Subtlety Rogue Frequently Asked Questions in Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.0.1

Table of Contents

• +Introduction
  • 1. Class Overview
  • 2. Patch 8.0.1 Changes for Subtlety Rogue
  • 3. Subtlety Rogue Strengths
  • 4. Subtlety Rogue Weaknesses
  • 5. Subtlety Rogue Viability in the Current Patch
  • 6. Contents
  • 7. Changelog
• +Easy Mode
  • 1. Foreword
  • 2. The Basics for Subtlety Rogue
  • 3. Talent Choice for Subtlety Rogue
  • 4. Stat Choice for Subtlety Rogue
    • 4.1. Single-Target Stat Priority
    • 4.2. Multi-Target Stat Priority
  • 5. Basic Rotation for Subtlety Rogue
  • 6. Best Azerite Traits for Subtlety Rogue
  • 7. Changelog
• +Spell Summary
  • 1. Subtlety Rogue Spell Summary
  • 2. Main Resources for Subtlety Rogue
  • 3. Basic Abilities for Subtlety Rogue
    • 3.1. Standard Abilities
    • 3.2. Stealth Exclusive Abilities
  • 4. Important Procs
  • 5. DPS Cooldowns for Subtlety Rogue
• +Builds and Talents
  • 1. Talent Choices for Subtlety Rogue
  • 2. Talent Cheat Sheets for Subtlety Rogue
    • 2.1. Sustain Damage Single-Target (Raiding)
    • 2.2. Burst Damage Single-Target (Raiding)
    • 2.3. Multi-Target (Dungeons)
    • 2.4. General Use
  • 3. Tier 1 (Level 15) Talents for Subtlety Rogue
  • 4. Tier 2 (Level 30) Talents for Subtlety Rogue
  • 5. Tier 3 (Level 45) Talents for Subtlety Rogue
  • 6. Tier 4 (Level 60) Talents for Subtlety Rogue
  • 7. Tier 5 (Level 75) Talents for Subtlety Rogue
  • 8. Tier 6 (Level 90) Talents for Subtlety Rogue
  • 9. Tier 7 (Level 100) Talents for Subtlety Rogue
  • 10. PvP Talents (War Mode)
    • 10.1. Subtlety Rogue War Mode Talents
      • 10.1.1. General PvP Talents
      • 10.1.2. Recommended Subtlety Rogue PvP Talents
  • 11. Changelog
• +Azerite Traits and Armor
  • 1. Choosing Azerite Gear as a Subtlety Rogue
  • 2. Choosing Azerite Traits as a Subtlety Rogue
    • 2.1. Outer Ring
    • 2.2. Middle Ring
    • 2.3. Inner Ring
  • 3. Azerite Trait Rotation Changes and Details for Subtlety Rogue
  • 4. Relative Strength of Azerite Traits for Subtlety Rogue
    • 4.1. DPS Azerite Trait Ranking for Subtlety Rogue
    • 4.2. Single-Target Outer Ring
    • 4.3. Single-Target Middle Ring
  • 5. Find Azerite Armor By Trait/Power
  • 6. Changelog
• +Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities
  • 1. Ability Priority List for Subtlety Rogue
    • 1.1. Single Target
    • 1.2. Multiple Targets (2+)
  • 2. Opener Sequence for Subtlety Rogue
  • 3. Important Notes for Subtlety Rogue
    • 3.1. Combo Points and Energy
      • 3.1.1. Pooling
    • 3.2. Shadow Dance
      • 3.2.1. Shadow Dance Rotation on Single-Target
      • 3.2.2. Shadow Dance Rotation on Multi-Target (4+)
    • 3.3. Vanish
    • 3.4. Defensive Utility
    • 3.5. Pandemic
  • 4. Core Concepts for Subtlety Rogue
    • 4.1. Resource Management
    • 4.2. Cooldown Usage
      • 4.2.1. Personal Initiative
  • 5. Changelog
• +Mythic+ Tips
  • 1. Subtlety Rogue in Mythic+
  • 2. Subtlety Rogue Mythic+ Rotation
    • 2.1. Opener Sequence on 4+ Targets
    • 2.2. Opener Sequence on Packs with a Priority Target
    • 2.3. Opener Sequence on Packs with an Infested Mob
    • 2.4. Subtlety Rogue Utility
  • 3. Mythic+ Talents for Subtlety Rogues
  • 4. Mythic+ Affixes
    • 4.1. Tier One Affixes
    • 4.2. Tier Two Affixes
    • 4.3. Tier Three Affixes
    • 4.4. Seasonal Affix
  • 5. Mythic+ Azerite Traits
  • 6. Changelog
• +Common and Worst Mistakes
  • 1. Overcapping Resources
  • 2. Not Pooling Energy
  • 3. Not Getting The Maximum Amount of Shadowstrikes Inside A Shadow Dance
  • 4. Not Using Cooldowns Together
  • 5. Mismanaging Nightblade
  • 6. Not Fully Utilizing Shuriken Combo
  • 7. Not Knowing How To Sim Yourself
  • 8. Analyzing Your Mistakes as a Subtlety Rogue
  • 9. Changelog
• ×Frequently Asked Questions
  • 1. Battle for Azeroth Frequently Asked Questions
    • 1.1. Should I Use Fast or Slow Off-Hand Weapons?
    • 1.2. Why Does Haste Have Such High Value in Simulationcraft?
    • 1.3. Does Our Stat Priority Change on Multi-Target?
    • 1.4. What Azerite Traits Should I Aim To Get?
