• Added Phase 2 BiS Equipment
• Added Phase 3 BiS Equipment
• Reviewed Talent Builds, Consumables, and Rotations

If you want your Racials to affect your DPS, there is only one choice in Alliance and it is Human. His Sword Specialization gives him a considerable edge over other available allied races. It decreases your chance to miss an attack, reduces enemy's chance to dodge, block, and parry, and most of all reduces glancing blow (glancing blows deal damage reduced in proportion to the difference between Target's defense skill and Attaker's weapon skill) penalty, which is huge for DPS.

If you are going for a Dagger build, the race choice becomes very much open. We recommend Dwarf or Gnome in this case, because of their solid PvP-centred Racials - Stone Form and Escape Artist.

1. Hit Rating -  Increases your chance to Hit a Target. At level 60, with a Weapon Skill of 300, you have a 5% chance to miss with a special attack against a Target of equal level. Against level 63 Boss, who has 315 Defense skill, you need 9% Hit Rating to never miss a special attack. This means that getting 9% Hit Rating is paramount for a Raiding Rogue and should be your first goal when gearing up.

2. Weapon Skill - Increases your chance to Hit, decreases enemy's chance to Block, Dodge, and Parry, and counteracts Glancing Blow Penalty. As a Rogue, you get 5 Weapon skills in Swords, Daggers, and Fist Weapons with the Weapon Expertise Talent, but you need at least 5 more. These 5 points can be provided by Human's Racial (for Sword Spec) or by Aged Core Leather Gloves (Drop from Molten Core; for Dagger spec).

3. Agility - Increases your Ranged and Melee Attack Power by 1 AP per 1 Agility (at all levels), improves your Dodge chance by 1% per 14,5 Agility, and Critical Strike chance by 1% per 29 Agility (at level 60). This is your primary stat and you should look for it on all item upgrades after covering Hit Rating and Weapon Skill.

4. Attack Power/Strength - 1 point of Strength provides Rogue with 1 Attack Power, making these two stats equal. They both increase Damage but have a much lower impact than Agility.

5. Critical Strike - Increases your chance to deal bonus (critical) damage with all your attacks. Crit is a powerful stat for any rogue, but it gets a bit overshadowed by the fact that Agility provides both Crit Chance and Attack Power.

Swords Combat Rogue PvE DPS Build

Assassination Tree:

• 5/5 Malice
• 3/3 Ruthlessness - This Talent brings some RNG to Rogue's rotation, but the boost that it brings is definitely worth it.
• 2/2 Murder - A lot of the Bosses are either Humanoids, Giants, Beasts or Dragonkin, which makes this Talent a must-have (it is a bit underwhelming in Molten Core, however).
• 3/3 Improved Slice and Dice - Makes your Slice and Dice much more efficient and cheaper to maintain at all times.
• 5/5 Lethality - More Damage from Sinister Strike Crits. This talent scales very well with gear.

Combat Tree:

• 3/3 Improved Gouge - More of a PvP Talent, but it finds some uses in PvE as well.
• 2/2 Improved Sinister Strike - More Sinister Strikes = more DPS.
• 1/5 Lightning Reflexes - This Talent has close to 0 value in PvE, but the point has to go somewhere to unlock higher tier Combat Talents.
• 5/5 Precision
• 2/2 Endurance - Allows you to Sprint more often, which makes you more mobile and less prone to losing DPS because of encounter mechanics.
• 2/2 Improved Sprint - Your Sprint now also breaks movement impairing effects, which is essential in some encounters.
• 5/5 Dual Wield Specialization - With this Talent, your offhand Weapon deals 75% of normal Damage instead of standard 50%.
• 1/1 Blade Flurry - Strong DPS Cooldown that also allows you to Cleave your Damage to a second Target.
• 5/5 Sword Specialization - Solid Talent that passively boosts your DPS. Be aware that this Talent's procs will reset your Swing Timer (you should use your abilities immediately after Auro-Attack swings - get a Swing Timer Addon - because of that).
• 2/2 Weapon Expertise - Weapon Skill increase is very hard to get on Items and this talent provides you with 5 points!
• 3/3 Aggression
• 1/1 Adrenaline Rush - Very strong offensive Cooldown that increases your Energy regeneration rate by 100% for 15 seconds. Be aware that your Energy will tick for 40 per 2 seconds instead of 20 per 2 seconds when this is active (keep track of your energy levels, or you might waste some of it).

Daggers Combat Rogue PvE DPS Build

Assassination Tree:

• 5/5 Malice
• 2/2 Murder 
• 3/3 Improved Slice and Dice
• 5/5 Lethality 

Combat Tree:

• 3/3 Improved Gouge
• 2/2 Improved Sinister Strike - you'll want to use Backstab with this build, but this should provide you with more value than 2/5 Lightning Reflexes anyway.
• 3/3 Improved Backstab - Additional 30% Crit chance with Backstab. A must-have.
• 5/5 Precision
• 2/2 Endurance
• 2/2 Improved Sprint 
• 5/5 Dagger Specialization - even more Critical Strike chance.
• 5/5 Dual Wield Specialization
• 1/1 Blade Flurry 
• 2/2 Weapon Expertise
• 1/1 Adrenaline Rush

Subtlety Tree:

• 5/5 Opportunity - 20% Extra Damage from Backstab, Garrote, and Ambush abilities. We advise you to watch out for your Ambushes at the start of Combat, as you might accidentally pull Aggro with them - just give Tank a while to generate some Threat.

