1.12 Rogue Builds

Updated: 8/31

This post is meant to list the standard archetypes. It does not list all possible builds. Nor is it meant to say that all the talent selections are the absolute best for all circumstances. With that in mind, I've updated the descriptions to identify the main talents that make the build a "standard". The other talents can be moved around and customized to fit each players' personal preference and/or needs.

A note on Lethality. Several posts have suggested that Lethality is a "must have" talent for SF and CB/Prep daggers. I disagree. The dps difference between Lethality and Imp Poison is negligible, and Imp Poison is clearly the better talent for pvp where you find many high-armor targets and where it's vital that crippling poison procs in every fight.

Dagger Builds

• Combat Dagger - 15/31/5

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/rogue/talents.html?005023104000000320305200255010020105000000000000000

Most experienced rogues agree this is the #1 raid dps build. White damage boosted by Slice and Dice provides exceptional sustained damage. If you want to be #1 on the damage meter, this is the build for you. And as a bonus, the changes in the Subtlety and Combat trees also make it possible to take some pvp-specific talents.

The key talents in this build are Imp SnD, Imp Backstab, Opportunity, Dual Wield, Blade Flurry, Weapon Expertise, and Adrenaline Rush. Malice, Relentless Strikes, and Dagger Spec are also important.

Sleight of Hand Variant
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/rogue/talents.html?005023104000000320305200055010020005200000000000000

Replaces Adrenaline Rush with Sleight of Hand to provide more threat mitigation. If you're raiding with a new/inexperienced main tank, you might consider this option.


• Seal Fate Dagger - 31/8/12 or 30/8/13

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/rogue/talents.html?305323100041351320300000000000000055000002000000000

The least-affected of all the pre-1.11 rogue builds, SF Dagger is still the benchmark for pvp. This build relies on big backstabs for burst damage, good combo point generation for stunlocks, and Cold Blood to finish off the opponent.

While it lags behind Combat Dagger for raid dps, SF Dagger is still decent in pve. The CP generation allows for 100% SnD coverage along with the occasional 5pt evis. Any rogue looking for a good all-around build should definitely consider SF Dagger.

The key talents in this build are Cold Blood, Seal Fate, Imp Backstab, and Opportunity. Malice and Relentless Strikes are also important. If you don't plan to raid at all, you should definitely move the points in Imp SnD to a better pvp talent.

Lethality/Initiative Variant (posted by Revery)
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/rogue/talents.html?305303105011351320300000000000000025003200000000000

Ambush can be a situational attack, Initiative is an excellent alternative. This variant also replaces Imp Poison with Lethality, which is a good choice if your targets are poison immune (like in MC).


• CB/Prep Dagger - 21/8/22

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/rogue/talents.html?305323103001000320300000000000000055001303003011000

Cold Blood, Prep, and daggers make for a very nice pvp combination. This build focuses on burst damage with solid cooldown management. Rogues focusing on pvp should give this build a look.

The key talents in this build are Cold Blood, Imp Backstab, Imp Gouge, Opportunity, and Preparation. Malice and Relentless Strikes are also important. If you're not planning to raid with this build, move the Imp SnD points.

Imp Sap Variant
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/rogue/talents.html?305323103001000320300000000000000055000303031011000

Gives up points in Camo and Serrated Blades for Imp Sap. Imp Sap is a great talent for the "blue" dungeons (DM/Scholo/Strat/BRS), and is also good for pvp.


• Premed Dagger - 12/8/31

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/rogue/talents.html?305300100000000320300000000000000055021303003012051

Some rogues really like premed. It allows a quick 5-pt finisher before the initial cheap shot wears off. Backstabs provide the burst damage.

Key talents are Imp Backstab, Opportunity, Prep, and Premed. Malice and Relentless are also important.

Sword Builds

• Combat Sword - 18/33/0

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/rogue/talents.html?305023101030000320055010005015023100000000000000000

Another old stand-by, this is the highest dps raid build for swords. It won't match Combat Daggers for sustained damage, but it's a bit more adaptable for various types of fights. It's also the best build for lvl'ing up and solo grinding.

Key talents: Imp SnD, Imp SS, Precision, Dual Wield, Blade Flurry, Weapon Expertise, Adrenaline Rush. Once again, Malice and Relentless Strikes are also important.

Variants: The four points in Lethality and Imp Poisons are definitely not needed unless you want to squeeze the last drop of dps out of this build. You can easily move those points into the pvp talents in the combat tree or even MOD in Subtlety.


• Hemo - 24/3/24

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/rogue/talents.html?305323103001300300000000000000000050225300003012100

Somewhat updated in 1.12, hemo remains a pvp stunlock build. Hemorrhage itself is the rogue's best CP/energy attack. Initiative and Dirty Deeds also contribute to the overall efficiency of the build, while Cold Blood and Imp Kidney Shot boost the somewhat limited burst damage.

Hemorrhage was not normalized in the 1.8 patch, thus some rogues claim Hemo is a good raid build. Unfortunately it isn't, unless you happen to be swinging the very best weapons (Rank 14/AQR/Naxx) and have exceptionally high AP. Even then it's debatable whether Hemo actually outperforms Combat Swords (let alone Combat Daggers).

Key talents: Cold Blood, Imp Gouge, Prep, Initiative, Dirty Deeds, Hemo.


• Seal Fate Combat - 30/21/0

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/rogue/talents.html?305023101151350320055010004010000000000000000000000

Yet another build that's been around for a while, SF Combat has never enjoyed the popularity of the other "cookie-cutter" specs. The combo point generation is uneven but extremely fast (faster than hemo). This build most excels at group pvp where it can use its combo points to hold targets in place while the high white damage beats them down. The white damage and poison talents also make it a decent build for raiding.

Key talents: Seal Fate, Dual Wield, Blade Flurry. Imp SnD is included for raiding only.


• Hemo Premed - 17/3/31

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/rogue/talents.html?305020124000000300000000000000000050025300033012151

As mentioned above, hemorrhage is the most CP efficient ability in the rogue arsenal. Coupled with Premed, it allows some exceptional opening combinations. The fast cp's make it possible to pop a 5-pt eviscerate before the initial CS wears off. See Sack's Guide to Premeditation for more info on this build.