WoWWiki

This wiki contains inaccurate and out-of-date information. Please head over to https://wowpedia.fandom.com for more accurate and up-to-date game information.

READ MORE

WoWWiki
Register
Advertisement
For related articles, see Category:Rogues.
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.
Rogue crest

Rogues are melee damage dealers. They have access to a wide range of specials that depend on their constantly refilling pool of energy. Unlike other classes, rogues should be in close to attack.

The primary advantage rogues have is their ability to stealth. Unless the rogue is very close and in a 180 degree arc in front of them, or much lower level, players are usually unable to see them.

Rogues can only wear leather or cloth armor, are unable to use shields, and can only wield one-handed weapons (daggers, swords, maces, fist weapons, and axes). They can dual wield one-handed weapons. Rogues have moderate health, making them less durable than warriors, but still tougher than most casters.

Rogues acquire the passive ability to Detect Traps, which can be very valuable in PvP situations against a hunter, or in dungeons with traps, such as Icecrown Citadel.

Rogues are best suited for players who like to sneak up on enemies and dish out large amounts of burst damage.

In Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, rogue was an achievable rank.

Background[]

Human rogue

Human rogue

Rogues possess a wide range of skills that allow them to accomplish feats from finding secret doors to smacking a magic item until it works. They are excellent 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.[1]

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 in 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 among those peoples.[2] Whether they are diplomats, spies, thieves, scoundrels, entertainers, or simply adventurers, they can be found plying just about any trade from Mount Hyjal to Ratchet.[3]

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 lowlifes. 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 requires 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. They will rarely be written into 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, they are branded as outcasts by the very society that calls upon their service.

In Azeroth, rogues are largely free agents, though some prefer to join an organization for safety and ease of employment. Ravenholdt and the Syndicate are examples. Other recognized rogue organizations include the Shattered Hand, the Deathstalkers, and SI:7.

Notable rogues[]

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found.IconSmall Wrathion Wrathion
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found.IconSmall Garona Garona Halforcen
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found.IconSmall Valeera Valeera Sanguinar
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found.IconSmall Human Male Edwin VanCleef
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found.IconSmall Human Female Vanessa VanCleef
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found.IconSmall Human Male Mathias Shaw

Races[]

Main article: Rogue races

The rogue class can be played by the following races:

Race Strength Agility Stamina Intellect Spirit Armor Health
Alliance DwarfDwarf Dwarf 26 19 22 19 19 38 65
Alliance GnomeGnome Gnome 16 25 21 24 20 50 55
Alliance HumanHuman Human 21 23 21 20 20 33 113
Alliance Night elfNight elf Night elf 17 27 21 20 20 54 55
Both 15 PandarenPandaren Pandaren Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. 21 21 22 19 22 37 123
Alliance WorgenWorgen Worgen Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. 23 25 21 16 19 50 55
Horde Blood elfBlood elf Blood elf Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. 18 25 21 23 18 50 55
Horde ForsakenForsaken Forsaken 20 21 21 18 25 42 55
Horde GoblinGoblin Goblin Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. 18 25 21 23 18 50 55
Horde OrcOrc Orc 24 20 22 17 22 40 65
Horde TrollTroll Troll 22 25 21 16 21 50 55
UndeadRogue

A male undead rogue.

Tauren and draenei are the only races that do not have rogues because they believe their methods dishonorable. It is also difficult to remain stealthy with hooves (though this does not appear to be an issue for satyrs). However, in the game files, both draenei and tauren have stealthing animations, and as such, Eredar and Broken have such motions. Some people believe the reason of this is only because of the [Orb of Deception] item and/or GM command testing. It may also have to do with the hunter ability (available to draenei and Tauren), Camouflage.

Weapons[]

Although rogues excel at melee combat, they may only learn to use five types of melee weapons: daggers, fist weapons, one-handed maces, one-handed swords, and one-handed axes[4].

A rogue's most fundamental abilities, such as Sinister Strike and Mutilate, are instant attacks which inflict damage based on the weapon damage of the rogue's main-hand weapon. Rogues therefore find it desirable to use a weapon with the best average damage to maximize their DPS.

The common rogue prefers a slow weapon in the main-hand and a fast weapon in the off-hand. Some rogues prefer fast weapons in both hands in order to apply more poison, but the final gain from using a fast main-hand is debated since weapon enchantments, such as rogue poisons, usually have a "fixed" system for proccing (see proc, poisons and normalization). That, plus the extra damage from the special attacks performed with a slow main-hand and the normal damage itself, implies that there is little or nothing to win with choosing a fast main-hand when attempting to produce more damage. Although having a fast main hand may increase the amount of physical damage you do in a shorter period of time, the bonus does little for DPS.

