1.0 - The Combat Rogue
This page has been updated for the 3.1 patch.
Combat rogues are a tried and true solution for massive DPS, Once boasting at the very least top five if not even number one DPS records on almost every boss fight capable of supporting decent melee DPS. These days Rogues fall behind some other classes in melee DPS, but can still pump out solid damage in raids and cause massive complaining from other classes in PvP.
The Combat build can also be used effctively in PvP, as shown by some of the top ranking rogues using this tree. The key, of course, if to make effective use of stealth and stuns and then make use of Combat's damage potential.
The overview of numbers and talent builds below will show you the requirements for bringing a combat rogue to Karazhan and beyond, some of the math behind all the DPS, and what to look for in your Rogue's gear.
2.0 - Combat Talent Builds
Weapons: Generally you want a low main hand (MH) and a fast off-hand (OH). The MH weapons should have the highest DPS possible, for the OPH speed rules over DPS. If you have two OH weapons and one is a bit faster with a bit lower DPS pick it anyway. The reason is for the energy procs from Combat Potency.
2.1 - Raid DPS Talent build
Raid DPS spec:
15/51/5 Dagger build. Some knowledgable people say that the combat dagger spec is dead. Change this to sword spec or mace spec depending on which weapons you have access to. (If you have purple daggers and green swords, go with the daggers.)
Glyphs: Sinister strike, Rupture, Killing spree. Alternate choices are Slice and Dice and Adrenaline Rush.
MH use Wound Poison, OH use Deadly Poison
Don't mix weapons, unless you're fist/dagger (Close Hand Combat works with both,) use two of the same spec.
Raiding rotation:
Open with Garrote
Start Slice and Dice
Build Combo points with Sinister strike
Refresh SnD
SS to 4 or 5 combo points
Rupture
Build combo points
Refresh SnD if it needs it, otrherwise Eviscerate.
Back to step 3
Note that you want to keep Slice and Dice up at all times.
2.2 - Leveling Combat Build
Rogues will get Dual Wield at level 10. Dual Weild provides about a 20% overall damage increase, despite a 25% per weapon hit penalty and a 50% damage penalty on the off-hand weapon.
You will want the hardest hitting weapon you can find for the main hand (which will usually be the slowest weapon you can find) and a fast off-hand weapon. The slow weapon will provide bigger its from your specials (such as Sinister Strike) and the slower weapon will allow poisons to be applied more often.
Glyphs, in order of picking:
Major: Sinister Strike, Slice and Dice, and Garrote (if you use that opener)
Minor: Vanish, Distract, Safe fall
Two Combat Builds for Leveling:
Combat Swords leveling build 15/51/5
This build is biased towards solo play and non-pvp. If daggers are your thing feel free to switch out the sword/mace spec for 5/5 Close Quarters.
If you're on a PvP server you might want to pick up Master of Deception when you move into contested areas. The extra stealth might save you a ganking or let you do more ganking.
Combat Tree
2/2 in Improved Sinister Strike
5/5 in Dual Weild
5/5 in Precision
2/2 in Improved Slice and Dice (if you're on a PvP server consider 2/2 Master of Deception for the stealth)
1/2 Endurance
5/5 Aggression
1 Blade Furry
4/5 Sword or Mace Specialization (use whichever weapon you're using, don't mix.)
2/2 Weapon Expertise
2/2 Blade Twisting
5/5 Sword or Mace spec
1 Adrenaline Rush
3/3 Vitality
2/2 Endurance
5/5 Combat Potency
1 Surprise Attacks
2/2 Unfair Advantage
2/2 Savage Combat
5/5 Prey on the Weak
1 Killing Spree
Subtlety Tree
5/5 Relentless Strikes
Assassination Tree
5/5 Malice
3/3 Ruthlessness
2/2 Improved Eviscerate
5/5 Lethality
This is not the Ultimate Build. Feel free to switch things around to suit your play style.
Feel free to move things around. If you're not on a PvP server then something like Master of deception is a little less interesting.
If you wait on Malice and the other non-Combat tatents, then you can get into Blade Flurry and Murder Spree that much sooner.
