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Rogue spec guide

Subtlety Rogue

Everything for Subtlety Rogue on one page: role, talent order by level, Subtlety 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
Subtlety (daggers)
Level 60 build
9/11/31
Estimated DPS
+29.7%

Subtlety 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.

Subtlety talents in Forever

  • Premeditation moves from the 31-point to the 16-point gold medal, and its duration is increased to 20 seconds.
  • Thousand Cuts (31-point gold medal): each time Rupture deals damage, your next Hemorrhage or Backstab costs 3 less Energy, stacking up to 5 times.
  • Quietus (new row 6 talent): Sinister Strike, Ghostly Strike and Hemorrhage deal more damage to targets below 35% health.
  • Cutthroat (new row 6 talent): Backstab has a chance to let your next Ambush be used without Stealth.

Subtlety talent build

One point per level from level 10, 51 points at level 60. The Subtlety 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 "Subtlety 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 points0/0/11+4.2%Open
Level 3021 points0/0/21+16.5%Open
Level 4031 points0/0/31+15.4%Open
Level 5041 points7/3/31+21.3%Open
Level 6051 points9/11/31+29.7%Open

Talent order by level

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

  1. Levels 10–14Opportunity1→5/5
  2. Level 15Master of Deception1/3
  3. Level 16Dirty Deeds1/2
  4. Level 17Camouflage1/3
  5. Levels 18–19Improved Ambush1→2/3
  6. Level 20Premeditation1/1
  7. Levels 21–23Serrated Blades1→3/3
  8. Level 24Initiative1/3
  9. Level 25Ghostly Strike1/1
  10. Level 26Improved Ambush3/3
  11. Levels 27–28Initiative2→3/3
  12. Level 29Dirty Tricks1/2
  13. Level 30Hemorrhage1/1
  14. Level 31Preparation1/1
  15. Levels 32–33Elusiveness1→2/2
  16. Level 34Heightened Senses1/2
  17. Levels 35–39Boot Knife1→5/5
  18. Level 40Death Mark1/1
  19. Levels 41–43Coup de GraceCombat1→3/3
  20. Levels 44–48MaliceAssassination1→5/5
  21. Level 49RuthlessnessAssassination1/3
  22. Levels 50–52Improved Slice and DiceAssassination1→3/3
  23. Levels 53–54Lightning ReflexesCombat1→2/5
  24. Levels 55–57Puncturing WoundsCombat1→3/3
  25. Levels 58–60PrecisionCombat1→3/3

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 +2.9%

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

  • Coup de Grace3/3 · Combat

    Est. DPS +2.0%

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

  • Puncturing Wounds3/3 · Combat

    Est. DPS +3.5%

    Increases the critical strike chance of your Backstab by 30% and your Mutilate by 15%, and gives Backstab a 45% chance to add an additional Combo Point.

  • Precision3/3 · Combat

    Est. DPS +3.3%

    Improves your chance to hit by 3%.

  • Opportunity5/5 · Subtlety

    Est. DPS +5.9%

    Increases the damage dealt by your Backstab, Garrote, Ambush, and Mutilate abilities by 20%.

  • Improved Ambush3/3 · Subtlety

    Est. DPS +4.5%

    Increases the critical strike chance of your Ambush ability by 45%.

  • Premeditation1/1 · Subtlety

    Ability

    Adds 2 Combo Points to your target. You must add to or use those combo points within 20 sec or the combo points are lost.

  • Serrated Blades3/3 · Subtlety

    Est. DPS +2.8%

    Causes your attacks to ignore 9% of your target's Armor and increases the damage dealt by your Rupture ability by 30%.

  • Ghostly Strike1/1 · Subtlety

    Ability

    A strike that deals 125% (180% if a Dagger is equipped in your Main Hand) weapon damage, increases your chance to dodge by 15% for 7 sec, and causes your next Ambush or Garrote cast within 7 sec to not require Stealth. Awards 1 combo point.

  • Preparation1/1 · Subtlety

    Ability

    When activated, this ability immediately finishes the cooldown on your other Rogue abilities.

  • Hemorrhage1/1 · Subtlety

    Est. DPS +1.4%Ability

    An instant strike that deals 100% weapon damage (145% if a Dagger is equipped) and causes the target to take 15% increased Rupture and Garrote damage from the Rogue. Lasts 15 sec. Awards 1 Combo Point.

  • Boot Knife5/5 · Subtlety

    Resource / utility

    Grants your Shank ability a 100% chance to add 2 Combo Points to the target.

  • Death Mark1/1 · Subtlety

    Ability

    Finishing move that marks the target, storing a portion of the damage dealt by your attacks per Combo Point. Garrote and Rupture damage is stored at twice the rate. After 6 sec, the stored damage is dealt, up to a maximum increased by Attack Power and Critical Strike chance: 1 point : 12% stored, 215 damage cap 2 points: 24% stored, 360 damage cap 3 points: 36% stored, 505 damage cap 4 points: 48% stored, 649 damage cap 5 points: 60% stored, 794 damage cap

Subtlety abilities

Subtlety 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.

Subtlety 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.

Subtlety 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 DaggerScore 252.0

    Item level 1 · Damage per second 31.5

  2. BlackfangScore 130.4

    Req. 20 · Damage per second 16.3

  3. Scout's BladeScore 127.0

    Req. 18 · Damage per second 15.3 · Agility +4 · Stamina +2

    Same stats: Sentinel's Blade

Off hand

  1. Restored DaggerScore 126.0

    Item level 1 · Damage per second 31.5

  2. Scout's BladeScore 65.8

    Req. 18 · Damage per second 15.3 · Agility +4 · Stamina +2

    Same stats: Sentinel's Blade

  3. BlackfangScore 65.2

    Req. 20 · Damage per second 16.3

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. Scout's BladeScore 152.5

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

    Same stats: Sentinel's Blade

  2. Assassin's DaggerScore 133.4

    Item level 52 · Damage per second 31.1 · Agility +6 · Strength +6

    Quest: Ley of the Land (Azshara)

    Same stats: Scout's Dagger

  3. Ebon ShivScore 130.2

    Req. 46 · Damage per second 30.3 · Agility +9

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

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

More

Other Rogue specs

Assassination Rogue GuideCombat 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