Combat questing and weapon preparation
Updated October 22, 2026. Talent reference 1.60.1.70338.
Quick summary
- Specialization
- Combat
- Weapon
- Two one-hand weapons
- Talents at level 30
- 21 points in Combat (0/21/0)
- Key talents
- Riposte (level 23) · Blade Flurry (level 30)
- Stats
- Agility > Stamina > Strength
- Recommended race
- Alliance: Human · Horde: Orc
From level 1 to 60
Your Rogue from 1 to 60: race, route, profession and loot
Races that can be a Rogue
Bar = share of all beta characters that picked that race with Rogue. Rarest: Dwarf (0.2%).
UndeadRecovery and control removal · leveling tier A2.3 %
HumanVersatility and control · leveling tier A1.6 %
Night ElfCritical hits and mobility · leveling tier S1.2 %
GnomeResources and engineering · leveling tier S1.1 %
Skyborne (Windshaper)Gliding and travel · leveling tier A1.1 %- Skyborne (High Order)Gliding and regeneration · leveling tier B0.9 %
OrcBurst and magic defense · leveling tier S0.9 %
TrollSpeed and regeneration · leveling tier S0.5 %
DwarfPhysical defense and exploration · leveling tier B0.2 %
Census: ClassicPlus.io, 1,003,125 beta characters. Racials and conditions: race guide.
Route by level: zones, dungeons, gathering and loot
- 1–10Quest in
Your race’s starting zone, then the nearby capital.
Your race’s starting zone, then the nearby capital.
Gather at the same timeSkill 1–75 · Apprentice: train it at level 5
⛏ Copper
🌿 Peacebloom, Silverleaf, Earthroot
🔪 Skinning: up to 50 on the beasts of your zone - 10–20Quest in
Westfall · Loch Modan · Darkshore · Redridge
The Barrens · Silverpine Forest · Stonetalon
Gather at the same timeSkill 50–125 · Journeyman from level 10 (cap 150)
⛏ Copper → Tin from 65
🌿 Mageroyal, Briarthorn, Bruiseweed
🔪 Skinning: up to 100 on the beasts of your zoneHall of Thanes13–18New Ironforge: descend from the left corridor of the throne room into Old Ironforge.
Loot is listed but its stats are not in our data yet: check the dungeon page.
The Deadmines18–23 Westfall, through the mines at Moonbrook.
Blackened Defias ArmorChest · lvl 19 · Sta / Agi / StrEdwin VanCleef
Lavishly Jeweled RingRing · lvl 17 · Agi / IntGilnid
Thief's BladeOne-hand · lvl 17 · AgiMr. Smite
Ragefire Chasm13–18 Orgrimmar, Cleft of Shadow.
Subterranean CapeBack · lvl 13 · Agi / StrTaragaman the Hungerer
Chanting BladeOne-hand · lvl 13 · Agi / StaJergosh the Invoker
Wailing Caverns15–25 The Barrens, southwest of the Crossroads.
Leggings of the FangLegs · lvl 18 · Str / Sta / AgiLord Cobrahn
Glowing Lizardscale CloakBack · lvl 17 · Agi / SpiSkum
Belt of the FangWaist · lvl 16 · Sta / AgiLady Anacondra
Tail SpikeOne-hand · lvl 17 · Agi / StrSkum
Ruins of Lordaeron15–20New Undercity / Ruins of Lordaeron: entrance to the left as you enter the ruins.
Loot is listed but its stats are not in our data yet: check the dungeon page.
- 20–30Quest in
Wetlands · Duskwood · Redridge · Ashenvale
Southern Barrens · Stonetalon · Hillsbrad · Ashenvale · Thousand Needles
Gather at the same timeSkill 125–175 · Expert from level 20 (cap 225)
⛏ Tin, Silver, Iron from 125
🌿 Wild Steelbloom, Kingsblood, Grave Moss
🔪 Skinning: up to 150 on the beasts of your zoneThe Stockade22–30 Stormwind, Mage Quarter.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Blackfathom Deeps24–32 Ashenvale, Zoram Strand.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Excavation Site: Wetlands26–31New Wetlands: follow the path starting south of Thelgen Rock cavern, according to Icy Veins.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Gnomeregan29–38 Dun Morogh, west of Ironforge.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Shadowfang Keep22–30 Silverpine Forest, above Pyrewood Village.
