Subtlety Rogue DPS Guide - Battle for Azeroth 8.2.5 - World of Warcraft

Welcome to our Subtlety Rogue guide for World of Warcraft — Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.2.5. Here, you will learn how to play as a Subtlety 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

Subtlety 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 Subtlety Rogue 10 Crucible of Storms as Subtlety Rogue 11 Battle of Dazar'alor as Subtlety Rogue 12 Uldir as Subtlety 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

Subtlety Rogue Overview

Subtlety has not received significant changes in Battle for Azeroth. Subtlety Rogues continue to provide competitive single-target damage, but it now brings respectable AoE to the table as well. Much of the rotation involves actively shifting between two stances, in and out of Stealth Icon Stealth. Some abilities can be used at anytime, however, certain abilities can only be used while you are in Stealth. There are only a limited number of ways to activate Stealth during combat, and therefore the core component of this specialization revolves around managing your abilities to correctly time windows of burst.

Patch 8.2 Changes for Subtlety Rogues

There were no changes for Subtlety in Patch 8.2. However, Subtlety Rogues 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.

Subtlety Rogue Strengths

Cleave fuels additional single-target damage
Versatile, can specialize into single-target or AoE by changing talents
Phenomenal defensive capabilities

Subtlety Rogue Weaknesses

Mistakes in rotation punish Subtlety quite a bit
Subtlety does low damage compared to other specs

Subtlety Rogue Viability in the Current Patch

Due to the removal of Shuriken Combo in Patch 8.1, Subtlety lost its biggest niche, which was doing massive single-target in cleave situations. Combined with no other buffs to Subtlety, it is now currently the weakest Rogue spec in both Mythic+ and Raiding.

