How to Level a Rogue in WoW Forever
Combat is the steadiest way to level a Rogue: Sinister Strike on every cooldown, Eviscerate or Slice and Dice to finish, and Riposte whenever you parry. The recommended plan puts every point into Combat until 46, then finishes with Assassination for critical strike, more Energy, and Cold Blood. It never needs a respec.
Rogue Leveling Milestones
- Lv 4
Backstab and Pick Pocket.
- Lv 6
Gouge.
- Lv 8
Evasion, your emergency defense.
- Lv 10
Sap, Slice and Dice, Sprint, and your first talent point.
- Lv 12
Kick.
- Lv 20
Instant Poison, Crippling Poison, and Rupture.
- Lv 22
Vanish, and Riposte for the Combat plan.
- Lv 26
Cheap Shot.
- Lv 30
Deadly Poison and Kidney Shot.
- Lv 42
Adrenaline Rush doubles your Energy regeneration for 15 seconds.
Rogue Combat Leveling Build
Everything goes into Combat until 46: cheaper Sinister Strike, a harder Eviscerate, hit, Parry and Riposte, then Blade Flurry, Flash of Steel, and Adrenaline Rush. From 47 the last 16 points go to Assassination for critical strike, longer Slice and Dice, more Energy, and Cold Blood.
How the Combat Leveling Plan Works
Assassination16
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Combat353/3
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Subtlety0
Sinister Strike is the button you press most, so the plan starts by making it cheaper: Efficient Strikes cuts its cost by 5 Energy, and Remorseless Attacks gives your next Sinister Strike 40% more critical strike chance after every kill. When you chain monsters, that bonus is almost always active.
The Combat tree then adds damage and Energy in layers. Coup de Grace and Aggression make Eviscerate hit much harder, Riposte at 22 turns every parry into a cheap, strong strike, and Composure doubles the Energy saved by Poised on your first attack. Flash of Steel at 37–41 is where the build feels different: your Shank generates 15 more Energy and comes back 2 seconds sooner, so it pays for itself.
Assassination waits until Combat is done because none of its talents are active abilities. All sixteen points are numbers: Malice for critical strike, Improved Slice and Dice for longer uptime, Vigor for more Energy, Lethality for bigger Sinister Strike critical strikes, and Cold Blood to finish.
Combat Leveling: Point Order by Level
| Level | Spend the point on | Tree points | Show in the calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levels 10–13The first four points Efficient Strikes 2/2 at 10–11 makes Sinister Strike and Hemorrhage 5 Energy cheaper. Remorseless Attacks 2/2 at 12–13 gives your next Sinister Strike 40% more critical strike chance after each kill. | |||
| 10–11 | Efficient Strikes 2/2 · Combat | 0 / 2 / 0 | Open |
| 12–13 | Remorseless Attacks 2/2 · Assassination | 2 / 2 / 0 | Open |
| Levels 14–22Eviscerate, hit, and Riposte Coup de Grace 3/3 at 14–16 adds 20% to Eviscerate. Precision 2/3 at 17–18, Deflection 3/3 at 19–21 for 6% Parry, and Riposte at 22: after a parry it hits for 150% weapon damage and disarms the target. | |||
| 14–16 | Coup de Grace 3/3 · Combat | 2 / 5 / 0 | Open |
| 17–18 | Precision 2/3 · Combat | 2 / 7 / 0 | Open |
| 19–21 | Deflection 3/3 · Combat | 2 / 10 / 0 | Open |
| 22 | Riposte 1/1 · Combat | 2 / 11 / 0 | Open |
| Levels 23–36Energy and the off hand Composure 2/2 at 23–24 adds 10 to Poised's Energy saving, so your first attack of each fight is much cheaper. Precision 3/3 at 25, Endurance at 26, Weapon Expertise 2/2 at 27–28, Aggression 3/3 at 29–31, Blade Flurry at 32, Dual Wield Specialization 2/2 at 33–34, Flawless Execution at 35, and one point of Hack and Slash at 36 to open the next row. | |||
