iLvl 45 · Req. 40 · Vendor · Reputation required Key stats: 30.26 Weapon melee DPS9 Agility6 Strength
113.62
RettrickVendor · 9g 46s 14c · Tanaris

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 30.26 × 3.4044 = 103.02 pts
  • Agility: 9 × 0.8456 = 7.61 pts
  • Strength: 6 × 0.4983 = 2.99 pts

Rare · Reputation required — check item requirements

Source

RettrickVendor · 9g 46s 14c · Tanaris
5 in this filtered list
Stealthblade Dagger · iLvl 49 · Req. 44 · Other drop Key stats: 32.86 Weapon melee DPS
111.87
Cursed Atal'aiWorld drop · <0.1%
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 32.86 × 3.4044 = 111.87 pts

Rare

Source

Cursed Atal'aiWorld drop · <0.1%
6 in this filtered list
Gahz'rilla Fang Dagger · iLvl 48 · Req. 43 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 32.22 Weapon melee DPS
109.69
Gahz'rillaNPC drop · 100% · Zul'Farrak

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 32.22 × 3.4044 = 109.69 pts

Rare

Source

Gahz'rillaNPC drop · 100% · Zul'Farrak
7 in this filtered list
Scout's Blade Dagger · iLvl 43 · Req. 38 · Vendor · Horde only Key stats: 29.12 Weapon melee DPS8 Agility3 Stamina
106.54
Kelm HargunthVendor · 8g 67s 91c · The Barrens

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 29.12 × 3.4044 = 99.14 pts
  • Agility: 8 × 0.8456 = 6.76 pts
  • Stamina: 3 × 0.2145 = 0.64 pts

Rare

Source

Kelm HargunthVendor · 8g 67s 91c · The Barrens
8 in this filtered list
Sentinel's Blade Dagger · iLvl 43 · Req. 38 · Vendor · Alliance only Key stats: 29.12 Weapon melee DPS8 Agility3 Stamina
106.54
Illiyana MoonblazeVendor · 6g 55s 6c · Ashenvale

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 29.12 × 3.4044 = 99.14 pts
  • Agility: 8 × 0.8456 = 6.76 pts
  • Stamina: 3 × 0.2145 = 0.64 pts

Rare

Source

Illiyana MoonblazeVendor · 6g 55s 6c · Ashenvale
9 in this filtered list
Kroog's Backscratcher Dagger · iLvl 43 · Req. 38 · Other drop Key stats: 29.17 Weapon melee DPS14 Attack power
106.28
KroogNPC drop · 33%

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 29.17 × 3.4044 = 99.31 pts
  • Attack power: 14 × 0.4983 = 6.98 pts

Rare

Source

KroogNPC drop · 33%
10 in this filtered list
Mithril Stiletto Dagger · iLvl 47 · Req. 42 · Crafted Key stats: 28.06 Weapon melee DPS8 Agility
102.29
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 28.06 × 3.4044 = 95.53 pts
  • Agility: 8 × 0.8456 = 6.76 pts

Uncommon

Source

11 in this filtered list
Snarling Fang Dagger · iLvl 47 · Req. 42 · Other drop Key stats: 28.06 Weapon melee DPS9 Attack power6 Stamina
101.30
SnarlerNPC drop · 0.8% · Feralas
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 28.06 × 3.4044 = 95.53 pts
  • Attack power: 9 × 0.4983 = 4.48 pts
  • Stamina: 6 × 0.2145 = 1.29 pts

Uncommon

Source

SnarlerNPC drop · 0.8% · Feralas
12 in this filtered list
Vorpal Dagger Dagger · iLvl 50 · Req. 45 · Other drop Key stats: 29.69 Weapon melee DPS
101.08
Emerald Encrusted ChestContainer loot · 1.6%
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 29.69 × 3.4044 = 101.08 pts

