Rogue specialization

Subtlety Rogue in WoW Forever

Stealth, bleeds and control.

  • 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.

Subtlety’s own loop, from level 10. 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, with Rupture before Death Mark. It does 7% more than Instant Poison on the main hand, Deadly Poison on the off hand; 15% more than Instant Poison on both weapons; 8% more than Deadly Poison on the main hand, Instant Poison on the off hand; and 11% more than Deadly Poison on both weapons.

  1. Shank Rank 2 Every 10 sec

    Use it whenever it is ready, every 10 sec.

    1% of your damage
  2. Ghostly Strike Every 20 sec

    Use it whenever it is ready, every 20 sec.

    3% of your damage
  3. Garrote Rank 6 Keep on target · 18 sec

    Keep it on the target; it lasts 18 sec.

    15% of your damage
  4. Slice and Dice Rank 2 Keep up · combo points

    Keep it up with combo points.

    no damage of its own
  5. Rupture Rank 5 Keep up · combo points

    Keep it up with combo points.

    17% of your damage
  6. Death Mark Rank 2 Keep up · combo points

    Keep it up with combo points.

    13% of your damage
  7. Hemorrhage Filler

    Spend the rest of your energy on it.

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

    Keep it on your main-hand weapon.

    4% of your damage
  9. Deadly Poison IV Off hand

    Keep it on your off-hand weapon.

    8% of your damage
  10. 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. Opportunity 5/5 · levels 10–14 +2.5% damage
  2. Improved Ambush 3/3 · levels 15–17 not counted here
  3. Dirty Deeds 2/2 · levels 18–19 +3.5% damage
  4. Serrated Blades 3/3 · levels 20–22 +5.8% damage
  5. Premeditation 1/1 · level 23 not counted here
  6. Initiative 1/3 · level 24 +1% damage
  7. Ghostly Strike 1/1 · level 25 +18.5% damage
  8. Elusiveness 2/2 · levels 26–27 not counted here
  9. Camouflage 2/3 · levels 28–29 not counted here
  10. Preparation 1/1 · level 30 not counted here
  11. Heightened Senses 2/2 · levels 31–32 not counted here
  12. Setup 1/3 · level 33 not counted here
  13. Hemorrhage 1/1 · level 34 +3.5% damage
  14. Boot Knife 5/5 · levels 35–39 +14.3% damage
  15. Death Mark 1/1 · level 40 +8.5% damage
  16. Malice 5/5 · levels 41–45 +4.6% damage
  17. Improved Slice and Dice 3/3 · levels 46–48 +4.6% damage
  18. Ruthlessness 3/3 · levels 49–50 and 52 +5.2% damage
  19. Blood Splatter 1/1 · level 51 +6.7% damage
  20. Lethality 2/2 · levels 53–54 +0.3% damage
  21. Vigor 1/2 · level 55 not counted here

Every Rogue talent

Preliminary item rankings · Dungeons

Subtlety Rogue gear rankings

Opening strikes, Hemorrhage and bleeds · Level 55 · Calculated defaults

Hunt list
Show gear for

Head 250 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.

Head items with imported stats, weighted scores and acquisition sources.
Rank Item Score (pts) Where to get it Actions
1 in this filtered list
Darkmantle Cap Leather · iLvl 60 · Req. 55* · Quest Key stats: 26 Agility1.0% Critical strike13 Strength
30.34

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 26 × 0.6221 = 16.17 pts
  • Critical strike: 14 rating (1.0%) × 0.4624 = 6.47 pts
  • Strength: 13 × 0.3797 = 4.94 pts
  • Stamina: 18 × 0.1289 = 2.32 pts
  • Armor: 150 × 0.0029 = 0.43 pts

Epic

2 sources

2 in this filtered list
Mask of the Unforgiven Leather · iLvl 57 · Req. 52 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 2.0% Hit1.0% Critical strike13 Stamina
28.53
The UnforgivenBoss drop · 38% · Stratholme

Score breakdown

  • Hit: 20 rating (2.0%) × 1 = 20.00 pts
  • Critical strike: 14 rating (1.0%) × 0.4624 = 6.47 pts
  • Stamina: 13 × 0.1289 = 1.68 pts
  • Armor: 132 × 0.0029 = 0.38 pts

Rare

Source

The UnforgivenBoss drop · 38% · Stratholme
3 in this filtered list
Defias Enforcer's Mask Leather · iLvl 53 · Req. 48 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 30 Attack power1.0% Expertise20 Stamina
24.09
Alcaz JailerNPC drop · 22%
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Attack power: 30 × 0.3797 = 11.39 pts
  • Expertise: 10 rating (1.0%) × 0.9759 = 9.76 pts
  • Stamina: 20 × 0.1289 = 2.58 pts
  • Armor: 124 × 0.0029 = 0.36 pts