Wolfmaster CapeBack · lvl 22 · Sta / AgiWolf Master Nandos
Robes of ArugalChest · lvl 24 · Spi / Int / Sta / AgiArchmage Arugal
Feline MantleShoulder · lvl 23 · Int / Spi / AgiWolf Master Nandos
Belt of ArugalWaist · lvl 24 · Int / Spi / AgiArchmage Arugal
Blackfathom Deeps24–32 Ashenvale, Zoram Strand.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
City of Dalaran28–33New Dalaran, Hillsbrad region. Exact entrance unverified.
No loot table yet for Forever.
- 30–40Quest in
Stranglethorn Vale · Arathi Highlands · Desolace · Riverglades
Stranglethorn Vale · Arathi Highlands · Desolace · Riverglades
Gather at the same timeSkill 175–225 · Artisan from level 35 (cap 300)
⛏ Iron, Gold, Mithril from 175
🌿 Liferoot, Fadeleaf, Goldthorn
🔪 Skinning: up to 200 on the beasts of your zoneGnomeregan29–38 Dun Morogh, west of Ironforge.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Razorfen Kraul30–40 Southern Barrens.
Ferine LeggingsLegs · lvl 29 · Str / AgiAgathelos the Raging
"Mage-Eye" BlunderbussRanged · lvl 26 · AgiOverlord Ramtusk
Scarlet Monastery: Graveyard28–38 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Graveyard portal.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Scarlet Monastery: Library29–39 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Library portal.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Scarlet Monastery: Graveyard28–38 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Graveyard portal.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Scarlet Monastery: Library29–39 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Library portal.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Razorfen Kraul30–40 Southern Barrens.
- Ferine LeggingsLegs · lvl 29 · Str / AgiAgathelos the Raging
- "Mage-Eye" BlunderbussRanged · lvl 26 · AgiOverlord Ramtusk
Scarlet Monastery: Armory32–42 Scarlet Monastery, northeastern Tirisfal Glades; Armory portal.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
- 40–50Quest in
Tanaris · Feralas · The Hinterlands · Searing Gorge
Tanaris · Feralas · The Hinterlands · Searing Gorge
Gather at the same timeSkill 225–265 · Artisan: keep gathering in your zone
⛏ Mithril, Truesilver
🌿 Khadgar’s Whisker, Sungrass, Purple Lotus
🔪 Skinning: up to 250 on the beasts of your zoneScarlet Monastery: Cathedral35–45 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Cathedral portal.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Uldaman42–52 Badlands, northern excavation.
Revelosh's SpauldersShoulder · lvl 36 · Agi / StaRevelosh
Stonevault ShivOne-hand · lvl 31 · Agi / StaObsidian Sentinel
Oilskin LeggingsLegs · lvl 41 · Agi / SpiGrimlok
Razorfen Downs40–50 Southern Barrens.
Fleshhide ShouldersShoulder · lvl 37 · Str / Sta / AgiGlutton
Krol’dok Stronghold40–45New Riverglades; exact entrance unverified.
No loot table yet for Forever.
Scarlet Monastery: Cathedral35–45 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Cathedral portal.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Razorfen Downs40–50 Southern Barrens.
- Fleshhide ShouldersShoulder · lvl 37 · Str / Sta / AgiGlutton
Uldaman42–52 Badlands, northern excavation.
- Revelosh's SpauldersShoulder · lvl 36 · Agi / StaRevelosh
- Stonevault ShivOne-hand · lvl 31 · Agi / StaObsidian Sentinel
- Oilskin LeggingsLegs · lvl 41 · Agi / SpiGrimlok
Krol’dok Stronghold40–45New Riverglades; exact entrance unverified.
No loot table yet for Forever.
- 50–60Quest in
Un’Goro Crater · Felwood · Winterspring · Plaguelands
Un’Goro Crater · Felwood · Winterspring · Plaguelands
Gather at the same timeSkill 265–300 · Artisan: reach 300 before 60
⛏ Thorium
🌿 Dreamfoil, Mountain Silversage, Plaguebloom
🔪 Skinning: up to 300 on the beasts of your zoneMaraudon: Earth Song Falls48–57 Desolace, Valley of Spears; inner Maraudon route.
