Assassination Rogue DPS Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities — Shadowlands 9.0.5
On this page, you will learn how to optimize the rotation of your Assassination Rogue in both single-target and multiple-target situations. We also have advanced sections about cooldowns, procs, etc. in order to minmax your DPS. All our content is updated for World of Warcraft — Shadowlands 9.0.5.
If you were looking for WoW Classic content, please refer to our Classic DPS Rogue rotation.
Assassination Rogue Rotation
Welcome to our Rotation page for Assassination Rogues. Here you will find out more about your rotational priorities in both single-target and multi-target situations which you will apply in both Raiding and Mythic+ scenarios.
Easy Mode
If you are just starting out you might want to get more comfortable with your Assassination Rogue by using a more simplified yet still effective build and rotation. You can find out more about it in our Easy Mode section.
Mythic+ Rotation
For information about Mythic+ as an Assassination Rogue and the rotation you need to use in this game mode, please refer to our Mythic+ page.
PvP
The content on this page is purely PvE-related. If you are looking for PvP Rotation Tips, please visit our PvP page below.
Single Target Ability Priority List for Assassination Rogue
- Maintain
Slice and Dice with 4+ Combo Points. - Maintain
Rupture with 4+ Combo Points. - Maintain
Garrote. - Activate
Vendetta when available. - Use your Covenant Ability on cooldown.
- Activate
Vanish on cooldown if using 
Subterfuge or
with 5 Combo Points in order to facilitate 
Master Assassin-empowered
Envenoms. - Use
Shiv on cooldown. - Cast Envenom with 4-5 Combo Points (5-6 with
Deeper Stratagem). - Cast
Fan of Knives when Hidden Blades is talented and above
19 stacks. - Cast
Ambush to generate Combo Points when 
Blindside is
talented and it is available to cast. - Cast
Mutilate to generate Combo Points.
Multiple Target Ability Priority List for Assassination Rogue
- Maintain Rupture on up to 4 targets.
- Maintain Slice and Dice with 4-5 Combo Points.
- Activate Vendetta when available.
- Use your Covenant Ability on cooldown.
- Activate Vanish and apply Garrote empowered by
Subterfuge to as many targets as possible.
- Maintain Garrote on up to 3 targets (try to not overwrite
empowered ones).
- Maintain
Crimson Tempest with 4-5 Combo Points. - Cast Envenom with 4-5 Combo Points.
- Cast Fan of Knives when 4+ targets are within range to generate
Combo Points, or to reapply
Deadly Poison to every target. - Cast Mutilate on less than 4 target to generate Combo Points.
Important Notes
- Optimal usage of finishers is at 4-5 Combo Points with
Vigor,
or 5-6 Combo Points with Deeper Stratagem. - If Rupture is about to fall off, it can be reapplied with any
number of Combo Points to maintain uptime. It is best to apply it with 5
Combo Points, however, for maximum Energy efficiency and rotational
fluidity.
- Use Vanish to apply full duration
Nightstalker-empowered Ruptures or Subterfuge empowered
Garrotes. When talented into Master Assassin, pool Combo Points before
vanishing for a Envenom > Mutilate > Envenom
sequence. - You should never have more than 80 Energy when activating your
Vendetta on a target. Try to activate Vendetta on a target that
will live for the entire duration of the debuff.
- If talented into Subterfuge you will want to delay your second
Vendetta for about 20 seconds to line up with Vanish.
- If fighting 7 or more targets, do not use Garrote at all.
Multi-DoT only with Rupture to gain extra Energy through
Venomous Wounds. - Try to refresh Rupture and Slice and Dice before using
Shiv. The goal is to get three, 4-5 Combo Point Envenoms inside
the 9-second duration of Shiv.
For more information on your opening sequence, please refer to our dedicated section.
Poisons
Your Lethal Poison should always be 
Deadly Poison.
You have two choices for your non-lethal poison, 
Crippling Poison and
Numbing Poison. For raiding you will generally use Numbing Poison
unless your raid wants you to slow a specific group of targets. For
Mythic+ you will want to use the poison that best suits your tank's needs.
