Pitter
Boots Thief
OUTDATED UPDATE TO COME IN BFA
Table of Contents: (Patch 6.2.2)
1. Introduction
2. Races
3. Talents
4. Gear
5. Macros
6. Gameplay
2. Races
3. Talents
4. Gear
5. Macros
6. Gameplay
1. Introduction
Hello again! My name is Patrick, but most people just call me Pitter or Pitterpatter. It's about time I updated this rogue guide for BFA as many things have changed. In this guide I will be going over the best Races, Talents, and Gear for a 19 twink rogue as it currently stands. I will also share a couple of macros that I find helpful, and some gameplay tips for how a rogue can be most effective for his or her team. With that in mind, let's begin.
2. Races
Horde
Goblins are by far the most competitively viable race for rogue on Horde since the nerfing of Blood Elves. If one is simply looking to maximize their damage in PuGs or likes Arcane Torrent, consider Orc, Troll, or Blood Elf.
Goblin
-Rocket Jump: The goblin will bound forward a good amount of distance when used. This is very useful for rogues due to their lack of mobility at level 19. Can be used both offensively and defensively. Be sure to jump before using this ability for maximum effectiveness. Do keep in mind that this ability shares a cooldown with Rocket Barrage which should seldom be used, if ever.
-Time is Money: An extra 1% haste.
Troll
-
Orc
-Blood Fury: This will increase your attack power by 13 for 15 seconds.
-Hardiness: All stuns are reduced by 20%. This will prove useful against things like Cheap Shot and Hammer of Justice.
Blood Elf
-Arcane Torrent: An 8-yard AoE that will break people out of stealth, restore 15 energy, and remove 1 beneficial effect from the enemy (like Power Word: Shield). RIP sweet prince.
-Arcane Acuity: An extra 1% Critical Strike rating.
-Arcane Resistance: Reduces your damage taken from Arcane spells by 1%.
-Rocket Jump: The goblin will bound forward a good amount of distance when used. This is very useful for rogues due to their lack of mobility at level 19. Can be used both offensively and defensively. Be sure to jump before using this ability for maximum effectiveness. Do keep in mind that this ability shares a cooldown with Rocket Barrage which should seldom be used, if ever.
-Time is Money: An extra 1% haste.
Troll
-
Orc
-Blood Fury: This will increase your attack power by 13 for 15 seconds.
-Hardiness: All stuns are reduced by 20%. This will prove useful against things like Cheap Shot and Hammer of Justice.
Blood Elf
-Arcane Torrent: An 8-yard AoE that will break people out of stealth, restore 15 energy, and remove 1 beneficial effect from the enemy (like Power Word: Shield). RIP sweet prince.
-Arcane Acuity: An extra 1% Critical Strike rating.
-Arcane Resistance: Reduces your damage taken from Arcane spells by 1%.
Alliance
There is a bit more leeway when it comes to Alliance rogue. You have the choice between Night Elf, Worgen, or Human. They all have their strengths in some regards.
Night Elf
-Shadowmeld: Instantly drops your combat, allowing for a quick restealth if used correctly. Has both offensive and defensive uses.
-Elusiveness: Increases your speed while stealthed by 5%. Helping you keep up with targets that move faster than normal. (The wowhead tooltip is bugged).
-Quickness: An extra 2% movement speed and dodge. The movement speed stacks with your Elusiveness in stealth, leading to 7% increased stealth speed. The dodge leads to a very slight advantage in survivability.
-Touch of Elune: An extra 1% Critical Strike rating during the day, and an extra 1% Haste during the night. Generally the crit is preffered.
-Wisp Spirit: Increases your movement speed while you are dead by 75%. Can be helpful to get body rezzes off in some situations. Icing on the cake for Night Elf racials.
-Nature Resistance: Reduces your damage taken from Nature spells by 1%. Again, icing on the cake for Night Elf racials.
-Elusiveness: Increases your speed while stealthed by 5%. Helping you keep up with targets that move faster than normal. (The wowhead tooltip is bugged).