3.0 - Combat PvP Build
Level 80 Combat PvP Spec 0/59/12
Change this to fit your playstyle. Arena PvP is not equal to Battleground PvP. This will get you started, but make changes to suit your situation. This build focuses a little more on attack speed than others.
Combat:
2/2 in Improved Sinister Strike
5/5 in Dual Weild
5/5 in Precision
1/2 in Improved Slice and Dice
2/2 Endurance
2/2 Sprint
3/3 Lightning Reflexes
5/5 Aggression
1 Blade Furry
5/5 Sword or Mace Specialization (use one spec, don't mix weapons.)
2/2 Weapon Expertise
2/2 Blade Twisting
1 Adrenaline Rush
3/3 Vitality
2/2 Nerves of Steel
2/2 Throwing Specialization - a ranged spell interrupt/silence
5/5 Combat Potency
1 Surprise Attacks
2/2 Unfair Advantage
2/2 Savage Combat
5/5 Prey on the Weak
1 Killing Spree
Subtlety:
5/5 Relentless strikes
3/3 Master of Deception
2/2 Dirty Tricks
2/2 Elusiveness
If your partner is generally the focus of the opposition's attacks consider swapping out Lighting reflexes for Malice or another talent. It's in this build to help proc Unfair Advantage.
Likewise, if you're never getting stunned, then swap out Nerves of Steel.
Some people hate Killing Spree, so if you are one of them...
NOTE: The below section is nearly identical for all three specializations of rogue, this is due to the usage of almost entirely the same stats for any rogue no matter the attack rotation and/or talent build
4.0 - Number Crunching
Agility - 1pt at 70 = 1 Attack Power, 0.55 Critical, 2 Armor, 0.95 Dodge Rating
at lev 70: 40 Agility = 40 AP, 22 crit rating (1% crit chance,) 80 Armor, ~2.1 Dodge
at 80: 40 Ag = 40 AP, .~.45% crit chance, 80 armor, ~.96% dodge
Strength - 1 = 1 Attack Power
Attack Power- 14 = 1.0 DPS
Critical Rating - 22.1 = 1% Critical
At 70: 22 crit rating = 1% crit chance
at 80: 46 crit rating = 1% crit chance
Hit Rating
15.8 = 1% Hit at 70
32.8 = 1% Hit at 80
Dodge Rating
18.9 = 1% Dodge
39.35 = 1% dodge at 80
Haste and Expertise
15.7 rating = 1% Haste/Expertise at 70
32.8 rating = 1% Haste/Expertise at level 8
4.1 - Hit Rating, Crit, etc.
Defacto Priority:
Agility
Hit rating to the poison cap (about 315 rating)
Crit rating
Expertise rating.
What to shoot for when entering Karazhan & Level 70 Heroics:
Hit Rating: 90+
Attack Power: 1200+
Critical Rating: 20%
What to shoot for when heading into 25-Raids:
Hit Rating: 200
Attack Power: 1450
Critical Rating: 23%
4.2 - Gems
Gem for offence if you're raiding or leveling.
Red Gems:
Bright Scarlet Ruby - 32 Attack Power
Delicate Scarlet Ruby - 16 Agility
Precise Scarlet Ruby - 16 Expertise rating
Blue Gems:
Solid Sky Sapphire - 24 Stamina
Yellow Gems:
Rigid Autumn's Glow - 16 Hit Rating
4.3 Enchantments
At level 70:
Head: Glyph of Ferocity
Shoulders: Aldor/Scryer Inscription
Back: Greater Agility
Chest: Exceptional Stats
Wrist: Assault
Hands: Assault
Alternative Hands: Superior Agility
Legs: Cobrahide Leg Armor
Alternative Legs: Nethercobra Leg Armor
Feet: Dexterity
Alternative Feet: Cat's Swiftness
Weapon: Greater Agility
Alternative Weapon: Mongoose
4.4 - Consumables
Superior Healing Potion
Elixir of Major Fortitude
Elixir of Major Agility
Flask of Relentless Assault
Food:
Spicy Hot Talbuk
Warp Burger
5.0 - PvE Gear Guide
Note: This list is for level 70 and may be updated sometime. As this is a PvE gear guide I'll only list the PvP rewards capable of being obtained via Honor, arena rewards are however viable alternatives to many pieces of gear.
