Combat Rogue leveling guide
Combat is the most relaxed way to level a Rogue from 70 to 80. You never need stealth or a position behind the enemy: Sinister Strike, Slice and Dice and Eviscerate do the work, Combat Potency returns energy, and Blade Flurry, Adrenaline Rush and Killing Spree take care of groups. It works with any weapon, and swords or axes get the most out of Hack and Slash.
Strengths and weaknesses
- The easiest Rogue spec: no positioning, no stealth openers needed.
- Blade Flurry and Killing Spree deal with two or more enemies.
- Adrenaline Rush and Combat Potency give plenty of energy.
- Less burst than Assassination on a single enemy, and fewer tricks than Subtlety.
Talents by level
At level 70
- In Combat: Improved Sinister Strike 2/2, Dual Wield Specialization 5/5, Improved Slice and Dice 2/2, Precision 5/5, Deflection 3/3, Endurance 2/2, Lightning Reflexes 3/3 and Aggression 5/5.
- Blade Flurry, Hack and Slash 5/5, Weapon Expertise 2/2, Vitality 3/3, Adrenaline Rush, Combat Potency 5/5 and Surprise Attacks.
- Savage Combat 2/2, Prey on the Weak 3/5 and Killing Spree, for 51 points. In Assassination: Malice 5/5, Remorseless Attacks 2/2 and Ruthlessness 3/3.
Level 71 to 80
- Lethality 5/5.
- Improved Poisons 5/5, for 20 points in Assassination.
Rotation
One enemy
- Sinister Strike to build combo points, and Slice and Dice with the first two.
- Eviscerate at five combo points, and keep Slice and Dice up on longer fights.
- Rupture instead of Eviscerate on a strong enemy with a lot of health.
Two enemies
- Blade Flurry, then your normal rotation: every hit also lands on a second enemy.
- Adrenaline Rush and Killing Spree for a big pull, and Fan of Knives from level 80.
Staying alive
- Evasion against melee enemies, and Cloak of Shadows against spells.
- Kick to stop a spell, Kidney Shot and Gouge to buy time, and Vanish when it goes wrong.
- Instant Poison on the main hand and Deadly Poison on the off hand, and bandages between fights.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 70-72 | Borean Tundra (Valiance Keep), Howling Fjord (Valgarde) | Borean Tundra (Warsong Hold), Howling Fjord (Vengeance Landing) |
| 72-74 | Dragonblight (Wintergarde Keep) | Dragonblight (Agmar’s Hammer) |
| 74-75 | Grizzly Hills (Amberpine Lodge) | Grizzly Hills (Conquest Hold) |
| 75-76 | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) |
| 76-78 | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) |
| 78-80 | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Utgarde Keep and The Nexus from level 70, Azjol-Nerub and Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom around 72, and Drak’Tharon Keep and The Violet Hold from 74.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Attack Power and Agility first, then Hit, Expertise, Armor Penetration and Haste.
- A slow sword or axe on the main hand and a fast one on the off hand.
- Enchants: Berserking on both weapons, Crusher on the gloves and Greater Assault on the bracers.
- Tradeskills: Skinning with Leatherworking for leather gear and Fur Lining on the bracers.