# Rogue leveling guide 1–60: talents and class quests

> Level as Combat with a sword (Riposte, Blade Flurry, Adrenaline Rush) for the steadiest kills, or Assassination with daggers and poisons (Mutilate). Subtlety's Hemorrhage plan suits stealth openers and is slower solo.

Page: https://polestar.guide/guides/class/rogue

Polestar is a free, open-source (GPL-3.0) leveling guide addon for World of Warcraft: Forever. Every guide here ships inside the addon: in game, `/polestar guides` opens the guide menu, and the guide window shows the steps with a waypoint arrow.

## Who can be a Rogue

- Human (Alliance): starts with [Elwynn Forest](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/human/01-elwynn-forest.md) (levels 1–13), 26 guides to level 60
- Dwarf (Alliance): starts with [Dun Morogh](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/dwarf-gnome/01-dun-morogh.md) (levels 1–13), 26 guides to level 60
- Gnome (Alliance): starts with [Dun Morogh](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/dwarf-gnome/01-dun-morogh.md) (levels 1–13), 26 guides to level 60
- Night Elf (Alliance): starts with [Teldrassil](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/nightelf/01-teldrassil.md) (levels 1–11), 26 guides to level 60
- Skyborne (Alliance): starts with [Zephras Isle](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/skyborne/01-zephras-isle.md) (levels 1–15), 26 guides to level 60
- Orc (Horde): starts with [Durotar](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/orc-troll/01-durotar.md) (levels 1–12), 25 guides to level 60
- Troll (Horde): starts with [Durotar](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/orc-troll/01-durotar.md) (levels 1–12), 25 guides to level 60
- Undead (Horde): starts with [Tirisfal Glades](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/undead/01-tirisfal-glades.md) (levels 1–13), 24 guides to level 60
- Skyborne (Horde): starts with [Zephras Isle](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/skyborne/01-zephras-isle.md) (levels 1–15), 24 guides to level 60

## Leveling talent plans

Polestar marks the next pick on the talent frame (`/polestar talents`; Options, Questing, Talents) and never spends a point for you. Picks adapted from a community talent site's leveling builds up to level 30; the notes are written for Polestar. Checked on game build 1.60.1.70450.

### Assassination (31/20/0, 51 picks, levels 10–60)

| Levels | Talent | Ranks | Tree | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10–14 | Malice | 1–5 | Assassination | Malice first: crit for every attack and poison, and it opens Lethality. |
| 15–17 | Ruthlessness | 1–3 | Assassination | Ruthlessness gives finishers a chance at a free combo point; Murder adds damage against humanoids and giants. |
| 18–19 | Murder | 1–2 | Assassination |  |
| 20 | Relentless Strikes | 1 | Assassination | Relentless Strikes refunds energy from finishers, so fights flow without waiting. |
| 21–25 | Lethality | 1–5 | Assassination |  |
| 26 | Cold Blood | 1 | Assassination |  |
| 27–29 | Improved Poisons | 1–3 | Assassination | Improved Poisons puts poisons on more often and makes charges last; take them as soon as you train poisons. |
| 30 | Mutilate | 1 | Assassination | Mutilate is Forever's dual-wield dagger strike: two combo points a use, and more damage on poisoned targets. |
| 31–32 | Remorseless Attacks | 1–2 | Assassination |  |
| 33–34 | Improved Poisons | 4–5 | Assassination |  |
| 35–39 | Seal Fate | 1–5 | Assassination | Seal Fate turns crits into extra combo points; with Malice and Lethality it is the core of the build. |
| 40 | Venom | 1 | Assassination | Venom is the capstone: a finisher that strengthens your poisons for a while. |
| 41–42 | Improved Sinister Strike | 1–2 | Combat | The last 20 points go to Combat: cheaper Sinister Strikes, a stronger Eviscerate, more hit and parry, Riposte and a stronger off-hand. |
| 43–45 | Improved Eviscerate | 1–3 | Combat |  |
| 46–48 | Precision | 1–3 | Combat |  |
| 49–51 | Deflection | 1–3 | Combat |  |
| 52 | Riposte | 1 | Combat |  |
| 53–55 | Puncturing Wounds | 1–3 | Combat |  |
| 56–60 | Dual Wield Specialization | 1–5 | Combat |  |

