_____ _____ ____ _______ _____ _______ \ ( ___ ___ ) / .' __ `. ) ___`. ) ( ) ___ `. \ \ \ ( ) / / / / .' `. \ | ( \ \ | | | | `. ` \ \ \ Y / / / : : : : | |___/ | | | | | : : \ \ \ / / / : : OF : :.0| ___ ; | | | | : : \ Y Y / : : : :00| |00.\ \ | | . | | : : \ / \ / . `__' ;00| |0000\ \ | (____,| | |___.' ; Y Y ` ____.'00_)_(_0000\ \ _)_______| _)_____ .' 00000000000000000\ \ 00000000000000000`.`_ `000000000000000 `0000000^0000.' ~~~~ ~~~~ '0000/0\009 `' ^ '' _.' _.'`. `|!00` _.'`. _.' _,'`. _____ \\ /'\ // ).! ) AO \ |! ) AO \ ).! ) ,`-\ 1_ _1 \Y/ \Y/ A_\ | . .' |! , | . .' A_\ |!-- I V V /; \ )_|`.\_ \ / )_|`.\_ /; \ )( I V ' '\ , \ . | |WWWWWWWW ,WWWW. ,WWWW. WWW WWW WWWWWWWWW , / ,WWWWWWWWWW ,WWWWWWWW. ,WWWWWWWW. WWW WWW WWWWWWWWW . / .WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW , / , WWW WW WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW . / . WWW WW WWW WWW WWW WWWWWW WWW WWW WWWWWW , / , WWWWWWWWWW WWW WWW WWW WWWWWW WWW WWW WWWWWW . / . WWWWWWWWW WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW ( / / WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW WWW `..' .' WWW WWW `WWWWWWWW' `WWWWWWWW' `WWWWWW' WWWWWWWWW /`. ' WWWWW WWWWW `WWWW' `WWWW' `WW' WWWWWWWWW / /`._, / / `./ __ .' .' MMMMMM M. ,MMMM. ( ( MMMMMM ,MMM. ,MMMMMMMM. `. `. MM ,MM MM. MMM MMM ) ) MMMM MM MM MMM MMM ,' ,' MMMM ,MMMMMMM. MMM \MMM ( ( MM ,MM MM. `MMMMMMMM' (@_)::(_@) MM ,MM MM. `MMMM' \ | | | | |__| Header design ©2006 Kenny Sharman (cali42guy@yahoo.com) +--------------------------------------+ World of Warcraft Rogue FAQ Version 1.5 Handle: Zotmaster Copyright 2006 Dan "Zotmaster" Christler Contact: zotmaster(at)mindless(dot)com +--------------------------------------+ +---------------+ Table of Contents +---------------+ 1. Version History 2. Reasons to Roll a Rogue 3. It's Roguenomics: Skills and Talent Builds 4. Poisons and You: An Excuse to Have More DPS 5. Questing and Loot 6. Professions 7. Picking Locks: No Shirt, No Key, No Problem 8. PvP Tactics 9. High Gear: Enchants and Boring Stuff 10. Closing and Thanks +----------------+ 1. Version History +----------------+ 1.5 - 11.16.06 - A whole bunch of updates, including me learning to spell "Subtlety" correctly. This guide now accomodates the most recent patch and features more...stuff. For those looking for the insanely nitty-gritty, you'll find that here too. There may or may not be more coming, depending on what I feel is needed. If not, it's been fun. 1.35 - 06.14.06 - An update? No wai! Fixed a few more ridiculously stupid mistakes, finally got around to adding Kenny's art in, and even included two new talent builds! I spoil you. Updated the sites that can carry this guide. 1.25 - 03.30.06 - Cleaned up a few more mistakes, including one ridiculously stupid one that, thankfully, only one person ever caught. Updated my character information since I changed servers (albeit over a month ago). Updated the sites that can carry this guide. 1.2 - 01.25.06 - Cleaned up a few typos or omissions, added Gem-Studded Leather Belt to the Loot section, and organized all the loot presented in a more logical manner. Also included a PvP section with tips on how to fight any class. 1.0 - 01.24.06 - Started this FAQ. There's lots to read. I'll get to posting a PvP guide at some point for those interested. Expect at least one more update. +------------------------+ 2. Reasons to Roll a Rogue +------------------------+ You do know what I mean by "roll", don't you? This guide is going to assume you know such basic terminology as that. Anyway... To Rogues, the best defense is not to be able to suck up hits, but rather to simply not be hit at all. At the risk of stating the obvious, this is the most important thing to remember when it comes to Rogues: you're not there to take hits! Due to natural stealth abilities, Rogues are far better at getting to places and into things they shouldn't be able to than other classes. A chest tucked away behind an army of mobs? Slip past them, grab it, and get out! A lock with no key getting you down? Simply pick the lock! Real men don't use keys. Rogues are all about hitting hard and often. Sure, each hit won't do that much damage, but their melee DPS is exceptionally high. Sure, you won't hit as hard as a Mage or souped-up Warlock, but you'll make up for it with the fact that you can handle a mob up close and personal. Simply put, roll a Rogue if you want to hit hard, hit often, sneak around and pick locks. Not wanting to get hit is important, too. As for the race, it honestly doesn't matter which one you choose. Each has its own advantages, which you can read when you go to create your character. It's your character: make it be what you want it to be. +-------------------------------------------+ 3. It's Roguenomics: Skills and Talent Builds +-------------------------------------------+ Here I'm going to list each skill by what talent "tree" it comes from, describe briefly what it does - you can check any class trainer outside your starting area for exact numbers and the like - and describe when it is useful, if it is at all. After that, I'll show you ideal Rogue talent builds, which is also known as "why I'm right and you aren't". ------ Skills ------ ASSASSINATION: Ambush: If you're not using daggers, then you don't even need to worry about this skill since, well, you can't use it without daggers. Since you have to be stealthed, it's an ideal way to start a fight. The big problem with the skill is that you can only use it with daggers, and you will probably only be using it once per fight. This means that although your first hit will hit awfully hard, you won't use it after that when you're raiding. Cheap Shot: Fall in love with this skill, since you'll be using it often. You get a four-second stun, which rocks, and two combo points to boot, which rocks even more. Remember, Rogues do not like getting hit. This allows you to do just that for four full seconds, during which you can shell out a lot of damage, not to mention fire off your finishing moves more quickly since you already have two combo points. Under ideal circumstances, you can start off every fight with a Cheap Shot. Cold Blood (Talent): This guarantees your next Sinister Strike, Backstab, Ambush, or Eviscerate will crit. In general, your Sinister Strikes and Backstabs will crit often enough, and there is a talent that you cannot get if you get this one, and that particular talent is much, much better than Cold Blood. Cold Blood is useful for PvP, but that's about it. As shocking as it sounds, do not get this talent. Eviscerate: Your bread-and-butter finishing move. Unfortunately, critical hits notwithstanding, you'll never do as much damage as the tooltip will list, simply due to the fact that mobs and players have varying degrees of armor. That said, you should still use this finishing move more often than not due to the fact that it is normally your highest-damage attack, especially if it crits. Build up your combo points quickly and Eviscerate to finish your enemy off even more quickly. Expose Armor: Quite possibly the most worthless skill any class has, but it definitely is the most worthless Rogue skill. It's a finishing move that, get this, lowers the armor class of the mob you hit with it. Unfortunately, high level mobs and players generally have so much armor that even a 2000 point armor loss is fairly trivial, not to mention a waste of your hard-earned combo points. This skill has somewhat of a use while soloing high-level elites, but you will very, very rarely need it. Garrote: Sort of the poor-man's Ambush or Cheap Shot, this skill is used when in stealth to deliver damage over time, in addition to giving you one combo point. That said, Ambush hits a lot harder right away, and Cheap Shot gives you two combo points and a stun right away. The only time you'll use this skill is when you don't use daggers and the mob in question is immune to stuns. Take your time before purchasing this skill, but do make sure you get it. Garrote now scales with Attack Power, meaning it isn't quite as crappy as it used to be. Regardless, stick with Cheap Shot if the mob in question can be stunned. Kidney Shot: Another essential finisher, this skill trades combo points for stun duration. Remember, time a mob spends stunned is time a mob spends not hitting you. A few decent uses for this skill are stopping mobs who run away - many Humanoids fall into this category - spell interruption on players and mobs alike, or to finish off a mob that has low health but has a high block/dodge rate, high damage output, or all of the above. You won't use this nearly as often as Eviscerate, but you'll be missing it if you don't buy it, so get it as soon as you can. Relentless Strikes (Talent): This talent allows you to potentially gain back some Energy whenever you deliver a finishing move. Unfortunately, the game only checks once to see if you gain Energy or not, so this can't trigger more than once on a finishing move. That said, one way of looking at the ability is to say it essentially makes Eviscerate only cost 10 Energy to activate, and Kidney Shot and Slice and Dice effectively free. That sounds like a much better deal, and indeed, so is this talent. Rupture: Instead of dealing immediate damage, Rupture deals damage over time. It's easier to power up Eviscerate damage than Rupture, plus Eviscerate can crit. Sure, Rupture won't miss, but again, it doesn't crit. About the only use for this skill is in PvP to keep players from stealthing/bandaging or what have you. You're much better off killing them quickly, though, so once you start getting talents that increase Eviscerate's damage output, you can stop using Rupture. Slice and Dice: Instead of dealing damage at all, Slice and Dice simply increases your attack speed. At first glance, that sounds immensely worthless, and at lower levels, it is. Slice and Dice is mostly for when you need to take on more than one mob, especially if you're using Blade Flurry, since the attack speed bonuses stack. It lasts for a goodly duration, and as an added bonus, more attacks means more crits and more chances to poison. Though its use is even more limited than Kidney Shot, you'll miss not having this skill, so pick it up. COMBAT: Adrenaline Rush (Talent): Or "Why Non-Combat Builds Suck". (At least outside of PvP anyway) Read the ability carefully: "Increases your Energy regeneration rate by 100% for 15 seconds". What you need to keep in mind is that Energy regenerates fairly quickly, at least compared to Hit Points or Mana. What Adrenaline Rush essentially does is give you more or less INFINITE Energy for 15 full seconds. That's enough time for a five point Sinister Strike/Eviscerate combo, with some time left over to beat down. This ability allows you to kill mobs you normally wouldn't have a prayer of killing, including higher level Elites and bosses. There is not a better skill for PvE, end game raiding, you name it. Just don't use it in PvP until you're certain a player can't get away from you. Backstab: Well, if you aren't using Ambush, you aren't using Backstab. While this ability doesn't hit as hard, you can use it while not stealthed. Not terribly useful while soloing, since you'd have to Gouge to use it, but it's a little more useful in PvP, where circle strafing might reveal your opponent's back. Of course, if you still wanna be a dagger kind of guy, you will get a lot of mileage out of this in raids, especially with its ridiculously high critical rate. Blade Flurry (Talent): Another amazing skill. Not only does it increase your attack speed by 20% for 15 seconds, but it also allows you to hit a second nearby enemy in combat! This is the closest thing to AoE as a Rogue gets, and allows you to dispatch multiple mobs both safely and quickly. Also great for farming instances, since, again, you can fight multiple mobs at a time, especially combined with Slice and Dice. Much more useful than you think. An awesome PvE talent. Evasion: For 15 seconds, your dodge ability goes through the roof! Dodge rates over 70% are easily attainable with this skill, giving it a variety of uses. Combined with Adrenaline Rush, this skill allows you to take on challenges that others wouldn't have a prayer of completing. Just don't ever, EVER use this in PvP against a Warrior, unless you like getting your face smashed in. Also good to use if you're about to die. Turn it on and run. Feint: Only useful in instances, but extremely useful in instances. The higher ranks of this allow you to continually beat on mobs without worrying about drawing aggro. Feint is very essential for keeping you alive (and your group, since your job is to kill things quickly). Gouge: The damage it deals is irrelevant. It's a 4-second Incapacitate effect that allows you time to Backstab or run away. The only other real use it has is for interrupting spells, but the Energy cost