CM advice please

[Cenerae 1]

I know there's a thread further down in here, but it doesn't really answer the questions I want to ask. Just to get that out of the way :)

 

So, my CM group just finished gold on our intendeds and decided that we would go for another round of golds on new characters. Our group comp will be a brewmaster tank, resto druid, frost mage, elemental shaman, and myself with a rogue. I have about a week to grab what I can out of ToT, and I'd like to get myself set straight before I go throwing expensive enchants on ilvl 502 gear. Not to mention actually knowing what to keep and toss.

 

Now to the questions:

 

1) I see combat suggested as the go-to spec. Why is this the case? I was under the impression that assassination beat it out when dealing with more targets than combat can cleave onto.

 

2) I've accepted that I am likely going to be the utility DPS of the group. I'm planning to use paralytic poison, glyph of sharpened knives, and probably the expose armor glyph as well. But is it really worth using either of those glyphs with this group makeup? Should there be other utility glyphs or talents I consider too? (I am considering smoke bomb too right now)

 

3) Is there a point to stopping to switch secondary poisons mid run? Take one of the scarlet dungeons for instance, where there's lots of casters. Worth switching between mind numbing and paralytic on the fly or should I stick to one or the other?

 

Any answers, and any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Krushinator 49]

I have not explored the challenge modes, so my answers will be limited to my normal class knowledge. Anyone who has gone through the challenge modes please add your thoughts as well.

 

1. Combat would be the preferred AoE spec because the multi-target damage is instant damage, whereas Assassination AoE relies on ticking poison damage and ticking Crimson Tempest damage. In a CM scenario, the mobs aren't going to be alive long enough to take advantage of the Assassination AoE style damage.

 

2. Alright, glyphs. If you are going to be Combat spec and you are planning to make good use of your utility poisons, I would consider using Glyph of Blade Flurry for 30% increased non-Lethal poison application. Your tank will bring the sunders, so no need for Glyph of Expose Armor. Glyph of Sharpened Knives may not be worth since you and the tank are the only physical damage dealers. Glyph of Blind and Glyph of Gouge could be useful if you ever intend to control something, but this may not come up in your situation. Glyph of Smoke Bomb is probably not worth the glyph slot for an extra 2 seconds. Most damage you would be mitigating is instant AoE, not damage over 5+ seconds.

 

Here's what I would take (again this is not from experience):

Glyph of Blade Flurry

Glyph of Shiv

Glyph of Sprint

 

3. I would stick with Paralytic unless you're getting shredded by mass caster fire. 

[Hybrys 199]

http://www.wowhead.com/talent#rJj|MqR

 

This is what I ran for CMs on my Rogue.  Combat is best because of how easily it scales down to that level, along with it's on demand burst and moderately powerful cleave.  You won't have too many pulls where you're over 6 targets.

 

Glyphs:

 

Blade Flurry - Spread that stun.

Smoke Bomb - Increased time of a 20% CD is always nice.

Feint - Constant damage reduction for AoE that hurts, easy to use.

Swap Smoke Bomb for Redirect if you don't think you'll need it.

 

Talents:

 

Shadow Focus is standard.

Nerve Strike is nice when there's a particularly hard hitting pull.

Cheat Death and Elusiveness is swapped based on personal preference.  I don't use Feint often enough, so I prefer Cheat Death.  Good usage would see Elusiveness' value close.

Burst of Speed is great for on demand movement.

Paralytic is nice.  Enough said.

Anticipation of course.

[Cenerae 1]

Thank you for the advice so far guys.

 

Should I nix expose armor from my list of 'things I may need to do' then? Brewmasters don't bring sunders naturally but he's also going to be the only other physical DPS in the group.

 

I shall in the meantime try to get a better weapon than a blue for a combat mainhand.

[Hybrys 199]

Thank you for the advice so far guys.

 

Should I nix expose armor from my list of 'things I may need to do' then? Brewmasters don't bring sunders naturally but he's also going to be the only other physical DPS in the group.

 

I shall in the meantime try to get a better weapon than a blue for a combat mainhand.

Yeah, I wouldn't be using Expose Armor at all.  I think it's a waste of the GCD and energy.

[Cenerae 1]

Allright. Thank you :)

[WaveFunctionP 3]

doh, necro.

Edited July 12, 2014 by WaveFunctionP

[Hybrys 199]

Yeah, Zag usually posts his thoughts after a run into the most recent CM post...

 

It's still valuable, though, so if you have anything to add, please do!  Just more general things rather than specific to them.