Combat Rogue leveling guide
Combat is the fastest and most flexible way to level a Rogue from 60 to 70. It works with swords, maces, fist weapons or daggers, Combat Potency returns energy with every off-hand hit, and Blade Flurry with Adrenaline Rush turns two enemies into a short fight. Surprise Attacks at 41 points makes your finishing moves impossible to dodge.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Works with almost any one-handed weapon.
- Blade Flurry and Adrenaline Rush handle two enemies at once.
- Evasion, Sprint, Vanish and Cloak of Shadows at level 66 get you out of trouble.
- Leather armor means a bad pull hurts, and there is little self-healing.
Talents by level
At level 60
- In Combat: Improved Sinister Strike 2/2, Lightning Reflexes 4/5, Improved Slice and Dice 3/3, Precision 5/5, Endurance 2/2 and Dual Wield Specialization 5/5.
- Blade Flurry, Sword Specialization, Mace Specialization or Fist Weapon Specialization 5/5 to match your main hand, Weapon Expertise 2/2, Aggression 3/3, Adrenaline Rush, Vitality 2/2, Combat Potency 5/5 and Surprise Attacks, for 41 points.
- In Assassination: Malice 5/5, Remorseless Attacks 2/2, Improved Eviscerate 2/3 and Ruthlessness 1/3.
Level 61 to 70
- Ruthlessness 3/3 and Murder 2/2.
- Relentless Strikes and Lethality 5/5, for 20 points in Assassination.
Rotation
One enemy
- Stealth up to the enemy and open with Cheap Shot, or with Sinister Strike when you are in a hurry.
- Slice and Dice early, Sinister Strike to build combo points, and Eviscerate with five.
- Rupture on an enemy with a lot of health, and Deadly Throw from level 64 on one that flees.
Two enemies
- Blade Flurry and Adrenaline Rush, then attack one enemy so both take damage.
- Blind or Gouge the second enemy when Blade Flurry is on cooldown.
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, Expertise and Crit.
- A slow main-hand weapon of the type your specialization favors, and a fast off-hand weapon.
- Enchants: Mongoose on both weapons 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.