is kind of steep. Since leveling is a bit simpler without daggers, the only other real use for this skill is running away. Outside of PvP, you really don't need it. Kick: Now here's a much more useful skill than Gouge. Again, the damage doesn't matter, but it's another way a Rogue can interrupt spellcasting. You won't use it all the time, but it deserves a place on any hotbar, because spells can really wreck your day. Riposte (Talent): At first glance, it really doesn't seem like that much. However, Riposte is arguably THE best overall combat skill in the game, for ANY class. For a measly 10 Energy, you get to strike back at your opponent for 150% of your main hand weapon damage after a successful Parry. Unmodified, your Parry chance is about 10%, so you'll have a chance to use this skill 10% of the time. In addition to the very large chunk of damage this skill deals, you get a 6 second disarm, which is EXTREMELY powerful. Many Humanoid mobs use weapons, and disarming them greatly reduces both the number of times you get hit and the amount of damage you take. In PvP, a Rogue without a main hand weapon is worthless, and it is the only way you can take down a good Warrior or Shaman. Use it a few times and you'll turn into a believer. Sinister Strike: Learn to love this skill, as you'll be using it about 95% of the time. Now here's why slow weapons, and in particular non-daggers, are so useful for Rogues: Sinister Strike is an instant attack. What that means is the speed of the weapon in question has no bearing on when Sinister Strike hits or how much damage it deals. It depends entirely on your damage range. If you have two 40 DPS weapons, with one attacking at 1.8 speed, and one attacking at 2.5 speed, the 2.5 speed weapon will deal a lot more damage. Imagine that attack crits and the damage spread is even wider. Due to the fact that you will be using Sinister Strike so often, a slow main hand is by far your best choice. Sprint: Simply put, a brief run speed buff. Lowbies will probably use this skill a lot simply as a means to get around the world more quickly, but other than that, it makes for a good escape move, although most mobs will Daze you, drastically reducing or negating the run speed boost you get. The usefulness is very limited, but again, you need this skill for those few times that you will need to run away. SUBTLETY: Blind: An attack that briefly causes the victim to wander around like a moron for a few seconds, giving you time to either bandage, run away, or ignore it. Blind only has a few uses, such as getting away, short-term crowd control (although if you're only dealing with two mobs, Blade Flurry will probably be more than sufficient to dispatch them both), or holding a player in place long enough for multiple buddies to gather around and gank him to kingdom come. Disarm Trap: You have to be able to see the trap to disarm it. Very rarely useful, but if you're going to raid or PvP, it's a skill you can't possibly do without. Distract: Useful, but not overly so. This gives a chance that mobs in the area of effect will look at the target area for a few seconds, which may allow you to sneak by or behind the mob(s) in question. It is also potentially useful to draw a mob away from a crowd, since Distracted enemies will not move while they are distracted. Ghostly Strike (Talent): At first glance, this sounds pretty good. 125% weapon damage? Good. A combo point? Good. A 7 second dodge buff? Cool! Where do I sign? Unfortunately, this is a talent, one, it has a 20-second cooldown, two, and it costs 50 Energy, three. All-in-all, it's drastically overshadowed by other skills. Don't bother with it. Hemorrhage (Talent): With the latest talent changes, this one is actually worth a second look. Due to the Attack Power normalization - read, "Nerf" - at higher Attack Power numbers, you get a higher output out of this than you will with Sinister Strike. However, the talents required to get to Hemo aren't as useful in raiding as, say, the entirety of the Combat tree. The damage bonus is more important for everyone else than it is for you, since 30 strikes go pretty quickly with 40 people. At least one rogue in your raiding crew ought to spec Hemo. If that's not you, pass on it. Pick Pocket: Rip coins and occasionally some junky items from unsuspecting Humanoid mobs, no muss, no fuss. Fortunately, you don't have to split your spoils with groups, but other than getting some Junkboxes for picking locks, or for a Ravenholdt quest, Pick Pocket isn't really all that necessary. You'll also look really stupid if you get caught, which breaks your stealth. Premeditation (Talent): A now Instant cast that adds two combo points to your target. I'd much rather just spend that time smashing face. Add in the fact that getting this talent means you definitely cannot get Adrenaline Rush and it seems pretty clear that you don't need this talent. It does have interesting uses, just not great uses. Preparation (Talent): Any talent that immediately ends all your cooldowns can't immediately be ignored, but in PvE, Adrenaline Rush is much, much better. If you want to respec to bash some heads in PvP, I'll go ahead and say this talent is a must-have. Otherwise, you can safely ignore it. Safe Fall: Find a high place to jump off and get your non-Rogue friend to jump too. If you're high enough, you just might survive while he just might die. For a few minutes, you'll have a good laugh. That said, you can fall a LOT further before dying with this skill, which means you can take shortcuts or escape from enemies by jumping off of high places. Since there's only one rank, go ahead and get it. Sap: Useful at early levels, semi-useful in PvP, worthless anywhere else. Once you start hitting instances, you'll be relying on Mages, Hunters, Priests, and Druids for crowd control, and Warriors, Druids, and occasionally Paladins or Shamans for tanking, so you rarely need to use this skill. Stealth: At the risk of stating the obvious, you'll be using this skill a great deal. Just don't forget you can't Stealth if you're in combat. Use this to start fights and avoid fights. Just do it! Vanish: Also critically important to have. Every time you go into a town, make sure you have a full stack of Flash Powder! You will be very, very sorry if you're lazy - like me - and find yourself in a life-or-death situation...and no Flash Powder. Don't let this happen! As for uses, you can use this skill both offensively (to Cheap Shot or Ambush again) or defensively (to get away or to break roots and snares). Unlike the Feign Death ability Hunters get, Vanish has a five-minute cooldown, so use it when it matters most. Don't forget to get Dual Wield at level 10! You will ALWAYS be fighting with two one-handed weapons, since you can't use two-handed weapons. ------------------ TALENTS AND BUILDS ------------------ Let me make one thing perfectly clear to you: you may be playing a Rogue, but you may not be a rogue in the typically portrayed fantasy sense. Sure, you will do your fair share of sneaking around, but backstabbing doesn't necessarily have to be your calling card. Unlike basically every other class, rogues are about doofus-smacking offense, and that's about it. People who have followed my guide for a while are reading this for the first time: since my guide was first written, way back in the day, rogue specs are pretty close now. I still use swords, however, and here's my choice build: ASSASSINATION (17? Points): 3 Improved Eviscerate 5 Malice 3 Ruthlessness 1 Relentless Strikes 5 Lethality COMBAT (33? Points): 2 Improved Sinister Strike 3 Lightning Reflexes 5 Deflection 5 Precision 1 Riposte 5 Dual Wield Specialization 1 Blade Flurry 5 Sword Specialization 2 Weapon Expertise 3 Aggression 1 Adrenaline Rush 1 Talent Point Left Over What to do with that last point, you ask? There are a few viable options. One in Murder is worth considering, as raids feature plenty of Humanoids, Beasts, and Dragonkin for you to beat on. Vile Poisons is also worth considering: one point adds up to about 600 extra damage on a full use of Instant Poison VI. For Combat, you could put another point in Lightning Reflexes, Improved Sprint, or Improved Kick. Use whichever feels right for your given raiding status. So now for the burning question: "Why do you like Swords"? Remember what I said earlier: you will Sinister Strike 95% of the time. Most of your battles will be spent mashing whatever key Sinister Strike is mapped to until you get to five combo points, where you will then most likely press the Eviscerate key. You want the highest damage range possible, especially when you add talents into the equation. Let's compare a Core Hound Tooth to, say, a Brutality Blade. Both are level 60 Epic weapons found in Molten Core. Now for stats: Core Hound Tooth (Dagger): 1.6 speed 57-107 Damage (51.2 DPS) +9 Stamina +1% critical strike chance +20 Attack Power Brutality Blade (Sword): 2.5 speed 90-168 Damage (51.6 DPS) +9 Strength +9 Agility +1% critical strike chance I picked these two weapons since their DPS is almost identical, and +9 Strength and +9 Agility are about the same Attack Power bonus (I know they aren't exactly, so don't email me about it), making that mod essentially a wash. Remember, everyone uses Sinister Strike at some point. At Rank 8, it adds 68 to however much damage you end up dealing. Without needlessly gumming up the problem with things like Armor, let's just assume the mob doesn't have any. As a base calculation goes, the Core Hound Tooth's Sinister Strike will deal between 125 and 175 damage, or a 150 average. The Brutality Blade, on the other hand, will deal between 158 and 236 damage, or 197, on average. Since the Sinister Strike will hit at the exact same time with either weapon, the Brutality Blade is clearly in the lead, by 47 damage, on average. But wait! Aggressiveness adds 6% to Sinister Strike's damage. All of sudden, the Core Hound Tooth deals between 132.5 and 185.5 damage, while the Brutality Blade hits for between 167.48 and 250.16 damage. The averages pan out to 159 versus 208.82 damage. Adding that 6% in means the Brutality Blade is dealing, on average, 49.82 more damage per Sinister Strike. Also consider the fact that five points in Lethality adds another 30% to the critical strike damage of a Sinister Strike, and you see that in this simple but fairly accurate model, non-daggers are CLEARLY your best choice for leveling and the endgame. Of course, you could use maces. However, there are very few good one-handed maces Rogues would use that drop in ANY high end instance, and besides, look at Sword Specialization: you have a 5% chance of getting an extra attack with your sword! That's serious carnage! You just can't do that with a mace. The first mace you could possibly use comes from Blackwing Lair, and even then, there are quite a few swords you could pick up in the mean time. Come Naxxramas, though, maces are worth another look... Even dagger users have to Sinister Strike at some point in their lives. The above example is listed to show the merits of slower main hand weapons versus faster ones, and let's face it, swords are slower. A quite possibly more boring analysis will follow later. Like Adrenaline Rush but hate to drop your dagger? Jake Des has a slightly different take on the Combat build: ASSASSINATION (15 Points): 5 Malice 3 Improved Slice and Dice 2 Murder 1 Relentless Strikes 4 Lethality COMBAT (31 Points): 3 Improved Gouge 2 Improved Sinister Strike 4 Lightning Reflexes 3 Improved Backstab 5 Precision 5 Dagger Specialization 5 Dual Wield Specialization 1 Blade Flurry 2 Weapon Expertise 1 Adrenaline Rush SUBTLETY (5 Points): 5 Opportunity Pretty basic and effective. If you want to fire off Backstabs even more quickly, then this would be the build for you. Don't see your build anymore? More than likely, one of a few things happened: 1. It's outdated because of the patch! Feel free to send updated builds my way and if I like what I see, I'll add it here. What I would like to see most would be a PvP build and some kind of Hemorrhage build (which may or may not also be a PvP build). 