Outlaw Rogue DPS Easy Mode — The War Within Pre-Patch

Last updated on Jul 23, 2024 at 00:30 by Seliathan 97 comments
General Information

On this page, we explain how to easily play Outlaw Rogue in World of Warcraft — The War Within Pre-Patch, using the simplest rotation, talent tree, stat priority, gear setup, etc., without sacrificing performance.

1.

Foreword

If you are new to the class or spec, it is best advised to start slow by starting with a straightforward build to get a better handle on the core mechanics and interactions. This build is only marginally worse than the most optimal way to play the spec, so there is no need to worry at all about potentially lagging behind fellow Rogue players while you get to know the foundations of Outlaw.

2.

The Basics for Outlaw Rogue

Outlaw is a specialization that revolves around the management of several personal buffs and cooldowns. You will use generator abilities to build Combo Points to unleash in powerful and bursty finishers. In this section, we will be focusing on a setup that minimizes the number of buttons and reactivity necessary without unduly compromising overall damage output.

If you are completely new to Outlaw Rogue and need more information on the abilities available to you, you can check out our Spell Summary page.

3.

Beginner's Guide to Outlaw Rogue in The War Within

Single-Target Talents Mythic+/AoE Talents Basic Rotation Defensive Spells Tips and Tricks
4.

Beginner Single-Target Talents for Outlaw Rogue

This build is optimal for pure single-target situations.

Be sure to make use of the 'Copy Export String' 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.

4.

Beginner AoE and Mythic+ Talents for Outlaw Rogue

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 'Copy Export String' 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 Outlaw gameplay. If you would like to know more about how to pool energy properly or how different talents require a different opener, check out the Rotation section of this guide.

4.

Beginner Outlaw Rogue DPS Rotation

Always make sure to have Instant Poison Icon Instant Poison applied and start from Stealth Icon Stealth.

  • Use Adrenaline Rush Icon Adrenaline Rush, Slice and Dice Icon Slice and Dice, and Blade Flurry Icon Blade Flurry before the pull. Refresh them, if they ever drop off.
  • Use Sinister Strike Icon Sinister Strike as your main builder. Use Ambush Icon Ambush when it is available to cast, and Pistol Shot Icon Pistol Shot when you have an Opportunity Icon Opportunity proc and cannot cast Ambush Icon Ambush.
  • Use Dispatch Icon Dispatch as your main finisher.
  • Only use Between the Eyes Icon Between the Eyes when you have a Stealth effect active, like Vanish Icon Vanish, Subterfuge Icon Subterfuge, or Shadow Dance Icon Shadow Dance.
  • Use Roll the Bones Icon Roll the Bones to maintain at least one buff.
  • Use Adrenaline Rush Icon Adrenaline Rush, Blade Rush Icon Blade Rush, Vanish Icon Vanish, Ghostly Strike Icon Ghostly Strike, and Shadow Dance Icon Shadow Dance on cooldown. Ensure you have 6+ Combo Points when using Vanish Icon Vanish and Shadow Dance Icon Shadow Dance.
  • Use Blade Rush Icon Blade Rush if you have no Energy to do any of the above.

You will want to use finishing moves at 6+ Combo Points or higher, or 5+ if you are in Subterfuge or Shadow Dance.

5.

Defensive Spells for Outlaw Rogue

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

Vanish Icon 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 spellcasts, if you Vanish before the enemy finishes casting.

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

6.

Stat Choice for Outlaw Rogue

Currently, you will want to prioritize stats as follows:

  1. Versatility;
  2. Haste;
  3. Critical Strike;
  4. Mastery.

Versatility is our best stat, but it diminishes quickly. Haste is only useful in order to hit the 0.8-second GCD during Adrenaline Rush Icon Adrenaline Rush, and you can easily reach this value from just a few pieces. You will likely want to prioritize Versatility and Critical Strike on many pieces, and take as much Haste as is unavoidable to get.

If you are wondering how to sim yourself and find out about the best upgrades for you, you can learn more about it on our Simulations page as well!

7.

Changelog

  • 23 Jul. 2024: Updated for The War Within Pre-Patch.
  • 07 May 2024: Reviewed for 10.2.7.
  • 22 Apr. 2024: Page has been reviewed and updated for Dragonflight Season 4.
  • 21 Mar. 2024: Page has been reviewed and updated for Patch 10.2.6.
  • 15 Jan. 2024: Page has been reviewed and updated for Patch 10.2.5.
  • 06 Nov. 2023: Page updated for the Patch 10.2 Rogue rework.
  • 04 Sep. 2023: Page was reviewed for Patch 10.1.7 and no changes were necessary.
  • 16 Jul. 2023: Updated RtB prio for HO build.
  • 10 Jul. 2023: Updated for Patch 10.1.5, added BF conditional to rotation while GM is active.
  • 01 May 2023: Updated for Patch 10.1. Simplified rotational priorities and talent build.
  • 20 Mar. 2023: Updated for Patch 10.0.7.
  • 24 Jan. 2023: Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
  • 18 Jan. 2023: Clarified rotational priorities, updated recommended talent build.
  • 04 Jan. 2023: Updated information on rotational priorities, RtB buffs and talent build.
  • 11 Dec. 2022: Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
  • 28 Nov. 2022: Updated for Dragonflight launch.
  • 25 Oct. 2022: Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
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