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

Show advice for
Your gear Use my character
Updating…

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

Level 55 · Damage in a group

How to play dungeons at level 55

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 16% 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 5 Keep up · combo points

    Keep it up with combo points.

    12% of your damage
  4. Mutilate Rank 2 Filler

    Spend the rest of your energy on it.

    19% of your damage
  5. Eviscerate Rank 7 Finisher

    Spend the rest of your combo points on it.

    7% of your damage
  6. Instant Poison V Main hand

    Keep it on your main-hand weapon.

    15% of your damage
  7. Deadly Poison IV Off hand

    Keep it on your off-hand weapon.

    14% of your damage
  8. Auto attack All the time

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

    32% 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 VDeadly Poison IVAuto attack

How MaxDPS works this out

Talents at level 55

46 points at level 55: 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 +4.6% damage
  2. Ruthlessness 3/3 · levels 15–17 +3.2% damage
  3. Improved Slice and Dice 3/3 · levels 18–19 and 22 +2.6% damage
  4. Lethality 2/2 · levels 20–21 +0.9% damage
  5. Blood Splatter 1/1 · level 23 +2.9% damage
  6. Vigor 1/2 · level 24 not counted here
  7. Vile Poisons 5/5 · levels 25–29 +4.9% damage
  8. Venom 1/1 · level 30 +9.2% damage
  9. Relentless Strikes 5/5 · levels 31–34 and 38 +8.6% damage
  10. Seal Fate 3/3 · levels 35–37 +4.2% damage
  11. Improved Poisons 5/5 · levels 39 and 52–55 +4.1% damage
  12. Mutilate 1/1 · level 40 +6.1% damage
  13. Coup de Grace 3/3 · levels 41–43 +1.2% damage
  14. Efficient Strikes 2/2 · levels 44–45 not counted here
  15. Precision 3/3 · levels 46–48 +3.5% damage
  16. Puncturing Wounds 3/3 · levels 49–51 +4.5% damage

Every Rogue talent

Preliminary item rankings · Dungeons

Assassination Rogue gear rankings

Combo points and poisons; Mutilate assumes two daggers when talented · Level 55 · Calculated defaults

Hunt list
Show gear for

Main hand 207 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
Shadowblade Dagger · iLvl 53 · Req. 48 · Other drop Key stats: 38.89 Weapon melee DPS1.0% Hit5 Agility
119.24
Spirestone MysticNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackrock Spire
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 38.89 × 2.7252 = 105.98 pts
  • Hit: 10 rating (1.0%) × 1 = 10.00 pts
  • Agility: 5 × 0.6519 = 3.26 pts

Epic

44 sources

Spirestone MysticNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackrock Spire
Thaurissan SpyNPC drop · <0.1% · Burning Steppes
Black DragonspawnNPC drop · <0.1% · Burning Steppes
Cobalt BroodlingNPC drop · <0.1% · Winterspring
Scarshield RaiderNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackrock Spire
Anvilrage OfficerNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackrock Depths
Shadowsworn AdeptNPC drop · <0.1% · Blasted Lands
Dredge WormNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackrock Depths
All 44 sources
2 in this filtered list
The Lobotomizer Dagger · iLvl 60 · Req. 55 · Vendor Key stats: 43.33 Weapon melee DPS
118.08
Gaelden HammersmithVendor · 125g 66s 17c · Alterac Valley

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 43.33 × 2.7252 = 118.08 pts

Epic

4 sources

Gaelden HammersmithVendor · 125g 66s 17c · Alterac Valley
Thanthaldis SnowgleamVendor · 125g 66s 17c · Alterac Mountains
Grunnda WolfheartVendor · 125g 66s 17c · Alterac Valley
Jekyll FlandringVendor · 125g 66s 17c · Alterac Mountains
3 in this filtered list
The Shadowfoot Stabber Dagger · iLvl 57 · Req. 52 · Other drop Key stats: 37.5 Weapon melee DPS18 Attack power8 Stamina
110.38
Skarr the UnbreakableBoss drop · 1.6% · Feralas
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 37.5 × 2.7252 = 102.20 pts
  • Attack power: 18 × 0.3924 = 7.06 pts
  • Stamina: 8 × 0.1406 = 1.12 pts

Rare

88 sources

Skarr the UnbreakableBoss drop · 1.6% · Feralas
Red WyrmkinNPC drop · 0.4% · Wetlands
Sack of SpoilsContainer loot · 0.3%
Colossal Bag of LootContainer loot · 0.2%
Ghostly CitizenNPC drop · <0.1% · Stratholme
Petrified TreantNPC drop · <0.1% · Dire Maul
Rotting HighborneNPC drop · <0.1% · Dire Maul
Warpwood GuardianNPC drop · <0.1% · Dire Maul
All 88 sources
4 in this filtered list
Keris of Zul'Serak Dagger · iLvl 60 · Req. 55 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 39.44 Weapon melee DPS
107.48

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 39.44 × 2.7252 = 107.48 pts

Rare

Source

5 in this filtered list
Dustwallow Dirk Dagger · iLvl 55 · Req. 50* · Quest Key stats: 36.47 Weapon melee DPS6 Agility10 Stamina
104.71

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 36.47 × 2.7252 = 99.39 pts
  • Agility: 6 × 0.6519 = 3.91 pts
  • Stamina: 10 × 0.1406 = 1.41 pts

Rare

2 sources

6 in this filtered list
Kanai's Knife Dagger · iLvl 58 · Req. 53* · Quest Key stats: 34.71 Weapon melee DPS9 Agility10 Attack power
104.38

