Rogue

Leveling

Start in Stealth when it gives you a useful opener; begin with enough Energy to respond if the target survives. Build Combo Points on the intended target and spend them on a useful finisher before changing enemies. If a pull goes wrong, use control and a retreat route instead of spending every point of Energy on damage.

Wowhead’s November 6 Combat guide proposes Efficient Strikes and Remorseless Attacks early, then discusses a respec toward Riposte. This is one guide’s route; compare current talent text and respec cost. Its rotation heading incorrectly mentions Burning Crusade, so do not treat that section heading as Forever verification.

Training and ability milestones

The November 6 fan guide places Lockpicking practice at level 16 and poison training at level 20; check the class trainer and any quest for your character. Practise with the appropriate tools and do not assume a lock can be opened simply because another Rogue can open it.

Assassination playstyle

Assassination builds Combo Points with suitable daggers and uses poisons and finishers. Wowhead’s Forever overview identifies Mutilate as a talent benefiting from poisoned targets. Prepare weapons and poisons before a pull, then preserve Energy for a finisher or an assigned Kick. Blizzard’s October beta notes say poisons can coexist with temporary weapon enhancements; check the current tooltip and make sure a weapon swap still supports the attacks you intend to use.

For sustained single-target damage, the Forever guide uses Combo Point builders and Slice and Dice, with a finisher when it will not displace the maintained effect. Check dagger and poison requirements before the pull. On a group of enemies, identify the one the tank wants killed first; if an enemy begins a dangerous cast, keep enough Energy for Kick rather than completing a finisher first.

Combat playstyle

Combat uses steady weapon attacks and can take Blade Flurry for suitable grouped targets. Wowhead describes Hack and Slash as combining several weapon specializations into one talent, making a weapon change a build decision rather than automatically demanding a separate specialization point. Use Shank when learned and hold Energy for Kick.

For a durable target, the Forever guide uses Sinister Strike or Backstab to build points, maintaining Slice and Dice and spending excess points on Eviscerate when appropriate. Blade Flurry is an option for multiple intended targets, but can break a nearby Sap. If the controlled enemy is too close, delay cleave and attack the marked target while the tank separates the pack.

Subtlety playstyle

Subtlety selects a Stealth opening and combines control with bleed or finishing choices. Wowhead describes Thousand Cuts as a talent tied to Rupture ticks and the cost of later attacks; the fan guide discusses Death Mark for a damage window. In a dungeon preserve an agreed control target and plan your bleed setup before committing cooldowns.

For a longer fight, the Forever guide uses Hemorrhage to build points while maintaining Slice and Dice, with Rupture as a possible later finisher. Plan a Stealth opener only where it is safe to approach. If a dangerous caster must be stopped, preserve Energy for Kick or coordinate another control rather than spending everything on a bleed; its guide notes that talent tuning may change.

Version notes

Blizzard’s November 6 hotfix corrected Shank’s displayed ranks and its displayed Combo Points when Boot Knife is talented. Its October 7 deep dive describes poisons coexisting with temporary weapon enhancements and Sap no longer breaking Stealth.

Sources were reviewed on November 8, 2026. Guide observations are not independent live-game validation; later hotfixes and current tooltips take precedence.

Gear and professions

Skinning and Leatherworking can provide gear; Herbalism and Alchemy provide consumables. Check the recipe and current market before committing resources.

Before swapping a dagger for a higher-damage sword, check whether your main-hand attacks still work: the fan guide notes Backstab’s dagger requirement. Compare both weapons as well as the relevant bonuses for your chosen build. Gear that suits a dagger-focused setup need not suit a different Combat weapon choice.

Forever First Aid also makes healing potions; check its recipes and materials when preparing supplies. The related profession guides link directly to crafting and gathering information.

Class tools

The class spell and class-only item collections below update with published records. The talent calculator, Ability Levels and Gear Planner links on this page retain your class. Check current in-game tooltips: the linked fan guides describe a changing version and some observations originate in beta.