Crippling Poison allows your tank to more easily kite enemies,
whereas Numbing Poison slows their attack speed instead. You will also
need to have Numbing Poison applied if you want to soothe Enrage effects
when you use 
Shiv as the enrage dispel does not happen when you have
Crippling Poison active.
Notable Mechanics for Assassination Rogue
Nightstalker/Subterfuge Snapshotting
The 50% damage buff from 
Nightstalker and the 80% damage buff
from 
Subterfuge are removed when you overwrite the bleed you empowered
by re-applying an un-empowered bleed. Therefore it is best to let the bleed run
its full duration before refreshing it.
It is best to use your 
Vanish before 
Vendetta to
maximize your Nightstalker or Subterfuge bonus.
Pandemic
When you refresh 
Rupture, 
Garrote, 
Crimson Tempest,
Envenom or 
Slice and Dice before they expire, the remaining
duration is added to the newly applied effect, up to 30% of the newly applied
base duration. This mechanic is called "Pandemic".
Example — You can safely refresh a 5-Combo Point Rupture when it
has 7.2 seconds or less remaining, because its base duration is 24 seconds.
Deeper Stratagem allows for 6 Combo Point Ruptures, which last 28
seconds. 6-Combo Point Ruptures can be refreshed safely when they have 8.4
seconds or less remaining.
Safe Pandemic refresh timing is based off the newly applied base duration and not the original length of the effect. Therefore, a 2 Combo Point Rupture can benefit from full Pandemic if it is refreshed by a 4-5 Combo Point Rupture. We explain how to take advantage of this in the opening sequence later in the guide.
If you are talented into 
Exsanguinate, you should refresh your
bleed effects ( Rupture and Garrote) before Exsanguinate
casts, for maximum efficacy.
Academic Information for Assassination Rogue
The Interaction Between Combo Points and Energy
As an Assassination Rogue, many of your abilities require Energy to be
utilized. Your Energy bar has a maximum capacity of 120 Energy (170 Energy
when you have 
Vigor talented). Your baseline rate of Energy
regeneration is 10 Energy per second, however it is increased by:
- current Haste rating (Haste and Haste-enhancing buffs);
- the Venomous Wounds passive;
- the passive regeneration increase of Vigor;
- the passive regeneration increase of Slice and Dice as long as it is
active.
Higher Energy regeneration allows for higher uptimes on
Envenom, which awards much higher DPS over an extended
encounter.
It is very important to avoid resource overflow. Capping Energy and overcapping Combo Points is an egregious error and special care should be taken to avoid wasting precious resources. "Pooling" higher levels of Energy, however, can be very beneficial (providing you do not cap), as it allows you to store resources in anticipation of a window of high burst. This can help reduce the patchiness of your debuff/buff uptimes which will result in more consistent and smoother damage output.
Combo Point generation is increased by 
Seal Fate, which causes
your critical hits with melee Combo generators to add an additional Combo Point
on your target per critical hit. This means 
Mutilate can generate
up to 4 Combo Points if the main hand and the off-hand both critically strike.
Fan of Knives can generate the maximum number of Combo Points with a
single cast if it critically strikes 4 or more targets.
You should never cast a Combo Point generator at or above 4 Combo Points,
unless it is Garrote or 
Poisoned Knife (as neither of
these benefits from Seal Fate). Do not use Poisoned Knife to reach 5
Combo Points, unless you are out of range of the boss and in danger of hitting
the Energy cap.
Pooling Energy and Combo Points
It can be very beneficial to "pool" your Energy and Combo Points, which involves auto-attacking while your Energy regenerates. The advantage this provides is variable, meaning that pooling does not always result in damage gained. Situations where pooling Energy and Combo Points is beneficial include:
- before the cooldown on Shiv recharges, to allow for immediate use
and optimized burst;
- before an important add spawns, so you can apply as much instant pressure as possible;
- to assist with Envenom uptime, by chaining two
Envenoms so that the buff does not drop;
- an encounter-specific buff or damage phase is imminent.
Pooling Energy is not a magical DPS gain by itself. It allows you to slightly adjust the timing of your abilities so that you fit more attacks during periods of increased damage (provided you can properly identify when such periods are going to come).
