World of Warcraft: Forever · class guide

Combat Rogue: Talents

Client build 1.60.1.70425 · updated 2026-10-16

Every Combat build and leveling order, on all three Rogue trees from the Forever beta client (build 1.60.1.70425). Pick a build and move the level slider to see where its points are at that level.

You get one talent point per level from 10. A tier opens after 5 points in the tiers above it in the same tree, and a talent joined by a line to one above it needs that one maxed first.

Build Your level60 Talented perk (+5 points)

51 points spent

Shown: Combat leveling order at level 60.

Assassination 18

0/3
Improved GougeRank 0/3
Assassination talent, tier 1, level 10+
Changed
0/2
Remorseless AttacksRank 0/2
Assassination talent, tier 1, level 10+
Changed Now also boosts Mutilate: after you kill a non-trivial enemy, your next Sinister Strike, Backstab, Ambush, Mutilate or Ghostly Strike gets +40% crit chance for 20 seconds. Assassination 30 takes both ranks.
5/5
MaliceRank 5/5
Assassination talent, tier 1, level 10+
Changed Now covers Poisons as well as attacks: +5% crit chance at 5/5. Every Rogue build takes it, so poison crits come along for free.
3/3
RuthlessnessRank 3/3
Requires 5 points in Assassination Talents
Assassination talent, tier 2, level 15+
0/2
MurderRank 0/2
Requires 5 points in Assassination Talents
Assassination talent, tier 2, level 15+
Changed Doubled to 2% per rank, but now Humanoids and Giants only.
3/3
Improved Slice and DiceRank 3/3
Requires 5 points in Assassination Talents
Assassination talent, tier 2, level 15+
1/1
Relentless StrikesRank 1/1
Requires 10 points in Assassination Talents
Your finishing moves have a 0% chance per Combo Point to restore 25 Energy.
Assassination talent, tier 3, level 20+
0/2
Improved Expose ArmorRank 0/2
Requires 10 points in Assassination Talents
Assassination talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed Rewritten: no longer adds armor reduction. It cuts Expose Armor's energy cost by 10 and refunds 2 combo points on a 5-point cast, so Expose Armor costs a Rogue less, not the group more.
5/5
LethalityRank 5/5
Requires 10 points in Assassination Talents
Requires 5 points in Malice
Assassination talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed Crit damage bonus cut to 20% (Classic 30%); now covers Mutilate.
0/5
Vile PoisonsRank 0/5
Requires 15 points in Assassination Talents
Assassination talent, tier 4, level 25+
Moved Moved from column 2 to column 1. At 5/5 poison damage is +20% and your poisons get +40% resistance to dispels. Assassination 60 takes it.
1/1
Cold BloodRank 1/1
Instant3 min cooldown
Requires 15 points in Assassination Talents
When activated, increases the critical strike chance of your next Sinister Strike, Backstab, Ambush, Eviscerate, or Mutilate by 100%.
Assassination talent, tier 4, level 25+
Changed Moved from tier 5 to tier 4 and now works on Mutilate too: your next Sinister Strike, Backstab, Ambush, Eviscerate or Mutilate gets +100% crit chance. Every Assassination and Combat build takes it.
0/5
Improved PoisonsRank 0/5
Requires 15 points in Assassination Talents
Assassination talent, tier 4, level 25+
Changed Reworked: +10% chance to apply Poisons at 5/5, plus Poison applications have a 50% chance not to use a charge. Both Assassination builds take it, but not at 5/5.
0/2
VigorRank 0/2
Requires 20 points in Assassination Talents
Assassination talent, tier 5, level 30+
Changed Two ranks of +5 energy each, moved down to the 20-point row (Classic: one rank of +10 at 31).
0/1
MutilateRank 0/1
60 EnergyMelee range
Instant
Requires 20 points in Assassination Talents
Requires Daggers
Instantly attacks with both weapons for 75% weapon damage plus an additional 50 with each weapon. Damage increased by 20% against Poisoned targets. Awards 2 Combo Points.
Assassination talent, tier 5, level 30+
New New in Forever. An instant two-weapon attack for 75% weapon damage plus 17 with each weapon at rank 1, 20% more against Poisoned targets, and 2 combo points. It needs daggers. Assassination's 20-point talent.
0/2
Improved Kidney ShotRank 0/2
Requires 20 points in Assassination Talents
Assassination talent, tier 5, level 30+
Changed No longer a group debuff: the 10% only applies to your own attacks and poisons (Classic: damage from all sources).
0/5
Seal FateRank 0/5
Requires 25 points in Assassination Talents
Assassination talent, tier 6, level 35+
Changed No longer needs Cold Blood.
0/1
VenomRank 0/1
25 Energy100 yd range
Instant
Requires 30 points in Assassination Talents
Requires 1 point in Mutilate
Requires Melee Weapon
Finishing move that increases the damage of your Poisons by 30% and your chance to apply Poisons by 10%. Lasts longer per combo point:
1 point : 9 sec
2 points: 12 sec
3 points: 15 sec
4 points: 18 sec
5 points: 21 sec
Assassination talent, tier 7, level 40+
New New in Forever: Assassination's capstone. A finishing move that adds 30% Poison damage and 10% Poison application chance for 9 to 21 seconds, longer per combo point. It needs Mutilate, and Assassination 60 takes it.