Rare

4 sources

Alcaz JailerNPC drop · 22%
Slavering HoundNPC drop · 3.3%
Strashaz SoldierNPC drop · 2.1%
Alcaz PrisonZone loot
4 in this filtered list
Ebon Mask Leather · iLvl 52 · Req. 47* · Quest Key stats: 36 Attack power1.0% Critical strike14 Stamina
22.30
The Azure KeyQuest choice

Score breakdown

  • Attack power: 36 × 0.3797 = 13.67 pts
  • Critical strike: 14 rating (1.0%) × 0.4624 = 6.47 pts
  • Stamina: 14 × 0.1289 = 1.80 pts
  • Armor: 122 × 0.0029 = 0.35 pts

Rare

Source

The Azure KeyQuest choice
5 in this filtered list
Ghostshroud Leather · iLvl 57 · Req. 52 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 19 Agility10 Strength18 Stamina
18.32

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 19 × 0.6221 = 11.82 pts
  • Strength: 10 × 0.3797 = 3.80 pts
  • Stamina: 18 × 0.1289 = 2.32 pts
  • Armor: 132 × 0.0029 = 0.38 pts

Rare

Source

6 in this filtered list
Embrace of the Lycan Leather · iLvl 49 · Req. 44 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 32 Attack power8 Strength16 Stamina
17.59
Chief Ukorz SandscalpBoss drop · 20% · Zul'Farrak

Score breakdown

  • Attack power: 32 × 0.3797 = 12.15 pts
  • Strength: 8 × 0.3797 = 3.04 pts
  • Stamina: 16 × 0.1289 = 2.06 pts
  • Armor: 117 × 0.0029 = 0.34 pts

Rare

Source

Chief Ukorz SandscalpBoss drop · 20% · Zul'Farrak
7 in this filtered list
Ragefury Eyepatch Leather · iLvl 57 · Req. 52 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 2.0% Critical strike6 Strength10 Stamina
16.90

Score breakdown

  • Critical strike: 28 rating (2.0%) × 0.4624 = 12.95 pts
  • Strength: 6 × 0.3797 = 2.28 pts
  • Stamina: 10 × 0.1289 = 1.29 pts
  • Armor: 132 × 0.0029 = 0.38 pts

Rare

Source

8 in this filtered list
Expert Goldminer's Helmet Leather · iLvl 40 · Req. 35 · Other drop Key stats: 1.1% Expertise7 Agility8 Stamina
16.41
Digmaster ShovelphlangeNPC drop · 100% · Badlands
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Expertise: 11 rating (1.1%) × 0.9759 = 10.73 pts
  • Agility: 7 × 0.6221 = 4.35 pts
  • Stamina: 8 × 0.1289 = 1.03 pts
  • Armor: 99 × 0.0029 = 0.29 pts

Rare

Source

Digmaster ShovelphlangeNPC drop · 100% · Badlands
9 in this filtered list
Felhide Cap Leather · iLvl 58 · Req. 53 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 21 Agility14 Stamina134 Armor
15.26
LethtendrisNPC drop · 51% · Dire Maul

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 21 × 0.6221 = 13.06 pts
  • Stamina: 14 × 0.1289 = 1.80 pts
  • Armor: 134 × 0.0029 = 0.39 pts

Rare

Source

LethtendrisNPC drop · 51% · Dire Maul
10 in this filtered list
Shapeshifter's Helm Leather · iLvl 54 · Req. 49* · Quest Key stats: 18 Agility12 Stamina126 Armor
13.11

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 18 × 0.6221 = 11.20 pts
  • Stamina: 12 × 0.1289 = 1.55 pts
  • Armor: 126 × 0.0029 = 0.37 pts

Rare

Source

11 in this filtered list
Pridelord Halo Leather · iLvl 58 · Req. 53 · Other drop Key stats: 17 Agility14 Stamina122 Armor
12.73
Gordok ReaverNPC drop · 0.2% · Dire Maul
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 17 × 0.6221 = 10.58 pts
  • Stamina: 14 × 0.1289 = 1.80 pts
  • Armor: 122 × 0.0029 = 0.35 pts

Uncommon

89 sources

Gordok ReaverNPC drop · 0.2% · Dire Maul
Ironbark ProtectorNPC drop · 0.2% · Dire Maul
Eldreth SorcererNPC drop · 0.2% · Dire Maul
Cobalt MageweaverNPC drop · 0.2% · Winterspring
Gordok BruteNPC drop · 0.2% · Dire Maul
Warpwood StomperNPC drop · 0.1% · Dire Maul
Eldreth SpiritNPC drop · 0.1% · Dire Maul
Mana RemnantNPC drop · 0.1% · Dire Maul
Eldreth PhantasmNPC drop · 0.1% · Dire Maul
Eldreth SpectreNPC drop · 0.1% · Dire Maul
All 89 sources
12 in this filtered list
Wicked Leather Headband Leather · iLvl 56 · Req. 51 · Crafted Key stats: 16 Agility16 Stamina118 Armor
12.36
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 16 × 0.6221 = 9.95 pts
  • Stamina: 16 × 0.1289 = 2.06 pts
  • Armor: 118 × 0.0029 = 0.34 pts