Defensive Utility
All Rogues have a solid number of defensive cooldowns, making them the best candidate for soaking required mechanics and dealing with heavy incoming damage.
Feint reduces AoE damage taken by 40% for 5 seconds for 35
Energy. When talented into 
Elusiveness, it also reduces all other
damage by 30%. Feint is fantastic for dealing with predictable raid
damage.
Cloak of Shadows provides magic immunity for 1 second, followed
by 4 seconds where all spells will miss you. Cloak of Shadows has a variety of
uses, both pre-emptive and reactive, such as solo soaking mechanics or clearing
debuffs that would force you out of melee range.
Evasion increases your Dodge chance by 100% for 10 seconds.
This can be useful if you have to tank some adds or the boss for a few
seconds. In rare cases it can be used to negate physical ranged attacks or
spells.
Cheat Death is a talent that allows you to escape lethal damage
once every 6 minutes. The damage cannot exceed more than twice your maximum
health. Cheat Death is great for soaking mechanics that pierce
immunities and damage reductions, as it guarantees your survival. It is also
great for encounters with bursty damage that might take you by surprise, as
you get a free get out of jail free card at least once in the encounter.
Crimson Vial provides a respectable amount of healing on a 30-second
cooldown.
Do not forget about this defensive toolkit, as it can be a major asset for both individual and raid-wide survivability.
Opening Sequences for Assassination Rogue
Assassination has different openers based on your choice of talents.
When using 
Master Assassin:
- Start from Stealth.
- Cast Mutilate.
- Apply Slice and Dice.
- Cast Mutilate.
- Apply Garrote.
- Use your Covenant ability if you are Venthyr or Necrolord.
- Use Rupture.
- Activate Vendetta.
- Use your Covenant ability if you are Kyrian or
Night Fae, otherwise open with Mutilate.
- Cast Mutilate until 4+ CP.
- Cast Shiv
- Activate Vanish.
- Cast Envenom.
- Cast Mutilate until 4+CP.
- Cast Envenom.
- Continue with normal priority.
When using Subterfuge:
- Start from Stealth.
- Apply Garrote.
- Cast Mutilate.
- Use Slice and Dice. with 3+ CP.
- Cast Mutilate.
- Use your Covenant ability if you are Venthyr or Necrolord.
- Apply Rupture with 4+ CP.
- Activate Vendetta.
- Cast Mutilate.
- Use your Covenant ability if you are Kyrian or Night Fae.
- Cast Shiv.
- Cast Envenom with 4+ CP.
- Cast Mutilate until 4+ CP.
- Cast Envenom.
- Activate Vanish when Garrote is less than 5.4 seconds duration.
- Continue with normal priority.
Extended Assassination Rotation
The fully inclusive rotation is a lot more extensive than the one listed above, but gives only marginal gains at best. As such, it is included here (in raw simc format), but it does not need to be memorized.
# Default consumables potion=phantom_fire flask=spectral_flask_of_power food=feast_of_gluttonous_hedonism augmentation=veiled temporary_enchant=main_hand:shaded_sharpening_stone/off_hand:shaded_sharpening_stone # This default action priority list is automatically created based on your character. # It is a attempt to provide you with a action list that is both simple and practicable, # while resulting in a meaningful and good simulation. It may not result in the absolutely highest possible dps. # Feel free to edit, adapt and improve it to your own needs. # SimulationCraft is always looking for updates and improvements to the default action lists. # Executed before combat begins. Accepts non-harmful actions only. actions.precombat=apply_poison actions.precombat+=/flask actions.precombat+=/augmentation