Albino Crocscale BootsFeet · lvl 48 · Agi / StaRotgrip
Alcaz Prison48–53New Alcaz Island, northeast of Dustwallow Marsh.
No loot table yet for Forever.
Sunken Temple50–60 Swamp of Sorrows, Pool of Tears.
- Windscale SarongLegs · lvl 49 · Spi / Sta / Int / AgiAvatar of Hakkar
Blackrock Depths52–60 Blackrock Mountain, through the central chain route to Blackrock Depths.
Mixologist's TunicChest · lvl 50 · Str / Sta / AgiHurley Blackbreath
Houndmaster's BowRanged · lvl 48 · AgiHoundmaster Grebmar
Lower Blackrock Spire55–60 Blackrock Mountain, inside Blackrock Spire; lower route.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Maraudon: Earth Song Falls48–57 Desolace, Valley of Spears; inner Maraudon route.
- Albino Crocscale BootsFeet · lvl 48 · Agi / StaRotgrip
Alcaz Prison48–53New Alcaz Island, northeast of Dustwallow Marsh.
No loot table yet for Forever.
Sunken Temple50–60 Swamp of Sorrows, Pool of Tears.
- Windscale SarongLegs · lvl 49 · Spi / Sta / Int / AgiAvatar of Hakkar
Blackrock Depths52–60 Blackrock Mountain, through the central chain route to Blackrock Depths.
- Mixologist's TunicChest · lvl 50 · Str / Sta / AgiHurley Blackbreath
- Houndmaster's BowRanged · lvl 48 · AgiHoundmaster Grebmar
Lower Blackrock Spire55–60 Blackrock Mountain, inside Blackrock Spire; lower route.
Nothing here for a Rogue at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Loot filtered for what a Rogue can equip (armor type, weapons, useful stats). Zones and gathering tiers follow the Classic route; skill caps by trainer rank are Classic rules pending confirmation in Forever. Trinkets: no Forever dungeon trinket list has been published yet.
What changes in Forever
Poisons can coexist with temporary weapon enchantments and their charge counts increase. Check both weapons before a dungeon, and coordinate interrupts rather than assuming every opener suits the group.
Read Blizzard’s announcementRogue specializations
Assassination
Explore poison and finishing-move choices. Weapon requirements and the available abilities matter when comparing this tree with Combat.
Combat
A direct melee questing proposal using Sinister Strike, improved hit chance and dual-wield damage. Position carefully when activating multi-target tools.
Subtlety
Explore stealth, opening attacks and control. A route built for a controlled opener can need different positioning from sustained face-to-face combat.
Starter leveling build: levels 10 to 30
Combat questing and weapon preparation. An editorial questing proposal with 21 ordinary points. Its order satisfies ranks and prerequisites in our reference; it is not a measured optimal in-game build. It excludes early Legacy points and makes no level-60 performance claim.
- Level 10–11
Improved Sinister Strike +2Reduce Energy spent on a central builder.
- Level 12–14
Improved Eviscerate +3Improve the finishing move and complete the first five points.
- Level 15–17
Precision +3Increase hit chance and meet the prerequisite for Dual Wield Specialization.
- Level 18–20
Deflection +3Add parry chance and meet Riposte’s prerequisite.
- Level 21–22
Endurance +2Shorten Sprint and Evasion cooldowns to support travel and recovery from difficult pulls.
- Level 23
Riposte +1Add a strike available after a parry; it is conditional rather than a button for every opener.
- Level 24
Improved Sprint +1Add a partial chance to remove movement impairments while reaching fifteen points.
- Level 25–29
Dual Wield Specialization +5Improve off-hand damage once Precision’s required ranks are in place.
- Level 30
Blade Flurry +1Unlock a cooldown that can hit a nearby second enemy. Keep crowd-controlled targets out of reach.
Opening loads this proposal. Drafts for other classes remain separate. Talent names retain the reference’s original English.
Rogue leveling rotation
The order we use in a normal questing fight. In brackets, the level each ability is learned.
- Approach in Stealth (level 1). From 26, open with Cheap Shot: it stuns for 4 seconds and awards 2 combo points.