2. Whoops. I lost it. I get a fair amount of email, and some of it I either forget about or delete entirely. If you don't see your build and it wasn't outdated, it's quite possible I simply messed up. Feel free to send it again, and if I tell you I will put it up, I promise you, I will. +--------------------------------------------+ 4. Poisons and You: An Excuse to Have More DPS +--------------------------------------------+ First off, it doesn't do any good to tell you about poisons unless you have the ability to use them! So here goes. For the Alliance, once you're level 20, speak to Master Mathias Shaw. He's the leader of SI:7 in Stormwind City. You can find SI:7's headquarters in Old Town. He'll direct you to speak with Agent Kearnen in Westfall, who can be found (stealthed) in the southeast of Westfall, by a tree just north of the large tower. You'll get a book that you really don't need. Sneak up behind the Level 24 Malformed Defias guard and pickpocket him for the key. If he aggros you, run far, far away. Stealth your way up the tower and you'll find a chest on the ground with a boss standing by it. Sap him, loot the chest, and run out as fast as you can. Instead of running down the tower, jump all the way to the bottom and beat a hasty retreat out of there. Yes, you're now poisoned, don't worry about that. Head back to Mathias. He'll direct you to talk to Doctor Mixilpixil. He's in the basement of SI:7. Do a /lay in front of him, he'll do his thing, then he'll direct you to find a cure. The easiest way to cure the poison is to have a high level character do it for you. If you can't, or if you have to get it done yourself, all of the items you need can be found in Stormwind. Simple Wildflowers can be found at the Fragrant Flowers shop in the Canal District. A Leaded Vial can be bought from Shady Dealers, or from Pestle's Apothecary in the Trade District. Engineers can make you Bronze Tubes, or the Engineering Supplies vendor in the Dwarven District sometimes carries one. Spools of Light Chartreuse Thread can be had in the Finest Thread in Cathedral Square. Once you have all these goodies, talk to Mixilpixil again, then go to a class trainer, and voila, you can learn to use poisons! Yay! For you Hordies, again, starting at level 20, speak to Taskmaster Fizzule. He's in the Sludge Fen in the Barrens, which is way north, and take his quest. When you catch up to Silixz, distract him while stealthed, and pickpocket his key. If it's not there, you'll have to kill him, wait for him to respawn, then pickpocket him again. Inside the tower, there are some level 25s there. If you can't sneak past them, they're amazingly weak to Ambushes, so don't rule that out. Keep on going up, past the mobs, until you get to the Goblin Lookouts. Fight them one at a time and keep going. Once you're at the top of the tower, you'll find Grand Foreman Gallywix. Ambushes work well in dispatching him. Don't forget to loot his head once you kill him. Finally, pick the lock on the chest. The exact skill level for picking the chest is beyond me, but I'm told you can do it at 80. Bam, you're now poisoned. Turn in the quest in Orgrimmar, then just follow instructions. You'll end up in Tarren Mill, where you will learn to use poisons. Vanish, learned at level 22, makes doing this quest a whole lot easier, but it's definitely doable at 20. Whew! Now that we have that out of the way, let's take a look at each poison: Crippling Poison: A godsend in PvP, this is your best bet for keeping players in melee range with you. Rank 2 is a 70% snare, which is the equivalent of a Tendon Rip. Unfortunately, like any poisons, it can be cured, so it's of less use to classes that can cure it. Crippling Poison is also good in instances, which often feature Humanoid mobs who like to run away. You can't get too far at 30% speed. Best of all, Crippling Poison has no charges, so it will last a full 30 minutes. Deadly Poison: Honestly, this is way better than Instant Poison, if not for the fact that the highest rank Instant Poison does more damage. A 30% proc rate is amazing, and you'll be firing off charges like nobody's business. This is at least worth considering in PvP since damage over time can break bandages and stealth, but you're probably better off with Crippling and Mind-Numbing Poison instead. Supposedly we'll be getting a new rank of Deadly Poison when the level cap goes up. While leveling, switch back and forth between Instant and Deadly, using whichever is currently doing more damage. Instant Poison: If not for the fact that the highest rank does more damage than Deadly Poison, this would be more or less worthless. It only poisons 20% of the time, which often leaves you with wasted charges on your offhand (which, regardless of attack speed, will not trigger as often). That said, in PvE, it's still really useful since it's a bunch of extra damage with zero effort on your part. Mind-Numbing Poison: There's only limited usefulness in PvE since you can interrupt spells while soloing and other classes can do it for you while you're grouped. That said, it's perfect for PvP. Watch Warlocks cringe as that Fear takes 60% longer to cast, and you Kick them to interrupt it anyway. In PvP, I usually use Crippling Poison in my main hand and Mind-Numbing in my offhand, but feel free to switch them if you think it'll work better. Wound Poison: The other worthless Rogue skill. You're better off dealing damage with your poisons while soloing, and Warriors can Mortal Strike for you in groups, and you have much more useful options available to you in PvP, so by all means, don't waste your money. ALWAYS carry poison with you. It makes your job MUCH easier! +------------------+ 5. Questing and Loot +------------------+ First of all, I'll cover good places for you to level. As a general rule, hit every Instance you can. In addition to having good loot, you usually get a bundle of quests that can be done fairly easily, which give you lots of experience points in a short period of time. I'm going to assume that you can survive, even on a PvP server. Use the "buddy system" if you must. It will be broken down in ten-level chunks, since most zones are good for about ten levels anyway. Levels 1-10: Seriously, stay in your starting zone. You can get to Level 10 in a very short period of time, and the quests there are more than enough to enable you to do so relatively painlessly. Levels 10-20: For the Alliance, even if you're a Night Elf, get yourself over to Westfall. In addition to being a somewhat small, quest-happy zone, you'll want to go here anyway so you can get ready to hit the Deadmines. You can also try Blackfathom Depths if you want, but you may find it a bit lacking and also frustratingly difficult to get through without wipes. For you Hordies, you have two options. Most people opt to go to The Barrens, but if you're like me, The Barrens will utterly bore you to death, especially since you really have to spend some time in here anyway to get ready for the Wailing Caverns at some point. If you're like me, you'll find Silverpine Forest much more to your liking. As an added bonus, Shadowfang Keep is yours for the exploring when you're ready, and don't forget Ragefire Chasm either. Levels 20-30: For the Alliance, Duskwood simply can't be beat, and you just may find it a lot of fun. If you don't, try the Redridge Mountains on for size. Make sure you get ready to hit the Stockades in the mid-20s. There isn't a whole lot in the way of loot there necessarily, but a lot of quests means good experience. For the Hordies, suck up the ganking and go to Hillsbrad Foothills. There are some great quests there, just don't go alone if you're on a PvP server. Don't forget to hit the lower instances if you haven't already. Levels 30-40: Here is where things start to merge. There is no better early leveling spot than the Shimmering Flats in Thousand Needles. There are lots of good quests there and the mobs are incredibly wimpy. You'll hit the mid-30s there easily. After that, consider heading over to Desolace. While there are lots of great quests in Stranglethorn Vale, to say you'll get ganked is an incredible understatement. You can still go, but be prepared to die a lot. Desolace has some nice quests and is much more densely populated. Besides, you get to rip through centaurs like Roseanne through a box of Waffle Crisp. How cool is that? Don't forget to hit Gnomeregan at least once during this time. As frustrating as that instance can be, you should still do it. For both sides, also consider Razorfen Kraul and Razorfen Downs, both of which are in The Barrens. If one is too tough for you, put it off for a bit and come back. Levels 40-50: Hit Scarlet Monastery really hard, with your head if you can. You'll do plenty of farming here, so learn to love it. There's a great sword to be had in particular as well, so definitely don't pass it up. The Hinterlands is not a bad choice, although it's a little more Alliance-centered than Horde. There are still good quests for both sides to do. Also consider The Badlands, which can be frustrating but offers good items to farm and mobs to grind, and is the site of the next instance you should do, which is Uldaman. If you don't like Uldaman, I will beat you up. It's one of the more fun instances in the game. In the later 40s, Zul'Farrak is THE most fun instance in the game, and you should quest there long enough to get the Carrot on a Stick trinket and the Masons Fraternity Ring. For the Horde, the Swamp of Sorrows is another option. Levels 50-60: You have a few choices here. Before you make any, though, run Maraudon. It can be tricky but you should know more than just the basics by now. You can try Western Plaguelands, but the lowest stuff is so heavily farmed that you probably won't be able to level very efficiently. You can gain a few levels in Blasted Lands, Searing Gorge, Burning Steppes, Azshara, Felwood (you might want to beat up Furbolgs anyway), Feralas, or, my personal favorite, Un'Goro Crater. It's like Jurassic Park all over again! That should put you into the mid-50s easily, at which point you can return to Western Plaguelands and grind undead in the northern farms pretty efficiently and effectively. Once you're almost there, see about getting as many quests done for Stratholme as you can, since there's some great loot and great experience to be had. Do this in the Eastern Plaguelands. Stop in Silithus if you must, but race your way to 60 and start tackling the endgame dungeons! Hopefully you've gained enough friends, or a good guild, to really sink your teeth into the endgame! ---- LOOT ---- There's some great stuff to help you level more quickly, live longer, hit harder, that sort of thing. Get as much of this stuff as you can! Most of the stuff listed is going to be blues and above, since those typically last longer, unless there is a particularly awesome green, which is pretty rare. Also, I'm going to leave out PvP reward items, since that's a whole different world unto itself. There's some good stuff, but you have to PvP forever to get any of it. I'll also leave out end-game raid items, since all I have to say is "Raid in the endgame! There is a lot of loot! I am stating the obvious!" Weapons will be sorted by type, then level, leather armor will be sorted by level then area covered, rings will be sorted by level, as will amulets, then trinkets. Got it? Good. Levels 1-10: Seriously, wear anything. Levels 10-20: The most essential stuff comes out of the low instances and are generally levels 16-20. Here are some highlights: WEAPONS: Assassin's Blade One-Hand Dagger, 1.9 Speed 20-39 Damage (15.5 DPS) +3 Strength +4 Agility Requires Level 19 Found: Shadowfang Keep Comment: Not a bad choice, but somewhat difficult to get. Grab it up if you can't find anything else as a Hordie. Doomspike One-Hand Dagger, 1.5 Speed 17-32 Damage (16.3 DPS) +3 Strength +3 Stamina Requires Level 20 Found: Blackfathom Deeps Comment: Useful if you can't find anything else. High speed and low damage range makes it a much better offhand than main hand weapon, and if you're getting this, you're probably Alliance. Get at least one Cruel Barb instead, if at all possible. Wingblade Main Hand Sword, 2.2 Speed 24-45 Damage (15.7 DPS) +5 Agility +2 Stamina Requires Level 18 Found: Quest reward, Leaders of the Fang, Wailing Caverns (Horde) Comment: Simply the best sword you can get at this level, Horde or otherwise. Since it's a quest reward, you have no excuse not to get this, so make sure you complete the chain before running Wailing Caverns. Cruel Barb One-Hand Sword, 2.8 Speed 30-57 Damage (15.5 DPS) Equip: +12 Attack Power Requires Level 19 Found: Edwin VanCleef, Deadmines Comment: An awesome weapon. VanCleef has great loot in general, so almost anything he drops you can use. If you can get two of these, so much the better. ARMOR: Tunic of Westfall Chest 92 Armor +11 Agility +5 Stamina Requires Level 14 Found: Quest reward, The Defias Brotherhood (Part 2), Westfall (Alliance) Comment: Ridiculously easy to get for its mods. All you have to do is finish the chain and kill VanCleef, which is easy enough. If you find the Blackened Defias Armor, it's probably a little bit better, but it comes down to personal preference. No Alliance Rogue should be wearing a chestpiece worse than this after clearing The Deadmines. Glowing Lizardscale Cloak Back 20 Armor +6 Agility +2 Spirit Requires Level 17 Found: Skum, Wailing Caverns Comment: Somewhat of a poor man's Cape of the Brotherhood, this one will none the less do the job, especially for you Hordies, so get it if you can. Leggings of the Fang Legs 79 Armor +5 Strength +9 Agility +4 Stamina Requires Level 18 Found: Lord Cobrahn, Wailing Caverns Comment: Great mods all around for the level. You'd never wear the full set in a million years as a Rogue, but you really can't go wrong with these leggings! Unfortunately, it's the only drop that's particularly noteworthy from him, with the possible exception of the Pattern for Dark Leather Tunic, which really isn't that good either. Deviate Scale Belt Waist 51 Armor +5 Agility +6 Stamina +3 Spirit Requires Level 18 Found: Quest reward, Deviate Eradication, Wailing Caverns Comment: It does take a bunch of Deviate and Perfect Deviate Scales to make, but if you can snag this belt, get it by all means. It will last you for quite some time. It might be a little out of the way for an Alliance Rogue, though, so keep that in mind. Blackened Defias Armor Chest 92 Armor +4 Strength +3 Agility +11 Stamina Requires Level 19 Found: Edwin VanCleef, Deadmines Comment: Another awesome drop off VC. It should be noted that this is part of a set, but you don't have to bother gathering up the other items if you don't want to: this is the only piece that will last you for a while. I personally prefer it over the Tunic of Westfall due to the Stamina bonuses, but in all honesty, it's up to you. You should grab this up anyway. Feet of the Lynx Feet 63 Armor +3 Strength +8 Agility Requires Level 19 Found: Random drop in Duskwood, The Stockades, Redridge Mountains, Wetlands, probably other places too of similar levels Comment: These add to your damage nicely. Unfortunately, you're relying on getting these from a random drop in the world, so don't count on getting it. If you really want it, try an Auction House. Sentry Cloak Back 21 Armor +4 Agility +5 Stamina Requires Level 19 Found: Random drop, Stonetalon Mountains, Hillsbrad Foothills, Shadowfang Keep, Wetlands, probably other similar level zones Comment: Like Feet of the Lynx, you're probably better off finding this on the Auction House if you really want it. On the off chance you do get it, don't be afraid to auction it yourself: drops like this can sell for quite a bit of gold, so don't overlook it. Cape of the Brotherhood Back 21 Armor +6 Agility +3 Stamina Requires Level 20 Found: Edwin VanCleef, Deadmines Comment: Yet another ridiculously good drop off VanCleef. As a Rogue, you should get at least one of the three awesome blues he drops. If you can, try for all three! Again, this cloak can last you for quite some time, so don't pass it up if you can help it! Seal of Sylvanas Finger +3 Strength +8 Stamina Requires Level 18 Found: Quest Reward, Arugal Must Die, Shadowfang Keep (Horde) Comment: A pretty easy to get ring that will last you for quite a while. If you play on the Horde, you should be clearing SFK anyway, so make sure you pick this ring up. Arugal himself is no slouch though, so make sure you have a decent group with you. Ring of Precision (Unique) Finger +6 Agility +3 Spirit Requires Level 20 Found: Random drop, Blackfathom Deeps Comment: Well...it's a ring, and it's better than any greens you could get at that level. Since it's BoE, if you want, you could probably get away with auctioning it off: people have been quoted as paying 25-30g(!) for it. Levels 20-30: At these levels, there are more good daggers than swords, so keep that in mind when it comes to outfitting your character. That will change shortly, but don't be afraid to get a dagger to help you along, if not for your main hand, your offhand. WEAPONS: Prison Shank One-Hand Dagger, 1.8 Speed 21-39 Damage (16.7 DPS) +5 Agility +2 Stamina Requires Level 21 Found: Bruegal Ironknuckle (Rare spawn), The Stockade Comment: A nifty little dagger with a cool name. Speed could still stand to be slower, but it's not a bad offhand. However, the rare spawns in The Stockade are pretty rare, so don't hold your breath for getting one. Talon of Vultros (Unique) One-Hand Dagger, 2.0 Speed 23-44 Damage (16.8 DPS) +5 Agility +2 Spirit Requires Level 21 Found: Vultros (Rare spawn), Westfall Comment: Now this is more like it. It's slow enough to be worth considering as your main hand weapon until you find something better. Unfortunately, you are relying on rare spawns once again, but hey, one can dream. Toxic Revenger (Unique) One-Hand Dagger, 1.9 Speed 27-51 Damage (20.5 DPS) Chance on hit: Deals 5 Nature Damage every 5 seconds to any enemy in an 8 yard radius for a total of 15 seconds. Requires Level 27 Found: Viscous Fallout, Gnomeregan Comment: Another very nice dagger with a decent AoE. The only problem with said AoE is that you shouldn't be fighting multiple mobs very often, but in an instance where single pulls aren't possible, it's nice to add a little bit more damage with no extra effort on your part. Especially for a dagger, the top end damage is decent. Swinetusk Shank (Unique) One-Hand Dagger, 1.5 Speed 24-45 Damage (23.0 DPS) +6 Stamina +4 Spirit Requires Level 30 Found: Agathelos the Raging, Razorfen Kraul Comment: A little fast to be a main hand, it is nonetheless a powerful and reliable offhand, and if you're on the Horde, it's definitely not out of your way to get, so consider running RFK a few times in the hopes of snagging this dagger. The Black Knight Main Hand Sword, 1.9 Speed 26-49 Damage (19.7 DPS) Chance on hit: Sends a shadowy bolt at the enemy causing 34 to 35 Shadow Damage. Requires Level 26 Found: Random drop, Duskwood, Hillsbrad Foothills, Thousand Needles, Arathi Highlands, etc Comment: Easier to buy then get, but expect it to cost you. All in all, a nice little weapon, with the only quirk that it can only be equipped in your main hand and that it doesn't have stats. The Butcher Main Hand Sword, 2.8 Speed 38-72 Damage (19.6 DPS) +5 Agility +4 Stamina Requires Level 26 Found: Random drop, Scarlet Monastery Comment: Hard to get, but a very, very good sword. It has both a nice top end damage and decent stats to complement the cool name and art. That said, you can run Scarlet Monastery dozens of times and not see this sword drop, so count your lucky stars if you land one. Nightstalker Bow Bow, 1.7 Speed 19-36 Damage (16.2 DPS) +3 Agility Requires Level 27 Found: Blind Hunter (Rare Spawn), Razorfen Kraul Comment: Sure, throwing weapons are cheaper and do comparable damage at lower levels, but you should really be using bows and guns as soon as possible anyway, since training such weapons at higher levels is tedious at best and frustrating at worse, since you'll never get more than a couple of shots on a mob each combat before it jumps into melee with you. If you can find this, more power to you. Stats on ranged weapons are very excellent finds. ARMOR: Toughened Leather Gloves Hands 61 Armor +6 Agility +3 Stamina +6 Spirit Requires Level 22 Found: Profession Trainer, 135 Skill, Leatherworking Comment: Like the Triprunner Dungarees, these too will last you a while. If you're not a Leatherworker, look to spend somewhere between 3 and 6 gold, on average, for these. Even if you are a Leatherworker, you'll still need to buy or trade for two Elixirs of Defense, which are more expensive than they should be. Regardless, do whatever it takes to either buy or make these gloves. Harbinger Boots Feet 71 Armor +2 Strength +11 Stamina +3 Spirit Requires Level 25 Found: Random drop, Scarlet Monastery Comment: It may not have Agility bonuses, but the Stamina bonus is excellent and makes these boots pretty useful to have. Again, they're not the most common of drops, so make the most of the opportunity if it does drop, or try to find a bargain on the Auction House. Sure, they're probably better for Druids, but who cares? Mantle of Thieves Shoulder 77 Armor +10 Agility +4 Stamina +3 Spirit Requires Level 25 Found: Random drop, Razorfen Kraul Comment: An AWESOME grab for your shoulders. Get your hands on it and it will easily last you into the 30s. Petrolspill Leggings Legs 90 Armor +14 Agility +6 Stamina Requires Level 25 "Keep away from fire." Found: Random drop, Gnomeregan Comment: Yeah, they're blue. Yeah, they have a nice Agility bonus. But yeah, they also kind of suck! Why mention it, you ask? See if you can sell it in the Auction House, then look two entries down for the reason why... Troll's Bane Leggings Legs 90 Armor +14 Agility +4 Stamina +4 Spirit Requires Level 25 Found: Random drop, Gnomeregan, Duskwood, Desolace, Stranglethorn Vale, etc. Comment: Is there an echo in the building? See if you can find a gullible buyer, and look at the next entry for the reason why... Triprunner Dungarees Legs 101 Armor +3 Strength +18 Agility +6 Stamina Requires Level 25 Found: Quest reward, The Grand Betrayal (Alliance), Rig Wars (Horde), Gnomeregan Comment: So now do you see why Petrospill Leggins and Troll's Bane Leggings suck? These leggings will last you seemingly forever. There is NO excuse not to run through Gnomeregan at least once to get them. None, whatsoever. Get them, slap an Armor Kit on these and you're set for a while. Forest Tracker Epaulets Shoulder 78 Armor +5 Strength +11 Agility Requires Level 26 Found: Random drop, Wetlands, Thousand Needles, Desolace, Arathi Highlands, so on and so forth Comment: These will find you before you find them. Be prepared to spend 10g, at least, if you want to buy these off an Auction House. Barbaric Bracers Wrist 47 Armor +4 Agility +6 Stamina +4 Spirit Requires Level 27 Found: Leatherworking Supplies Vendor (Rare), 155 Skill, Leatherworking Comment: There aren't that many good wrist armors at low levels, so take these if you can get them. They're a little bit annoying to make, so either prepare to invest a bunch of time or hope you get lucky in the Auction House. Emissary Cuffs of Agility, of the Monkey Wrist 47 Armor +5 Arcane Resistance Requires Level 28 Found: Dark Iron Ambassador (Rare), Gnomeregan Comment: Okay, so there is another good wrist armor at low levels. The problem is that it's on a rare spawn, and that it has a random enchantment on it. "Of Agility" will add +8 Agility to the Arcane Resistance, and "of the Monkey" will add +5 to +6 Agility and Stamina to the item. If you get any other mods on it, it's not going to be worth your time. Tigerstrike Mantle Back 25 Armor +8 Agility +7 Stamina Requires Level 29 Found: Random drop, Stranglethorn Vale, Desolace, Scarlet Monastery, and so on and so forth Comment: I actually got this from a locked chest in Scarlet Monastery. It's like a souped-up version of the Cape of the Brotherhood. Unearthed Bands of Agility, of the Monkey Wrist 49 Armor Equip: +8 Attack Power Requires Level 30 Found: Random drop, Uldaman Comment: One of a great many awesome Uldaman drops. "Of Agility" will net you +9 or +10 Agility, while "of the Monkey" will give +6 to both Agility and Stamina. If you don't get the Emissary Cuffs, these are a fine replacement. Ebon Vise Hands 70 Armor +4 Strength +6 Agility +8 Stamina Requires Level 30 Found: Fallen Champion (Rare), Scarlet Monastery Comment: You can find this guy in the graveyard portion of Scarlet Monastery. I've heard his spawn rate is anywhere from 0.2% to 10%. Since I've never seen him, I'd believe the former over the latter. Even if he does spawn, the drop rate for these gloves is less than half, according to Thottbot. Good luck finding them. Seal of Wrynn Finger +3 Strength +3 Agility +4 Stamina +4 Intellect +3 Spirit Requires Level I don't Know, 20s I think Found: Quest reward, end of the Unsent Letter chain (Alliance) Comment: Be glad if you're just getting this ring after the 1.9 patch, because this ring used to suck horribly. As it is, it's pretty decent, though the quest chain is rather long and involves you going through The Stockades. Then again, you should have done that anyway, so there you go. Ironspine's Eye (Unique) Finger +4 Strength +9 Agility Requires Level 30 Found: Ironspine (Rare), Scarlet Monastery Comment: Ouch! My eye! Ironspine drops great loot, so make sure you drop him whenever you see him, which isn't often! Kaleidoscope Chain Neck +4 Strength +4 Agility +4 Stamina +4 Intellect +4 Spirit Requires Level 30 Found: Random drop, Level 33+ mobs Comment: A broad range of stats makes everyone happy. However, it's usually priced insanely high in the Auction House, so you'd probably be better off just hoping to farm one. (I'm sorry, I'm not spending 60 gold for a Level 30 item). Levels 30-40: Swords begin to jump out at you as being very useful. You'll also finally start seeing rings that aren't all that terrible, and some leather armors give some crazy Agility bonuses. Here's where the loot gets a whole lot more fun! WEAPONS: Stonevault Shiv (Unique) One-Hand Dagger, 1.5 Speed 25-47 Damage (24.0 DPS) +7 Agility +3 Stamina Requires Level 31 Found: Random drop, Uldaman Comment: Definitely not worth using in your main hand, but the stats and the speed make it a pretty decent offhand weapon, especially if you give it a Fiery Weapon enchant, or just a lot of poison. Gut