actions.precombat+=/food # Snapshot raid buffed stats before combat begins and pre-potting is done. actions.precombat+=/snapshot_stats actions.precombat+=/marked_for_death,precombat_seconds=10,if=raid_event.adds.in>15 actions.precombat+=/stealth actions.precombat+=/slice_and_dice,precombat_seconds=1 # Executed every time the actor is available. # Restealth if possible (no vulnerable enemies in combat) actions=stealth # Interrupt on cooldown to allow simming interactions with that actions+=/kick actions+=/variable,name=energy_regen_combined,value=energy.regen+poisoned_bleeds*7%(2*spell_haste) actions+=/variable,name=single_target,value=spell_targets.fan_of_knives<2 actions+=/call_action_list,name=stealthed,if=stealthed.rogue actions+=/call_action_list,name=cds,if=(!talent.master_assassin.enabled|dot.garrote.ticking) actions+=/slice_and_dice,if=spell_targets.fan_of_knives<=(5-runeforge.dashing_scoundrel)&buff.slice_and_dice.remains<fight_remains&refreshable&combo_points>=3 actions+=/call_action_list,name=dot actions+=/call_action_list,name=direct actions+=/arcane_torrent,if=energy.deficit>=15+variable.energy_regen_combined actions+=/arcane_pulse actions+=/lights_judgment actions+=/bag_of_tricks actions.cds=flagellation actions.cds+=/flagellation_cleanse,if=debuff.flagellation.remains<2 # If adds are up, snipe the one with lowest TTD. Use when dying faster than CP deficit or without any CP. actions.cds+=/marked_for_death,target_if=min:target.time_to_die,if=raid_event.adds.up&(target.time_to_die<combo_points.deficit*1.5|combo_points.deficit>=cp_max_spend) # If no adds will die within the next 30s, use MfD on boss without any CP. actions.cds+=/marked_for_death,if=raid_event.adds.in>30-raid_event.adds.duration&combo_points.deficit>=cp_max_spend # Vendetta logical conditionals based on current spec actions.cds+=/variable,name=vendetta_nightstalker_condition,value=!talent.nightstalker.enabled|!talent.exsanguinate.enabled|cooldown.exsanguinate.remains<5-2*talent.deeper_stratagem.enabled actions.cds+=/vendetta,if=!stealthed.rogue&dot.rupture.ticking&!debuff.vendetta.up&variable.vendetta_nightstalker_condition # Exsanguinate when not stealthed and both Rupture and Garrote are up for long enough. actions.cds+=/exsanguinate,if=!stealthed.rogue&(!dot.garrote.refreshable&dot.rupture.remains>4+4*cp_max_spend|dot.rupture.remains*0.5>target.time_to_die)&target.time_to_die>4 actions.cds+=/shiv,if=dot.rupture.ticking|dot.sepsis.ticking actions.cds+=/potion,if=buff.bloodlust.react|fight_remains<30|debuff.vendetta.up actions.cds+=/blood_fury,if=debuff.vendetta.up actions.cds+=/berserking,if=debuff.vendetta.up actions.cds+=/fireblood,if=debuff.vendetta.up actions.cds+=/ancestral_call,if=debuff.vendetta.up actions.cds+=/call_action_list,name=vanish,if=!stealthed.all&master_assassin_remains=0 actions.cds+=/use_item,effect_name=gladiators_medallion,if=debuff.vendetta.up actions.cds+=/use_item,effect_name=gladiators_badge,if=debuff.vendetta.up # Default fallback for usable items: Use on cooldown. actions.cds+=/use_items # Envenom at 4+ (5+ with DS) CP. Immediately on 2+ targets, with Vendetta, or with TB; otherwise wait for some energy. Also wait if Exsg combo is coming up. actions.direct=envenom,if=effective_combo_points>=4+talent.deeper_stratagem.enabled&(debuff.vendetta.up|debuff.shiv.up|energy.deficit<=25+variable.energy_regen_combined|!variable.single_target)&(!talent.exsanguinate.enabled|cooldown.exsanguinate.remains>2) actions.direct+=/variable,name=use_filler,value=combo_points.deficit>1|energy.deficit<=25+variable.energy_regen_combined|!variable.single_target