-Quickness: An extra 2% movement speed and dodge. The movement speed stacks with your Elusiveness in stealth, leading to 7% increased stealth speed. The dodge leads to a very slight advantage in survivability.
-Touch of Elune: An extra 1% Critical Strike rating during the day, and an extra 1% Haste during the night. Generally the crit is preffered.
-Wisp Spirit: Increases your movement speed while you are dead by 75%. Can be helpful to get body rezzes off in some situations. Icing on the cake for Night Elf racials.
-Nature Resistance: Reduces your damage taken from Nature spells by 1%. Again, icing on the cake for Night Elf racials.
Human
-Every Man for Himself: A built in PvP Insignia for Humans. This allows them to use 2 trinkets of their choice for stats or utility. For rogue Arena Grand Master with Defending Champion is the best bet, in my opinion.
-The Human Spirit: An extra 4 versatility. Slightly increasing your damage output and survavbility.
-The Human Spirit: An extra 4 versatility. Slightly increasing your damage output and survavbility.
Worgen
-Darkflight: An extra 40% movement speed for 10 seconds. This has both offensive and defensive use, and can help keep you on targets that are faster than you. (This ability can be used while stealthed).
-Viciousness : An extra 1% Critical Strike rating.
-Aberration : Reduces your damage taken from Shadow and Nature spells by 1%. Icing on the cake for Worgen racials.
-Viciousness : An extra 1% Critical Strike rating.
-Aberration : Reduces your damage taken from Shadow and Nature spells by 1%. Icing on the cake for Worgen racials.
In my opinion, Night Elves have the edge because of Shadowmeld and their movement speed. Though for some play styles one may prefer Human or Worgen. It comes down to preference. Personally, for the current meta I think Night Elf > Human > Worgen.
3. Talents
For Warsong Gulch, while playing any spec, Nightstalker should be the only talent you should consider. It helps your opening damage (which in many cases is all you've got) and helps you move around the field to sap key targets more efficiently.
For arena, while playing Assassination, Shadow Focus is almost always preferred due to the gain in sustained damage and energy conservation. Shadow Focus also has great synergy with Shadowmeld if you are playing Night Elf.
Note: If you are playing a spec besides Assassination in arena consider Nightstalker depending on the comp you are facing.
Note: Shadow Focus is near useless in Warsong Gulch, even with the synergy it has with Shadowmeld. Do not use Shadow Focus in Warsong Gulch.
For arena, while playing Assassination, Shadow Focus is almost always preferred due to the gain in sustained damage and energy conservation. Shadow Focus also has great synergy with Shadowmeld if you are playing Night Elf.
Note: If you are playing a spec besides Assassination in arena consider Nightstalker depending on the comp you are facing.
Note: Shadow Focus is near useless in Warsong Gulch, even with the synergy it has with Shadowmeld. Do not use Shadow Focus in Warsong Gulch.
Note: Subterfuge should never be used in level 19 PvP.
4. Gear
Standard Setup for Warsong Gulch
Both Combat and Assassination have their strengths in the meta right now. For more competitive play Combat is almost always better due to the high opening burst, this is because in competitive play there will always be a Brewmaster Monk on the enemy team, and druid Flag Carriers, which means you will need to maximize your opening damage because you will have next to no time on your target due to being slowed and outran. Assassination offers better overall sustained damage if you are able to stay on your target for about ~3-4 seconds (or 2-3 Mutilates). Gearing is identical between the 2 specs, except for weapons, which I will cover below. Subtlety has little to no use in Warsong Gulch as of right now, and should not be considered. With that in mind, the reason we gear glass cannon in Warsong is because rogues have very little time on target due to lack of mobility, crit is also not a huge focus because crit was nerfed in WoD from 200% damage to 150% damage.
Weapons (Combat):
BiS:Shadowfang / Shadowfang
Source: Every Mob in Shadowfang Keep drops the Shadowfang at about a .01% rate.