Ripper One-Hand Dagger, 1.8 Speed 42-80 Damage (33.9 DPS) Chance on hit: Wounds the target for 95 to 121 damage. Requires Level 40 Found: Random drop, Stranglethorn Vale, Tanaris, Searing Gorge, etc. (Level 40+ mobs) Comment: Well, it's Epic. I'd hope it'd be useful. The proc rate, so I'm told, is only in the neighborhood of 3%, which really isn't all that great. Should you ever land one, you're probably better off selling it on the Auction House, as it can easily fetch over 100 gold. Use that money and buy yourself a mount. Or another weapon. But probably a mount. Fight Club One-Hand Mace, 2.2 Speed 41-76 Damage (26.6 DPS) +6 Strength +6 Stamina Requires Level 34 Found: Random drop, Scarlet Monastery Comment: Rule #1: You do not talk about Fight Club. Rule #2: You DO NOT talk about Fight Club. Rule #3: If someone says "stop" or goes limp, or taps out, the fight is over. Rule #4: Only two guys to a fight. Rule #5: One fight at a time. Rule #6: No shirts, no shoes. Rule #7: Fights will go on as long as they have to. Rule #8: If this is your first night at Fight Club, you HAVE to fight. Sword of Omen One-Hand Sword, 1.9 Speed 39-74 Damage (29.7 DPS) +9 Strength +3 Agility +4 Stamina Requires Level 33 Found: Quest reward, Into the Scarlet Monastery, Scarlet Monastery (Horde) Comment: The Horde's answer to Sword of Serenity. While it's a little faster and has slightly lower overall DPS, it makes up for it with better stats. Again, if you're a Hordie, you have no excuse not to complete this quest, so make sure you pick one up as soon as you can clear the Scarlet Monastery. Sword of Serenity One-Hand Sword, 2.2 Speed 46-86 Damage (30.0 DPS) +9 Stamina +4 Spirit Requires Level 34 Found: Quest reward, In the Name of the Light, Scarlet Monastery (Alliance) Comment: While it would be nice to have it be slightly slower and have a higher top-end damage, the weapon itself will suit you just fine. Since it's a quest reward, you have no excuse not to pick one up. Annealed Blade One-Hand Sword, 1.8 Speed 34-64 Damage (27.2 DPS) +6 Strength +6 Stamina Requires Level 35 Found: Random drop, Uldaman Comment: A little fast for a main hand, but perfectly suited for offhand duty, especially with a Fiery Weapon enchant. I enjoyed Uldaman a lot, so farming for this wouldn't bother me too much. Ginn-su Sword One-Hand Sword, 1.7 Speed 33-62 Damage (27.9 DPS) +4 Strength +8 Agility Requires Level 36 Found: Random drop, Uldaman Comment: Yup. More fun in Uldaman. The fast speed makes this a perfect offhand sword. Strongly consider giving this a Fiery Weapon enchant, in which case this will last you for quite some time, unless you have insane luck, which I most certainly don't. The name may be lame, but the sword itself rocks. Speedsteel Rapier One-Hand Sword, 1.8 Speed 35-66 Damage (28.1 DPS) +8 Agility +3 Stamina Requires Level 36 Found: Random drop, Level 39+ mobs Comment: Way too fast to be anything but an offhand, but it's a pretty good one. Slap an enchant on it if you do manage to snag one. Nordic Longshank One-Hand Sword, 2.2 Speed 45-84 Damage (29.3 DPS) +8 Agility +5 Stamina Requires Level 38 Found: Baelog, Uldaman Comment: Insanely good, no matter where you put it (although it's not quite as good as an offhand). Baleog is also easily farmed...which is probably why people have had tons of trouble getting one of these to drop. It took me a dozen tries to drop one, and I've heard people going at it for much longer. Keep that in mind. As far as I know, Baelog is Horde only. Vanquisher's Sword One-Hand Sword, 2.2 Speed 46-86 Damage (30.0 DPS) Equip: +28 Attack Power. Requires Level 39 Found: Quest reward, Razorfen Downs, Bring the End (Horde), Bring the Light (Alliance) Comment: If you needed a main hand, here it is. If you needed an off hand, here it is. Assuming you do Razorfen Downs at any point in your leveling, don't pass this one up. 28 Attack Power is 2 DPS by itself, making this sword as good for stats as anything else. Monolithic Bow Bow, 2.7 Speed 41-77 Damage (21.9 DPS) +6 Strength +3 Agility Requires Level 36 Found: Random drop, Uldaman Comment: Here we go, a bow that doesn't suck. Nice mods and a slow attack speed means it's very useful for quite some time. You won't get more than a few shots off during any fight anyway, so the slower the better, and this one is just fine if you can get it. Swiftwind Crossbow, 2.0 Speed 34-51 Damage (21.2 DPS) +7 Agility Requires Level 35 Found: Random drop, Level 38+ mobs Comment: The first good crossbow you'll find. I actually still use Crossbows even at 60, so if you want to pick this up, it's as great a time as any to start building up weapon skill. The Monolithic Bow is strictly better, but Swiftwind is quite good too, and usually is pretty cheap on the Auction House. ARMOR: Adventurer's Pith Helm Head 94 Armor +9 Agility +14 Stamina +7 Spirit Requires Level 32 Found: Random drop, Uldaman Comment: Yet another great drop - albeit great, rare drop - from Uldaman. Looks cool, too. Run through capital cities with style! Swampwalker Boots Feet 79 Armor +13 Agility +6 Stamina Requires Level 32 Found: Random drop, Stranglethorn Vale, Alterac Mountains, Desolace, blah blah blah Comment: Hopefully you'll have better luck getting these than I did. On Elune, Chinese farmers usually try to sell this for upwards of 90 gold. All I have to say to that is no thank you. I've heard it mentioned that these boots are exceedingly ugly. I've never seen them before, but keep that in mind if you're worried about what your character looks like :P Gem-studded Leather Belt Waist 65 Armor +8 Stamina +6 Spirit Use: Heal yourself for 225 to 375. Requires Level 32: Found: Rikqiz, Leatherworking Supplies, Stranglethorn Vale, 185 Skill, Leatherworking Comment: The Stamina bonus is very nice for a 30s belt. Being able to heal yourself saves you from having to use healing potions in a tight situation. The belt is easy enough to get, so make sure you get one when you hit 32, whether it's making one yourself or buying one. Flintrock Shoulders Shoulder 88 Armor +5 Strength +10 Agility +10 Stamina Requires Level 33 Found: Random drop, Scarlet Monastery Comment: Yet another exceedingly awesome, but equally rare, drop. If you do happen upon them, your shoulders will look like they're supporting boulders, which is pretty cool. As it is, great mods. Wing of the Whelpling Back 28 Armor +4 Agility +10 Stamina Requires Level 33 Found: Random drop, Desolace, Stranglethorn Vale, Razorfen Downs, I'm just typing things here right now, look in similar areas...'n stuff Comment: If you can't get a Tigerstrike Mantle, why not dream you can get this? Lots of Stamina equals more survivability, which is, of course, a very, very good thing. Quillward Harness Chest 120 Armor +8 Strength +19 Agility Requires Level 34 Found: Random drop, Razorfen Downs Comment: Crazy agility bonus for a level 34 character. It'll last you a long, long time...unless you come across my best friend, the Blazewind Breastplate. Read on! Ogron's Sash Waist 71 Armor +9 Strength +9 Agility +9 Stamina Requires Level 37 Found: Random drop, Level 42+ mobs Comment: One word: "meh". Gloves of Holy Might Hands 86 Armor Equip: Improves your chance to get a critical strike by 1%. Equip: +20 Attack Power. Equip: +30 Attack Power when fighting Undead. Requires Level 37 Found: Random drop, Level 42+ mobs Comment: Way too rare to go farming for it. While not stat bonuses per se, the bonuses themselves are much higher than anything you'd get at that level, hence the fact that the gloves are Epic. Find a good enchant for these as soon as you can: they're built to last. Don't they sound like Paladin gloves, though? Arachnid Gloves of Agility, of the Monkey Hands 79 Armor +10 Nature Resistance Requires Level 37 Found: Tuten'kash, Razorfen Downs Comment: "of Agility" tacks on +14 or +15 Agility, while "of the Monkey" adds on +9 or +10 to both Stamina and Spirit. You get no other witty comments from me at this time. Fleshhide Shoulders Shoulder 95 Armor +5 Strength +6 Agility +15 Stamina Requires Level 37 Found: Glutton, Razorfen Downs Comment: Very nice Stamina bonus allows you to take a licking and keep on ticking. You might have to fight Druids for this item though, so prepare an essay beforehand or just don't invite one along :) Basilisk Hide Pants Legs 113 Armor +21 Agility +8 Stamina +3 Spirit Requires Level 38 Found: Random drop, Level 43+ mobs Comment: Amazing, huh? These are only slightly better than Triprunner Dungarees, which you can get 15 levels earlier. I told you they were good! At least you can slap better Armor Kits on these. Blazewind Breastplate Chest 148 Armor +3 Strength +23 Agility +5 Stamina Requires Level 40 Found: Quest reward, Broken Alliances (Horde), Tremors of the Earth (Alliance) Comment: ...you can get this at the lowest possible level, which is 40. Now, in all honesty, there is absolutely no way you could normally acquire this any time before your early 50s, if even then. But if you have high level buddies willing to help you a lot, bring them along and have them kill the very scary elites you need to kill to finish this quest. This little green item can easily last you until 60, and it's probably the only green item I'll mention, other than, say, Carrot on a Stick. Mark of Kern (Unique) Finger +4 Stamina Equip: +20 Attack Power Requires Level 31 Found: Random drop, Scarlet Monastery Comment: There are better rings, but who knows, you just might get one of these while you're in Scarlet Monastery, so there you go. Ring of the Underworld (Unique) Finger +2 Strength +10 Agility +3 Stamina Requires Level 31 Found: Yet another random drop. Find mobs a few levels above 31. Comment: Like the Blush Ember Ring, this one would last you quite a while, except this one is actually a little bit better in my opinion, and you can wear it a level earlier. Blush Ember Ring (Unique) Finger +4 Strength +5 Agility +8 Spirit Requires Level 32 Found: Random drop, see above Comment: Seems like quite a catch. Good rings aren't readily available early on, so this is yet another item to either farm for or buy off the AH. Charged Gear of Stamina, of Eluding, of the Tiger, of Agility, of the Monkey Finger +5 Arcane Resistance +5 Nature Resistance Requires Level 32 Found: Mekgineer Thermaplugg, Gnomeregan Comment: He never seems to drop the one you need. Anyway, "of Stamina" tacks on +10 Stamina, "of Eluding" adds on +1% Dodge and +5 Agility, and "of the Tiger" adds +6 or +7 to both Agility and Strength..."of Agility" adds +10 to Agility, and "of the Monkey" does the +6 or +7 thing to both Agility and Stamina. Thermaplugg is worth farming to get two rings you can use, so don't rule that out. Masons Fraternity Ring Finger +13 Agility +5 Stamina Requires Level 40 Found: Quest reward, Divino-matic Rod, Zul'Farrak Comment: No frills, just thrills. This ring can last you to 60, so make sure you pick it up. It's just another excuse to go enjoy Zul'Farrak. Mark of the Chosen Trinket Equip: Has a 2% chance when struck in combat of increasing all stats by 25 for 1 min. Requires Level 39 Found: Quest reward, The Pariah's Instructions, Maraudon Comment: Why this starts at 39, I'll never know. You can't even handle Uldaman at 39. Anyway, it's a decent little green that makes you happy when it triggers. Carrot on a Stick Trinket Equip: Increases mount speed by 3%. Requires Level 40 Found: Quest reward, Gahz'rilla, Zul'Farrak Comment: It's a quest reward, and one of the only items you'll really want out of the extremely fun Zul'Farrak. Moving a little bit faster is never a bad thing, so never be without this trinket (even if you don't always have it equipped). Levels 40-50: Now it's time for some even better stuff. WEAPONS: Shadowblade (Unique) One-Hand Dagger, 1.4 Speed 38-71 Damage (38.9 DPS) Chance on Hit: Sends a shadowy bolt at the enemy causing 110 to 140 Shadow Damage. Requires Level 48 Found: Random drop, Level 51+ mobs Comment: Again, it's Epic, so it'd better be useful. Unfortunately, even if you completely ignored my excellent advice and went dagger-spec, this is still too fast to make a good main hand item. Weapons tend to also proc less in the offhand, but at least the damage isn't too bad. Bloodrazor One-Hand Sword, 2.7 Speed 70-130 Damage (37.0 DPS) Chance on Hit: Wounds the target causing them to bleed for 120 damage over 30 sec. Requires Level 45 Found: Random drop, Level 48+ mobs Comment: Here comes the pain! It may not have stats, but it has high damage and is nice and slow, so it's perfect for delivering savage beatings. Count your lucky stars if you get one, or try to trick a Chinese gold farmer into giving you the money to buy one. Thrash Blade One-Hand Sword, 2.7 Speed 66-124 Damage (35.2 DPS) Chance on Hit: Grants an extra attack on your next swing. Requires Level 45 Found: Quest reward, Corruption of Earth and Seed, Maraudon (Alliance and Horde) Comment: