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Class guide · Beginner

Rogue

A sneaky fighter with two blades. Hide in the shadows, pick your moment, and strike fast.

Pre-launch · beta info Checked Oct 26, 2026 against Wowhead's Forever database and Icy Veins (updated Oct 17)

The 30-second version

  1. Sinister Strike to build combo points, Eviscerate to spend them. That's most of the class.
  2. Start fights from stealth when you can.
  3. Use Evasion when things go wrong. It makes you dodge half of all attacks.
  4. You can't heal yourself. Level First Aid and carry bandages.
At a glance

Is Rogue right for you?

Beginner-friendly3 / 5
A simple core loop, with lots of tricky tools to learn over time.
Playing solo3 / 5
Strong single-target damage, but no healing and few ways to fight groups.
Wanted in groups3 / 5
Good damage, and you can open locked boxes and doors.
RolesDamage only
Damage
Your job in groups is DPS. This guide levels you as Combat.
The one Rogue idea to learn

Energy and combo points

Rogues use Energy, which refills quickly on its own. Your attacks build combo points on the enemy, and finishing moves spend them for a big effect.

1. Sinister Strike+1 combo point each time.
→
2. RepeatUntil you have 4–5 combo points.
→
3. EviscerateSpends all points for a big hit. More points = more damage.
→
4. Start againEnergy refills about 10 per second.
Two combo point tips

Combo points belong to the enemy you built them on. If it dies or you start attacking another enemy, they're gone. And don't let your Energy bar sit full: that's wasted Energy.

Rogue tools

Stealth and poisons

Stealth
From level 1

Become hidden. Enemies won't notice you unless you get very close. Some special openers only work from stealth.

Garrote from 14, Cheap Shot (a 4-second stun) from 26.
Poisons
Class quest at level 20

Coat your weapons so your hits do extra things. Use Instant Poison for damage.

Crippling Poison slows enemies that like to run away.
Weapon quest
Class quest at level 10

Your trainer gives you a quest for Blade of Cunning, a big weapon upgrade. Worth it.

Your action bar

Where every button goes

Each key has the same job for every class, so you always know where to look. The level shows when you get each ability; nothing ever moves once it's placed. (Not sure how to set up your keys? Start Here covers it.)

Keep these on a second bar

Things you use between fights, not during:

Your core loop

How to fight one enemy

Repeat this for every mob.

Health full? Poisons on (from 20)?Bandage or eat if needed
Stealth and sneak up behind itOpen with Garrote (14+) or Cheap Shot (26+)
Sinister Strike to build combo pointsRiposte whenever it lights up (20+)
Do you have 4–5 combo points?
YES
Eviscerate Or Slice and Dice on a long fight
NO
Keep Sinister StrikingLosing badly? Evasion
Enemy defeatedLow health? Bandage up before the next one.

↺ Then pick the next target and start again.

Leveling milestones

What changes as you level

Remember to visit your trainer every 2 levels to learn new abilities.

Lv 6–8

Gouge and Evasion.

Lv 10

Slice and Dice, Sprint, the Blade of Cunning quest, and your first talent point.

Lv 20

Poisons quest and Riposte (talent).

Lv 22–26

Vanish, then Cheap Shot.

Lv 30

Blade Flurry (talent) and Kidney Shot.

Lv 40

Adrenaline Rush (talent) and your first mount.

Lv 60

Max level. Dungeons and raids.

Talents · from level 10

Which spec should you pick?

Rogues have three talent trees. For leveling, go Combat: simple and strong.

Recommended for leveling

Combat

Fight head-on with two weapons. Simple, steady damage.

  • Best for: leveling solo
  • Blade Flurry lets you fight two enemies
Later

Assassination

Poisons and big critical hits.

  • Best for: damage at max level
Later

Subtlety

Master of stealth and tricks.

  • Best for: player-versus-player fights
Talents as you level

Where to put each point

You get 1 talent point every level from 10 to 60. Slide to your level to see where your next point goes. Points marked ★ give you a new button.

How do I spend a talent point?

Press N to open your talents. Click a talent to put a point in it. Trees unlock row by row: you need 5 points in a tree to open the next row. Made a mistake? Your class trainer can reset your talents for a small fee.

Build: 33 Combat / 18 Assassination, from Icy Veins (updated Oct 17, 2026). Pre-launch; may change.

Gear

What to upgrade

When you get a new item, check it for these stats, in this order. Higher on the list matters more.

What armor can I wear?

Rogues wear leather. Skinning and Leatherworking let you make your own armor as you go.

  1. A slow main-hand weaponSlow, hard-hitting weapons make Sinister Strike and Riposte much stronger.
  2. AgilityMore damage, more critical hits, and more dodges.
  3. StrengthA little more damage.
  4. StaminaMore health. You'll get plenty without trying.
Learn from others

Top 5 beginner mistakes

Sitting at full Energy

Energy over the cap is wasted.

Keep pressing Sinister Strike; don't let the bar sit full.

Switching targets with combo points

Your combo points stay on the old enemy.

Spend them before you switch.

Saving Evasion "for later"

You die with it still ready.

Use it whenever a fight turns against you.

Skipping First Aid

Rogues have no healing at all.

Level First Aid and keep bandages handy.

Forgetting poisons

A big chunk of your damage is missing.

From level 20, keep Instant Poison on both weapons.

Want more detail?

Go deeper

Ready for advanced builds and min-maxing? These sites go into much more depth.

Icy Veins ↗ Method ↗ Wowhead ↗ Mobalytics ↗