actions.direct+=/serrated_bone_spike,cycle_targets=1,if=master_assassin_remains=0&(buff.slice_and_dice.up&!dot.serrated_bone_spike_dot.ticking|fight_remains<=5|cooldown.serrated_bone_spike.charges_fractional>=2.75|soulbind.lead_by_example.enabled&!buff.lead_by_example.up) # Fan of Knives at 19+ stacks of Hidden Blades or against 4+ targets. actions.direct+=/fan_of_knives,if=variable.use_filler&(buff.hidden_blades.stack>=19|(!priority_rotation&spell_targets.fan_of_knives>=4+stealthed.rogue)) # Fan of Knives to apply Deadly Poison if inactive on any target at 3 targets. actions.direct+=/fan_of_knives,target_if=!dot.deadly_poison_dot.ticking,if=variable.use_filler&spell_targets.fan_of_knives>=3 actions.direct+=/echoing_reprimand,if=variable.use_filler&cooldown.vendetta.remains>10 actions.direct+=/ambush,if=variable.use_filler&(master_assassin_remains=0|buff.blindside.up) # Tab-Mutilate to apply Deadly Poison at 2 targets actions.direct+=/mutilate,target_if=!dot.deadly_poison_dot.ticking,if=variable.use_filler&spell_targets.fan_of_knives=2 actions.direct+=/mutilate,if=variable.use_filler # Limit Garrotes on non-primrary targets for the priority rotation if 5+ bleeds are already up actions.dot=variable,name=skip_cycle_garrote,value=priority_rotation&spell_targets.fan_of_knives>3&(dot.garrote.remains<cooldown.garrote.duration|poisoned_bleeds>5) # Limit Ruptures on non-primrary targets for the priority rotation if 5+ bleeds are already up actions.dot+=/variable,name=skip_cycle_rupture,value=priority_rotation&spell_targets.fan_of_knives>3&(debuff.shiv.up|poisoned_bleeds>5) # Limit Ruptures if Vendetta+Shiv/Master Assassin is up and we have 2+ seconds left on the Rupture DoT actions.dot+=/variable,name=skip_rupture,value=debuff.vendetta.up&(debuff.shiv.up|master_assassin_remains>0)&dot.rupture.remains>2 # Special Garrote and Rupture setup prior to Exsanguinate cast actions.dot+=/garrote,if=talent.exsanguinate.enabled&!exsanguinated.garrote&dot.garrote.pmultiplier<=1&cooldown.exsanguinate.remains<2&spell_targets.fan_of_knives=1&raid_event.adds.in>6&dot.garrote.remains*0.5<target.time_to_die actions.dot+=/rupture,if=talent.exsanguinate.enabled&(effective_combo_points>=cp_max_spend&cooldown.exsanguinate.remains<1&dot.rupture.remains*0.5<target.time_to_die) # Garrote upkeep, also tries to use it as a special generator for the last CP before a finisher actions.dot+=/pool_resource,for_next=1 actions.dot+=/garrote,if=refreshable&combo_points.deficit>=1&(pmultiplier<=1|remains<=tick_time&spell_targets.fan_of_knives>=3)&(!exsanguinated|remains<=tick_time*2&spell_targets.fan_of_knives>=3)&(target.time_to_die-remains)>4&master_assassin_remains=0 actions.dot+=/pool_resource,for_next=1 actions.dot+=/garrote,cycle_targets=1,if=!variable.skip_cycle_garrote&target!=self.target&refreshable&combo_points.deficit>=1&(pmultiplier<=1|remains<=tick_time&spell_targets.fan_of_knives>=3)&(!exsanguinated|remains<=tick_time*2&spell_targets.fan_of_knives>=3)&(target.time_to_die-remains)>12&master_assassin_remains=0 # Crimson Tempest on multiple targets at 4+ CP when running out in 2s (up to 4 targets) or 3s (5+ targets) actions.dot+=/crimson_tempest,if=spell_targets>=2&remains<2+(spell_targets>=5)&effective_combo_points>=4 # Keep up Rupture at 4+ on all targets (when living long enough and not snapshot) actions.dot+=/rupture,if=!variable.skip_rupture&(effective_combo_points>=4&refreshable|!ticking&(time>10|combo_points>=2))&(pmultiplier<=1|remains<=tick_time&spell_targets.fan_of_knives>=3)&(!exsanguinated|remains<=tick_time*2&spell_targets.fan_of_knives>=3)&target.time_to_die-remains>4 actions.dot+=/rupture,cycle_targets=1,if=!variable.skip_cycle_rupture&!variable.skip_rupture&target!