Substitute: Venerable Dal'Rend's Sacred Charge / Venerable Mass of McGowan
Source: There are Heirloom vendors in Ironforge and The Undercity that will sell you these for 650 gold. You only need to buy one, as the stats are identical. It is purely up to preference.
Note: If you only have one Shadowfang use a Venerable Dal'Rend's Sacred Charge or Venerable Mass of McGowan in your Main Hand.
Weapons (Assassination):
BiS: Talon of Vultros / Goblin Screwdriver
Source: Talon of Vultros drops off of Vultros, a rare spawn in Westfall at about a .2% rate. Goblin Screwdriver is no longer available in the game, but it can be bought off of the Auction House.
Note: Do not consider playing Assassination if you do not have a Talon of Vultros.
Note: Never equip a Level 11 version of Talon of Vultros unless you plan on using 2. They scale identically, and you can get a pretty good amount of gold for it.
Substitute: Sharpened Scarlet Kris
Source: There are Heirloom vendors in Ironforge and The Undercity that will sell you this for 650 gold. Additionally, you can buy this heirloom with 1000 Honor from vendors in Stormwind or Orgrimmar.
Weapons (Combat):
BiS:Shadowfang / Shadowfang
Source: Every Mob in Shadowfang Keep drops the Shadowfang at about a .01% rate.
Substitute: Venerable Dal'Rend's Sacred Charge / Venerable Mass of McGowan
Source: There are Heirloom vendors in Ironforge and The Undercity that will sell you these for 650 gold. You only need to buy one, as the stats are identical. It is purely up to preference.
Note: If you only have one Shadowfang use a Venerable Dal'Rend's Sacred Charge or Venerable Mass of McGowan in your Main Hand.
Weapons (Assassination):
BiS: Talon of Vultros / Goblin Screwdriver
Source: Talon of Vultros drops off of Vultros, a rare spawn in Westfall at about a .2% rate. Goblin Screwdriver is no longer available in the game, but it can be bought off of the Auction House.
Note: Do not consider playing Assassination if you do not have a Talon of Vultros.
Note: Never equip a Level 11 version of Talon of Vultros unless you plan on using 2. They scale identically, and you can get a pretty good amount of gold for it.
Substitute: Sharpened Scarlet Kris
Source: There are Heirloom vendors in Ironforge and The Undercity that will sell you this for 650 gold. Additionally, you can buy this heirloom with 1000 Honor from vendors in Stormwind or Orgrimmar.
Note: If you have access to a level 11 Talon of Vultros but no access to a Goblin Screwdriver consider using 2 Talon of Vultros'.
Enchant all of your weapons with: Enchant Weapon - Elemental Force
Head
BiS: Stained Shadowcraft Cap
Source: Guild Vendors will sell you these for 500 gold in any capital city.
BiS: Stained Shadowcraft Cap
Source: Guild Vendors will sell you these for 500 gold in any capital city.
Neck
BiS: Sentinel's Medallion / Scout's Medallion
Source: Warsong Gulch PvP vendors located in Ashenvale and The Barrens will sell you one of these for 20 Honor.
Shoulder
BiS: Stained Shadowcraft Spaulders
Source: There are Heirloom vendors in Ironforge and The Undercity that will sell you this for 500 gold.
Enchant: Greater Tiger Claw Inscription
Note: You must put this enchant on yourself, and it requires a level 85 or higher character to apply.
Back
BiS: Glowing Lizardscale Cloak
Source: Glowing Lizardscale Cloak drops off of Skum in Waling Caverns at about a 40% drop rate.
Enchant: Enchant Cloak - Gift of Versatility
Chest
BiS: Gloomshroud Armor
Source: Gloomshroud Armor drops off of every mob in Shadowfang keep at an unknown drop rate (below .01%). It is extremely hard to come by, and very difficult to farm.
Substitute: Stained Shadowcraft Tunic / Armor of the Fang
Source: Stained Shadowcraft Tunic can be bought off of the Heirloom vendors in Ironforge or The Undercity for 500 gold. Armor of the Fang drops off of Lord Pythas in Wailing Caverns at about a 40% drop rate.