### Combat (20/31/0, 51 picks, levels 10–60)

| Levels | Talent | Ranks | Tree | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10–11 | Improved Sinister Strike | 1–2 | Combat | Improved Sinister Strike first: cheaper Sinister Strikes are the biggest early gain. |
| 12–14 | Improved Eviscerate | 1–3 | Combat |  |
| 15–17 | Precision | 1–3 | Combat | Precision helps you hit more often; it also opens Dual Wield Specialization. |
| 18–20 | Deflection | 1–3 | Combat |  |
| 21 | Riposte | 1 | Combat | Riposte follows each parry with a heavy strike that also disarms. |
| 22–24 | Puncturing Wounds | 1–3 | Combat |  |
| 25–29 | Dual Wield Specialization | 1–5 | Combat |  |
| 30 | Blade Flurry | 1 | Combat | Blade Flurry is faster attacks and cleave on demand; Hack and Slash then adds extra attacks with swords and axes. |
| 31–35 | Hack and Slash | 1–5 | Combat |  |
| 36–37 | Weapon Expertise | 1–2 | Combat |  |
| 38–39 | Aggression | 1–2 | Combat |  |
| 40 | Adrenaline Rush | 1 | Combat | Adrenaline Rush is the capstone: double energy for 15 seconds, enough for a second mob. |
| 41–45 | Malice | 1–5 | Assassination | The remaining points go to Assassination for crit, free combo points, energy refunds and Lethality. |
| 46–48 | Ruthlessness | 1–3 | Assassination |  |
| 49–50 | Murder | 1–2 | Assassination |  |
| 51 | Relentless Strikes | 1 | Assassination |  |
| 52–56 | Lethality | 1–5 | Assassination |  |
| 57–58 | Improved Slice and Dice | 1–2 | Assassination |  |
| 59–60 | Remorseless Attacks | 1–2 | Assassination |  |

### Subtlety (0/20/31, 51 picks, levels 10–60)

| Levels | Talent | Ranks | Tree | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10–11 | Opportunity | 1–2 | Subtlety | Opportunity adds damage to Backstab, Ambush and Garrote, your stealth openers. |
| 12–15 | Camouflage | 1–4 | Subtlety |  |
| 16–18 | Setup | 1–3 | Subtlety |  |
| 19–21 | Improved Ambush | 1–3 | Subtlety | Improved Ambush and Initiative make the opener the fight: a likely crit and extra combo points. |
| 22 | Ghostly Strike | 1 | Subtlety |  |
| 23–25 | Initiative | 1–3 | Subtlety |  |
| 26 | Premeditation | 1 | Subtlety |  |
| 27–29 | Serrated Blades | 1–3 | Subtlety | Serrated Blades ignores armor and is the way into Hemorrhage. |
| 30 | Hemorrhage | 1 | Subtlety | Hemorrhage is your main builder from here, with any weapon, and it adds to Rupture damage. |
| 31 | Preparation | 1 | Subtlety |  |
| 32–33 | Dirty Deeds | 1–2 | Subtlety |  |
| 34 | Camouflage | 5 | Subtlety |  |
| 35–39 | Quietus | 1–5 | Subtlety | Quietus adds damage to Hemorrhage and Ghostly Strike on a low-health target, finishing mobs sooner. |
| 40 | Thousand Cuts | 1 | Subtlety | Thousand Cuts is the capstone: Rupture ticks make your next Hemorrhage cheaper. |
| 41–42 | Improved Sinister Strike | 1–2 | Combat | The last 20 points go to Combat: cheaper Sinister Strikes, a stronger Eviscerate, more hit and parry, Riposte and a stronger off-hand. |
| 43–45 | Improved Eviscerate | 1–3 | Combat |  |
| 46–48 | Precision | 1–3 | Combat |  |
| 49–51 | Deflection | 1–3 | Combat |  |
| 52 | Riposte | 1 | Combat |  |
| 53–55 | Puncturing Wounds | 1–3 | Combat |  |
| 56–60 | Dual Wield Specialization | 1–5 | Combat |  |