Finally, whether a rogue is using a fast main-hand or a slow main-hand, it is taken as common knowledge among rogues that the OH should always be a fast weapon. This is because the off-hand, unlike the main-hand, does not have any crucial "duty" when performing abilities, thus its role consists nearly entirely of applying poisons. The only exception where a slow off-hand is preferable is when using a few abilities which contribute more from slow weapons than from fast, like Killing Spree and Mutilate.

Mechanics[]

Stealth[]

Main article: Stealth
Timmo Shadestep

Timmo Shadestep, A gnome rogue from the WoW TCG.

Stealth is the first major class ability a rogue can get. They have the ability to stealth and become essentially invisible to enemies their level and lower while moving at slower speed. Stealthed rogues are detectable at close range, though will remain stealthed and appear translucent. Be aware that higher level characters and mobs can more easily see through stealth.

Many rogue abilities require stealth and others require being behind the target, which is often achievable (while solo) only in stealth. Other rogue abilities, notably Sprint and Distract, interact well with stealth. Some actions, like lockpicking, will break stealth.

Stealth opens up a range of tactics and roles for rogues. Groups often rely on a rogue's stealth ability to scout dungeons, and to use Sap for added crowd control. In PvP, stealth combined with burst damage gives an element of surprise that can be especially effective against cloth-wearers.

Stealth can be improved through talents, items, and enchantments, both to decrease the chance of being detected and to increase movement speed.

Dual wield[]

Main article: Dual wield

A rogue starts off with the dual wielding skill. Dual wielding is a trade-off with an increased chance to miss with each weapon and reduced damage on the off-hand, but it is a good ability for a rogue. A rogue cannot use a two-handed weapon (which have bigger stat buffs), cannot carry a shield, and has few good offhand choices (offhand items tend to all have caster stats). A second wielded weapon is the only way to reliably get two hands worth of rogue stat buffs.

Poisons[]

Main article: Poisons
Goblinrogue

Goblin rogue

Poisons generally either cause damage to the target (either instantly or as damage over time) or cause other effects (slowing the target, removing the effectiveness of healing on the target, etc.). Different weapons can have different poisons applied and faster weapons cause the poison to proc more often.

Poisons are a temporary weapon buff, and as such do not stack with other enhancements such as sharpening stones.

All poisons have a timer of one hour. The poison timer is displayed on the weapon's properties when mousing over the weapon. Applying poison will not break stealth or shadowmeld.

A variety of talents in the assassination specialization enhance the use of poisons.

Questchanged Note: These quests are no longer associated with this particular mob/NPC/item.

The Alliance's poison quest could be obtained at level 20 in Westfall from Agent Kearnen called A [24] Klaven's Tower; if players dropped by S1:7 in Stormwind, Master Mathias would send them to Kearnen when the time was right by giving the A [20] Mathias and the Defias quest.
The Horde's version was in Orgrimmar from Shenthul called H [20] Deep Cover that sent players to The Barrens to talk to Taskmaster Fizzule for a quest called H [24] Mission: Possible But Not Probable.

Prior to patch 3.0.2 and Wrath of the Lich King, the ability to brew poisons from ingredients was a secondary skill, similar to Cooking or First Aid, but available only to rogues. The skill is no longer available in the game.

Lockpicking[]

Main article: Lockpicking

Rogues have the ability to pick locks. This allows them to open locked chests, lockboxes, and doors, depending on the rogue's skill in lockpicking and the level of the locked object. Lockboxes can be pickpocketed from mobs or found as loot. Rogues no longer are required to train lockingpicking skill; it is now passive, granting higher skill as the player levels at a rate of +5 per level.