Note: Use Stained Shadowcraft Tunic for Assassination and Armor of the Fang for Combat.
Enchant: Enchant Chest - Peerless Stats
Wrist
BiS: Thrall's Gift
Source: Thrall's Gift are only available if you start your rogue as a Goblin. They come from this quest. You can always pay for a race change or faction change later if you don't want to be a Goblin.
Substitute: Forest Leather Bracers
Source: Forest Leather Bracers are a random drop from low level mobs around Azeroth. Generally you can find these for a fair price on the Auction House.
Enchant: Enchant Bracer - Greater Agility
Hands
BiS: Gloves of the Fang
Source: Gloves of the Fang drop off of every Druid of the Fang in Wailing Caverns at a 2% drop rate.
Enchant: Enchant Gloves - Crusher
Belt
BiS: Blackened Defias Belt
Source: Blackened Defias Belt is no longer available in the game, but it can be bought off the auction house.
Substitute: Vigorous Belt of the Monkey / of the Bandit.
Source: Satchel of Helpful Goods from random dungeons.
Legs
BiS: Blackened Defias Leggings
Source: There are 2 Defias Overseers in The Deadmines that both have around a 2% drop rate to drop either Blackened Defias Leggings or Blackened Defias Gloves.
Substitute: Stained Shadowcraft Pants
Enchant: Shadowleather Leg Armor / Primal Leg Reinforcements
Note: Shadowleather Leg Armor requires a level 85 or higher to apply.
Note: Primal Leg Reinforcements require exactly 400-499 Leatherworking to apply and you must put this enchant on yourself. This enchant can only be applied to Account Bound Leggings.
Feet
BiS: Blackened Defias Boots / Feet of the Lynx
Source: Blackened Defias Boots are no longer available in the game but can still be bought off of the auction house. Feet of the Lynx is a very rare world drop, they can also be bought off of the auction house.
Enchant: Enchant Boots - Minor Speed
Note: Blackened Defias Boots are only very slightly better than Feet of the Lynx. The stats are identical, the only advantage is the set bonus. Don't fret over getting Blackened Defias Boots
Rings
BiS: Signet of Argas / Signet of Argas
Source: This quest or This quest both from Ashenvale.
Note: You have to faction change to get 2 Signet of Argas'.
Substitute: Protector's Band / Legionnaire's Band
Source: Warsong Gulch PvP vendors located in Ashenvale and The Barrens will sell you one of these for 20 Honor.
Enchant: Enchant Ring - Gift of Versatility
Trinket 1
BiS: Inherited Insignia of the Alliance / Inherited Insignia of the Horde
Source: Source: There are Heirloom vendors in Ironforge and The Undercity that will sell you this for 700 gold. Additionally, you can buy this heirloom with 1250 Honor from vendors in Stormwind or Orgrimmar.
Substitute: Insignia of the Alliance / Insignia of the Horde
Source: These can be bought from honor vendors in Stormwind and Orgrimmar for 55 Honor each.
Note: Do not use this if your race is Human (in game of couse!).
Trinket 2
BiS: Arena Grand Master
Source: This quest. Loot the arena chest in Gurubashi Arena 12 times. The chest spawns at 12, 3, 6, and 9 Server time.
Substitute: Touch of the Void / Inherited Mark of Tyranny / Defending Champion (Depends on the situation).
Source: Touch of The Void is contained in the Void-Shrouded Satchel which can be bought from another player.
Source: Inherited Mark of Tyranny Can be bought from Heirloom vendors in Ironforge and The Undercity they will sell you this for 700 gold. Additionally, you can buy this heirloom with 1250 Honor from vendors in Stormwind or Orgrimmar.
Source: Defending Champion requires you to have the achievement Gurubashi Arena Grand Master go onto the character that has the achievement (and the Arena Grand Master itself) and loot the chest for a final time to obtain the trinket.
BiS: Sentinel's Medallion / Scout's Medallion
Source: Warsong Gulch PvP vendors located in Ashenvale and The Barrens will sell you one of these for 20 Honor.
