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.