Assassination Rogue leveling guide
Assassination builds around finishing moves. 
Ruthlessness and 
Seal Fate add combo points, 
Relentless Strikes refunds energy, and 
Cold Blood turns an 
Eviscerate into a guaranteed critical strike. The spec levels a little slower than Combat before level 40, but kills single enemies with large bursts.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Cold Blood with a five-point Eviscerate ends most fights in one blow.
- Seal Fate and Relentless Strikes keep combo points and energy flowing.
- Stronger poisons help against enemies that flee or cast.
- No
Blade Flurry, so two enemies at once are harder than for Combat.
Talents by level
Level 10 to 30
Malice 5/5 for Crit, 
Remorseless Attacks 2/2 and Improved Eviscerate 3/3.- Ruthlessness 3/3 and
Murder 2/2. - Relentless Strikes, then
Lethality 5/5 for bigger critical strikes.
Level 31 to 40
Improved Poisons 5/5 and Cold Blood.- Three points in Seal Fate, then
Vigor at level 40 for more energy.
Level 41 to 60
- The rest of Seal Fate and
Improved Slice and Dice 3/3, for 36 points in Assassination. - In Combat:
Improved Sinister Strike 2/2, 
Lightning Reflexes 3/5, Precision 5/5, 
Improved Backstab 3/3 and Endurance 2/2.
Rotation
One enemy
Stealth up to the enemy and open with 
Cheap Shot, or with Sinister Strike before level 26.- Slice and Dice with a low number of combo points, Sinister Strike to build, and Eviscerate with five.
- Save Cold Blood for the Eviscerate that should end the fight.
Two enemies
Kidney Shot or 
Gouge the second enemy and kill the first quickly.
Crippling Poison in the off hand stops an enemy that tries to flee.
Staying alive
Evasion when several enemies hit you, and 
Sprint to run away.
Kick casters, and 
Blind from level 34 for an enemy that joins the fight.
Vanish as a last resort, and bandages between fights.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 1-12 | Elwynn Forest, Dun Morogh, Teldrassil | Durotar, Mulgore, Tirisfal Glades |
| 12-20 | Westfall, Loch Modan, Darkshore | The Barrens, Silverpine Forest |
| 20-30 | Redridge Mountains, Duskwood, Wetlands | The Barrens, Hillsbrad Foothills, Thousand Needles |
| 30-40 | Stranglethorn Vale, Arathi Highlands, Desolace | Stranglethorn Vale, Arathi Highlands, Desolace |
| 40-50 | Tanaris, Feralas, The Hinterlands | Tanaris, Feralas, The Hinterlands |
| 50-60 | Un’Goro Crater, Felwood, Western Plaguelands, Winterspring | Un’Goro Crater, Felwood, Western Plaguelands, Winterspring |
Dungeons worth the detour: Scarlet Monastery from level 30 to 40, Zul’Farrak around 45 and Blackrock Depths from 52.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Agility first, then Crit for Seal Fate, and Hit so finishing moves land.
- A slow weapon in the main hand for Sinister Strike and a fast weapon in the off hand.
- Enchants: Crusader on the main hand once gold allows it, Agility on the gloves and Strength on the bracers.
- Tradeskills: Skinning with Leatherworking for leather armor, or Mining with Engineering for bombs that stun. First Aid saves time between fights.