| 23–24 | Composure 2/2 · Combat | 2 / 13 / 0 | Open |
| 25 | Precision 3/3 · Combat | 2 / 14 / 0 | Open |
| 26 | Endurance 1/2 · Combat | 2 / 15 / 0 | Open |
| 27–28 | Weapon Expertise 2/2 · Combat | 2 / 17 / 0 | Open |
| 29–31 | Aggression 3/3 · Combat | 2 / 20 / 0 | Open |
| 32 | Blade Flurry 1/1 · Combat | 2 / 21 / 0 | Open |
| 33–34 | Dual Wield Specialization 2/2 · Combat | 2 / 23 / 0 | Open |
| 35 | Flawless Execution 1/1 · Combat | 2 / 24 / 0 | Open |
| 36 | Hack and Slash 1/5 · Combat | 2 / 25 / 0 | Open |
| Levels 37–46Flash of Steel and Adrenaline Rush Flash of Steel 5/5 at 37–41: Shank generates 15 more Energy and its cooldown drops by 2 seconds. Adrenaline Rush at 42 doubles Energy regeneration for 15 seconds, and Hack and Slash 5/5 at 43–46 completes Combat. | |||
| 37–41 | Flash of Steel 5/5 · Combat | 2 / 30 / 0 | Open |
| 42 | Adrenaline Rush 1/1 · Combat | 2 / 31 / 0 | Open |
| 43–46 | Hack and Slash 5/5 · Combat | 2 / 35 / 0 | Open |
| Levels 47–60Assassination for the finish Malice 3/5 at 47–49, Improved Slice and Dice 3/3 at 50–52, Malice 5/5 at 53–54, Vigor 2/2 at 55–56, Lethality 2/2 at 57–58, Ruthlessness at 59, and Cold Blood at 60. | |||
| 47–49 | Malice 3/5 · Assassination | 5 / 35 / 0 | Open |
| 50–52 | Improved Slice and Dice 3/3 · Assassination | 8 / 35 / 0 | Open |
| 53–54 | Malice 5/5 · Assassination | 10 / 35 / 0 | Open |
| 55–56 | Vigor 2/2 · Assassination | 12 / 35 / 0 | Open |
| 57–58 | Lethality 2/2 · Assassination | 14 / 35 / 0 | Open |
| 59 | Ruthlessness 1/3 · Assassination | 15 / 35 / 0 | Open |
| 60 | Cold Blood 1/1 · Assassination | 16 / 35 / 0 | Open |
Combat Leveling: Rotation and How to Play
Rhythm
Press Sinister Strike whenever you have the Energy. When a monster is about to die, finish it with Eviscerate; if you are about to pull the next one, use Slice and Dice instead so it carries over. Use Riposte the moment it lights up: it is cheap and hits hard.
Weapons
Swords, maces, axes, and fist weapons all work; the off hand can be any type, since Dual Wield Specialization only adds off-hand damage. Save Blade Flurry and Adrenaline Rush for packs and dungeon bosses.
Before level 10
Trade the starting dagger for any sword, mace, axe, or fist weapon with more damage as soon as you can. Sinister Strike scales with weapon damage, so this does more for your early leveling than the first talent point.
Rogue Talents, Spells, and Gear by Level
Each range shows the talent points of the recommended plan, the spells to train, and the best gear for your faction. Switch faction in the site header to see the other side's gear.
Rogue Levels 1–10
Trade the starting dagger for any sword, mace, axe, or fist weapon with more damage as soon as you can: Sinister Strike scales with weapon damage. Finish with Eviscerate.
- 1 talent point
- 10 new spells
- 2 rank-ups
- 13 gear upgrades
Spells to Train
- 1Eviscerate
- 1Sinister Strike
- 1Stealth
- 4Backstab
4Pick Pocket- 6Gouge
- 8Evasion
- 10Slice and Dice
- 10Sprint
- 10Sap
Plus 2 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Rogue spellbook by level →- 1 talent point
- 10 new spells
- 2 rank-ups
- 13 gear upgrades
Spells to Train
- 1Eviscerate
- 1Sinister Strike
- 1Stealth
- 4Backstab
- 4Pick Pocket
- 6Gouge
- 8Evasion
- 10Slice and Dice
- 10Sprint
- 10Sap
Plus 2 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Rogue spellbook by level →Rogue Levels 10–20
Efficient Strikes and Remorseless Attacks make Sinister Strike cheaper and more often critical. Slice and Dice at 10 speeds up your swings on longer fights.