## Rogue class quests

- [Blade of Cunning (Alliance)](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/rogue/blade-of-cunning-alliance.md) (levels 10–12): Alliance, Rogue; reward: Blade of Cunning
- [Blade of Cunning (Horde)](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/rogue/blade-of-cunning-horde.md) (levels 10–13): Horde, Rogue; reward: Blade of Cunning
- [Certificate of Thievery](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/rogue/certificate-of-thievery.md) (levels 16–20): Alliance, Rogue; reward: Certificate of Thievery
- [Plundering the Plunderers](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/rogue/plundering-the-plunderers.md) (levels 16–20): Horde, Rogue; reward: Thistle Tea
- [Poisons (Alliance)](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/rogue/poisons-alliance.md) (levels 20–24): Alliance, Rogue; reward: Poisons, Recipe: Thistle Tea, Eau de Mixilpixil
- [Poisons (Horde)](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/rogue/poisons-horde.md) (levels 20–26): Horde, Rogue; reward: Poisons, Recipe: Thistle Tea, Fizzule's Whistle, Hinott's Oil
- [The Horn of Xelthos](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/rogue/the-horn-of-xelthos.md) (levels 23–26): Both factions, Rogue; reward: Pyrewood Signet Ring
- [Ravenholdt](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/rogue/ravenholdt.md) (levels 24–36): Both factions, Rogue; reward: Ravenholdt reputation
- [The Eye of Bhossca](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/rogue/the-eye-of-bhossca.md) (levels 25–35): Both factions, Rogue; reward: Ruby-Adorned Blade
- [The Azure Key](https://polestar.guide/guides/class/rogue/the-azure-key.md) (levels 50–52): Both factions, Rogue; reward: Ravenholdt reputation

## Rogue steps on the leveling routes

### Alliance

- [Dun Morogh](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/dwarf-gnome/01-dun-morogh.md) (levels 1–13): quests Encrypted Rune (Dwarf), Encrypted Memorandum (Gnome)
- [Elwynn Forest](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/human/01-elwynn-forest.md) (levels 1–13): quests Encrypted Letter
- [Teldrassil](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/nightelf/01-teldrassil.md) (levels 1–11): quests Encrypted Sigil
- [Zephras Isle](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/skyborne/01-zephras-isle.md) (levels 1–15): quests At Home in the Shadows
- [Redridge Mountains](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/04-redridge-mountains.md) (levels 20–23): quests Mathias and the Defias
- [Duskwood](https://polestar.guide/guides/alliance/05-duskwood.md) (levels 22–26): quests Klaven's Tower, The Touch of Zanzil

### Horde

- [Durotar](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/orc-troll/01-durotar.md) (levels 1–12): quests Encrypted Parchment (Orc), Encrypted Tablet (Troll)
- [Zephras Isle](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/skyborne/01-zephras-isle.md) (levels 1–15): quests At Home in the Shadows
- [Tirisfal Glades](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/undead/01-tirisfal-glades.md) (levels 1–13): quests Encrypted Scroll
- [The Barrens](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/04-the-barrens.md) (levels 19–24): quests The Shattered Salute, Deep Cover, Mission: Possible But Not Probable, Hinott's Assistance
- [Hillsbrad Foothills, Undercity & The Barrens](https://polestar.guide/guides/horde/06-hillsbrad-foothills.md) (levels 24–28): quests Hinott's Assistance

## Rogue gear

What Polestar's gear advice counts as a Rogue's. Before any talent points are spent it uses Combat.

- Armor: Leather
- Dual wield: from level 10
- Weapons: Bows, Guns, One-handed maces, One-handed swords, Fist weapons, Daggers, Thrown, Crossbows

Stat weights per point while leveling, against 1 for the spec's main stat:

| Spec | Stats | Own weights |
|---|---|---|
| Assassination | Agility 1, Strength 0.55, Stamina 0.45, Spirit 0.05 | To level 39 |
| Combat | Agility 1, Strength 0.55, Stamina 0.45, Spirit 0.05 | To level 39 |
| Subtlety | Agility 1, Strength 0.5, Stamina 0.5, Spirit 0.05 | To level 39 |

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Index for language models: https://polestar.guide/llms.txt