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Rogue spec guide

Combat Rogue

Everything for Combat Rogue on one page: role, talent order by level, Combat abilities and recommended gear for each level range. Talent and gear picks are calculated from the tooltip values in official game data plus the assumptions Forever Tool states below.
All Rogue abilitiesOpen the level 60 build in the calculator
Gear focus
Agility melee DPS
Talent calculation
Combat (swords)
Level 60 build
20/31/0
Estimated DPS
+38.4%

Combat Rogue at a glance

Summarized from Blizzard's class deep-dive articles. They were published during the beta, so live numbers and talents may differ.

Rogue as the developers describe it

Rogues build further on Stealth, control, Poisons and precise weapon attacks. Poisons get more charges and work alongside temporary weapon enchantments, and each specialization has stronger options for daggers, other weapons, Finishing Moves and Bleeds.[1]

Stealth and control abilities make Rogues welcome in any party or raid, and they have the highest potential single-target melee damage in the game.

Combat talents in Forever

  • Flawless Execution (16-point gold medal): reduces the Energy cost of Eviscerate by 10.
  • Hack and Slash (new row 5 talent): combines the weapon specialization talents into one and adds a bonus for axes.
  • Aggression now also increases Backstab damage, so Combat supports both Backstab and Sinister Strike builds.
  • Precision now increases your chance to hit with all spells and attacks, including Poisons, not just melee weapon attacks.

Combat talent build

One point per level from level 10, 51 points at level 60. The Combat tree is filled to 31 points first, and the remaining points go where they raise estimated DPS the most in the other trees.

The level 60 build uses the same method as the calculator's "Recommended build" (estimated DPS from tooltip values + judgment weights for talents the math can't capture, such as rage, energy and mana talents), with the extra rule "Combat tree to 31 points first". The order picks, one point at a time, the talent that raises the score the most on the way to that build. Estimated DPS is a rough "compared with no talents" figure and leaves out the damage of newly learned abilities. Talent point rules (starting at level 10) follow classic, since nothing has been announced officially.

Builds by level

LevelPointsTree splitEst. DPSCalculator
Level 2011 points0/11/0+7.0%Open
Level 3021 points0/21/0+19.4%Open
Level 4031 points0/31/0+29.0%Open
Level 5041 points10/31/0+34.1%Open
Level 6051 points20/31/0+38.4%Open

Talent order by level

Consecutive levels spent on the same talent are grouped on one line.

  1. Levels 10–11Efficient Strikes1→2/2
  2. Levels 12–14Coup de Grace1→3/3
  3. Levels 15–17Precision1→3/3
  4. Level 18Deflection1/3
  5. Levels 19–20Improved Sprint1→2/2
  6. Levels 21–22Endurance1→2/2
  7. Levels 23–24Composure1→2/2
  8. Levels 25–27Aggression1→3/3
  9. Level 28Flawless Execution1/1
  10. Level 29Weapon Expertise1/2
  11. Levels 30–31Dual Wield Specialization1→2/2
  12. Level 32Blade Flurry1/1
  13. Level 33Weapon Expertise2/2
  14. Levels 34–38Hack and Slash1→5/5
  15. Level 39Flash of Steel1/5
  16. Level 40Adrenaline Rush1/1
  17. Levels 41–45MaliceAssassination1→5/5
  18. Levels 46–48Improved Slice and DiceAssassination1→3/3
  19. Levels 49–50RuthlessnessAssassination1→2/3
  20. Levels 51–52VigorAssassination1→2/2
  21. Level 53RuthlessnessAssassination3/3
  22. Levels 54–55LethalityAssassination1→2/2
  23. Level 56Cold BloodAssassination1/1
  24. Levels 57–60Vile PoisonsAssassination1→4/5

Key talents of the level 60 build

Talents with a large share of estimated DPS, plus talents that grant abilities or handle resources. Descriptions are the tooltip at the rank taken.

  • Malice5/5 · Assassination

    Est. DPS +4.1%

    Increases your critical strike chance with all attacks and Poisons by 5%.

  • Improved Slice and Dice3/3 · Assassination

    Resource / utility

    Increases the duration of your Slice and Dice ability by 45%.

  • Vile Poisons4/5 · Assassination

    Est. DPS +1.4%

    Increases the damage dealt by your poisons by 16% and gives your poisons an additional 32% chance to resist dispel effects.

  • Cold Blood1/1 · Assassination

    Ability

    When activated, increases the critical strike chance of your next Sinister Strike, Backstab, Ambush, Eviscerate, or Mutilate by 100%.

