Subtlety Rogue leveling guide

Subtlety is the stealth spec of the Rogue. It is known for PvP, but it levels well once Hemorrhage arrives at level 30: the attack works with any weapon, even from the front. Preparation resets Evasion, Sprint and Vanish, which makes the spec forgiving when a fight goes wrong.

Strengths and weaknesses

• Hemorrhage from level 30 builds combo points with any weapon.
• Premeditation at level 40 gives two combo points before the fight starts.
• Preparation gives a second Evasion, Sprint and Vanish.
• Before level 30 the spec deals little damage, and it has no help against two enemies at once.

Talents by level

Level 10 to 30

• Opportunity 5/5 and Camouflage 5/5 for faster movement in Stealth.
• Initiative 3/3, Improved Ambush 3/3 and Ghostly Strike.
• Serrated Blades 3/3, then Hemorrhage at level 30.

Level 31 to 40

• Preparation, Dirty Deeds 2/2 and one point in Heightened Senses.
• Deadliness 5/5, then Premeditation at level 40.

Level 41 to 60

• Setup 3/3, for 34 points in Subtlety.
• In Combat: Improved Sinister Strike 2/2, Lightning Reflexes 5/5, Precision 5/5, three points in Deflection and two in Dual Wield Specialization.

Rotation

One enemy

• Stealth up to the enemy and use Premeditation, then open with Cheap Shot.
• Hemorrhage to build combo points, Slice and Dice early and Eviscerate with five.
• Ghostly Strike when the enemy hits hard: it raises your dodge chance.

Two enemies

• Sap one enemy before the fight when it is humanoid, and kill the other.
• Gouge or Kidney Shot to stop damage, and Blind from level 34.

Staying alive

• Evasion and Sprint, then Preparation to use them again.
• Vanish and restealth to reset a fight you are about to lose.
• Kick casters, 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 Strength and Crit.
• A slow weapon in the main hand hits hardest with Hemorrhage. A dagger only matters if you open with Ambush.
• 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.