Uncommon

175 sources

Emerald Encrusted ChestContainer loot · 1.6%
Lard's Special Picnic BasketContainer loot · 1.6%
Tinkerer GizlockNPC drop · 1% · Maraudon
Reinforced Steel LockboxContainer loot · 0.9%
Dark CofferObject loot · 0.7% · Blackrock Depths
Cuergo's Hidden TreasureContainer loot · 0.5%
Nightmare WyrmkinNPC drop · 0.5% · Sunken Temple
Mysterious LockboxContainer loot · 0.4%
All 175 sources
13 in this filtered list
Black Menace Dagger · iLvl 44 · Req. 39* · Quest · Alliance only Key stats: 29.67 Weapon melee DPS
101.01

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 29.67 × 3.4044 = 101.01 pts

Rare

14 in this filtered list
Coldrage Dagger Dagger · iLvl 43 · Req. 38 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 29 Weapon melee DPS
98.73

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 29 × 3.4044 = 98.73 pts

Rare

Source

15 in this filtered list
Ceremonial Elven Blade Dagger · iLvl 45 · Req. 40* · Quest · Alliance only Key stats: 26.67 Weapon melee DPS6 Agility3 Stamina
96.51
A Hero's WelcomeQuest choice · Feralas

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 26.67 × 3.4044 = 90.80 pts
  • Agility: 6 × 0.8456 = 5.07 pts
  • Stamina: 3 × 0.2145 = 0.64 pts

Uncommon

Source

A Hero's WelcomeQuest choice · Feralas
16 in this filtered list
Dreadblade Dagger · iLvl 47 · Req. 42 · Other drop Key stats: 28 Weapon melee DPS
95.32
Alcaz JailerNPC drop · 11%
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 28 × 3.4044 = 95.32 pts

Uncommon

184 sources

Alcaz JailerNPC drop · 11%
RuuzluBoss drop · 4.5% · Zul'Farrak
Lard's Special Picnic BasketContainer loot · 2.1%
Reinforced Steel LockboxContainer loot · 1.2%
Box of GoodiesContainer loot · 0.9%
Dark CofferObject loot · 0.6% · Blackrock Depths
Cuergo's Hidden TreasureContainer loot · 0.5%
Jade SludgeNPC drop · 0.3% · The Hinterlands
Eastsea RaiderWorld drop · 0.2%
All 184 sources
17 in this filtered list
Fiendish Skiv Dagger · iLvl 45 · Req. 40* · Quest · Horde only Key stats: 26.58 Weapon melee DPS8 Strength
94.48

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 26.58 × 3.4044 = 90.49 pts
  • Strength: 8 × 0.4983 = 3.99 pts

Uncommon

18 in this filtered list
Howling Blade Dagger · iLvl 38 · Req. 33 · Other drop Key stats: 25.83 Weapon melee DPS4 Agility
91.32
SkhowlNPC drop · 25% · Alterac Mountains
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 25.83 × 3.4044 = 87.94 pts
  • Agility: 4 × 0.8456 = 3.38 pts

Rare

Source

SkhowlNPC drop · 25% · Alterac Mountains
19 in this filtered list
Tok'kar's Murloc Shanker Dagger · iLvl 43 · Req. 38* · Quest · Horde only Key stats: 25 Weapon melee DPS6 Agility3 Stamina
90.83

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 25 × 3.4044 = 85.11 pts
  • Agility: 6 × 0.8456 = 5.07 pts
  • Stamina: 3 × 0.2145 = 0.64 pts

Uncommon

Source

20 in this filtered list
The Ziggler Dagger · iLvl 39 · Req. 34 · Other drop Key stats: 26.47 Weapon melee DPS
90.11
Lesser Darkmoon PrizeContainer loot · 2.3%
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 26.47 × 3.4044 = 90.11 pts

Rare

33 sources

Lesser Darkmoon PrizeContainer loot · 2.3%
Champion of the DeepNPC drop · 0.9%
Brinescale ExplorerNPC drop · 0.2%
Hoard of the Black DragonflightContainer loot · <0.1%
Stone GolemNPC drop · <0.1% · Badlands
Swampwalker ElderNPC drop · <0.1% · Swamp of Sorrows
Solid ChestObject loot · <0.1%
All 33 sources

Item stats from the WoW Forever game files; sources from data collected from the live game. Auction prices are the lowest buyout on the Americas · Normal auction houses, read from Blizzard every hour; pick another region or ruleset under Filters. Which house is which ruleset is matched by size and still being confirmed in game.

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