  • Coup de Grace3/3 · Combat

    Est. DPS +3.5%

    Increases the damage done by your Eviscerate ability by 20%, and the damage and storage rate of your Death Mark ability by 20%.

  • Efficient Strikes2/2 · Combat

    Resource / utility

    Reduces the Energy cost of your Sinister Strike and Hemorrhage abilities by 5.

  • Precision3/3 · Combat

    Est. DPS +3.3%

    Improves your chance to hit by 3%.

  • Weapon Expertise2/2 · Combat

    Est. DPS +2.1%

    Reduces the chance for your attacks to be Dodged or Parried by 2%.

  • Aggression3/3 · Combat

    Est. DPS +6.1%

    Increases the damage of your Sinister Strike and Eviscerate abilities by 15%.

  • Dual Wield Specialization2/2 · Combat

    Est. DPS +6.9%

    Increases the damage done by your off-hand weapon by 50%.

  • Blade Flurry1/1 · Combat

    Ability

    Increases your melee attack speed by 20% and your melee attacks strike an additional nearby opponent. Lasts 15 sec.

  • Hack and Slash5/5 · Combat

    Est. DPS +2.2%

    Gives your melee weapon attacks a benefit depending on the weapon. Axe/Sword: Your successful melee attacks have a 5% chance to trigger an extra attack on the target. Dagger/Fist: Increases your critical strike chance by 5%. Mace: Your attacks ignore 15% of your target's armor.

  • Adrenaline Rush1/1 · Combat

    Ability

    Increases your Energy regeneration rate by 100% for 15 sec.

Combat abilities

Combat abilities in the order you first learn them. The numbers are the levels at which each rank is learned; the description is rank 1 without gear or stats.

Combat Rogue gear by level

The 3 highest-scoring items for each slot in every level range. Only items whose required level falls inside the range are compared.

How were these picked?
  • The score is the sum of the item's tooltip lines from official game data (Strength, Stamina, Spell Power, damage per second and so on) multiplied by the weights below. There is no official formula, so the weights are Forever Tool's rough estimates (assumptions). Compare scores only within the same slot.
  • Equip, use and chance-on-hit effects, set bonuses and resistances are not scored. Items without fixed stats (only armor in the tooltip) are left out.
  • Only Uncommon and Rare items, plus craftable Epic items, of item level 65 or lower are included (no raid loot). Items that require a profession to use and crafts that need raid materials are left out.
  • Items without a required level count as item level minus 5. Only armor types a Rogue wears are included, with mail and plate counted from level 40 (classic rules, since nothing has been announced).
  • Sources list only crafting (professions) and quest rewards. Dungeon drops are being collected from player reports; check the item page.

Combat weights (assumed)

StatScore per point
Main hand / two-hand damage per second8
Off hand damage per second4
Agility1
Hit0.9
Critical Strike0.7
Expertise0.6
Strength0.5
Attack Power0.5
Haste0.5
Stamina0.3
Bonus Armor0.02
Armor0.01

Levels 1–20

Hall of Thanes 13–18Ruins of Lordaeron 15–20Level 1–10 quest zonesLevel 11–20 quest zones

Waist

  1. Deviate Scale BeltScore 8.8

    Req. 18 · Agility +5 · Stamina +6 · Strength +3

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  2. Brawler's Leather BeltScore 7.4

    Req. 12 · Agility +4 · Strength +4 · Stamina +3

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  3. Dark Leather BeltScore 5.7

    Req. 20 · Agility +4 · Stamina +4

    Crafted: Leatherworking

Main hand

  1. Restored ShortswordScore 252.8

    Item level 1 · Damage per second 31.6

  2. Legionnaire's SwordScore 122.6

    Req. 18 · Damage per second 15 · Strength +4 · Stamina +2

    Same stats: Protector's Sword

  3. Ironpatch BladeScore 110.6

    Req. 15 · Damage per second 13.5 · Strength +4 · Stamina +2

Levels 21–40

Excavation Site 24–29City of Dalaran 28–33The Drowned City 35–40Krol'dok Stronghold 40–45Level 21–30 quest zonesLevel 31–40 quest zones

Shoulder

  1. Sunburn SpauldersScore 17.9

    Req. 40 · Agility +11 · Attack Power +12

    Reputation required

  2. Nightscape ShouldersScore 13.4

    Req. 37 · Agility +11 · Stamina +5

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  3. Barbaric ShouldersScore 10.1

