Outlaw Rogue DPS Spec, Builds, and Talents — 12.0.5

The below builds each come with their own caveats, i.e. playing Trickster in raid might be slightly higher DPS performance, but is more difficult to play. As such, you might end up performing worse than with a build that has a lower theoretical DPS ceiling, but is easier to execute.

We recommend reading each of the build's descriptions, so you can find one that best suits your experience and gameplay preferences!

2.

Best Talents for Outlaw Rogue

Patch 12.0.5 saw a major increase in DPS for Trickster due to Cloud Cover changes, which makes it the de-facto best build in any circumstance. Unless there are future nerfs to the talent, Trickster is ahead by over 10% DPS. Fatebound is therefore only worth playing if you do not mind the loss in DPS, and prefer a build that doesn't play Killing Spree.

Trickster
Raid and Single-Target Fatebound
Raid and Single-Target Trickster
Dungeon/AoE and Delves Fatebound
Dungeon/AoE and Delves

2.1.

Trickster Single-Target Talents

This is our o-to Trickster single-target and raid build. It does over 10% more DPS than Fatebound, and is the only recommended choice for higher end progression.

Be sure to use the 'Export Talents' button to import our build in-game!

Trickster Single-Target Show Copy

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2.2.

Recommended Fatebound Single-Target Talents

This is our go-to Fatebound single-target build for the Midnight. It sports high sustained single-target, at the cost of some AoE. If you are fighting a single high-difficulty elite, or want to swap to maximum boss damage, this is the best build you can play.

Be sure to use the 'Export Talents' button to import our build in-game!

Fatebound Single-Target Show Copy

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2.3.

Trickster AoE Talents

This is the higher-performing AoE/Dungeon build for Outlaw, playing Trickster. It does great sustained AoE damage, although it sacrifices a bit of single-target to do so, and sports a significantly higher ceiling than the equivalent Fatebound build.

Be sure to use the 'Export Talents' button to import our build in-game!

Outlaw Trickster AoE Show Copy

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2.4.

Fatebound AoE Talents

This is the lower-performing AoE/Dungeon build for Outlaw, playing Fatebound. It does great sustained AoE damage, although it sacrifices a bit of single-target to do so, and sports a much lower ceiling than the equivalent Trickster build. If you're not comfortable playing Killing Spree, this is an acceptable alternative, but you will lose over 10% DPS.

Be sure to use the 'Export Talents' button to import our build in-game!

Fatebound AoE Show Copy

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The new main feature for Midnight are Apex Talents, with Outlaw's Gravedigger focusing on additional free-of-charge Between the Eyes casts, as well as more damage bonuses for all your damage from BtE. Up to 4 points can be spent here. Currently, these are arranged in a 1 ➜ 2 ➜ 1 point investment.

1. Gravedigger: Grants each of your Between the Eyes casts a chance to apply an additional stack of its buff.
2. Gravedigger: 2-point talent tax node that essentially just adds more damage whenever you cast Dispatch.
3. Gravedigger: Causes you to slowly build up to a free Between the Eyes cast that does not incur a cooldown or cost any resources.

These Apex talents help smooth out the lows of the rotation by granting a consistent way to get a free BtE every once in a while, while also granting some more bonus damage. While not the most inspired or impactful of Apex Talents, this does help out with the weakness of the spec in some ways.

Outlaw gets to pick between two distinct Hero Talent choices: Fatebound and Trickster.

Fatebound is the less complex option in all environments, due to having fewer rotational buttons and sporting a higher consistency in its procs. This alone makes it a very solid choice for a spec that already boasts incredible high sustained DPS, and due to it being a little easier to play, many Outlaw players consider Fatebound as their first choice when starting out.

It does significantly lower damage than Trickster though, and is therefore not recommended once you try your hands at harder content, higher-level Mythic+ keys, or cutting-edge progression.

Historically, Trickster needed to outperform Fatebound on raw numbers by a bit to be worth recommending, due to the additional rotational fluidity that Fatebound provides, while Trickster has more buttons to press and more rotational priorities to keep track off.

As for Patch 12.0.5, it definitely hits that goal, performing over 10% better than Fatebound in both single-target and AoE, making it the go-to choice for any content, from raids to Mythic+.

Trickster does have another upside, which is that it scales very well into AoE thanks to Nimble Flurry. Its capstone also provides additional damage and automatically spends Combo Points by casting Dispatch as if it had consumed 5 additional Combo Points.

This adds a lot of extra cooldown reduction, which can help smooth out the rotation a bit, while adding an extra layer of complexity and skill expression to the rotation, which is rewarded with a much higher DPS performance.

In any major capitol, there will be the option to go into "War Mode." Enabling War Mode provides the following benefits:

• PvP talents enabled in the outdoor world.
• 10% increase in World Quest rewards at maximum level.
• 10% more experience gained while leveling.
• Earn Conquest Points, which can reward gear every week.

With the benefits of enabling War Mode for leveling and PvE content, it is recommended enabling the feature to maximize your leveling and rewards at maximum level. However, you will make yourself available for open-world PvP, and the possibility of being "ganked" while leveling or doing World Quests exists.

In this section, we will rank the PvP talents best for leveling and doing solo / small group PvE content. Below is a ranking of both General PvP Talents and Outlaw Rogue-specific PvE talents.

1. Death from Above is the only proper damaging talent here, boosting the damage of Dispatch a little, at the cost of an extended animation. It does look really cool though!
2. Boarding Party makes Between the Eyes increase the movement speed of all friendly players within 10 yards by 30% for 5 seconds. Movement speed is always nice while leveling, so this is highly recommended. Maneuverability can work if you don't ever party up with others, but is only worth if you feel like you're getting to your next target fast enough already.
3. Drink Up Me Hearties adds a bit of extra healing to Crimson Vial.