Subtlety Rogue leveling guide
Subtlety is the Rogue who opens every fight on their own terms. Premeditation and Ambush start with a big hit, Hemorrhage builds combo points with any weapon, and Shadowstep puts you behind an enemy in an instant. Shadow Dance lets you use your stealth openers in the middle of a fight, and Cheat Death saves you when a pull goes badly.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strong openers with Premeditation, Ambush and Cheap Shot.
- Shadowstep, Preparation and Cheat Death give plenty of ways out.
- Hemorrhage works with any weapon, and Sinister Calling adds Agility.
- Lower steady damage than the other specs once the opener is over.
Talents by level
At level 70
- In Subtlety: Relentless Strikes 5/5, Opportunity 2/2, Camouflage 3/3, Elusiveness 2/2, Ghostly Strike, Serrated Blades 3/3, Initiative 3/3 and Improved Ambush 2/2.
- Preparation, Dirty Deeds 2/2, Hemorrhage, Master of Subtlety 3/3, Deadliness 5/5, Premeditation, Cheat Death 3/3 and Sinister Calling 5/5.
- Shadowstep, Filthy Tricks 2/2, Slaughter from the Shadows 5/5 and Shadow Dance, 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
- Premeditation and Ambush from stealth, with a dagger on the main hand.
- Hemorrhage to build combo points, and Eviscerate at four or five.
- Slice and Dice on longer fights, and Ghostly Strike when you take hits.
Two enemies
- Cheap Shot the first enemy, kill it fast, and Kidney Shot the second one when it arrives.
- Shadow Dance for a second Ambush or Cheap Shot, and Fan of Knives from level 80.
Staying alive
- Evasion, Cloak of Shadows and Vanish, and Preparation to get them back.
- Shadowstep and Sprint to get away, and Blind on one enemy.
- Cheat Death saves you once a minute from a killing blow.
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, Crit, Expertise and Haste.
- A dagger on the main hand for Ambush and Backstab, and a fast weapon on the off hand.
- Enchants: Mongoose or Berserking on the weapons, Crusher on the gloves and Greater Assault on the bracers.
- Tradeskills: Skinning with Leatherworking for leather gear and Fur Lining on the bracers.