    Req. 30 · Agility +5 · Strength +5 · Stamina +6

    Crafted: Leatherworking

Waist

  1. Highlander's Leather GirdleScore 17.7

    Req. 38 · Attack Power +30 · Stamina +4 · Bonus Armor 40

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Defiler's Leather Girdle

  2. Scorpashi SashScore 14.8

    Req. 40 · Agility +10 · Stamina +7 · Strength +4

  3. Highlander's Leather GirdleScore 14.4

    Req. 28 · Attack Power +24 · Stamina +4 · Bonus Armor 30

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Defiler's Leather Girdle

Feet

  1. Skulker's Leather ShoesScore 17.5

    Req. 40 · Agility +11 · Strength +7 · Stamina +7

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  2. Highlander's Leather BootsScore 15.7

    Req. 38 · Agility +8 · Stamina +10 · Attack Power +6 · Bonus Armor 40

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Defiler's Leather Boots

  3. Warden's Leather ShoesScore 15.7

    Req. 40 · Agility +7 · Strength +7 · Stamina +11 · Bonus Armor 49

    Crafted: Leatherworking

Levels 41–50

Krol'dok Stronghold 40–45Alcaz Prison 48–53Level 41–50 quest zones

Feet

  1. Highlander's Leather BootsScore 22.8

    Req. 48 · Agility +11 · Attack Power +12 · Stamina +13 · Bonus Armor 40

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Defiler's Leather Boots

  2. Skulker's Leather BootsScore 22.2

    Req. 47 · Agility +13 · Strength +11 · Stamina +9

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  3. Prowler's Leather BootsScore 21.2

    Req. 47 · Agility +11 · Strength +13 · Stamina +9

    Crafted: Leatherworking

Off hand

  1. Thorium CestusScore 156.7

    Req. 50 · Damage per second 36.5 · Attack Power +16 · Stamina +9

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Scout's BladeScore 152.5

    Req. 48 · Damage per second 35 · Agility +11 · Stamina +5

    Same stats: Sentinel's Blade

  3. Legionnaire's SwordScore 147.8

    Req. 48 · Damage per second 35.2 · Strength +11 · Stamina +5

    Same stats: Protector's Sword

Levels 51–60

Alcaz Prison 48–53Blackmaw Hold 55–60Shaper's Terrace 58–60Level 51–60 quest zones

Head

  1. Outlaw's CollarScore 46.6

    Req. 60 · Agility +21 · Critical Strike +21 · Stamina +31

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  2. Warbear HelmScore 34.4

    Req. 56 · Agility +14 · Stamina +33 · Strength +18

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  3. Blue Suede HatScore 27.9

    Req. 56 · Agility +16 · Strength +17 · Stamina +7

    Crafted: Leatherworking

Chest

  1. Dawn ArmorScore 57.7

    Req. 56 · Agility +37 · Critical Strike +14 · Hit +10

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  2. Timbermaw TunicScore 46.2

    Req. 56 · Agility +18 · Strength +33 · Critical Strike +14

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  3. Primal Batskin JerkinScore 44.6

    Req. 60 · Agility +32 · Hit +10 · Stamina +6

    Crafted: Leatherworking

Legs

  1. Devilsaur LeggingsScore 37.9

    Req. 55 · Attack Power +46 · Critical Strike +14 · Stamina +12

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  2. Warbear WooliesScore 37.0

    Req. 52 · Agility +18 · Strength +28 · Stamina +12

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  3. Knight-Captain's Leather LegguardsScore 28.5

    Req. 58 · Critical Strike +28 · Stamina +13 · Strength +7

    Same stats: Legionnaire's Leather Leggings

Off hand

  1. GreenhammerScore 210.2

    Req. 60 · Damage per second 47.4 · Hit +10 · Agility +8 · Stamina +12

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Ironwood BladeScore 205.8

    Req. 60 · Damage per second 47.3 · Hit +10 · Strength +8 · Stamina +12

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  3. PersuaderScore 201.6

    Req. 58 · Damage per second 45.7 · Critical Strike +14 · Hit +10

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

More

Other Rogue specs

Assassination Rogue GuideSubtlety Rogue Guide

Other class guides

WarriorPaladinHunterPriestShamanMageWarlockDruid

Sources

  1. [1]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — Rogue and WarlockBlizzard Entertainment · Oct 7, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026
  2. [2]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — Priest and WarriorBlizzard Entertainment · Sep 30, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026
  3. [3]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — Hunter and DruidBlizzard Entertainment · Sep 30, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026
  4. [4]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — Mage and ShamanBlizzard Entertainment · Oct 7, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026
  5. [5]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — PaladinBlizzard Entertainment · Oct 15, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026