Many pieces of gear will also be equally useful to both assasination, combat, and subtlety builds:
Head:
[Quad Deathblow X44 Goggles] - Crafted
[Deathblow X11 Goggles] - Crafted
[Helm of the Claw]- Quest Reward
[Stealther's Helmet of Second Sight] - Quest Reward
Neck:
[Choker of Vile Intent]- (25) Badges of Justice
[Vindicator's Pendant of Triumph] - PvP Reward
[Bone Chain Necklace] - Heroic Underbog
[Earthen Mark of Razing] - Quest Reward
Shoulders:
[Shoulderpads of the Silvermoon Retainer] - Heroic Magister's Terrace
[Gladiator's Leather Spaulders] - PvP Reward
[Expedition Scout's Epaulets] - Quest Reward
[Mantle of Perenolde] - Old Hillsbrad
Back:
[Dory's Embrace] - (60) Badges of Justice
[Vengeance Wrap] - Crafted BoE
[Cloak of the Coming Night] - Normal Magister's Terrace
[Cloak of the Craft] - World Drop BoE
Chest:
[Tunic of the Dark Hour] - (100) Badges of Justice
[Primalstrike Vest]- Crafted
[Shadowprowler's Chestguard] - Crafted BoE
[Gladiator's Leather Tunic] - PvP Reward
Wrist:
[Master Assassin Wristwraps] - (35) Badges of Justice
[Vindicator's Leather Bracers] - PvP Reward
[Spymistress's Wristguards] - Quest Reward
Hands:
[Trickster's Stickyfingers] - (60) Badges of justice
[Fel Leather Gloves] - Crafted BoE
[Handgrips of Assassination] - Black Morass
[Gloves of the Unbound] - Arcatraz
Belt:
[Belt of the Silent Path] - (75) Badges of Justice
[Belt of Deep Shadow] - Crafted BoE
[Vindicator's Leather Belt] - PvP Reward
Legs:
[Trousers of the Scryers' Retainer] - (100) Badges of Justice
[Fel Leather Leggings] - Crafted BoE
[Leggings of the Betrayed] - Normal Magister's Terrace
Boots:
[Nyn'jah's Tabi Boots] - (60) Badges of Justice
[Fel Leather Boots] - Crafted BoE
[Vindicator's Leather Boots] - PvP Reward
[The Master's Treads] - World Drop BoE
Rings:
[Angelista's Revenge] - (60) Badges of Justice
[Shapeshifter's Signet] - Reputation Reward
[Vindicator's Band of Triumph]- PvP Reward
[Ravenclaw Band] - Sethekk Halls
[Kaylaan's Signet] - Reputation Reward
[Slayer's Mark of the Redemption] - Quest Reward
Trinkets:
[Darkmoon Card: Crusade] - Darkmoon Card Deck
[Shard of Contempt] - Heroic Magister's Terrace
[Bloodlust Brooch] - Vendor(41 Badges of Justice)
[Abacus of Violent Odds] - Drop(Mechanar)
[Hourglass of the Unraveller] - Drop(Black Morass)
[Core of Ar'kelos] - Quest Reward
Main-Hand:
[Gladiator's Slicer] - PvP Reward
[Vanir's Right Fist of Brutality] - (105) Badges of Justice
[Gladiator's Quickblade] - PvP Reward
[Latro's Shifting Sword] - Black Morass
Off-Hand:
[Gladiator's Slicer] - PvP Reward
[Quickening Blade of the Prince] - Heroic Magister's Terrace
[The Bladefist] - Heroic Shattered Halls
Ranged:
[Veteran's Musket] OR [Marksman's Bow] - Reputation Reward
[Felsteel Whisper Knives] - Crafted
[Telescopic Sharprifle] - Mechanar |
