Assassination Rogue DPS Guide - Battle for Azeroth 8.2 - World of Warcraft

Welcome to our Assassination Rogue guide for World of Warcraft — Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.2. Here, you will learn how to play as an Assassination Rogue in both raids and Mythic+ dungeons: from the very beginning to maximizing your DPS.

If you were looking for WoW Classic content, please refer to our Classic DPS Rogue guide.

Pages in this Guide

Rogue Leveling Guide

Assassination Rogue PvP Guide

1 Introduction 2 Easy Mode 3 Spell Summary 4 Builds and Talents 5 Azerite Traits and Armor 6 Essences 7 Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities 8 Mythic+ Tips 9 The Eternal Palace as Assassination Rogue 10 Crucible of Storms as Assassination Rogue 11 Battle of Dazar'alor as Assassination Rogue 12 Uldir as Assassination Rogue 13 Stat Priority 14 Gems, Enchants, and Consumables 15 Macros and Addons 16 Gear and Best in Slot 17 Simulations 18 How to Improve 19 Frequently Asked Questions

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THIS PAGE

1. Assassination Rogue Overview

Assassination Rogues deal damage through the application and empowerment of poison and bleed effects. The damage toolkit of Assassination is somewhat limited, mainly focusing on dealing single target damage over a long period. As with the other Rogue specializations, Assassination sports phenomenal defensive abilities that allow them to soak and survive mechanics that most other classes cannot.

2. Patch 8.2 Changes for Assassination Rogues

There are no Assassination-specific changes in Patch 8.2. However, we gained access to the following:

11 essences, from the new essence system for the Heart of Azeroth;
5 new Azerite traits from Nazjatar, Eternal Palace, and Operation: Mechagon for your Heart of Azeroth;
new gems, enchants, and consumables;
new gear from Nazjatar and the Eternal Palace raid.

3. Assassination Rogue Strengths

Strong and consistent single target damage
Strong sustained cleave (good for council fights)
Exceptional defensive utility

4. Assassination Rogue Weaknesses

Burst AoE and short-term cleave
Very cooldown-reliant, and cooldowns only affect one target

5. Assassination Rogue Viability in the Current Patch

In Patch 8.2, Assassination is still looking like the top performing specialization for Rogues. It has strong single-target DPS and has decent potential for cleave. Additionally, with the removal of Reaping, it looks more competitive in Mythic+ compared to Patch 8.1.