An amazing weapon, and you have no excuse not to get it. Put a Fiery Weapon enchant on this immediately: it can carry you all the way to 60! When you do hit 60, though, ditch it for something else if you haven't already, lest the Thrash Blade feel more like the Trash Blade, a common name for it in my guild. Gryphonwing Long Bow Bow, 2.7 Speed 53-100 Damage (28.3 DPS) +8 Agility +4 Stamina Requires Level 50 Found: Random drop, Level 55+ mobs Comment: Nice and slow, with good stats. If you do manage to get this, it's highly unlikely you'll need anything else until you hit 60, but keep your eyes open for other stuff anyway. Skull Splitting Crossbow Crossbow, 2.6 Speed 52-79 Damage (25.2 DPS) +3 Strength Equip: +14 Attack Power Requires Level 43 Found: Random drop, Level 48+ mobs Comment: The stats aren't the best, although the Attack Power does still increase the damage you deal at any range quite nicely. If you've already picked up another Level 40+ bow, you don't need this, but if you haven't, it can usually be had rather cheaply on the Auction House if you can't get one to drop yourself. Precisely Calibrated Boomstick Gun, 1.5 Speed 38-45 Damage (27.7 DPS) +14 Agility Requires Level 43 Found: Random drop, Level 48+ mobs Comment: Clearly a Hunter weapon, but you don't need to tell them that. Unfortunately, it doesn't do a whole lot of damage, but the Agility bonus carries over for your melee strikes, which is what makes this gun so desirable. Don't go out of your way for it, though. Guttbuster Gun, 2.7 Speed 49-92 Damage (26.1 DPS) +3 Strength +8 Agility Requires Level 45 Found: Random drop, Level 50+ mobs Comment: An above average Gun, through and through. The Strength bonus doesn't help a soloing Rogue as much as Stamina would, but +8 Agility is nothing to complain about. If you plan on buying it, shop around first. ARMOR: Gauntlets of the Sea Hands 85 Armor +7 Agility Use: Heal friendly target for 300 to 500. Requires Level 41 Found: Sarah Tanner, Searing Gorge, 230 Skill, Elemental Leatherworking Comment: Forget healing "friendly targets" with this. Heal yourself! It's another option to keep yourself alive in a tight fight without burning a healing potion. Blackmetal Cape Back 33 Armor +12 Agility +5 Stamina Requires Level 41 Found: Random drop, Zul'Farrak Comment: Sure, it's not bad, but there's not much else you can farm in Zul'Farrak while you're at it, so I'd say pass it up. Sandstalker Ankleguards Feet 95 Armor +6 Strength +17 Agility +3 Spirit Requires Level 42 Found: Zerillis (Rare), Zul'Farrak Comment: Okay, Rogue items do drop in Zul'Farrak. But this one's on a rare spawn, so there. Blackflame Cape Back 35 Armor +12 Agility +5 Fire Resistance +5 Shadow Resistance Requires Level 44 Found: Random drop, Level 49+ mobs Comment: Not too shabby, especially with resistances built right in. Arena Bracers Wrist 64 Armor +6 Agility +14 Stamina Requires Level 45 Found: Arena Treasure Chest, Stranglethorn Vale Comment: I really don't understand it, but in the Arena, what often happens is players stand around until somebody attacks somebody else. I watched my friend literally run up to the Arena chest and loot it before anybody lifted a finger to kill him. If you're serious about not buying these, give it a shot: the only thing you have to lose is a little bit of time doing a corpse run. There aren't very many good wrist items in the game, especially before the endgame (or if you just hate Sunken Temple). Helm of Fire Head 118 Armor +17 Agility +10 Stamina +5 Fire Resistance Use: Hurls a fiery ball (also known as a Fireball) that causes 286 to 376 Fire damage and an additional 40 damage over 8 sec. Requires Level 45 Found: Sarah Tanner, Searing Gorge, 250 Skill, Elemental Leatherworking Comment: Another reason why I don't favor the Ebon Mask. What, pray tell, is wrong with +17 Agility, +10 Stamina, and the ability to launch Fireballs out of your head? Nothing, I say! There are a lot of sneaky uses for this helmet, so never forget its ability! Fungus Shroud Armor Chest 148 Armor +25 Agility +10 Stamina Requires Level 46 Found: Meshlok the Harvester (Rare), Maraudon Comment: Meshlok is not as rare as some rare spawns, but he isn't always around. You can usually find him somewhere in Poison Falls. He's a tough cookie, so if you're trying to farm him by yourself, come when you're somewhere in the neighborhood of mid-50s. If you have the Blazewind Breastplate already, you cheaty devil, you won't ever need this. Phytoskin Spaulders Shoulder 111 Armor +16 Agility +10 Stamina +10 Nature Resistance Requires Level 46 Found: Razorlash, Maraudon Comment: Stats will last you a while, and Nature Resistance might help you more than you think. Even if you don't wear one while leveling, consider getting one a little bit later: it just might come in handy (wink, wink). Atal'ai Spaulders of Agility, of the Monkey Shoulder 193 Armor Requires Level 47 Found: Gasher, Zolo, Loro, Zul'Lor, Mijan, Hukku, Sunken Temple (or its much longer, more boring name, The Temple of Atal'Hakkar) Comment: Sunken Temple is a frustrating experience for many a player. If you happen to be a little more masochistic than the rest of us, "of Agility" will add +19 or +20 Agility, while "of the Monkey" will add +12 or +13 to both Agility and Stamina. As a rule, I tried to avoid Sunken Temple whenever possible, though. You might also have a hard time convincing silly Feral Druids that they really don't want the item. Good luck :P Darkwater Bracers of Agility, of the Monkey Wrist 66 Armor +7 Shadow Resistance Requires Level 47 Found: Atal'alarion, Sunken Temple Comment: "of Agility" adds +14 or +15 Agility, while you Monkey friends add +9 or +10 to both Agility and Stamina. Man, I hate Sunken Temple. Albino Crocscale Boots Feet 105 Armor +20 Agility +5 Stamina +5 Nature Resistance Requires Level 48 Found: Rotgrip, Maraudon Comment: You just might like Maraudon more if you pick these up. Chances are you definitely won't complain about getting another +20 Agility on your boots. It's about the only decent Rogue item Rotgrip drops, unless patterns for Big Voodoo items is more up your alley. Deepfury Bracers Wrist 69 Armor +4 Strength +15 Agility +4 Stamina Requires Level 50 Found: Random drop, Level 55+ mobs Comment: Finally, some nice bracers! See if you can get these on the Auction House: Shadowcraft Bracers can often drop the price of these to something very, very affordable, so pick them up if you can! Ebon Mask Head 122 Armor +11 Stamina Equip: Improves your chance to get a critical strike by 1%. Equip: +36 Attack Power. Requires Level 50 Found: Quest reward, The Azure Key, Sunken Temple Comment: This item and the two below it are all optional rewards off the same quest, and you can only get one. All of them have impressive mods, but I found the Ebon Mask to be more easily replaced than the other two, which have benefits past vendoring them. The Mask does not, but it does have the advantage of looking really cool. Overall, the Mask is probably the worst item to take, even though the mods are excellent. Whisperwalk Boots Feet 104 Armor +18 Agility +4 Stamina Equip: Increases your effect stealth level by 1. Requires Level 50 Found: Quest reward, The Azure Key, Sunken Temple Comment: Very nice bonuses, and the increase in stealth level actually gives this some use even if you find some other boots to replace them, which you won't for a while. Probably your best bet as the quest reward, unless you're really hurting for a helmet or cloak. Duskbat Drape Back 37 Armor +14 Agility Equip: Reduces damage from falling. Requires Level 50 Found: Quest reward, The Azure Key, Sunken Temple Comment: Let me tell you why I like this item. First of all, one of the best Pre-Molten Core capes is the Cape of the Black Baron, which, although it does also boast +20 Attack Power, only adds 1 more Agility than this cape does. Combined with Safe Fall, you can fall really, really long distance without dying. +14 Agility is just fine, otherwise. I'd rank this as the second best of the three rewards, but it's all subjective. Take this if you need a cloak, or appreciate the humor of cliff diving. Archaedic Stone of Agility, of Eluding, of the Monkey (Unique) Finger 50 Armor Requires Level 42 Found: Archaedas, Uldaman Comment: Just when you thought I was done listing cool Uldaman drops, here's another! "of Agility" is +12 or +13 Agility, "of Eluding" is +1% Dodge and +6 or +7 Agility, and "of the Monkey" is +8 or +9 Agility and Stamina. Fight Druids for this one! Lie to them and tell them Bears get no Armor bonus! You will like Uldaman. You will like Uldaman. You will like Uldaman. Blackstone Ring (Unique) Finger +6 Stamina Equip: +20 Attack Power. Equip: Improves your chance to hit by 1%. Requires Level 49 Found: Princess Theradras, Maraudon Comment: It's everything an Assault Band wishes it could have been. +1% to hit is very, very nice, because one of the big Rogue weaknesses is the fact that they miss. A lot. Missing on finishing moves, especially Kidney Shot, sucks quite a bit. So don't miss on that, and don't miss this item. Princess farming is a very good idea anyway. Drakeclaw Band of Agility, of Eluding, of the Monkey Finger Equip: Increased Defense +6 Requires Level 49 Found: Weaver, Morphaz, Hazzas, Sunken Temple Comment: This might be where your Druid fighting luck will run out. You'll have a hard time convincing them that they don't want whatever Drakeclaw ring drops. Stupid Druids. Anyway, "of Agility" is +14 or +15 to Agility, "of Eluding" is +1% Dodge and +7 or +8 Agility, and "of the Monkey" is +9 or +10 to both Agility and Stamina. Skibi's Pendant Neck +5 Strength +13 Agility +3 Spirit Requires Level 44 Found: Random drop, Level 49+ mobs Comment: Good luck finding or buying one: the prices are ridiculous usually. While leveling, I couldn't afford one if my life depended on it. Woven Ivy Necklace Neck +6 Strength +9 Agility +10 Stamina Requires Level 46 Found: Quest reward, Wanted: Vile Priestess Hexx and Her Minions, The Hinterlands (Horde) Comment: A nice little necklace in a land where there aren't very many nice little necklaces. You can't get it as Alliance, so it's your duty as a Hordie to flaunt the fact that you can. Heart of Noxxion Trinket +10 Nature Resistance Use: Removes 1 poison effect. Requires Level 46 Found: Noxxion (duh), Maraudon Comment: Can't get an Anti-Venom to save your life? This is about your only option to get rid of annoying scorpion and spider poison. You might want it, but I was too lazy to farm one for myself. Levels 50-59 (ha!): You might be too busy grinding levels to reach 60 to really pick up any good non-Raid loot, but in case you aren't like that, there is still stuff to be had. WEAPONS: Hanzo Sword One-Hand Sword, 1.5 Speed 38-71 Damage (36.3 DPS) Chance on hit: Wounds the target for 75 damage. Requires Level 50 Found: Random drop, mid-50s+ mobs Comment: Actually, this sword kind of sucks. Strictly offhand, and really not all that good anyway. The proc rate is pretty miserable. If you can get it cheap and NEED an offhand, go get it, but otherwise, I wouldn't bother. However, since I'm not listing Raid loot, I wanted to put at least another weapon in here, so there! Krol Blade Main Hand Sword, 2.8 Speed 80-149 Damage (40.9 DPS) +7 Strength +5 Stamina Equip: Improves your chance to get a critical strike by 1%. Requires Level 51 Found: Random drop, mid-50s+ mobs Comment: God, I hate this weapon. It's not that it's bad - far from it! - but if your server is anything like Elune, all you will ever, ever hear is "WTS Krol Blade 9932470948234g", "WTB Krol Blade 5g", "WTS Krol Blade Krol Blade Krol Blade Krol Blade", or "Hey, does anyone have a Krol Blade?" in every channel in any capital city. Don't let it happen to you! Assassination Blade One-Hand Sword, 2.7 Speed 71-132 Damage (37.6 DPS) +3 Strength Equip: Improves your chance to get a critical strike by 1%. Requires Level 51 Found: Random drop, mid-50s+ mobs Comment: Sure, a poor man's Krol Blade, but a lot more realistic and cheap to acquire. It's a decent main hand, but it won't last for all that long. Heartseeking Crossbow Crossbow, 3.1 Speed 71-108 Damage, +1-4 Shadow Damage (29.7 DPS) +9 Agility +4 Stamina Requires Level 51 Found: Random drop, mid-50s+ mobs Comment: My crossbow of choice, which I'm still currently using. Hits very hard for its level, and the Agility and Stamina bonuses are always welcome. Also great for shooting Mages in PvP when they root you: critical strikes can take off over 500 HP! ARMOR: Dark Phantom Cape Back 39 Armor +15 Agility +6 Spirit Requires Level 50 Found: Random drops, mid-50s+ mobs Comment: If you didn't get a Duskbat Drape, this will suit you just fine until the endgame. At least for me, it came pretty cheaply on the Auction House, so get it if it's available. Serpentine Sash Waist 92 Armor +9 Strength +14 Agility +14 Stamina Requires