Rogue - Combat

Purpose

A Combat Rogue is a pure damage dealer with an emphasis on single-target damage. He uses Fist Weapons or Swords. A Combat Rogue also has some handy tools like Tricks of the Trade∞ and a little bit of AoE damage with Fan of Knives∞.

Talent Builds

Standard: 7/51/13∞ - Fist Weapons
Variant 1: 15/51/5∞ - Fist Weapons
Variant 2: 7/51/13∞ - Swords
Variant 3: 15/51/5∞ - Swords
Variant 4: 7/51/13∞ - Fist Weapon + Sword

Ability Rotation

Use Wound Poison∞ on the Main-Hand weapon, and Deadly Poison∞ on the Off-Hand weapon.

The default attack is Sinister Strike∞. Get Slice and Dice∞ going as soon as possible, then try to never let it drop. If you don't need to refresh Slice and Dice, use Rupture∞.

Start-up:

1. Sinister Strike, then Slice and Dice

Main Rotation:

1. Sinister Strike to 2 Combo Points, then Slice and Dice
2. Sinister Strike to 5 Combo Points, then Rupture
3. Repeat from step 1

Key Cooldowns

Most cooldowns, especially those which increase damage, should be used early and often.

1. Blade Flurry∞
2. Adrenaline Rush∞
3. Killing Spree∞
4. Tricks of the Trade∞

Key Stats

Stats are listed in order of importance. All these stats are useful, but look for gear with more stats from the top of the list.

1. Agility
2. Attack Power - 2 points of Attack Power is comparable to 1 point of another stat
3. Hit Rating
4. Expertise Rating - up to a cap of 132 Expertise Rating (16 Expertise, 4%)
5. Critical Strike Rating
6. Haste Rating
7. Armor Penetration
8. Strength

Recommended Glyphs

1. Glyph of Sinister Strike∞
2. Glyph of Slice and Dice∞
3. Glyph of Rupture∞

Recommended Enchants

Enchants are listed from best and most expensive to least expensive. If you have a crafting profession, you may have access to crafter-only enchants which are better than these recommendations.

• Head: Arcanum of Torment∞
• Shoulders: Greater Inscription of the Axe∞ or Lesser Inscription of the Axe∞
• Chest: Powerful Stats∞ or Super Stats∞
• Cloak: Major Agility∞ or Greater Speed∞ or Superior Agility∞
• Bracers: Greater Assault∞ or Striking∞
• Hands: Crusher∞ or Major Agility∞ or Greater Assault∞
• Belt: Eternal Belt Buckle∞
• Legs: Icescale Leg Armor∞ or Nerubian Leg Armor∞
• Feet: Icewalker∞ or Greater Assault∞
• Weapon: Berserking∞ or Accuracy∞ or Superior Potency∞ or Exceptional Agility∞ or Greater Potency∞

Recommended Gems

• Meta: Relentless Eathsiege Diamond∞
• Red: Delicate∞ or Bright∞
• Yellow: Glinting∞ or Pristine∞
• Blue: Enchanted Tear∞ or Shifting∞ or Balanced∞
• Prismatic: Delicate∞ or Bright∞

Recommended Consumables

• Flask: Flask of Endless Rage∞
• Food: Blackened Dragonfin∞ or Mega Mammoth Meal∞

Additional Tips

• Always attack from behind or from the side. If you attack a mob from the front, it can parry your attacks.

Sources and Other Resources

• ShadowPanther.net∞
• Elitist Jerks: Pocket Guide to WotLK∞