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 34.71 × 2.7252 = 94.59 pts
  • Agility: 9 × 0.6519 = 5.87 pts
  • Attack power: 10 × 0.3924 = 3.92 pts

Uncommon

Source

7 in this filtered list
Enchanted Azsharite Felbane Dagger Dagger · iLvl 60 · Req. 55* · Quest Key stats: 35.67 Weapon melee DPS18 Attack power
104.27

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35.67 × 2.7252 = 97.21 pts
  • Attack power: 18 × 0.3924 = 7.06 pts

Uncommon

8 in this filtered list
Beasthunter Dagger Dagger · iLvl 60 · Req. 55* · Quest · Horde only Key stats: 35.59 Weapon melee DPS18 Attack power
104.05
Shy-RotamQuest choice · Winterspring

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35.59 × 2.7252 = 96.99 pts
  • Attack power: 18 × 0.3924 = 7.06 pts

Uncommon

Source

Shy-RotamQuest choice · Winterspring
9 in this filtered list
Scout's Blade Dagger · iLvl 53 · Req. 48 · Vendor · Horde only Key stats: 35 Weapon melee DPS11 Agility5 Stamina
103.26
Kelm HargunthVendor · 16g 46s 21c · The Barrens

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35 × 2.7252 = 95.38 pts
  • Agility: 11 × 0.6519 = 7.17 pts
  • Stamina: 5 × 0.1406 = 0.70 pts

Rare

Source

Kelm HargunthVendor · 16g 46s 21c · The Barrens
10 in this filtered list
Sentinel's Blade Dagger · iLvl 53 · Req. 48 · Vendor · Alliance only Key stats: 35 Weapon melee DPS11 Agility5 Stamina
103.26
Illiyana MoonblazeVendor · 13g 19s 85c · Ashenvale

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35 × 2.7252 = 95.38 pts
  • Agility: 11 × 0.6519 = 7.17 pts
  • Stamina: 5 × 0.1406 = 0.70 pts

Rare

Source

Illiyana MoonblazeVendor · 13g 19s 85c · Ashenvale
11 in this filtered list
Bold Dirk Dagger · iLvl 57 · Req. 52 · Crafted Key stats: 33.89 Weapon melee DPS16 Attack power6 Agility
102.55
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 33.89 × 2.7252 = 92.36 pts
  • Attack power: 16 × 0.3924 = 6.28 pts
  • Agility: 6 × 0.6519 = 3.91 pts

Uncommon

Source

12 in this filtered list
Katerina's Shanker Dagger · iLvl 54 · Req. 49 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 35.59 Weapon melee DPS7 Agility
101.55

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35.59 × 2.7252 = 96.99 pts
  • Agility: 7 × 0.6519 = 4.56 pts

Rare

Source

13 in this filtered list
Dire Nail Dagger · iLvl 56 · Req. 51 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 36.67 Weapon melee DPS
99.93
Shade of EranikusNPC drop · 28% · Sunken Temple

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 36.67 × 2.7252 = 99.93 pts

Rare

Source

Shade of EranikusNPC drop · 28% · Sunken Temple
14 in this filtered list
Julie's Dagger Dagger · iLvl 55 · Req. 50 · Other drop Key stats: 36.54 Weapon melee DPS
99.58
Emerald Encrusted ChestContainer loot · 1.6%
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 36.54 × 2.7252 = 99.58 pts

Rare

89 sources

Emerald Encrusted ChestContainer loot · 1.6%
Prince XavalisNPC drop · 0.1% · Felwood
Colossal Bag of LootContainer loot · 0.1%
Servant of GrolNPC drop · 0.1% · Blasted Lands
Mithril LockboxContainer loot · <0.1%
Cliff BreakerNPC drop · <0.1%
Phase LasherNPC drop · <0.1% · Dire Maul
Scarshield WarlockNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackrock Spire
All 89 sources
15 in this filtered list
Lifeforce Dirk Dagger · iLvl 54 · Req. 49* · Quest Key stats: 35.94 Weapon melee DPS11 Stamina
99.49

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35.94 × 2.7252 = 97.94 pts
  • Stamina: 11 × 0.1406 = 1.55 pts

Rare

Source

16 in this filtered list
Barman Shanker Dagger · iLvl 55 · Req. 50 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 36.5 Weapon melee DPS
99.47

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 36.5 × 2.7252 = 99.47 pts

Rare

Source

17 in this filtered list
Hookfang Shanker Dagger · iLvl 54 · Req. 49 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 35.71 Weapon melee DPS
97.32

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35.71 × 2.7252 = 97.32 pts

Rare

Source

18 in this filtered list
Skilled Fighting Blade Dagger · iLvl 60 · Req. 55* · Quest · Alliance only Key stats: 35.71 Weapon melee DPS
97.32

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35.71 × 2.7252 = 97.32 pts

Uncommon

Source

19 in this filtered list
Hunt Tracker Blade Dagger · iLvl 57 · Req. 52* · Quest Key stats: 33.67 Weapon melee DPS8 Agility
96.97

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 33.67 × 2.7252 = 91.76 pts
  • Agility: 8 × 0.6519 = 5.22 pts

Uncommon

Source

20 in this filtered list
Deadhead Blade Dagger · iLvl 57 · Req. 52* · Quest Key stats: 33.89 Weapon melee DPS5 Agility
95.62

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 33.89 × 2.7252 = 92.36 pts
  • Agility: 5 × 0.6519 = 3.26 pts

Uncommon

Source

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.

View list