Level 52 Found: Random drops, mid-50s+ mobs Comment: An excellent belt to set you up for Raiding. Worth buying off the Auction House. Dawn Treaders Feet 114 Armor +18 Stamina Equip: Increases your chance to dodge an attack by 1%. Requires Level 53 Found: Argent Quartermasters Hasana, Lightspark, Miranda Breechlock, 290 Skill, Honored with Argent Dawn, Leatherworking Comment: Very expensive to make for what it does, so don't expect a discount if you wanted to buy it off the Auction House, unfortunately. Devilsaur Gauntlets Hands 103 Armor +9 Stamina Equip: +28 Attack Power. Equip: Improves your chance to get a critical strike by 1%. Set: Devilsaur Armor (1/2) Full set bonus (2/2): Improves your chance to hit by 2%. Requires Level 53 Found: Nergal, Un'Goro Crater, 290 Skill, Tribal Leatherworking Comment: Even without Agility bonuses, it has great stats all around. A fine set of gloves to wear before you start Raiding. Devilsaur Leggings Legs 148 Armor +12 Stamina Equip: +46 Attack Power. Equip: Improves your chance to get a critical strike by 1%. Set: Devilsaur Armor (1/2) Full set bonus (2/2): Improves your chance to hit by 2%. Requires Level 55 Found: Pattern, various oozes, Un'Goro Crater, 300 Skill, Tribal Leatherworking Comment: Exact same deal as the Devilsaur Gauntlets. These are definitely good leggings to have. Myrmidon's Signet (Unique) Finger +10 Strength +7 Agility +17 Stamina Requires Level 53 Found: Random drops, high-50s+ mobs Comment: Awesome, awesome, awesome. Rare, rare, rare. Expensive, expensive, expensive. Crap, crap, crap. Good luck getting one. What are you waiting for? Go out and get some items! +------------+ 6. Professions +------------+ There are a couple combinations that stand out for Rogues. I'll list a few highlights for each. In the end, choose what you like best. Use this as a guideline for what you might like. Engineering Paired with: Mining Pros: Bombs for PvP, exploding sheep, jumper cables that (sometimes) can rez other party members Cons: Random mats are annoying to get at times, have to compete with farmers to hit mines, only Engineers can use your items, jumper cables often fail Pick this combination if: You plan on PvPing a lot (stuns from bombs help a LOT, and there are a few other random goodies), you like mayhem Leatherworking Paired with: Skinning Pros: Make your own equipment, make armor kits, relatively profitable Cons: Can't rez with cables after a wipe, most good items have to be found, rather than bought, only Elemental Leatherworking is decent for Rogues Pick this combination if: You want to make items with little work, since you'll be skinning anyway, you'd rather make your own equipment Alchemy Paired with: Herbalism Pros: Picking flowers, cheap as free healing potions, potion buffs, including the awesome Elixir of the Mongoose (+25 Agility, +2% critical strike chance) Cons: Farming herbs can be tedious or challenging, as some are hard to find, buying equipment isn't always cheap or easy Pick this combination if: You enjoy the versatility of buffing and healing yourself and don't mind having to pay for equipment Enchanting Paired with: Skinning (mitigates cost of enchants somewhat) Pros: Enchant your own items, saving you some money, disenchanting unwanted BoPs you get from farming instances Cons: Extremely expensive, still need to get equipment Pick this combination if: You don't care about how much money you need to spend and want to enchant your equipment yourself (obviously) As for Secondary skills, you will get TONS of mileage out of Cooking and First Aid. Rogues kill quickly but have little in the way of damage mitigation. Cooking and First Aid can greatly reduce your downtime, and some of the Well Fed buffs in Cooking are excellent. Fish if you want to, but I find it extremely boring. +--------------------------------------------+ 7. Picking Locks: No Shirt, No Key, No Problem +--------------------------------------------+ One of the best parts about being a Rogue is picking locks. Carrying around keys is for sissies, not to mention you can get into all those locked treasure chests you find. Who knows what you will find? For exact information about where to go to increase your skill, talk to any class trainer first, they'll point you in the right direction. Past that, I refer to this excellent FAQ already written for you, which also happens to be pretty much idiot-proof: http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=11872172&sid=1 When it comes to picking lockboxes, never ask for a tip. While it's true that picking locks is something only Rogues can do, it's not very much of an inconvenience for a Rogue to pick a lock, and for that among other reasons, there will always be Rogues who pick locks for free. I happen to be one of them. Many people will, however, tip you a varying amount of money for the service. I always leave it up to the player just how much of a tip I get. One thing I've found that seems to get people to want to tip is to advertise in funny and unique ways. I have the following macro, which hits the Trade channel when I'm in Ironforge: "Acquire" someone's life savings but forget to take the key? Only person in town who knew the combination mysteriously die? The answer is as easy as Roguenomics! Opening all lockboxes, no questions asked, by the wagon in front of the bank! Wordy? Perhaps. But if you can't read that much, you definitely aren't reading this guide. I'd go so far as to say as it's a pretty clever, eye-catching promotion, and others seem to agree too. On a good night I can AVERAGE 1g per box I open. Imagine getting 1 gold for every box you opened: you'd never leave town. While the exact cause for why I make so much money off lockpicking may never be known, I'd have to say the humor of how I present my service is a big part of it. +------------+ 8. PvP Tactics +------------+ Sooner or later, you're going to have the itch to beat on other players. On a PvP server, of course, these same players are going to have the itch to beat on you, but at least on a PvE server, it's going to happen on your own terms, whether that be the Arena in Stranglethorn Vale, a random PvP-flagged player somewhere in the world, or a Battleground. There's one particularly important point you're going to want to keep in mind for any PvP encounter, so I'll take the time to list it here: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS COME IN WITH POISONED WEAPONS! IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, MAKE THEM CRIPPLING POISON AND MIND-NUMBING POISON! The reason? Simple. Although several classes can cure poison, all of them can be hit by it, and the snare effect from the poison is incredible. Also, everyone but Rogues and Warriors cast some sort of spell (although Hunters don't really have much that would count as a cast), so just about everyone can be hit by that, too. At their best, Rogues are pretty boring to talk about in PvP. Done correctly, "stunlock" builds can keep an opponent standing around looking stupid until you finally get around to killing them. Describing such a fight is redundant: I already did. This writeup, as a general rule, assumes you aren't using a full stunlock build, but does assume you can lead with an attack from Stealth (more than likely a Cheap Shot). ------------ Versus Druid ------------ The Druid's path to victory against a Rogue in a PvP fight is to root the Rogue if at all possible, tank the Rogue in Bear form at melee range, then pop back to caster form, root, and heal, until he eventually wears you out. With Leather armor, Druids aren't quite a soft target, but they don't have the hit points to take a repeated pounding. Stunlocks work quite well if you can get it going in the beginning. Resign yourself to not getting a second opportunity at using Stealth since Druids can DoT you with Moonfire or cast Faerie Fire on you, completely eliminating your Stealth ability. Should the Druid manage to root you with Entangling Roots, they'll Moonfire you if they haven't already, back up, then either spam Wrath or use Starfire/Moonfire spams until the root breaks. While you're rooted, pull out your ranged weapon and start shooting. They can cure your poisons, but it still costs them mana to do it. The important thing is to keep combo points available so you can Kidney Shot the Druid at opportune times. If Kidney Shot is on a cooldown, wait until their hands glow green, then Kick them, which shuts out all their healing and Entangling Roots. The important thing is not to be afraid of fighting a Bear form Druid, since your DPS is higher and only stun/interrupt at the most opportune times. ------------- Versus Hunter ------------- If you can get the jump on a Hunter, take some time to survey the area around him while Stealthed. If he has a trap, move toward it and disarm it: it won't break your Stealth. Keep him stunned as long as possible while hitting him with Crippling Poison. Even if he manages to Wing Clip you and run away, he'll be snared: same as you. Riposte if your build allows for it, since it makes Hunters even less dangerous in melee. If the Hunter gets the jump on you, you can be in serious trouble. Hunter's Mark keeps you from getting away from them with Stealth, and Aimed Shot can make your day miserable in a hurry. Evaluate whether or not you can get to the Hunter before his pet can get to you: if the pet will get to you first, snare it while you chase the Hunter. If he's trying to kite you and slips into Aspect of the Cheetah, stop: when he turns to run, hit him with a ranged attack, at which point he'll be snared as well. If he doesn't switch Aspects, use Sprint to chase him down. Once he's snared and in melee, the fight is just about over and you win. ----------- Versus Mage ----------- Unfortunately, Mages can Blink right out of stuns, which means stunlocks are pretty hard to use. However, Blink is on a 15-second cooldown, so if you can count how long it's been since the Mage last Blinked, you can determine whether or not to Kidney Shot them. If you get the jump on the Mage, the fight will more or less always start out the same: you use Kidney Shot, he Blinks away. If you manage to hit the Mage with one or both of your poisons before this happens, it'll be pretty hard for you to lose. Also take careful note of when the Mage uses his Frost Nova: it has a 25-second cooldown, meaning he will probably only have one chance to use it. Once you're rooted, the Mage will back up and probably start throwing Frostbolts at you. As soon as he's out of melee range, pull out your ranged weapon and start shooting. Mages have very little HP, and a 500 point crit with a ranged weapon goes a long way toward winning the fight for you. As soon as Frost Nova breaks, rush forward with Sprint, as it will outrace any snares the Mage places on you. As long as you can survive the instant nukes he'll throw in your face, you should be just fine, since you can easily get back into melee, using Kicks and Kidney Shots to interrupt any spells the Mage may cast. Surviving, of course, is easier said than done, and it comes down to your resist rates and whatever healing capabilities you possess. -------------- Versus Paladin -------------- Unfortunately, no matter how you start the fight against a Paladin, you're going to be in for a long one. The longer you can keep a Paladin stunned, the better. Hammer of Justice can stun you for up to 6 seconds, but it's on a 1-minute cooldown timer. However, the fight may very well last that long, so don't forget about it. A Paladin is always a threat until he runs out of mana. If you can't stunlock him, you're probably better suited to running away, since Paladins have two invulnerability shields they can throw up to heal themselves, while you'll be stuck bandaging. The longer the fight goes, the more it swings in the Paladin's favor. ------------- Versus Priest ------------- Priests are relatively easy to take down. They have one Fear effect to send you running away, but it's on a 30-second cooldown. There are also various means to break Fear effects - including Will of the Forsaken or Insignia of the Alliance/Horde - so you should have a means to break the Fear and continue beating on them. Should you not have that available to you, you'll get stuck with Shadow Word: Pain - which can actually break the Fear effect - Devouring Plague - same deal - and Mind Flay all thrown on your at the same time. Chug a Free Action Potion before that happens if you're an Alchemist, or chug a healing potion and use Sprint to run back into his face, since you'll go at least as fast, if not faster, then normal even with Mind Flay on you. As soon as you get back in range, stunlock at your leisure and take the lightly armored Priest down. Don't be afraid to Kick them out of their Holy spells - look for their hands glowing yellow. ------------ Versus Rogue ------------ Ah, the