- 10 talent points
- 8 new spells
- 6 rank-ups
- 15 gear upgrades
Talents
- 2/2Efficient StrikesLv 11
- 2/2Remorseless AttacksLv 12–13
- 3/3Coup de GraceLv 14–16
- 2/3PrecisionLv 17–18
- 2/3DeflectionLv 19–20
Spells to Train
- 12Kick
- 14Expose Armor
14Garrote
16Feint- 18Ambush
- 20Rupture
20Crippling Poison- 20Instant Poison
Plus 6 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Rogue spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon
Off Hand
Ranged
Head
Neck
Shoulder
Back
Chest
Wrist
Hands
Waist
Legs
Feet
Ring- Ring
- 10 talent points
- 8 new spells
- 6 rank-ups
- 15 gear upgrades
Talents
- 2/2Efficient StrikesLv 11
- 2/2Remorseless AttacksLv 12–13
- 3/3Coup de GraceLv 14–16
- 2/3PrecisionLv 17–18
- 2/3DeflectionLv 19–20
Spells to Train
- 12Kick
- 14Expose Armor
- 14Garrote
- 16Feint
- 18Ambush
- 20Rupture
- 20Crippling Poison
- 20Instant Poison
Plus 6 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Rogue spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon- Off Hand
- Ranged
- Head
- Neck
- Shoulder
Back- Chest
Wrist- Hands
- Waist
- Legs
- Feet
- Ring
- Ring
Rogue Levels 20–30
Poisons at 20 add a lot of damage: Instant Poison on both weapons is the simplest choice. Riposte at 22 turns every parry into a cheap, strong strike.
- 10 talent points
- 8 new spells
- 12 rank-ups
- 15 gear upgrades
Talents
- 3/3DeflectionLv 21
- 1/1RiposteLv 22
- 2/2ComposureLv 23–24
- 3/3PrecisionLv 25
- 1/2EnduranceLv 26
- 2/2Weapon ExpertiseLv 27–28
- 2/3AggressionLv 29–30
Spells to Train
22Distract
22Vanish
24Shank
24Mind-numbing Poison
26Cheap Shot- 30Kidney Shot
30Disarm Trap
30Deadly Poison
Plus 12 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Rogue spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon
Off Hand
Ranged
Head
Neck- Shoulder
Back
Chest
Wrist- Hands
Waist
Legs- Feet
Ring- Ring
- 10 talent points
- 8 new spells
- 12 rank-ups
- 15 gear upgrades
Talents
- 3/3DeflectionLv 21
- 1/1RiposteLv 22
- 2/2ComposureLv 23–24
- 3/3PrecisionLv 25
- 1/2EnduranceLv 26
- 2/2Weapon ExpertiseLv 27–28
- 2/3AggressionLv 29–30
Spells to Train
- 22Distract
- 22Vanish
- 24Shank
- 24Mind-numbing Poison
- 26Cheap Shot
- 30Kidney Shot
- 30Disarm Trap
- 30Deadly Poison
Plus 12 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Rogue spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
Off Hand- Ranged
- Head
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Back
- Chest
- Wrist
- Hands
- Waist
- Legs
Feet- Ring
- Ring
Rogue Levels 30–40
Kidney Shot at 30 controls dangerous monsters, and Blade Flurry at 32 lets you fight two at once. Dual Wield Specialization makes your off hand hit much harder.
- 10 talent points
- 2 new spells
- 12 rank-ups
- 15 gear upgrades
Talents
- 3/3AggressionLv 31
- 1/1Blade FlurryLv 32
- 2/2Dual Wield SpecializationLv 33–34
- 1/1Flawless ExecutionLv 35
- 1/5Hack and SlashLv 36
- 4/5Flash of SteelLv 37–40
Spells to Train
32Wound Poison
34Blind
Plus 12 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Rogue spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon
Off Hand
Ranged
Head- Neck
- Shoulder
Back
Chest
Wrist
Hands- Waist
Legs- Feet
- Ring
- Ring
- 10 talent points
- 2 new spells
- 12 rank-ups
- 15 gear upgrades
Talents
- 3/3AggressionLv 31
- 1/1Blade FlurryLv 32
- 2/2Dual Wield SpecializationLv 33–34
- 1/1Flawless ExecutionLv 35
- 1/5Hack and SlashLv 36
- 4/5Flash of SteelLv 37–40
Spells to Train
- 32Wound Poison
- 34Blind
Plus 12 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Rogue spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
- Off Hand
- Ranged
- Head
Neck- Shoulder
- Back
- Chest
- Wrist
- Hands
- Waist
- Legs
- Feet
- Ring
- Ring
Rogue Levels 40–50
Flash of Steel and Adrenaline Rush at 37–42 are the big Energy jump. Combat is complete at 46.
