Subtlety Rogue DPS Guide 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. Azerite Trait Simulations and Notes for Subtlety Rogue
    • 1.1. Outer Ring
    • 1.2. Middle Ring
    • 1.3. Inner Ring
  • 2. Azerite Trait Rotation Changes and Details for Subtlety Rogue
  • 3. Azerite Traits for Subtlety Rogue
    • 3.1. Outer Ring Traits
      • 3.1.1. Subtlety-specific Traits
      • 3.1.2. Generic Traits
      • 3.1.3. Uldir Traits
    • 3.2. Middle Ring Traits for Subtlety Rogue
    • 3.3. Inner Ring Traits for Subtlety Rogue
  • 4. Find Azerite Armor By Trait/Power
  • 5. 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

Welcome to our Subtlety Rogue DPS guide for World of Warcraft Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.0.1. Here, you will learn everything you need to know about playing a Subtlety Rogue in a raid environment and in Mythic+ dungeons.

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. Class Overview

Subtlety has not received significant changes in Battle for Azeroth. Subtlety Rogues continue to provide strong single-target pressure, 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. 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.

2. Patch 8.0.1 Changes for Subtlety Rogue

• With the pre-patch, Artifact traits and the Artifact ability Goremaw's Bite have been removed.
• Backstab and Shadowstrike now slow your target by 30%.
• Nightblade no longer slows your target. Instead, it reduces the effectiveness of healing on the target by 15%.
• Feint now has a 15-second cooldown and reduces damage taken from area-of-effect attacks by 40% (was 50%).
• Cloak of Shadows now has 2-minute cooldown (was 1.5 minutes).
• Shadow Blades is partially redesigned. Now causes your Combo Point generating abilities to deal 50% additional damage as Shadow instead of causing auto attacks to deal Shadow damage. In addition to this, Shadow Blades is now on global cooldown in Battle for Azeroth.
• Shuriken Storm deals 50% increased damage when Shadow Dance is active (was 100%).
• Shadow Dance has 5 second base duration (was 4 seconds).
• Shuriken Combo increases damage of your next Eviscerate by 8% per stack, stacking up to 5 times (was 10% per stack).
• Weaponmaster causes your Shadowstrike and Backstab to have a 15% chance to hit the target twice each time they deal damage. In Legion it gave a 6% chance to every ability to deal damage twice.
• Master of Subtlety has been removed and is replaced by Find Weakness in the Level 15 Talent row.
• Anticipation has been removed and is replaced by Marked for Death in the Level 45 Talent row.
• Shot in the Dark is a new Level 75 Talent.
• Night Terrors is a new Level 75 Talent.
• Dark Shadow increases your damage done while Shadow Dance is active by 25% (was 30%).
• Alacrity gives your finishing moves a 20% chance per Combo Point spent to grant 2% Haste for 20 seconds stacking up to 5 times (was 2% per stack and stacked up to 10 times).
• Death from Above is now a PvP only talent and was replaced by Secret Technique in the Level 100 Talent row.
• Shuriken Tornado is a new Level 100 Talent.

3. Subtlety Rogue Strengths

• Cleave fuels additional single-target damage
• Versatile, can specialize into multiple things by changing talents
• Phenomenal defensive capabilities

4. Subtlety Rogue Weaknesses

• Requires cerebral management of Combo Points and Energy to be effective
• Low AoE damage without Secret Technique

5. Subtlety Rogue Viability in the Current Patch

Due to how versatile Subtlety Rogue is in Battle for Azeroth, Subtlety is looking to be one of the strongest specializations for raiding and dungeons. Subtlety is able to provide immense single-target in raids while having an option to spec into more AoE damage for dungeons with Secret Technique.

6. Contents

To make it easy to navigate the guide, we have split it into 14 pages:

• Easy Mode: Simple breakdown and build for those just getting started;
• Spell Summary: see a summary of all your useful spells;
• Builds and Talents: learn how to choose your talents;
• Azerite Traits and Armor: discover your best azerite traits and the gear that sports them;
• Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities: master your rotation and your cooldowns;
• Mythic+ Tips: learn how to adapt your playstyle for Mythic+;
• Common and Worst Mistakes: avoid making common mistakes;
• Frequently Asked Questions: find the answers to the most common questions for your spec;
• Boss by Boss Strategies: find out how to defeat current content bosses;
• Stat Priority: read up on the respective values of your statistics;
• Gems, Enchants, and Consumables: choose the best gems, enchantments, etc.;
• Macros and Addons: step up your game with useful macros and addons;
• Gear and Best in Slot: find the best gear you can wear;
• Simulations: if you are interested in simulations results from SimulationCraft.

7. ChangeLog

• 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.
• 12 Sep. 2018 (talents page): Updated descriptions on few talents.
• 11 Sep. 2018 (rotation page): Added finisher Combo Point threshold when talented into Deeper Stratagem.
• 10 Sep. 2018 (bosses page): Small updates because of changes made to the bosses.
• 04 Sep. 2018 (enchants page): Updated Off-hand weapon enchant description.
• 04 Sep. 2018 (bosses page): Changed formatting on the page.
• 04 Sep. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated layout of the page and added couple of notes regarding Azerite traits.
• 04 Sep. 2018 (gear page): Updated page for Uldir launch.
• 31 Aug. 2018 (mythic+ page): Added mention of Find Weakness on Priority Targets and changed formatting.
• 31 Aug. 2018 (bosses 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 (mythic+ page): Added openers for different scenarios in Mythic+.
• 27 Aug. 2018 (rotation page): Changed wording on few paragraphs and added Shadow Dance AoE rotation.
• 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 (simulations page): Updated simulations.
• 18 Aug. 2018 (stats page): Added multi-target stat priority and removed stat weights.
• 13 Aug. 2018 (simulations 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 (this page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
• 13 Aug. 2018 (FAQ page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
• 13 Aug. 2018 (common mistakes 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 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
• 13 Aug. 2018 (talents 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.
• 11 Aug. 2018 (FAQ page): Page added.
• 11 Aug. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Page updated with simulations for BfA.
• 11 Aug. 2018 (mythic+ page): Page added.
• 11 Aug. 2018 (bosses page): Page added (empty for now).
• 03 Aug. 2018 (common mistakes page): Updated page to reflect the current talent build meta.
• 31 Jul. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Page added.
• 18 Jul. 2018 (talents page): Fixed the Talent table and few of the choices.
• 18 Jul. 2018 (stats page): Updated stat priority.
• 18 Jul. 2018 (easy mode page): Updated stat priority.
• 18 Jul. 2018 (this page): Updated strengths and weaknesses.
• 18 Jul. 2018 (rotation page): Removed redundant rotations and openers.
• 18 Jul. 2018 (enchants page): Updated recommended gem to correct one.
• 16 Jul. 2018 (this page): Updated for the Battle for Azeroth pre-patch.

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