Assassination Rogue leveling guide
Assassination is built around Mutilate, which strikes with both daggers at once, and Envenom at level 62, which turns Deadly Poison into burst damage. Seal Fate adds combo points on every critical strike, so enemies die in a few quick finishing moves. Mutilate has to hit from behind, which makes the spec strongest in dungeons or with a partner who holds the enemy.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very high burst with Mutilate, Cold Blood and Envenom.
- Seal Fate and Relentless Strikes keep combo points and energy flowing.
- Poisons deal a large part of the damage and keep working while you move.
- Needs two daggers and a spot behind the enemy, which is awkward when you quest alone.
Talents by level
At level 60
- In Assassination: Malice 5/5, Improved Eviscerate 3/3, Remorseless Attacks 2/2, Ruthlessness 3/3, Murder 2/2, Puncturing Wounds 3/3, Relentless Strikes and Lethality 5/5.
- Improved Poisons 5/5, Cold Blood, Quick Recovery 2/2, Seal Fate 5/5, Vigor, Find Weakness 2/5 and Mutilate, for 41 points.
- In Combat: Lightning Reflexes 5/5 and Precision 5/5.
Level 61 to 70
- Improved Slice and Dice 3/3 and Deflection 2/5.
- Dagger Specialization 5/5, for 20 points in Combat.
Rotation
One enemy
- Stealth up behind the enemy and open with Ambush, or with Cheap Shot and then step behind it.
- Mutilate to build combo points, Slice and Dice early, and Envenom from level 62 or Eviscerate with four or five points.
- Gouge the enemy so it stops turning, then move behind it again.
Two enemies
- Sap or Blind the second enemy and kill the first quickly.
- Kidney Shot and Cold Blood end a fight before the second enemy recovers.
Staying alive
- Evasion when you are hit hard, and Cloak of Shadows from level 66 against spells.
- Kick a caster, Sprint to run, and Vanish as a last resort.
- Bandages between fights, since First Aid is your only healing.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 60-62 | Hellfire Peninsula (Honor Hold) | Hellfire Peninsula (Thrallmar) |
| 62-64 | Zangarmarsh (Telredor) | Zangarmarsh (Zabra’jin) |
| 64-65 | Terokkar Forest (Allerian Stronghold) | Terokkar Forest (Stonebreaker Hold) |
| 65-67 | Nagrand (Telaar) | Nagrand (Garadar) |
| 67-68 | Blade’s Edge Mountains (Sylvanaar) | Blade’s Edge Mountains (Thunderlord Stronghold) |
| 68-70 | Netherstorm (Area 52), Shadowmoon Valley (Wildhammer Stronghold) | Netherstorm (Area 52), Shadowmoon Valley (Shadowmoon Village) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Hellfire Ramparts and The Blood Furnace from level 60, The Slave Pens and The Underbog around 62, and Mana-Tombs and Auchenai Crypts from 64.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Agility first, then Hit, Crit and attack power.
- Two daggers, the slower one in the main hand.
- Enchants: Mongoose on both daggers once gold allows it, Assault on the bracers and Superior Agility on the gloves.
- Tradeskills: Skinning with Leatherworking for leather armor and drums, or Mining with Engineering for gadgets.