6. Changelog

17 Sep. 2019 (enchants page): Updated potion choice.
17 Sep. 2019 (mythic+ page): Updated talent suggestions.
17 Sep. 2019 (Essences page): Added Condensed Life-Force to Notable Essences list.
17 Sep. 2019 (talents page): Added additional clarification regarding Tier 2 talents.
15 Jul. 2019 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated raiding recommendations.
15 Jul. 2019 (mythic+ page): Updated Void-Toucher Emissary description.
15 Jul. 2019 (simulations page): Added Azerite trait simulations.
15 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Added tips for all bosses.
15 Jul. 2019 (enchants page): Updated weapon enchants, based on recent developments.
15 Jul. 2019 (gear page): Added a section on Operation: Mechagon gear and trinket sims from Bloodmallet.
12 Jul. 2019 (mythic+ page): Updated for the release of Eternal Palace.
12 Jul. 2019 (this page): Updated for the release of Eternal Palace.
12 Jul. 2019 (stats page): Updated for the release of Eternal Palace.
12 Jul. 2019 (enchants page): Updated for the release of Eternal Palace.
12 Jul. 2019 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated for the release of Eternal Palace.
12 Jul. 2019 (easy mode page): Updated for the release of Eternal Palace.
12 Jul. 2019 (talents page): Updated for the release of Eternal Palace.
12 Jul. 2019 (gear page): Updated for the release of Eternal Palace.
08 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Guide added.
24 Jun. 2019 (FAQ page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (how to improve page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (gear page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (addons page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (enchants page): Updated for Patch 8.2.
24 Jun. 2019 (stats page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (Uldir page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (mythic+ page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (rotation page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (Essences page): Page added.
24 Jun. 2019 (azerite traits and gear page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (talents page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (spells page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (easy mode page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (this page): Added note about Patch 8.2 changes.
24 Jun. 2019 (simulations page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
08 May 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): Added further boss tips.
16 Apr. 2019 (gear page): Updated with gear from Crucible of Storms.
15 Apr. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): Guide added.
23 Feb. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Minor updates.
21 Jan. 2019 (talents page): Minor changes for Season 2.
21 Jan. 2019 (gear page): Updated for Season 2.
21 Jan. 2019 (FAQ page): Updated for Season 2.
21 Jan. 2019 (mythic+ page): Updated for Season 2.
21 Jan. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Added Assassination Rogue advice for Battle of Dazar'alor.
21 Jan. 2019 (easy mode page): Updated for Season 2.
21 Jan. 2019 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated for Season 2.
21 Jan. 2019 (simulations page): Updated for Season 2.
11 Dec. 2018 (this page): Updated for Patch 8.1.
10 Dec. 2018 (stats page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (how to improve page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (rotation page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (gear page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary (future raid gear lists will come closer to release).
10 Dec. 2018 (talents page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (FAQ page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (addons page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (enchants page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (spells page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (mythic+ page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated for Patch 8.1.
10 Dec. 2018 (easy mode page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (Uldir page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (simulations page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
30 Sep. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Focused trait overview.
07 Sep. 2018 (Uldir page): Added boss spec-specific tips.
07 Sep. 2018 (gear page): Added raid gear.
04 Sep. 2018 (mythic+ page): Added affixes and utility descriptions.
30 Aug. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Added Bloodmallet charts, added top 5 Azerite pieces to the page, removed disclaimer.
30 Aug. 2018 (simulations page): Updated for Raidbots syntax.
30 Aug. 2018 (gear page): Updated Azerite slots.
30 Aug. 2018 (rotation page): Updated rotation for more Azerite conditionals.
13 Aug. 2018 (gear page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (this page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (easy mode page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (mythic+ page): Page added (placeholder for now).
13 Aug. 2018 (rotation page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (simulations page): Page added.
13 Aug. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Page added.
13 Aug. 2018 (FAQ page): Page added.
13 Aug. 2018 (how to improve page): Page added.
13 Aug. 2018 (talents page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (addons page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (enchants page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (Uldir page): Page added (placeholder for now).
07 Aug. 2018 (enchants page): Updated Healthstone advice.
29 Jul. 2018 (talents page): Fixed a typo.
22 Jul. 2018 (talents page): Split talents based on gear build (T21 4p vs T21 4p, T20 2p).
22 Jul. 2018 (rotation page): Updated opener.
22 Jul. 2018 (gear page): Added new gear builds using T20, added more information on Sephuz and Insignia of Grand Army. Updated Suggested gear per boss.
20 Jul. 2018 (gear page): Updated trinket list order.
16 Jul. 2018 (this page): Updated for the Battle for Azeroth pre-patch.

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Pages in this Guide

Rogue Leveling Guide

Assassination Rogue PvP Guide

More Rogue Guides

Outlaw Rogue Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities

Subtlety Rogue Spell Summary

Outlaw Rogue How to Improve

Outlaw Rogue The Eternal Palace as Outlaw Rogue

Guides from Other Classes

Frost Death Knight Guide

Arms Warrior Guide

Vengeance Demon Hunter Guide

Restoration Shaman Guide

Raid Guides

The Eternal Palace Loot

Blackwater Behemoth Strategy Guide

Abyssal Commander Sivara Strategy Guide

Queen Azshara Strategy Guide

BfA Guides

Heart of Azeroth Guide

Rustbolt Resistance Reputation Guide

Operation: Mechagon Dungeon Guide

Nazjatar Zone Guide

Patch 8.2 Profession Changes

Patch 8.2 Inscription Guide

Patch 8.2 Enchanting Guide

Patch 8.2 Engineering Guide

Patch 8.2 Alchemy Guide

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

This guide has been reviewed and approved by Gray_Hound, a Rogue theorycrafter who raids in Strawberry Puppy Kisses. You can find him on Twitch and Twitter.

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Assassination Rogue DPS Guide — Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.2