Shoulder
BiS: Stained Shadowcraft Spaulders
Source: There are Heirloom vendors in Ironforge and The Undercity that will sell you this for 500 gold.
Enchant: Greater Tiger Claw Inscription
Note: You must put this enchant on yourself, and it requires a level 85 or higher character to apply.
Back
BiS: Glowing Lizardscale Cloak
Source: Glowing Lizardscale Cloak drops off of Skum in Waling Caverns at about a 40% drop rate.
Enchant: Enchant Cloak - Gift of Versatility
Chest
BiS: Gloomshroud Armor
Source: Gloomshroud Armor drops off of every mob in Shadowfang keep at an unknown drop rate (below .01%). It is extremely hard to come by, and very difficult to farm.
Substitute: Stained Shadowcraft Tunic / Armor of the Fang
Source: Stained Shadowcraft Tunic can be bought off of the Heirloom vendors in Ironforge or The Undercity for 500 gold. Armor of the Fang drops off of Lord Pythas in Wailing Caverns at about a 40% drop rate.
Note: Use Stained Shadowcraft Tunic for Assassination and Armor of the Fang for Combat.
Enchant: Enchant Chest - Peerless Stats
Wrist
BiS: Thrall's Gift
Source: Thrall's Gift are only available if you start your rogue as a Goblin. They come from this quest. You can always pay for a race change or faction change later if you don't want to be a Goblin.
Substitute: Forest Leather Bracers
Source: Forest Leather Bracers are a random drop from low level mobs around Azeroth. Generally you can find these for a fair price on the Auction House.
Enchant: Enchant Bracer - Greater Agility
Hands
BiS: Gloves of the Fang
Source: Gloves of the Fang drop off of every Druid of the Fang in Wailing Caverns at a 2% drop rate.
Enchant: Enchant Gloves - Crusher
Belt
BiS: Blackened Defias Belt
Source: Blackened Defias Belt is no longer available in the game, but it can be bought off the auction house.
Substitute: Vigorous Belt of the Monkey / of the Bandit.
Source: Satchel of Helpful Goods from random dungeons.
Legs
BiS: Blackened Defias Leggings
Source: There are 2 Defias Overseers in The Deadmines that both have around a 2% drop rate to drop either Blackened Defias Leggings or Blackened Defias Gloves.
Substitute: Stained Shadowcraft Pants
Enchant: Shadowleather Leg Armor / Primal Leg Reinforcements
Note: Shadowleather Leg Armor requires a level 85 or higher to apply.
Note: Primal Leg Reinforcements require exactly 400-499 Leatherworking to apply and you must put this enchant on yourself. This enchant can only be applied to Account Bound Leggings.
Feet
BiS: Blackened Defias Boots / Feet of the Lynx
Source: Blackened Defias Boots are no longer available in the game but can still be bought off of the auction house. Feet of the Lynx is a very rare world drop, they can also be bought off of the auction house.
Enchant: Enchant Boots - Minor Speed
Note: Blackened Defias Boots are only very slightly better than Feet of the Lynx. The stats are identical, the only advantage is the set bonus. Don't fret over getting Blackened Defias Boots
Rings
BiS: Signet of Argas / Signet of Argas
Source: This quest or This quest both from Ashenvale.
Note: You have to faction change to get 2 Signet of Argas'.
Substitute: Protector's Band / Legionnaire's Band
Source: Warsong Gulch PvP vendors located in Ashenvale and The Barrens will sell you one of these for 20 Honor.
Enchant: Enchant Ring - Gift of Versatility
Trinket 1
BiS: Inherited Insignia of the Alliance / Inherited Insignia of the Horde
Source: Source: There are Heirloom vendors in Ironforge and The Undercity that will sell you this for 700 gold. Additionally, you can buy this heirloom with 1250 Honor from vendors in Stormwind or Orgrimmar.
Substitute: Insignia of the Alliance / Insignia of the Horde
Source: These can be bought from honor vendors in Stormwind and Orgrimmar for 55 Honor each.