Specializations/stats[]

A deadly master of poisons who dispatches victims with vicious dagger strikes.
- Official description
Stat priority
  • Agility
  • Mastery
  • Critical Strike
  • Versatility
  • Haste
MutilateTCG

Mutilate

EnvenomTCG

Envenom

Ability Min Level
Poisoned Knife 10
Deadly Poison 10
Garrote 12
Rupture 20
Shadowstep 22
Evasion 26
Seal Fate 28
Kidney Shot 34
Envenom 36
Crippling Poison 38
Ability Min Level
Mutilate 40
Garrote (2) 42
Venomous Wounds 50
Wound Poison 54
Vendetta 56
Fan of Knives 63
Mastery: Potent Poisons 78
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.
- Official description
Stat priority
  • Agility
  • Versatility
  • Critical Strike
  • Mastery
  • Haste
Blade Flurry TCG

Blade Flurry

Ability Min Level
Run Through 10
Saber Slash 10
Pistol Shot 12
Between the Eyes 20
Ambush 22
Riposte 26
Ruthlessness (rogue ability) 28
Gouge 34
Ability Min Level
Roll the Bones 40
Between the Eyes (2) 42
Combat Potency 50
Bribe 54
Adrenaline Rush 56
Blade Flurry 63
Mastery: Main Gauche 78
A dark stalker who leaps from the shadows to ambush unsuspecting prey.
- Official description
Stat priority
  • Agility
  • Versatility
  • Mastery
  • Critical Strike
  • Haste
Ability Min Level
Backstab 10
Shuriken Toss 10
Shadowstrike 12
Nightblade 20
Shadowstep 22
Evasion 26
Shadow Techniques 28
Kidney Shot 34
Symbols of Death 36
Ability Min Level
Shadow Dance 40
Shadowstrike (2) 42
Relentless Strikes 50
Eviscerate (2) 52
Deepening Shadows 54
Shadow Blades 56
Shuriken Storm 63
Mastery: Executioner 78

Skills/Glyphs[]

Note: Players technically start in Assassination spec; if a player chooses another specialization at level 10, Outlaw and Subtlety rogues lose Sinister Strike; Outlaw rogues also lose Eviscerate.
EviscerateTCG

Eviscerate

Ability Min Level
Sinister Strike Start
Eviscerate 3
Stealth 5
Cheap Shot 8
Pick Pocket 13
Sap 14
Crimson Vial 16
Kick 18
Blind 24
Pick Lock 24
Ability Min Level
Sprint 32
Distract 38
Feint 44
Vanish 48
Fleet Footed 58
Sprint (2) 66
Shroud of Concealment 68
Tricks of the Trade 70
Cloak of Shadows 80
Level Abilities (choose one)
15 Assassination Master Poisoner
Outlaw Ghostly Strike
Subtlety Master of Subtlety
Assassination Elaborate Planning
Outlaw Swordmaster
Subtlety Weaponmaster (rogue talent)
Assassination Hemorrhage
Outlaw Quick Draw
Subtlety Gloomblade
30 AssassinationSubtlety Nightstalker
Outlaw Grappling Hook
AssassinationSubtlety Subterfuge
Outlaw Acrobatic Strikes
AssassinationSubtlety Shadow Focus (rogue talent)
Outlaw Hit and Run
45 Deeper Stratagem Anticipation (rogue talent) Vigor
60 Assassination Leeching Poison
Outlaw Iron Stomach
Subtlety Soothing Darkness
Elusiveness (rogue talent) Cheat Death (rogue talent)
75 Assassination Thuggee
Outlaw Parley
Subtlety Strike from the Shadows
Prey on the Weak Assassination Internal Bleeding
Outlaw Dirty Tricks
Subtlety Tangled Shadow
90 Assassination Agonizing Poison
Outlaw Cannonball Barrage
Subtlety Premeditation
Alacrity Assassination Exsanguinate
Outlaw Killing Spree
Subtlety Enveloping Shadows
100 Assassination Venom Rush
Outlaw Slice and Dice
Subtlety Master of Shadows
Marked for Death (rogue talent) Death from Above
Name Specialization
Glyph of Blackout All
Glyph of Burnout All
Glyph of Disguise All
Glyph of Flash Bang All
Honor Level Talent
1 Gladiator's Medallion
2 Hardiness (honor talent)
4 Maneuverability
6 AssassinationOutlaw Turn the Tables, Subtlety Shadow's Caress
8 Assassination Deadly Brew, Outlaw Take Your Cut, Subtlety Veil of Midnight
10 Assassination Creeping Venom, Outlaw Cheap Tricks, Subtlety Phantom Assassin
13 Adaptation (honor talent)
16 Reinforced Armor
19 Assassination Intent to Kill, Outlaw Boarding Party, Subtlety Silhouette
22 Honor Among Thieves
25 Assassination Mind-numbing Poison, Outlaw Control is King, Subtlety Dagger in the Dark (honor talent)
28 Assassination Flying Daggers, Outlaw Dismantle, Subtlety Thief's Bargain
31 Relentless (honor talent)
34 Sparring (honor talent)
37 Cut to the Chase
40 Assassination Unfair Advantage, Outlaw Gladiator's Medallion, Subtlety Thick as Thieves
43 Assassination Shiv, Outlaw Drink Up Me Hearties, Subtlety Cold Blood
46 Assassination System Shock, Outlaw Plunder Armor, Subtlety Shadowy Duel