    • 1.5. What Piece is Better, X or Y?
    • 1.6. How Much of X Stat Should I Have?
  • 2. Changelog
• +Boss by Boss Strategies
  • 1. Disclaimer
  • 2. Subtlety Rogue in Uldir
    • 2.1. Talent Cheatsheet
  • 3. Taloc
    • 3.1. Suggested Talents for Subtlety Rogue on Taloc
    • 3.2. Subtlety Rogue Playstyle on Taloc
      • 3.2.1. Mechanics to be Aware of
      • 3.2.2. DPS Cooldown Usage and Important Targets
  • 4. M.O.T.H.E.R.
    • 4.1. Suggested Talents for Subtlety Rogue on M.O.T.H.E.R.
    • 4.2. Subtlety Rogue Playstyle on M.O.T.H.E.R.
      • 4.2.1. Mechanics to be Aware of
      • 4.2.2. DPS Cooldown Usage and Important Targets
  • 5. Fetid Devourer
    • 5.1. Suggested Talents for Subtlety Rogue on Fetid Devourer
    • 5.2. Subtlety Rogue Playstyle on Fetid Devourer
      • 5.2.1. Mechanics to be Aware of
      • 5.2.2. DPS Cooldown Usage and Important Targets
  • 6. Zek'voz, Herald of N'Zoth
    • 6.1. Suggested Talents for Subtlety Rogue on Zek'voz, Herald of N'Zoth
    • 6.2. Subtlety Rogue Playstyle on Zek'voz, Herald of N'Zoth
      • 6.2.1. Mechanics to be Aware of
      • 6.2.2. DPS Cooldown Usage and Important Targets
  • 7. Vectis
    • 7.1. Suggested Talents for Subtlety Rogue on Vectis
    • 7.2. Subtlety Rogue Playstyle on Vectis
      • 7.2.1. Mechanics to be Aware of
      • 7.2.2. DPS Cooldown Usage and Important Targets
  • 8. Zul, Reborn
    • 8.1. Suggested Talents for Subtlety Rogue on Zul, Reborn
    • 8.2. Subtlety Rogue Playstyle on Zul, Reborn
      • 8.2.1. Mechanics to be Aware of
      • 8.2.2. DPS Cooldown Usage and Important Targets
  • 9. Mythrax the Unraveler
    • 9.1. Suggested Talents for Subtlety Rogue on Mythrax the Unraveler
    • 9.2. Subtlety Rogue Playstyle on Mythrax the Unraveler
      • 9.2.1. Mechanics to be Aware of
      • 9.2.2. DPS Cooldown Usage
  • 10. G'huun
    • 10.1. Suggested Talents for Subtlety Rogue on G'huun
    • 10.2. Subtlety Rogue Playstyle on G'huun
      • 10.2.1. Mechanics to be Aware of
      • 10.2.2. DPS Cooldown Usage and Important Targets
  • 11. Changelog
• +Stat Priority
  • 1. The Basics of Stats for Subtlety Rogue
    • 1.1. Single-Target Stat Priority
    • 1.2. Multi-Target Stat Priority
  • 2. Important Notes About Stat Priorities
  • 3. Subtlety Rogue: Getting a Better Understanding
  • 4. Changelog
• +Gems, Enchants, and Consumables
  • 1. Gems for Subtlety Rogue
  • 2. Enchants for Subtlety Rogue
  • 3. Consumables for Subtlety Rogue
  • 4. Changelog
• +Macros and Addons
  • 1. AddOns for Subtlety Rogue
    • 1.1. ElvUI
    • 1.2. Weak Auras
    • 1.3. Boss Mods
      • 1.3.1. BigWigs Bossmods
      • 1.3.2. Deadly Boss Mods
    • 1.4. Name Plates
      • 1.4.1. KUI Nameplates
      • 1.4.2. TidyPlates
    • 1.5. Damage Meters
      • 1.5.1. Skada
      • 1.5.2. Details
    • 1.6. Extra AddOns
      • 1.6.1. Mik's Scrolling Battle Text
      • 1.6.2. Death Note
      • 1.6.3. Doom CooldownPulse
      • 1.6.4. Angry Assignments
  • 2. Macros for Subtlety Rogue
    • 2.1. Spammable Dance to Shadowstrike
    • 2.2. Startattack Macros
    • 2.3. Tricks of the Trade
• +Gear and Best in Slot
  • 1. Best in Slot Items for Subtlety Rogue from Uldir
  • 2. Azerite Gear for Subtlety Rogue
  • 3. Trinkets
    • 3.1. Single-Target
    • 3.2. Single-Target with Add Waves
  • 4. Gearing Up for Raiding
    • 4.1. Heroic Dungeons
    • 4.2. World Quests
    • 4.3. Professions
    • 4.4. Reputation
    • 4.5. Dungeon Trinkets
    • 4.6. World Quest Trinkets
    • 4.7. Raid and World Boss Trinkets
  • 5. Pre-Raid Azerite Gear
    • 5.1. Azerite Helms
    • 5.2. Azerite Shoulders
    • 5.3. Azerite Chests
  • 6. Changelog
• +Simulations
  • 1. Disclaimer Page
  • 2. Subtlety Rogue Outer Ring Azerite Trait Single-Target Simulation
  • 3. Subtlety Rogue Outer Ring Stacked Azerite Trait Single-Target Simulation
  • 4. Subtlety Rogue Middle Ring Azerite Trait Single-Target Simulation
  • 5. Subtlety Rogue Outer Ring Azerite Trait 3+ Target Simulation
  • 6. Subtlety Rogue Middle Ring Azerite Trait 3+ Target Simulation
  • 7. Subtlety Rogue Racial Bonus Simulation
  • 8. Changelog