- 10 talent points
- 15 rank-ups
- 17 gear upgrades
Talents
- 5/5Flash of SteelLv 41
- 1/1Adrenaline RushLv 42
- 5/5Hack and SlashLv 43–46
- 3/5MaliceLv 47–49
- 1/3Improved Slice and DiceLv 50
Spells to Train
No new spells in this range.
Plus 15 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Rogue spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon- Off Hand
- Ranged
Head- Neck
Shoulder
Back
Chest
Wrist
Hands
Waist
Legs- Feet
- Ring
- Ring
Trinket
Trinket
- 10 talent points
- 15 rank-ups
- 17 gear upgrades
Talents
- 5/5Flash of SteelLv 41
- 1/1Adrenaline RushLv 42
- 5/5Hack and SlashLv 43–46
- 3/5MaliceLv 47–49
- 1/3Improved Slice and DiceLv 50
Spells to Train
No new spells in this range.
Plus 15 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Rogue spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
- Off Hand
- Ranged
- Head
Neck
Shoulder- Back
- Chest
- Wrist
- Hands
- Waist
- Legs
- Feet
- Ring
Ring- Trinket
Trinket
Rogue Levels 50–60
Assassination for the finish: Malice, longer Slice and Dice, Vigor for more Energy, Lethality, and Cold Blood at 60.
- 10 talent points
- 1 new spells
- 17 rank-ups
- 17 gear upgrades
Talents
- 3/3Improved Slice and DiceLv 51–52
- 5/5MaliceLv 53–54
- 2/2VigorLv 55–56
- 2/2LethalityLv 57–58
- 1/3RuthlessnessLv 59
- 1/1Cold BloodLv 60
Spells to Train
60Occult Poison II
Plus 17 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Rogue spellbook by level →Best Gear
Weapon- Off Hand
Ranged
Head
Neck
Shoulder
Back
Chest- Wrist
Hands
Waist
Legs
Feet
Ring
Ring- Trinket
- Trinket
- 10 talent points
- 1 new spells
- 17 rank-ups
- 17 gear upgrades
Talents
- 3/3Improved Slice and DiceLv 51–52
- 5/5MaliceLv 53–54
- 2/2VigorLv 55–56
- 2/2LethalityLv 57–58
- 1/3RuthlessnessLv 59
- 1/1Cold BloodLv 60
Spells to Train
- 60Occult Poison II
Plus 17 higher ranks of spells you already know.
Rogue spellbook by level →Best Gear
- Weapon
- Off Hand
- Ranged
- Head
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Back
- Chest
- Wrist
- Hands
- Waist
- Legs
- Feet
- Ring
- Ring
- Trinket
- Trinket
Rogue Leveling Gear and Stats
Weapons first
Swords, maces, axes, and fist weapons all work for Combat; pick the main hand with the highest damage, since Sinister Strike scales with it. The off hand can be any type.
Stats
Agility first, for Attack Power, critical strike, and dodge, then Strength, then Stamina. Hit is covered by Precision.
Armor
Rogues wear leather the whole way. Agility leather is your upgrade at every level.
Rogue Leveling Questions
What is the best Rogue leveling spec in WoW Forever?
Combat with Sinister Strike. The plan on this page ends at 35 Combat and 16 Assassination, takes Riposte at 22 and Adrenaline Rush at 42, and never needs a respec.
Should a leveling Rogue use daggers or swords?
Swords, maces, axes, or fist weapons with Sinister Strike are smoother for leveling. Daggers suit Backstab builds, which spend much of their time behind the target.
When do Rogues get poisons?
Instant Poison and Crippling Poison at level 20, Deadly Poison at 30, and Wound Poison at 32.
When do Rogues get Blade Flurry and Adrenaline Rush?
In this plan, Blade Flurry at 32 and Adrenaline Rush at 42. Save both for packs and dungeon bosses.
When do Rogues get Vanish and Kidney Shot?
Vanish at level 22 and Kidney Shot at level 30.
How do I stop running out of Energy?
Efficient Strikes makes Sinister Strike 5 Energy cheaper, Composure makes your first attack of each fight far cheaper, and Flash of Steel and Adrenaline Rush add Energy later. Use Riposte whenever it lights up: it costs very little.