Note: Do not use this if your race is Human (in game of couse!).
Trinket 2
BiS: Arena Grand Master
Source: This quest. Loot the arena chest in Gurubashi Arena 12 times. The chest spawns at 12, 3, 6, and 9 Server time.
Substitute: Touch of the Void / Inherited Mark of Tyranny / Defending Champion (Depends on the situation).
Source: Touch of The Void is contained in the Void-Shrouded Satchel which can be bought from another player.
Source: Inherited Mark of Tyranny Can be bought from Heirloom vendors in Ironforge and The Undercity they will sell you this for 700 gold. Additionally, you can buy this heirloom with 1250 Honor from vendors in Stormwind or Orgrimmar.
Source: Defending Champion requires you to have the achievement Gurubashi Arena Grand Master go onto the character that has the achievement (and the Arena Grand Master itself) and loot the chest for a final time to obtain the trinket.
5. Macros
This section is from Curley's guide. I feel like he hit the nail on the head with these 2 macros and explanation on why to use them:
Macros will improve your overall game play. Focus allows you to maintain your target while being allowed to see another's actions such as a healer. Focusing healers is a huge part of getting the return because that interrupt will likely be the reason a kill is landed.
Focus Mouseover / Focus Target: /focus [target=mouseover,exists]; target
Focus Kick: /cast [target=focus] kick
Macros will improve your overall game play. Focus allows you to maintain your target while being allowed to see another's actions such as a healer. Focusing healers is a huge part of getting the return because that interrupt will likely be the reason a kill is landed.
Focus Mouseover / Focus Target: /focus [target=mouseover,exists]; target
Focus Kick: /cast [target=focus] kick
6. Gameplay
In general a rogue has 3 jobs in Warsong Gulch in the current meta, and they all depend on how the game is going.
Option 1: Play defense with a hunter (or some sort of class that slows). A rogue (or even many) rogues on defense is almost useless if there is a druid flag carrier on the opposing team. You will open and he will blink away and kite you. You need some sort of class to slow or cc the target for you to be able to have any uptime or chance or killing the EFC. Hunter is generally the preferred class to play defense with.
Option 2: Sync up with with your team in mid / kill low targets in mid. Playing a mid rogue is risky business. Opening is always a game with your life since you are so squishy and immobile. However, we do have some of the strongest and quickest burst in the game with our opener, making us very good at syncing up on targets to add the extra damage to kill them in mid. Try to sync up with Boomkin starsurges if you can.
Option 3: Help your FC. If your team is getting dominated mid and / or there is heavy defense and your druid FC cannot get out on his own, you can stealth across the field to help him get the flag out of his base by killing the opposing defense with your FC. This option is generally preferred over opening in mid because it is safer, but there is no reason to escort your FC if he does not need assistance.
In most cases Option 1 > Option 3 > Option 2.
Option 1: Play defense with a hunter (or some sort of class that slows). A rogue (or even many) rogues on defense is almost useless if there is a druid flag carrier on the opposing team. You will open and he will blink away and kite you. You need some sort of class to slow or cc the target for you to be able to have any uptime or chance or killing the EFC. Hunter is generally the preferred class to play defense with.
Option 2: Sync up with with your team in mid / kill low targets in mid. Playing a mid rogue is risky business. Opening is always a game with your life since you are so squishy and immobile. However, we do have some of the strongest and quickest burst in the game with our opener, making us very good at syncing up on targets to add the extra damage to kill them in mid. Try to sync up with Boomkin starsurges if you can.
Option 3: Help your FC. If your team is getting dominated mid and / or there is heavy defense and your druid FC cannot get out on his own, you can stealth across the field to help him get the flag out of his base by killing the opposing defense with your FC. This option is generally preferred over opening in mid because it is safer, but there is no reason to escort your FC if he does not need assistance.
In most cases Option 1 > Option 3 > Option 2.
Thank you for reading my guide. If it helped you in any way feel free to click the like button, if you still have any questions leave a comment below and I will try my best to answer it.
-Pitterpatter
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