WotLK Classic Subtlety Rogue Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities
On this page, you will learn how to optimize the rotation of your Subtlety Rogue in both single-target and multiple-target PvE situations in WotLK Classic. We also have advanced sections about cooldowns, procs, etc. in order to minmax your DPS.
Overview of Subtlety Rogue Rotation
If you have not already, please read the Spell Summary page. Knowing how each spell and ability works in detail will greatly increase your understanding of the topics discussed on this page.
Given the lower output of Subtlety compared to the other two Rogue specializations,
it is normally chosen as the Expose Armor user when no Warrior is present.
You do not generally have enough need to warrant using the Combo Points elsewhere
and they can instead be used on maintaining the debuff, given the surplus you
will likely have.
Single-Target Rotations for Subtlety Rogue
Your first priority will be to maintain Expose Armor, followed by
Slice and Dice and
Rupture. You should spend your Combo Points on
maintaining these and, if you have any extra, you can use them on
Eviscerate.
To generate Combo Points, you will use Hemorrhage as your main filler,
but you should use
Ghostly Strike whenever it is ready.
Aim to use your Combo Point spenders at either 4 or 5 Combo Points.
Multi-Target (AoE) Rotations for Subtlety Rogues
Multi-target combat for Subtlety is fairly simple — you will, for the
most part, just spam Fan of Knives during any mass-AoE phases (6+ targets).
Below 6 targets, you will just continue doing your single-target rotation.
Opener for Subtlety Rogues
The opener for Subtlety is fairly straightforward, with the only variance coming with the proc chance on extra Combo Points.
Hemorrhage
Expose Armor
- If you do not get a Combo Point from this, use
Hemorrhage
- If you do not get a Combo Point from this, use
Slice and Dice
Hemorrhage
- Continue using
Hemorrhage until you have 4 or 5 Combo Points
- Continue using
Rupture
Cooldowns for Subtlety Rogues
The main cooldown for Subtlety Rogues is Shadow Dance, which allows you
to use abilities that would normally require
Stealth to be active.
You should always make sure to prepare before going into Shadow Dance to best
use the short window it allows. You should have enough Energy, for example, before
using
Vanish, which will grant you the
Master of Subtlety buff for
your Shadow Dance.
Once inside Shadow Dance, you will want to follow this priority:
Garrote
Ambush
- Refresh any debuffs as necessary
Eviscerate if all buffs do not need refreshing and you have 4-5 Combo Points
You should aim to use any trinkets, racials, etc. with your Shadow Dance.
Changelog
- 18 Jan. 2023: Reviewed for Phase 2 release ahead of Ulduar raid release.
- 22 Sep. 2022: Page added.
This guide was written by Sellin and reviewed by Simonize.
This guide has been written by Sellin, a former top 10 US raider and several time Gladiator, long time WoW Player and passionate about all things Warcraft and Theorycrafting. You can follow him on Twitter and watch him on Twitch.
Simonize is a long time rogue player and WoW Classic enjoyer focused on PvE content. He has developed spreadsheets and gear analysis tools for Vanilla, Burning Crusade, and Wrath of the Lich King PvE rogues.
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