Subtlety Rogue leveling guide
Subtlety is the safest Rogue spec for questing alone in Outland. Hemorrhage builds combo points with any weapon and from any angle, Shadowstep puts you behind an enemy in an instant, and Cheat Death saves you from a killing blow. Preparation resets Evasion, Sprint and Vanish, so one bad pull rarely ends in death.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Hemorrhage works with any weapon, even from the front.
- Cheat Death, Elusiveness and Preparation make the spec very forgiving.
- Premeditation and Shadowstep give strong openers.
- Lower sustained damage than Combat, so fights last a little longer.
Talents by level
At level 60
- In Subtlety: Opportunity 5/5, Camouflage 5/5, Initiative 3/3, Ghostly Strike, Serrated Blades 3/3, Elusiveness 2/2, Hemorrhage, Preparation, Dirty Deeds 2/2 and Heightened Senses 2/2.
- Deadliness 5/5, Premeditation, Cheat Death 3/3, Enveloping Shadows 1/3, Sinister Calling 5/5 and Shadowstep, for 41 points.
- In Combat: Improved Sinister Strike 2/2, Lightning Reflexes 3/5 and Precision 5/5.
Level 61 to 70
- Improved Slice and Dice 3/3 and Endurance 2/2.
- Dual Wield Specialization 5/5, for 20 points in Combat.
Rotation
One enemy
- Stealth up to the enemy, Premeditation, then open with Cheap Shot, or Shadowstep and Ambush when you carry a dagger.
- Hemorrhage to build combo points, Slice and Dice early, and Eviscerate with five.
- Ghostly Strike when the enemy hits hard, since it raises your dodge chance.
Two enemies
- Sap one enemy before the fight when it is humanoid, and kill the other.
- Gouge or Blind the second enemy, then Kidney Shot the first.
Staying alive
- Evasion and Sprint, then Preparation to use them again. Cheat Death catches a killing blow.
- Vanish and Stealth again to reset a fight you are losing, and Cloak of Shadows from level 66 against spells.
- 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.
- A slow main-hand weapon for Hemorrhage, or a dagger if you like to open with Ambush.
- 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.