Subtlety Rogue DPS Guide - Battle for Azeroth 8.3 - World of Warcraft

Welcome to our Subtlety Rogue guide for World of Warcraft — Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.3. 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 Ny'alotha as Subtlety Rogue 10 The Eternal Palace as Subtlety Rogue 11 Stat Priority 12 Gems, Enchants, and Consumables 13 Macros and Addons 14 Gear and Best in Slot 15 Simulations 16 How to Improve 17 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 8.3 Changes for Subtlety Rogues

There were no changes for Subtlety in Patch 8.3. However, we do have:

new gear from the Ny'alotha raid, which can drop corrupted (see our guide to Corrupted Items for more information);
a new Legendary Cloak;
7 new Patch 8.3 Essences;
changes to existing Essences (including a 3rd Minor slot);
a new Azerite trait ( Heart of Darkness);
and a new reusable augment rune ( Lightning-Forged Augment Rune).

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

10 Mar. 2020 (Ny'alotha page): Added more tips to bosses.
28 Jan. 2020 (Ny'alotha page): Page updated with some tips for bosses.
21 Jan. 2020 (Ny'alotha page): Guide added.
13 Jan. 2020 (spells page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.3 and no changes are necessary.
13 Jan. 2020 (rotation page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.3 and no changes are necessary.
13 Jan. 2020 (addons page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.3 and no changes are necessary.
13 Jan. 2020 (simulations page): Page updated for Patch 8.3.
13 Jan. 2020 (azerite traits and gear page): Page updated for Patch 8.3.
13 Jan. 2020 (gear page): Updated for Patch 8.3.
13 Jan. 2020 (FAQ page): Page updated for Patch 8.3.
13 Jan. 2020 (talents page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.3 and no changes are necessary.
13 Jan. 2020 (stats page): Page updated for Patch 8.3.
13 Jan. 2020 (mythic+ page): Page updated for Patch 8.3.
13 Jan. 2020 (easy mode page): Page updated for Patch 8.3.
13 Jan. 2020 (how to improve page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.3 and no changes are necessary.
13 Jan. 2020 (enchants page): Page updated for Patch 8.3.
13 Jan. 2020 (this page): Page updated for Patch 8.3.
13 Jan. 2020 (Essences page): Page updated for Patch 8.3.
17 Sep. 2019 (enchants page): Updated single-target potion and food buff.
17 Sep. 2019 (Essences page): Added simulations.
17 Sep. 2019 (gear page): Updated BiS Azerite.
17 Sep. 2019 (talents page): Updated talents.
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 (FAQ page): Updated section that mentions Subtlety's current viability.
12 Jul. 2019 (talents page): Added mention of new Honor Talent Essence.
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.
12 Jul. 2019 (mythic+ page): Added Beguiling affix.
12 Jul. 2019 (gear page): Added Mechagon items.
12 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Added tips to most of the bosses.
12 Jul. 2019 (stats page): Updated Stat priorities.
08 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Page added.
08 Jul. 2019 (Essences page): Page updated with Essence rankings and added descriptions.
08 Jul. 2019 (gear page): Page updated for the release of the Eternal Palace.
08 Jul. 2019 (easy mode page): Added Essences.
01 Jul. 2019 (enchants page): Page updated.
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 (how to improve 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 (gear page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
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 (enchants page): Page updated for Patch 8.2 with new consumables.
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 (Uldir 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 (Crucible of Storms 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 (rotation 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 (talents 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 (easy mode 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 (azerite traits and gear page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 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 (enchants 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.
15 Apr. 2019 (spells 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 (simulations page): This page has been reviewed for Crucible of Storms and no changes are necessary.
15 Apr. 2019 (FAQ 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 (rotation 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 (Battle of Dazar'alor 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 (Crucible of Storms page): Guide added.
15 Apr. 2019 (easy mode 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 (mythic+ 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.
21 Jan. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Page added.
21 Jan. 2019 (gear page): Updated BiS for Battle for Dazar'alor
21 Jan. 2019 (mythic+ page): Updated with description of Reaping Season 2 affix.
21 Jan. 2019 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated descriptions.
21 Jan. 2019 (easy mode page): Updated page stat priority slightly.
08 Jan. 2019 (talents page): Updated Honor talent section.
08 Jan. 2019 (simulations page): Updated Racial simulations.
08 Jan. 2019 (FAQ page): Added additional questions.
14 Dec. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Added note about The First Dance.
14 Dec. 2018 (easy mode page): Added The First Dance to traits to lookout for.
14 Dec. 2018 (stats page): Updated stat priority.
14 Dec. 2018 (rotation page): Added conditionals when playing with The First Dance trait.
10 Dec. 2018 (enchants 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 (addons 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 (talents 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 (FAQ page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
10 Dec. 2018 (rotation 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 (simulations 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 (how to improve page): Updated for Patch 8.1.
10 Dec. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated for Patch 8.1.
10 Dec. 2018 (this page): Updated for Patch 8.1.
10 Dec. 2018 (gear page): Updated for Patch 8.1.
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 (talents page): Updated descriptions on few talents.
12 Sep. 2018 (rotation page): Added a note about third Shadow Dance in the opener along with few other small fixes.
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 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated layout of the page and added couple of notes regarding Azerite traits.
04 Sep. 2018 (Uldir page): Changed formatting on the page.
04 Sep. 2018 (gear page): Updated page for Uldir launch.
04 Sep. 2018 (enchants page): Updated Off-hand weapon enchant description.
31 Aug. 2018 (mythic+ page): Added mention of Find Weakness on Priority Targets and changed formatting.
31 Aug. 2018 (Uldir page): Page updated with short description of bosses and recommended Talents.
29 Aug. 2018 (simulations page): Updated simulations.
29 Aug. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated Azerite trait 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 (talents page): Updated descriptions on couple of talents.
18 Aug. 2018 (stats page): Added multi-target stat priority and removed stat weights.
18 Aug. 2018 (simulations page): Updated simulations.
13 Aug. 2018 (simulations page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (how to improve page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (this page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (easy mode 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 (enchants page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (mythic+ page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (stats page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (FAQ page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
13 Aug. 2018 (talents page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
11 Aug. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Page updated with simulations for BfA.
11 Aug. 2018 (FAQ page): Page added.
11 Aug. 2018 (Uldir page): Page added (empty for now).
11 Aug. 2018 (mythic+ 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 (stats page): Updated stat priority.
18 Jul. 2018 (this page): Updated strengths and weaknesses.
18 Jul. 2018 (easy mode page): Updated stat priority.
18 Jul. 2018 (enchants page): Updated recommended gem to correct one.
18 Jul. 2018 (rotation page): Removed redundant rotations and openers.
18 Jul. 2018 (talents page): Fixed the Talent table and few of the choices.
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

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Assassination Rogue Macros and Addons

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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) 8.3