Uncommon

Source

13 in this filtered list
Undercity Reservist's Cap Leather · iLvl 47 · Req. 42* · Quest · Horde only Key stats: 11 Agility10 Strength10 Stamina
12.23

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 11 × 0.6221 = 6.84 pts
  • Strength: 10 × 0.3797 = 3.80 pts
  • Stamina: 10 × 0.1289 = 1.29 pts
  • Armor: 103 × 0.0029 = 0.30 pts

Uncommon

Source

14 in this filtered list
Helm of Fire Leather · iLvl 50 · Req. 45 · Crafted Key stats: 17 Agility10 Stamina118 Armor
12.21
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 17 × 0.6221 = 10.58 pts
  • Stamina: 10 × 0.1289 = 1.29 pts
  • Armor: 118 × 0.0029 = 0.34 pts

Rare

Source

15 in this filtered list
Scorpashi Skullcap Leather · iLvl 49 · Req. 44 · Other drop Key stats: 14 Agility13 Stamina3 Strength
11.83
Renegade ConjurerNPC drop · 7.7%
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 14 × 0.6221 = 8.71 pts
  • Stamina: 13 × 0.1289 = 1.68 pts
  • Strength: 3 × 0.3797 = 1.14 pts
  • Armor: 106 × 0.0029 = 0.31 pts

Uncommon

63 sources

Renegade ConjurerNPC drop · 7.7%
Alcaz JailerNPC drop · 1.7%
Edana HatetalonNPC drop · 0.4% · Feralas
Sister of CelebrianNPC drop · 0.3% · Maraudon
Primordial BehemothNPC drop · 0.1% · Maraudon
Noxxious ScionNPC drop · <0.1% · Maraudon
Elder Rage ScarNPC drop · <0.1% · Feralas
Jadefire SatyrNPC drop · <0.1% · Felwood
Northspring WindcallerNPC drop · <0.1% · Feralas
Jaedenar HoundNPC drop · <0.1% · Felwood
All 63 sources
16 in this filtered list
Lordrec Helmet Leather · iLvl 53 · Req. 48* · Quest · Alliance only Key stats: 16 Agility10 Stamina113 Armor
11.57

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 16 × 0.6221 = 9.95 pts
  • Stamina: 10 × 0.1289 = 1.29 pts
  • Armor: 113 × 0.0029 = 0.33 pts

Uncommon

Source

17 in this filtered list
Chief Architect's Monocle Cloth · iLvl 55 · Req. 50 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 1.0% Hit10 Stamina64 Armor
11.47

Score breakdown

  • Hit: 10 rating (1.0%) × 1 = 10.00 pts
  • Stamina: 10 × 0.1289 = 1.29 pts
  • Armor: 64 × 0.0029 = 0.19 pts

Rare

Source

18 in this filtered list
White Bandit Mask Cloth · iLvl 43 · Req. 38 · Crafted Key stats: 11 Agility11 Strength46 Armor
11.15
TailoringCrafted
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 11 × 0.6221 = 6.84 pts
  • Strength: 11 × 0.3797 = 4.18 pts
  • Armor: 46 × 0.0029 = 0.13 pts

Uncommon

Source

TailoringCrafted
19 in this filtered list
Impractical Headwarmer Leather · iLvl 55 · Req. 50 · Vendor · Reputation required Key stats: 13 Agility13 Stamina117 Armor
10.10
Zippie FizzboltVendor · 5g 84s 16c · Winterspring

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 13 × 0.6221 = 8.09 pts
  • Stamina: 13 × 0.1289 = 1.68 pts
  • Armor: 117 × 0.0029 = 0.34 pts

Uncommon · Reputation required — check item requirements

Source

Zippie FizzboltVendor · 5g 84s 16c · Winterspring
20 in this filtered list
Warden's Wizard Hat Leather · iLvl 45 · Req. 40 · Other drop Key stats: 13 Agility11 Stamina99 Armor
9.79
Wastewander ScofflawNPC drop · 0.2% · Tanaris · also from 68 other creatures
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 13 × 0.6221 = 8.09 pts
  • Stamina: 11 × 0.1289 = 1.42 pts
  • Armor: 99 × 0.0029 = 0.29 pts

Uncommon

69 sources

Wastewander ScofflawNPC drop · 0.2% · Tanaris · also from 68 other creatures
Sergeant BlyNPC drop · 0.1% · Zul'Farrak
Creeping SludgeNPC drop · 0.1% · Maraudon
Sandfury Witch DoctorNPC drop · 0.1% · Zul'Farrak
Putridus SatyrNPC drop · <0.1% · Maraudon
Deeprot TanglerNPC drop · <0.1% · Maraudon
Sandfury Soul EaterNPC drop · <0.1% · Zul'Farrak
Barbed LasherNPC drop · <0.1% · Maraudon
Sandfury ShadowhunterNPC drop · <0.1% · Zul'Farrak
Sandfury Blood DrinkerNPC drop · <0.1% · Zul'Farrak
All 69 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.

View list