Changelog

17 Sep. 2019 (enchants page): Updated single-target potion and food buff.
17 Sep. 2019 (talents page): Updated talents.
17 Sep. 2019 (Essences page): Added simulations.
17 Sep. 2019 (gear page): Updated BiS Azerite.
10 Sep. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Page updated with some tips and talent choices.
12 Jul. 2019 (enchants page): Added Versatility enchant to recommended ones.
12 Jul. 2019 (this page): Updated viability in current Patch.
12 Jul. 2019 (mythic+ page): Added Beguiling affix.
12 Jul. 2019 (FAQ page): Updated section that mentions Subtlety's current viability.
12 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Added tips to most of the bosses.
12 Jul. 2019 (gear page): Added Mechagon items.
12 Jul. 2019 (talents page): Added mention of new Honor Talent Essence.
12 Jul. 2019 (stats page): Updated Stat priorities.
12 Jul. 2019 (azerite traits and gear page): Added description of Undulating Tides trait.
12 Jul. 2019 (easy mode page): Small update to traits and stats.
08 Jul. 2019 (gear page): Page updated for the release of the Eternal Palace.
08 Jul. 2019 (easy mode page): Added Essences.
08 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Page added.
08 Jul. 2019 (Essences page): Page updated with Essence rankings and added descriptions.
01 Jul. 2019 (enchants page): Page updated.
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 (stats 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 (how to improve 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 (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 (simulations 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 (rotation 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 (easy mode 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 (this page): Added note about Patch 8.2 changes.
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 (Crucible of Storms 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 (FAQ page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
24 Jun. 2019 (enchants page): Page updated for Patch 8.2 with new consumables.
15 Apr. 2019 (FAQ page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (how to improve page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (simulations page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (gear page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (addons page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (enchants page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (stats page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (Uldir page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): Guide added.
15 Apr. 2019 (mythic+ page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (rotation page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (talents page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (spells page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (easy mode page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (this page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (azerite traits and gear page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
21 Jan. 2019 (easy mode page): Updated page stat priority slightly.
21 Jan. 2019 (gear page): Updated BiS for Battle for Dazar'alor
21 Jan. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Page added.
21 Jan. 2019 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated descriptions.
21 Jan. 2019 (mythic+ page): Updated with description of Reaping Season 2 affix.
08 Jan. 2019 (simulations page): Updated Racial simulations.
08 Jan. 2019 (FAQ page): Added additional questions.
08 Jan. 2019 (talents page): Updated Honor talent section.
14 Dec. 2018 (stats page): Updated stat priority.
14 Dec. 2018 (easy mode page): Added The First Dance to traits to lookout for.
14 Dec. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Added note about The First Dance.
14 Dec. 2018 (rotation page): Added conditionals when playing with The First Dance trait.
10 Dec. 2018 (this 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): Updated for Patch 8.1.
10 Dec. 2018 (addons page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (gear page): Updated for Patch 8.1.
10 Dec. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated for Patch 8.1.
10 Dec. 2018 (rotation page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (stats 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 (talents page): Updated for Patch 8.1.
10 Dec. 2018 (how to improve page): Updated for Patch 8.1.
10 Dec. 2018 (spells page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (mythic+ page): Updated for Patch 8.1.
10 Dec. 2018 (simulations page): Updated for Patch 8.1.
10 Dec. 2018 (FAQ page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
27 Nov. 2018 (mythic+ page): Correction about proper Find Weakness usage.
26 Sep. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Restructured the page.
25 Sep. 2018 (Uldir page): Added talent recommendations for Mythic.
12 Sep. 2018 (rotation page): Added a note about third Shadow Dance in the opener along with few other small fixes.
12 Sep. 2018 (talents page): Updated descriptions on few talents.
12 Sep. 2018 (easy mode page): Added multi-target stat priority and updated the page.
11 Sep. 2018 (rotation page): Added finisher Combo Point threshold when talented into Deeper Stratagem.
10 Sep. 2018 (Uldir page): Small updates because of changes made to the bosses.
04 Sep. 2018 (enchants page): Updated Off-hand weapon enchant description.
04 Sep. 2018 (Uldir page): Changed formatting on the page.
04 Sep. 2018 (gear page): Updated page for Uldir launch.
04 Sep. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated layout of the page and added couple of notes regarding Azerite traits.
31 Aug. 2018 (Uldir page): Page updated with short description of bosses and recommended Talents.
31 Aug. 2018 (mythic+ page): Added mention of Find Weakness on Priority Targets and changed formatting.
29 Aug. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated Azerite trait simulations.
29 Aug. 2018 (simulations page): Updated simulations.
27 Aug. 2018 (rotation page): Changed wording on few paragraphs and added Shadow Dance AoE rotation.
27 Aug. 2018 (mythic+ page): Added openers for different scenarios in Mythic+.
25 Aug. 2018 (stats page): Updated single-target stat priority.
23 Aug. 2018 (gear page): Updated best Azerite gear and their traits.
18 Aug. 2018 (stats page): Added multi-target stat priority and removed stat weights.
18 Aug. 2018 (talents page): Updated descriptions on couple of talents.
18 Aug. 2018 (simulations page): Updated simulations.
13 Aug. 2018 (FAQ page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (enchants page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (mythic+ page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (rotation page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (gear page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (this page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (simulations page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (how to improve page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (easy mode page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (stats page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (talents page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
11 Aug. 2018 (mythic+ page): Page added.
11 Aug. 2018 (Uldir page): Page added (empty for now).
11 Aug. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Page updated with simulations for BfA.
11 Aug. 2018 (FAQ page): Page added.
03 Aug. 2018 (how to improve page): Updated page to reflect the current talent build meta.
31 Jul. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Page added.
18 Jul. 2018 (this page): Updated strengths and weaknesses.
18 Jul. 2018 (rotation page): Removed redundant rotations and openers.
18 Jul. 2018 (stats page): Updated stat priority.
18 Jul. 2018 (talents page): Fixed the Talent table and few of the choices.
18 Jul. 2018 (enchants page): Updated recommended gem to correct one.
18 Jul. 2018 (easy mode page): Updated stat priority.
16 Jul. 2018 (this page): Updated for the Battle for Azeroth pre-patch.

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Pages in this Guide

Rogue Leveling Guide

Subtlety Rogue PvP Guide

Orgozoa Strategy Guide

Blackwater Behemoth Strategy Guide

BfA Guides

Mechagon Zone Guide

Operation: Mechagon Dungeon Guide

Heart of Azeroth Essences

Heart of Azeroth Guide

Patch 8.2 Profession Changes

Patch 8.2 Engineering Guide

Patch 8.2 Enchanting Guide

Patch 8.2 Cooking Guide

Patch 8.2 Alchemy Guide

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

This guide has been written by Ashine, Winner 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.

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Subtlety Rogue DPS Guide — Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.2.5