Suggested professions[]

Leatherworking and Skinning
  • Leatherworking [Leatherworking] and Skinning [Skinning] are always a good choice. The items crafted tend to be better than looted items at the same level. This is a very balanced profession choice for performance and money.
Herbalism and Alchemy
  • Herbalism [Herbalism] and Alchemy [Alchemy] are a viable option. Alchemy allows the rogue to manufacture powerful potions, elixirs, and flasks.
    • Alchemy also opens up the ability to craft an [Assassin's Alchemist Stone], which adds a decent amount of attack power in addition to the 40% bonus to healing potions.
    • As well as the above item, at Alchemy level 500 rogues can craft [Quicksilver Alchemist Stone]
    • Note that this profession is not only beneficial to the rogue in performance, it can be an excellent money maker.
    • [Mixology] doubles the duration of Elixirs and Flasks for the Alchemist who learns the skill. This is beneficial in a raid situation and also increases the length that flasks generated by a guild cauldron last.
    • Herbalism is also a very good way to obtain [Swiftthistle], which is needed to make [Thistle Tea] for lower level rogues.
Engineering and Mining
  • Engineering [Engineering] is arguably the best (and most fun) profession for a rogue, with Mining [Mining] being the most beneficial complementary profession. It allows for a very distinct edge in combat. The items tend to be a bit expensive at times, however. There are a few engineering items that require components crafted by other professions, from blacksmiths to tailors to alchemists. Picking up mining with Engineering will save a lot of money; however, be prepared to spend a solid amount of gold on vendor-only parts.
Jewelcrafting and Mining
  • Jewelcrafting [Jewelcrafting] is a very good profession for a rogue. With it, rogues have access to crafted rings and necklaces, stone statues (an extra self-heal that works in combat), a diverse array of BoP trinkets (some of which enhance rogue special abilities), and the ability to cut gems for sockets for high level gear.
Enchanting
  • Enchanting [Enchanting] is a very profitable profession. As a rogue it's possible to solo run some lower level dungeons and head straight for the boss, then disenchant their loot. At level 70 Scholomance, Blackrock Depths, UBRS, Dire maul, and even Stratholme are very doable and most certainly profitable. Enchanting provides no utility or combat usage for PvP or PvE whatsoever other than the self-only invaluable ring enchants.
Inscription
  • Inscription [Inscription] is easy to learn, quick to level, and can be very profitable. It utilizes pigments from milled herbs and allows rogues to make glyphs for themselves and others. One notable benefit of Inscription is the ability to craft and apply [Master's Inscription of the Axe] to shoulders at Inscription [Inscription] level 400. Herbalism [Herbalism] complements this profession. Inscription, much like Enchanting, is mainly picked up for money by making cards and glyphs for others. It is quite appealing to the rogue who doesn't want any extra combat utility that other professions could offer.
Blacksmithing

End-game expectations[]

A rogue's main priority in raiding is maximizing melee DPS while staying alive. Put threat-reducing abilities (namely, Feint, Vanish and Tricks of the Trade) to good use and use them before gaining aggro. As with all melee DPS classes, rogues are expected to come to raids with ample supplies of flasks, potions, food, and bandages. Depending on the particular situation, rogues may not get many heals. If that's the case, rogues should be prepared to heal themselves.

Rogues are utilized as interrupters with some bosses such as Kel'Thuzad and General Vezax, and can be asked to dismantle in instances like Onyxia's Lair.

Videos[]

See also[]

Patch changes[]

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. See Rogue/Cataclysm changes.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Patch 3.3.0 (08-Dec-2009): Dual Wield added to level one skills, and starting kit changed to include two daggers.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found./Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Patch 3.0.2 (14-Oct-2008): Brought several changes to rogues: Pick Lock and Disarm Trap no longer require Thieves' Tools; Vanish no longer requires the reagent Flash Powder; Poisons are no longer created from ingredients by rogue. The vendors that sold poison ingredients now sell ready to use poisons.; Mace Specialization no longer gives a chance to stun the target, instead bypasses armor.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Patch 2.3.0 (13-Nov-2007): Extended applied poison effects from 30 minutes to 1 hour.

References[]

External links[]

Official
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Legion
General
Guides


Advertisement