Combat 33

3/3
Improved EviscerateRank 3/3
Combat talent, tier 1, level 10+
Changed Moved from Assassination to Combat, which changes which trees can take it cheaply. At 3/3 it adds 20% Eviscerate damage. Assassination, Combat and Subtlety builds all take it.
2/2
Improved Sinister StrikeRank 2/2
Combat talent, tier 1, level 10+
0/5
Lightning ReflexesRank 0/5
Combat talent, tier 1, level 10+
0/3
Puncturing WoundsRank 0/3
Requires 5 points in Combat Talents
Combat talent, tier 2, level 15+
New New: replaces Improved Backstab, and adds Mutilate crit and a chance for Backstab to award a second combo point.
3/3
DeflectionRank 3/3
Requires 5 points in Combat Talents
Combat talent, tier 2, level 15+
Changed 3 ranks of 2% parry (Classic 5 ranks of 1%).
3/3
PrecisionRank 3/3
Requires 5 points in Combat Talents
Combat talent, tier 2, level 15+
Changed 3 ranks of 1% hit (Classic 5 ranks). Hit is one stat across melee, ranged and spells in Forever, so it covers poisons too.
2/2
EnduranceRank 2/2
Requires 10 points in Combat Talents
Combat talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed The client lists this as changed. It is now a percentage cooldown cut: 60% off Sprint and Evasion at 2/2 (Classic a flat cut). Combat and Assassination builds take both ranks.
1/1
RiposteRank 1/1
10 EnergyMelee range
Instant6 sec cooldown
Requires 10 points in Combat Talents
Requires 3 points in Deflection
A strike that becomes active after parrying an opponent's attack. This attack deals 150% weapon damage and disarms the target for 0 sec.
Combat talent, tier 3, level 20+
1/2
Improved SprintRank 1/2
Requires 10 points in Combat Talents
Combat talent, tier 3, level 20+
0/2
Improved KickRank 0/2
Requires 15 points in Combat Talents
Combat talent, tier 4, level 25+
1/1
Flawless ExecutionRank 1/1
Requires 15 points in Combat Talents
Reduces the Energy cost of your Eviscerate ability by 10.
Combat talent, tier 4, level 25+
New New Combat 16-point talent: Eviscerate costs 10 less energy.
5/5
Dual Wield SpecializationRank 5/5
Requires 15 points in Combat Talents
Requires 3 points in Precision
Combat talent, tier 4, level 25+
Changed Cut to 5% off-hand damage per rank (Classic 10%).
1/1
Blade FlurryRank 1/1
25 Energy
Instant2 min cooldown
Requires 20 points in Combat Talents
Increases your melee attack speed by 20% and your melee attacks strike an additional nearby opponent. Lasts 15 sec.
Combat talent, tier 5, level 30+
Changed The client lists this as changed. +20% melee attack speed and your attacks hit one extra nearby enemy for 15 seconds. Both Combat builds and the levelling order take it as the spec's main cooldown.
5/5
Hack and SlashRank 5/5
Requires 20 points in Combat Talents
Combat talent, tier 5, level 30+
Changed New: replaces Sword, Dagger, Fist and Mace Specialization. Whatever weapon you hold gets its bonus, so changing weapon type needs no respec.
2/2
Weapon ExpertiseRank 2/2
Requires 25 points in Combat Talents
Requires 1 point in Blade Flurry
Combat talent, tier 6, level 35+
Changed Rewritten: 1–2% less chance to be dodged or parried (Classic: +3/+5 weapon skill).
3/3
AggressionRank 3/3
Requires 25 points in Combat Talents
Combat talent, tier 6, level 35+
Changed Now also boosts Backstab: +6% damage to Sinister Strike, Backstab and Eviscerate at 3/3. Combat 60 and the levelling order take it.
1/1
Adrenaline RushRank 1/1
Instant5 min cooldown
Requires 30 points in Combat Talents
Increases your Energy regeneration rate by 100% for 15 sec.
Combat talent, tier 7, level 40+