General Information

On this page, we list all of the frequently asked questions for a Subtlety Rogue in World of Warcraft Battle for Azeroth 8.0.1.

The other pages of our Subtlety Rogue guide can be accessed from the table of contents on the right.

About Our Author

This guide has been written by Ashine, European Champion of the second Mythic Dungeon Invitational and a member of two top 60 guilds, Wiping as Intended and Group Therapy. He is regarded as one of the top Subtlety Rogues in the world and contributes a fair bit to the spec's theorycrafting. You can watch him play on Twitch.

1. Battle for Azeroth Frequently Asked Questions

This section will go over several of the most frequently asked questions regarding Subtlety Rogues in Battle for Azeroth.

1.1. Should I Use Fast or Slow Off-Hand Weapons?

Use a dagger in off-hand, unless you have a slow weapon that is around 40 item levels higher than your dagger.

1.2. Why Does Haste Have Such High Value in Simulationcraft?

In Battle for Azeroth, your auto-attacks contribute a larger portion of your overall damage. This, in combination with us losing many Energy sources, makes Haste a very desirable stat.

1.3. Does Our Stat Priority Change on Multi-Target?

On multiple targets, Mastery gains more value while Haste loses some. This is due to a larger portion of our damage coming from finishers on AoE and the accelerated resource gain diminishes the value of Haste.

1.4. What Azerite Traits Should I Aim To Get?

Blade In The Shadows and Inevitability are far ahead of other traits on single-target. Note that, in situations where you are casting Shuriken Storm, these traits do effectively nothing as they only work with Shadowstrike and Backstab. To get a better understanding of Azerite traits, refer to the Simulations page.

1.5. What Piece is Better, X or Y?

The answer to this question in any context will always be to simulate it. This is because an upgrade for you may not be an upgrade for someone else. In other words, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all answer, even when talking about 2 completely identical comparisons from you to another person. Everything in your gear has an effect on everything else.

This applies to gear, azerite pieces, trinkets, and even talents in certain situations.

The only exception to this rule is when a specific fight dictates a certain set of optimal talents, for example. If you are curious about what kind of setup to go for a specific fight, WarcraftLogs.com's rankings and statistics are a good place to see what others are doing.

We have a guide on how to sim yourself here:

1.6. How Much of X Stat Should I Have?

For the most part, there is no set "amount" of any stat that you should have. There are also no stat goals or particular distributions of stats that you want to aim for. It is very common for people to overestimate the importance of having the "right" secondaries, when in reality, having a higher quantity of stats will almost always beat having "better" stats. Having 120 of your worst stat is often better than having 100 of your best stat, since the differences in value are not as big as many people think.

2. Changelog

• 13 Aug. 2018: Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
• 11 Aug. 2018: Page added.