=self.target&effective_combo_points>=4&refreshable&(pmultiplier<=1|remains<=tick_time&spell_targets.fan_of_knives>=3)&(!exsanguinated|remains<=tick_time*2&spell_targets.fan_of_knives>=3)&target.time_to_die-remains>4 # Crimson Tempest on ST if in pandemic and nearly max energy and if Envenom won't do more damage due to TB/MA actions.dot+=/crimson_tempest,if=spell_targets=1&effective_combo_points>=(cp_max_spend-1)&refreshable&!exsanguinated&!debuff.shiv.up&master_assassin_remains=0&(energy.deficit<=25+variable.energy_regen_combined)&target.time_to_die-remains>4 actions.dot+=/sepsis # Nighstalker on 3T: Crimson Tempest actions.stealthed=crimson_tempest,if=talent.nightstalker.enabled&spell_targets>=3&combo_points>=4&target.time_to_die-remains>6 # Nighstalker on 1T: Snapshot Rupture actions.stealthed+=/rupture,if=talent.nightstalker.enabled&combo_points>=4&target.time_to_die-remains>6 # Subterfuge: Apply or Refresh with buffed Garrotes actions.stealthed+=/pool_resource,for_next=1 actions.stealthed+=/garrote,target_if=min:remains,if=talent.subterfuge.enabled&(remains<12|pmultiplier<=1)&target.time_to_die-remains>2 # Subterfuge + Exsg on 1T: Refresh Garrote at the end of stealth to get max duration before Exsanguinate actions.stealthed+=/pool_resource,for_next=1 actions.stealthed+=/garrote,if=talent.subterfuge.enabled&talent.exsanguinate.enabled&active_enemies=1&buff.subterfuge.remains<1.3 actions.stealthed+=/mutilate,if=talent.subterfuge.enabled&combo_points<=3 # Finish with max CP for Nightstalker, unless using Deathly Shadows actions.vanish=variable,name=nightstalker_cp_condition,value=(!runeforge.deathly_shadows&effective_combo_points>=cp_max_spend)|(runeforge.deathly_shadows&combo_points<2) # Vanish with Exsg + Nightstalker: Maximum CP and Exsg ready for next GCD actions.vanish+=/vanish,if=talent.exsanguinate.enabled&talent.nightstalker.enabled&variable.nightstalker_cp_condition&cooldown.exsanguinate.remains<1 # Vanish with Nightstalker + No Exsg: Maximum CP and Vendetta up actions.vanish+=/vanish,if=talent.nightstalker.enabled&!talent.exsanguinate.enabled&variable.nightstalker_cp_condition&debuff.vendetta.up actions.vanish+=/pool_resource,for_next=1,extra_amount=45 actions.vanish+=/vanish,if=talent.subterfuge.enabled&cooldown.garrote.up&(dot.garrote.refreshable|debuff.vendetta.up&dot.garrote.pmultiplier<=1)&combo_points.deficit>=(spell_targets.fan_of_knives>?4)&raid_event.adds.in>12 # Vanish with Master Assasin: No stealth and no active MA buff, Rupture not in refresh range, during Vendetta+TB actions.vanish+=/vanish,if=(talent.master_assassin.enabled|runeforge.mark_of_the_master_assassin)&!dot.rupture.refreshable&dot.garrote.remains>3&debuff.vendetta.up&debuff.shiv.up
Changelog
- 09 Apr. 2021: Updated Sample Openers.
- 09 Mar. 2021: Reviewed for Patch 9.0.5.
- 13 Feb. 2021: Improved Poison section.
- 15 Jan. 2021: Removed outdated disclaimer.
- 09 Dec. 2020: Updated single-target priority list and sample Subterfuge opener.
- 23 Nov. 2020: Page updated for the Shadowlands release, added Covenant ability to rotation.
- 12 Oct. 2020: Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
More Rogue Guides
Guides from Other Classes
This guide has been written and reviewed by Seliathan, who has been playing Rogue since the first day of Classic. He currently raids in Familiar with Drama, and is one of the foremost Mythic+ Rogue players. You can often find him streaming on Twitch, or follow him on his personal Discord server.
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