- Build combo points with Sinister Strike (level 1). Improved Sinister Strike makes it cheaper.
- In longer fights, spend 1 or 2 points on Slice and Dice (level 10): +20% attack speed.
- Finish with Eviscerate (level 1) at 4 or 5 points. Improved Eviscerate adds 20% damage.
- When you parry, use Riposte (talent, level 23): it deals 150% weapon damage and disarms. Deflection makes you parry more.
- Interrupt casters with Kick (level 12). Gouge (level 6) buys you 4 seconds to bandage or back off.
- Against two enemies, pop Blade Flurry (level 30): +20% attack speed and your hits strike a second enemy.
- If you are in trouble: Evasion (level 8), Sprint (level 10) or Vanish (level 22). With Endurance, Sprint and Evasion come back 60% sooner.
- If the enemy dies with combo points left, move them to the next one with Redirect (level 1).
Stat priority
- AgilityMore attack power, more crits and more dodge.
- StaminaMore health: you fight in melee with no heals of your own.
- StrengthSome extra attack power when you cannot find Agility.
Abilities and early decisions
Spend Energy with an exit plan
Watch Combo Points on your current target, keep both weapons trained and do not spend all resources before an important interrupt. Avoid an extra patrol when choosing where to fight.
Prepare poisons and control
Inspect each weapon’s poison and temporary enhancement. Agree on crowd control before Blade Flurry; breaking a controlled target can cost more than the extra damage helps.
Best race for your Rogue
Alliance
HumanAll-rounder
Ruthless gives +1% crit, Will to Survive breaks stuns and Perception spots other Rogues.
Night ElfStealth and PvE
Quickness makes you harder to spot in Stealth and Elune's Light gives +10% crit for 15 seconds.
GnomePvP
Escape Artist frees you from roots and slows, and Eureka! makes your attacks cheaper and stronger for 8 seconds.
Horde
OrcPvE and PvP
Blood Fury gives +10% attack power and Hardiness shortens stuns.
UndeadPvP
Will of the Forsaken removes fear and sleep, and Cannibalize heals you between fights.
TrollLeveling
Berserking speeds up your attacks and Regeneration keeps part of your health regen in combat.
Our picks based on beta racials. Any available race works for leveling.
Compare availability and racialsTips to level faster
- At 20 you learn Poisons: put Instant Poison on one weapon and Crippling Poison on the other. In WoW Forever poisons stack with temporary weapon enchantments.
- This build boosts your off-hand with Dual Wield Specialization: do not neglect your second weapon.
- Level First Aid and bandage after Gouge: it is your only self-heal.
- Use Sap (level 10) to take a Humanoid out before attacking its friend.
Common mistakes
- Spending combo points on Eviscerate at 1 or 2 points: you lose a lot of damage.
- Forgetting your poisons after level 20.
- Burning Evasion, Sprint and Vanish together: stagger them so you always have a way out.
Professions for your route
Skinning and Leatherworking
A gathering and leather-crafting option; compare crafted pieces with quest upgrades and weapon needs.
Mining and Engineering
A utility-oriented alternative with material and skill costs. Check item requirements before making an item part of your control plan.
Frequently asked questions
Combat or Assassination for leveling?
We recommend Combat: it does not need daggers or positioning, and Riposte and Blade Flurry arrive before 30. Assassination relies on daggers and Backstab.
What weapons does a Combat Rogue use?
Two one-hand weapons, such as swords, maces or axes. Backstab and Ambush only work with a dagger in your main hand.
When do Rogues learn poisons?
At level 20, with Poisons, Instant Poison and Crippling Poison. Deadly Poison arrives at 30.
What is the best race for a Rogue?
Human for the Alliance and Orc for the Horde are the most complete picks. For PvP, Gnome and Undead too.
What to review after level 30
Before extending this route, review later talents, your equipment, your intended role and beta changes. The calculator supports exploring 51 ordinary points at level 60; a valid distribution alone does not establish the best setup for an activity.
Open the general leveling guideSources and editorial approach
Prepared by Road to 60 Forever. Announced changes are attributed to Blizzard; the point order and advice are our interpretation of the community dataset. We do not claim to have measured this build in game.