Subtlety 0

0/5
CamouflageRank 0/5
Subtlety talent, tier 1, level 10+
Changed Moved from tier 2 to tier 1. At 5/5 it cuts the Stealth speed penalty by 15% and Stealth's cooldown by 6 seconds. Both Subtlety builds take it.
0/3
Master of DeceptionRank 0/3
Subtlety talent, tier 1, level 10+
Changed
0/2
OpportunityRank 0/2
Subtlety talent, tier 1, level 10+
Changed Cut to 2 ranks of 5% (Classic 5 ranks of 4%); now covers Mutilate.
0/3
SetupRank 0/3
Requires 5 points in Subtlety Talents
Subtlety talent, tier 2, level 15+
Changed Moved down to the 5-point row and raised to 100% at 3/3. It only adds points when your current target is the enemy you dodged.
0/2
ElusivenessRank 0/2
Requires 5 points in Subtlety Talents
Subtlety talent, tier 2, level 15+
Changed The client lists this as changed. At 2/2 it takes 90 seconds off the cooldowns of Vanish and Blind. Subtlety 60 takes both ranks.
0/2
Dirty TricksRank 0/2
Requires 5 points in Subtlety Talents
Subtlety talent, tier 2, level 15+
New New: Sap and Blind cost up to 50% less energy.
0/3
Improved AmbushRank 0/3
Requires 5 points in Subtlety Talents
Subtlety talent, tier 2, level 15+
Moved Moved from tier 3 to tier 2. At 3/3 it adds 45% crit chance to Ambush. Both Subtlety builds take all three ranks.
0/3
InitiativeRank 0/3
Requires 10 points in Subtlety Talents
Subtlety talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed Now also covers Cheap Shot: at 3/3 it is a 100% chance of an extra combo point from Ambush, Garrote or Cheap Shot. Both Subtlety builds take all three ranks.
0/1
Ghostly StrikeRank 0/1
40 EnergyMelee range
Instant20 sec cooldown
Requires 10 points in Subtlety Talents
Requires Melee Weapon
A strike that deals 125% (180% if a Dagger is equipped in your Main Hand) weapon damage and increases your chance to dodge by 15% for 7 sec. Awards 1 combo point.
Subtlety talent, tier 3, level 20+
Changed The client lists this as changed. It hits for 125% weapon damage (180% with a main-hand dagger), gives +15% dodge for 7 seconds and awards 1 combo point. Subtlety 30 takes it.
0/2
Improved DistractRank 0/2
Requires 10 points in Subtlety Talents
Subtlety talent, tier 3, level 20+
New New: a wider Distract that also lowers Stealth detection further.
0/2
Heightened SensesRank 0/2
Requires 15 points in Subtlety Talents
Subtlety talent, tier 4, level 25+
Changed Moved from tier 5 to tier 4. At 2/2 you detect Stealth as if 3 levels higher and have 4% less chance to be hit by spells and ranged attacks; Sub 60 takes 1 of 2 ranks.
0/1
PremeditationRank 0/1
20 yd range
Instant2 min cooldown
Requires 15 points in Subtlety Talents
Adds 2 Combo Points to your target. You must add to or use those combo points within 20 sec or the combo points are lost.
Subtlety talent, tier 4, level 25+
Changed No longer a capstone: moved from tier 7 to tier 4, needs neither Preparation nor Stealth, and adds 2 combo points that last 20 seconds. That makes it usable at 15 points, and both Subtlety builds take it.
0/3
Serrated BladesRank 0/3
Requires 15 points in Subtlety Talents
Subtlety talent, tier 4, level 25+
Changed The client lists this as changed. At 3/3 your attacks ignore 9% of the target's armour and Rupture deals 30% more. Both Subtlety builds take all three ranks.
0/2
Dirty DeedsRank 0/2
Requires 20 points in Subtlety Talents
Subtlety talent, tier 5, level 30+
Changed Garrote no longer needs you behind the target.
0/1
PreparationRank 0/1
Instant10 min cooldown
Requires 20 points in Subtlety Talents
When activated, this ability immediately finishes the cooldown on your other Rogue abilities.
Subtlety talent, tier 5, level 30+
0/1
HemorrhageRank 0/1
35 EnergyMelee range
Instant
Requires 20 points in Subtlety Talents
Requires 3 points in Serrated Blades
Requires Melee Weapon
An instant strike that deals 100% weapon damage (145% if a Dagger is equipped) and causes the target to take 15% increased Rupture damage from the Rogue. Lasts 15 sec. Awards 1 Combo Point.
Subtlety talent, tier 5, level 30+
Changed Subtlety has two one-point talents on its 20-point row (Hemorrhage and Preparation); the other trees have one.
0/5
QuietusRank 0/5
Requires 25 points in Subtlety Talents
Requires 2 points in Dirty Deeds
Subtlety talent, tier 6, level 35+
New New: Sinister Strike, Ghostly Strike and Hemorrhage do up to 10% more below 35% health.
0/5
CutthroatRank 0/5
Requires 25 points in Subtlety Talents
Subtlety talent, tier 6, level 35+
New New: a Backstab can make your next Ambush usable out of Stealth (15% at 5/5).
0/1
Thousand CutsRank 0/1
Requires 30 points in Subtlety Talents
Requires 1 point in Preparation
When your Rupture ability deals periodic damage, the Energy cost of your next Hemorrhage or Backstab ability within 10 sec is reduced by 3, stacking up to 5 times.
Subtlety talent, tier 7, level 40+
New To be replaced. Blizzard announced that Death Mark (mark a target; damage you deal builds up on it for 6 sec, then bursts) will take this slot. The 70205 client still has Thousand Cuts.

