Assassination Rogue DPS Easy Mode — Midnight Pre-Patch (12.0)

This build is great for all raid encounters.

Be sure to make use of the 'Export Talents' button to import the best build directly into your game!

For a more in-depth analysis of each of the talent choices and the reasoning behind the aforementioned build as the go-to for ease of use, check out the Talent section below.

This is our recommended build for AoE and Mythic+ scenarios. This works well for AoE fights in raids, as well as most Mythic+.

Be sure to make use of the 'Export Talents' button to import the best build directly into your game!

For a more in-depth analysis of each of the talent choices and the reasoning behind the aforementioned build as the go-to for ease of use, check out the Talent section below.

This priority list is a very basic priority list, and some of the finer details to get the most damage out of the spec are missing. By following the link, you will be able to find a more detailed version of this priority list for both single-target and AoE, as well as a deeper explanation of some of the core concepts of Assassination gameplay. If you would like to know more about how to pool Energy properly and what your opener should look like, check out the Rotation section of this guide.

As for the actual rotation:

• Use Mutilate as your single-target builder, and Envenom as your single-target spender.
• Deathstalker: Ensure to cast Envenom with maximum CP if you have Darkest Night.
• Maintain Rupture and Garrote at all times, spread them with Crimson Tempest in AoE.
• Use Fan of Knives as your AoE builder, but only after you have used Crimson Tempest to spread your Bleeds to all targets.
• Use Kingsbane and Deathmark on cooldown, and apply Vanish-empowered Garrote before using Deathmark.
• Use Thistle Tea to avoid overcapping charges, by using it alongside Kingsbane.

The Single-Button Assistant system offers an easy introduction into the spec and its many buttons, but it comes at a cost. Due to the increase of the Global Cooldown you will naturally do lower DPS already. The One-Button rotation is also missing out on some of the finer nuances of the rotation in order to make it more accessible for players who have just started their journey into the game, so even when using the Assisted highlight feature, you will be trailing a little behind those who have already mastered the ins and outs of the spec.

That being said, the DPS difference compared to the most complex and detailed rotational gameplay is not as big as you might think. You can expect to do ~only around 5-10% less DPS than you would do with perfect rotational gameplay, as long as you correctly use your cooldowns (which the OAB will not). So, if you want to get your bearings before moving on to the Beginner DPS Rotation, using the Assisted Highlight or even the Single-Button Assistant is a great starting point if you have just taken your first steps into World of Warcraft.

Feint is an active spell that reduces all area damage taken. This has a very short cooldown and should be used regularly. The DPS cost is negligible, and it is a defensive that every other class is jealous of.

Cloak of Shadows is your immunity. It removes most Magic, Curse, Disease or Poison debuffs when you press it, which in some cases is not a good thing. It also makes you immune to all magic effects and damage. Most raid encounters tend to apply any associated debuffs anyway, but at least you will simply not take damage.

Evasion increases your dodge to over 100%, making you immune to melee attacks. Rarely useful in raids, but it can save your life in Mythic+ or overworld content.

Cheat Death saves you from dying once, leaving you at low HP with very strong damage mitigation. This has a 6-minute cooldown and makes your already strong defensive kit even stronger.

Vanish is used as a DPS ability in raids but can save your life in World Content and Mythic+. It makes all enemies lose threat on you, and if you are the only surviving player, enemy mobs will reset without you dying. It can also occasionally be used to avoid targeted spell casts if you Vanish before the enemy finishes casting.

This is just some of the key utility of Assassination Rogue. We highly recommend checking out the fully detailed Spell Glossary page below to see everything explained in detail.

• Try to refresh Rupture and Garrote before activating Deathmark, so you do not have to cast these abilities while it is active.
• You can refresh your buffs and debuffs early, as long as it is within the last 30% of their duration. This is called Pandemic and makes maintaining 100% uptime a lot easier.
• Always cast finishers at 5+ Combo Points.
• When available, make sure to use your Darkest Night proc by casting Envenom with 7 Combo Points to refresh Deathstalker's Mark.
• Deathmark doubles the damage of the currently active bleeds. If these are buffed through something like Improved Garrote, you will double the increased effect too.