mirror match. It mostly just comes down to who has the most skill, but there are a few guidelines you can follow. First, a stunned Rogue is a helpless Rogue. Second, a disarmed Rogue is nearly worthless in combat, so if you can Riposte the Rogue, do it. Keep the other Rogue engaged and snared at all times. If you manage to slip into Stealth via either Improved Gouge/Stealth or Vanish, come right back in with a Cheap Shot or else the other Rogue will simply do the same. ------------- Versus Shaman ------------- Definitely an opponent to be feared. No matter what you do, the odds are heavily against you. If the Shaman has a two-handed weapon - and in PvP they almost always will - a good Windfury proc can kill you instantly. It is not to your advantage to be playing the odds with that skill. If the Shaman ever escapes your stunlock, he can cure your poison, Frost Shock you for an instant direct damage snare, drop a totem, and run around you, DoTting you to death while you're snared. Worse yet, if they drop an Earthbind Totem, you pretty much have to change your target to the totem and crush it, and doing so causes you to lose any combo points you had on the Shaman. Run and come back with friends. -------------- Versus Warlock -------------- Caution and patience are the keys to defeating a Warlock. Before you attack one, scout around and see if what kind of pet he has. If you don't see one, make sure he doesn't have a Stealthed Succubus with him. If you find the Succubus, Sap the Warlock while you crush the Succubus: they aren't very durable. If you find no pet, or any other pet, hit the Warlock as hard as you can. Stunlock them for as long as you can, hitting them with both of your poisons in the process. The Warlock's biggest threat is the ability to keep you Feared until you die. Don't break any of their spellcasting unless you see their hands glow black - this is their Shadow line which contains their Fear spell. If you can keep them from Fearing you away, you'll win. -------------- Versus Warrior -------------- Much like a Shaman, the odds are against you unless you are in the absolute best Blackwing Lair gear. I'm assuming you aren't. Warriors have an ability called Overpower which can smack you over the head every time you dodge. A mere two talent points gives this ability an additional 50% critical strike chance, and it can be done every five seconds. Keep in mind Overpower can NOT be dodged, blocked, or parried (though it can miss). As if that wasn't bad enough, they of course wear extremely heavy armor. Worst of all, they can merely switch stances and Disarm you. If you get a lucky parry, you can Riposte the Warrior first, but you can't rely on that. You only have a few viable options and all of them come with an element of risk. First, you can try to stunlock the Warrior, which is difficult at best and especially so when you're fighting an Orc Warrior. The other option is a little bit crazy but can work as well. Warriors like to stay in melee with you as much as you like staying in melee with anyone else, so there's a unique way you can take advantage of that. If you have Adrenaline Rush, turn on Evasion. Sure, you'll be smacked every five seconds, but if you turn on Adrenaline Rush, you'll deal an insane amount of damage. If your weapons are good enough, you can actually beat the Warrior at his own game since Evasion should keep you from being hit by anything except Overpower. +-------------------------------------+ 9. High Gear: Enchants and Boring Stuff +-------------------------------------+ The most common question I get as far as all things Rogue goes is this: "What talent build should I use?" When this guide was originally drafted and later submitted, no matter what anyone told you, swords were the best. The extra hit proc was 6%, not 5, no one had heard of the Attack Power Normalization - "Nerf" - and there weren't that many crazy daggers in the world. The Subtlety tree also sucked the big one. Well, in that time, the builds and Attack Power has been balanced somewhat. My heart wants to believe that swords are still the best, but differences between the builds are quite moot. The best answer to this question is "use what you're comfortable with". If you feel you're doing more damage with swords, stick with it. If you can't let go of your Backstabby ways, pick up some daggers. There are ups and downs for each spec. I'll try not to be too boring as I go down the line: SWORDS (Mostly combat only): +More attacks (often a result of procs, explained later) +Adrenaline Rush + Blade Flurry = Huge front load of damage +Riposte = best skill, though a little less useful in raids +Get a large benefit from anything that increases speed (30% of 2.8 is a much bigger difference than 30% of 1.8) +Require less manuverability (though it's always best to strike from behind, you aren't shut out if you aren't behind your foe) -Far fewer critical hits than dagger builds -Unconventional: against the spirit of the traditional Rogue -Weak attacks out of Stealth -Hemo can eventually outrace Sinister Strike (though you still give up a lot of things to get to this point) -Ancient Qiraji Ripper drops off the third boss in The Temple of Ahn'Qiraj. No more good main hand swords drop until Kel'Thuzad, the last boss in Naxxramas, also known as the ultimate boss as of this writing DAGGERS (Combat or otherwise): +Traditional: who hasn't wanted to Backstab someone? +Lots and lots of critical hits +High damage potential out of Stealth +Fast attacks feel more responsive +More flexible (more than one build can work) -Low non-special attack damage -Fewer procs = less potential (though you don't have to play Lady Luck) -More sensitive to positioning: harder to maintain high output in fights involving a lot of movement -In raiding, have to take some fairly useless talents to get to the juicy stuff (Improved Gouge sucks, and Improved Sinister Strike won't help you all that much either, for example) -No Thunderfury for you! HEMO (Mostly swords and maces): +Setup + Evasion = Huge front load of damage +Makes the most of your Attack Power +Helps the raid deal more damage overall +Keeps you more active, as your attack only costs 35 Energy +Allows you to take Misplaced Servo Arms from Warriors, and feel good about doing it (not that you shouldn't anyway :P) +Highest Attack Power if you take Deadliness -In raiding, have to take lots of useless talents to get to Hemo (neither Master of Deception or Opportunity help that much, and that's just in your first tier) -Setup + Evasion = not particularly useful in raiding (kind of an extension to the first negative point) -If you're using maces, there is not a lot to choose from early on -I still hate the Subtlety tree -Let me check. Yep, more skills that aren't always that helpful As for enchanting your gear...do it! As far as enchanting your armor goes, it's simple: increase your Agility and Stamina above all else. This is fairly straightforward. As far as enchanting your weapon goes, however, different enchants may produce varying results as far as your build goes. Here's a quick look at each weapon enchant, including what you need to provide to get said enchant (note that for enchants with multiple grades, such as Striking, I will only be looking at the best version of it). CRUSADER (4 Large Brilliant Shard, 2 Righteous Orb): Crusader is a 75-125 point heal that also increases your Strength (and, as a result, your Attack Power) by 100 for 15 seconds. The odds of this happening is rated at one proc per minute, so the actual percentage chance you have to get it to proc is 1/(60/X), where X is your weapon speed. It can proc in both hands, which results in two different buffs. Getting a Crusader proc while one is already up simply refreshes its duration. The low proc rate is a little bothersome, especially if it procs for you at the end of a fight. However, increased Attack Power will power up your main attack, whether that is Sinister Strike, Backstab, or Hemorrhage. As such, it is much more useful in PvE raiding than it is in soloing or in PvP. It's important to note that proc rates are generally lower in the off hand. VERDICT: Strongly consider using this for your main hand regardless of spec, although sword Rogues will definitely get more mileage out of this enchant. Possibly consider it for off hand use. LIFESTEAL (6 Large Brilliant Shard, 6 Essence of Undeath, 6 Living Essence): Lifesteal deals 30 Shadow damage to your target and heals you for the same amount it deals. It's important to note that this proc is affected by resistance. It's also important to note that this proc can crit. For those who are worried about the resistance, fear not: in raiding, most mobs are lowered to zero (or close to zero) Shadow resistance with an application of Curse of Shadows. Resists are fairly rare. The proc rate is 6 procs per minute, or 6/(60/X), where X is your weapon speed. This enchant is fairly universal in its usage. VERDICT: Good no matter what you're doing, especially if you don't get healed much in a raid. Worth a look for either main hand or off hand, although the possibilities are less exciting than Crusader. That doesn't change the fact that, barring resistances, Fiery Weapon deals more damage. D'oh! FIERY WEAPON (4 Small Radiant Shard, 1 Essence of Fire): Fiery weapon torches your target for 40 Fire damage. Like Lifesteal, this can crit and is also affected by resistances. Also like Lifesteal, Fiery procs at 6 procs per minute, or 6/(60/X), where X is your weapon speed. It's also a fairly cheap enchant to get. VERDICT: Awesome when you're leveling: put it on both weapons. Damage potential is arguably the highest. However, Molten Core and Blackwing Lair throw lots of Fire-resistant or immune enemies at you, so skip it once you start raiding. +15 AGILITY (6 Large Brilliant Shard, 6 Greater Eternal Essence, 4 Illusion Dust, 2 Essence of Air): It, duh, adds 15 Agility. For those following along at home, it adds 15 Attack Power (1.07 DPS main hand, .54 DPS off hand, or .8 DPS off hand if you have Improved Dual Wield, you smart guy you), .52% chance to crit, and 1.03% chance to dodge. This enchant can get pricey. VERDICT: Though boring, constant additions are also nice. Though very expensive to get, it's extremely useful for anyone's off hand. Since daggers aren't quite as good for proc rates, constant effects such as this one are much better for dagger Rogues than they are for sword Rogues. Get a different main hand enchant if you use swords. Strongly consider this for your main hand if you use daggers. +5 DAMAGE (2 Large Brilliant Shard, 10 Greater Eternal Essence): Ho hum. Adds 5 damage to each attack, so the added DPS is 5/X, where X is, as always, your weapon speed. It's not as expensive as most of the other enchants. VERDICT: You won't even notice the boost as a sword Rogue. If you're using daggers, consider it for your main hand, but please, dear God, get something better for your off hand. +-------------------+ 10. Closing and Thanks +-------------------+ What can I say? WoW is easily the best MMORPG I've ever played, and I'm a Rogue kind of guy. I wanted to share some wisdom with all of you :) As of right now, the following sites have been given permission to post this guide: www.neoseeker.com www.gamefaqs.com www.1up.com www.dlh.net Special thanks go to so many people. Hopefully I don't mess this up: -Blizzard, for creating a game so engrossing that even though it still frustrates me to no end at times, I always come back. -People who have helped me along in some way, shape, or form as I've slowly written this guide: Franz Ziggenhammer, Jack Atkinson, Kenny Sharman, Jake Des. If I forgot your name, trust me, it's not personal. I just forgot :( -Kaas, Magi, and Drazzno from Absolute Chaos, Elune server. You guys rock! -Insofar, Aleshanee, and Galkaflower for being lovable Hordies. -Thottbot and Allakhazam for providing more data than I'd ever care to accumulate myself. -Tyknee, Laenis from Spirestone, and Navaja from Frostwolf for coming up with the very wonderful Lockpicking FAQ. -Cide and TS for CTMod: mods have come a long way. -Eitrigg, which has some of the nicest people I've ever seen. As lame and self-indulgent as it may be, I'd like to thank all these people for making my WoW experience as enjoyable as it has been: Maccius, Mons, Jesoo, Shadianna, Roguenator, Elshira, Merii, Truth, Denial, Siku, Nightsteel, Dwendle, Cereal, Lilone, Flolocka, Loknal, Rofflecopter, Minigorwin, Lassar, Lovebunny, Gorby, Knoxx, Llamachikide, Cgull, Kruniac, Didikillu, Azlon, Majestic, Lostwind, Randell, Cynix, Ji, Palatinus, Oolaki, and anyone else I forgot. A great community of people - mostly - and I'm glad to say I was a part of it. Should anyone read this and want to go farm or PvP with me, I'm Roguenomics, Night Elf Rogue, on Eitrigg, when it's not crashing. Copyright 2006, Dan Christler