Combat builds and leveling order

Combat leveling order 18/33/0

Assassination: Malice 5, Ruthlessness 3, Improved Slice and Dice 3, Relentless Strikes 1, Lethality 5, Cold Blood 1

Combat: Improved Eviscerate 3, Improved Sinister Strike 2, Deflection 3, Precision 3, Endurance 2, Riposte 1, Improved Sprint 1, Flawless Execution 1, Dual Wield Specialization 5, Blade Flurry 1, Hack and Slash 5, Weapon Expertise 2, Aggression 3, Adrenaline Rush 1

The 10–30 order, then the Combat core and the Assassination dip of the 18/33/0 level-60 build. Alternatively, take Precision before Deflection, and detour into Camouflage and Master of Deception at 31–38 for easier stealthing. With the Talented legacy perk every step comes up to five levels sooner.

Combat, level 30 0/21/0 Tested in beta

Combat: Improved Eviscerate 3, Improved Sinister Strike 2, Deflection 3, Precision 3, Endurance 2, Riposte 1, Improved Sprint 1, Flawless Execution 1, Dual Wield Specialization 4, Blade Flurry 1

The 15th point goes in Improved Sprint or Lightning Reflexes; either is filler. Alternatively, take Puncturing Wounds for Backstab instead of Deflection and Riposte. With the Talented legacy perk, the extra points go into Hack and Slash. Order: the Combat levelling order above, keeping this build's talents.

Combat, level 60 (projected) 18/33/0 Guide's pick, untested

Assassination: Malice 5, Ruthlessness 3, Improved Slice and Dice 3, Relentless Strikes 1, Lethality 5, Cold Blood 1

Combat: Improved Eviscerate 3, Improved Sinister Strike 2, Deflection 3, Precision 3, Endurance 2, Improved Sprint 2, Flawless Execution 1, Dual Wield Specialization 5, Blade Flurry 1, Hack and Slash 5, Weapon Expertise 2, Aggression 3, Adrenaline Rush 1

The "Sinister Strike" 18/33/0. A popular variant is the same with Lightning Reflexes instead of Deflection. Beta theorycraft: nobody can test 31+ yet. Order: the Combat levelling order above, keeping this build's talents; Improved Sprint, which that order skips, go in where the tree allows.

How the trees work

Tier 1: 0 points in the tree, level 10
Tier 2: 5 points in the tree, level 15
Tier 3: 10 points in the tree, level 20
Tier 4: 15 points in the tree, level 25
Tier 5: 20 points in the tree, level 30
Tier 6: 25 points in the tree, level 35
Tier 7: 30 points in the tree, level 40