• Pre-Raid - Felstriker(Dagger) / Dal'Rend's Sacred Charge(Sword) (Both drop from Warchief Rend Blackhand, Upper Blackrock Spire) 
• Phase 1 - Perdition's Blade(Dagger) (Drop from Ragnaros, Molten Core) / Vis'kag the Bloodletter(Sword) (Drop from Onyxia, Onyxia's Lair)
• Phase 2 - Grand Marshal's Longsword/High Warlord's Blade (Rank 14 PvP Reward) 
• Phase 3 - Grand Marshal's Longsword/High Warlord's Blade / Chromatically Tempered Sword (Drop from Chromaggus, Blackwing Lair)
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Dal'Rend's Tribal Guardian(Sword) (Drop from Warchief Rend Blackhand, Upper Blackrock Spire) / Alcor's Sunrazor(Dagger) (BoE World Drop)
• Phase 1 - Brutality Blade(Sword) (Drop from Garr, Molten Core) / Core Hound Tooth(Dagger) (Cashe of the Firelord, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Grand Marshal's Swiftblade/High Warlord's Quickblade (Rank 14 PvP Reward) 
• Phase 3 - Grand Marshal's Swiftblade/High Warlord's Quickblade / Maladath, Runed Blade of the Black Flight (Drop from Broodlord Lashlayer, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Blackcrow (Drop from Shadow Hunter Vosh'gajin, Lower Blackrock Spire) / Precisely Calibrated Boomstick (BoE World Drop)
• Phase 1 - Striker's Mark (Drop from Magmadar, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Striker's Mark
• Phase 3 - Striker's Mark
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Hand of Justice (Drop from Emperor Dagran Thaurissan, Blackrock Depths)
• Phase 1 - Hand of Justice
• Phase 2 - Hand of Justice
• Phase 3 - Hand of Justice
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Blackhand's Breadth (Quest Reward from "For the Horde!" / "General Drakkisath's Demise", Upper Blackrock Spire)
• Phase 1 - Blackhand's Breadth
• Phase 2 - Blackhand's Breadth
• Phase 3 - Drake Fang Talisman (Drop from Ebonroc, Blackwing Lair)
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Mark of Fordring (Quest Reward from "In Dreams", Western Plaguelands)
• Phase 1 - Onyxia Tooth Pendant (Quest Reward from "For All To See" / "Celebrating Good Times", Onyxia's Lair)
• Phase 2 - Onyxia Tooth Pendant
• Phase 3 - Prestor's Talisman of Connivery (Drop from Nefarian, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Blackstone Ring (Drop from Princess Theradras, Maraudon)
• Phase 1 - Blackstone Ring
• Phase 2 - Don Julio's Band (Alterac Valley Reputation Reward - Exalted) 
• Phase 3 - Don Julio's Band
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Painweaver Band (Drop from General Drakkisath, Upper Blackrock Spire)
• Phase 1 - Band of Accuria (Drop from Ragnaros, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Band of Accuria
• Phase 3 - Band of Accuria
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Mask of the Unforgiven (Drop from The Unforgiven, Stratholme)
• Phase 1 - Bloodfang Hood (Drop from Onyxia, Onyxia's Lair)
• Phase 2 - Bloodfang Hood / Field Marshal's Leather Mask/Warlord's Leather Helm (Rank 13 PvP Reward)
• Phase 3 - Bloodfang Hood / Field Marshal's Leather Mask/Warlord's Leather Helm
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid -  Cadaverous Armor (Drop from Multiple Bosses, Scholomance)
• Phase 1 - Nightslayer Chestpiece (Drop from Golemagg the Incinerator, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Field Marshal's Leather Chestpiece/Warlord's Leather Breastplate (Rank 13 PvP Reward)
• Phase 3 - Bloodfang Chestpiece (Drop from Nefarian, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Devilsaur Leggings (Leatherworking Recipe)
• Phase 1 - Bloodfang Pants (Drop from Ragnaros, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Bloodfang Pants
• Phase 3 - Bloodfang Pants
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Devilsaur Gauntlets (Leatherworking Recipe)
• Phase 1 - Nightslayer Gloves (Drop from Gehennas, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Nightslayer Gloves
• Phase 3 - Bloodfang Gloves (Drop from various bosses, Blackwing Lair)
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Swiftwalker Boots (Drop from Princess Moira Bronzebeard, Blackrock Depths)
• Phase 1 - Nightslayer Boots (Drop from Shazzrah, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Nightslayer Boots
• Phase 3 - Bloodfang Boots (Drop from Broodlord Lashlayer, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Truestrike Shoulders (Drop from Pyroguard Emberseer, Upper Blackrock Spire)
• Phase 1 - Nightslayer Shoulder Pads (Drop from Sulfuron Harbinger, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Nightslayer Shoulder Pads / Field Marshal's Leather Epaulets/Warlord's Leather Spaulders (Rank 13 PvP Reward) 
• Phase 3 - Bloodfang Spaulders (Drop from Chromaggus. Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Deepfury Bracers (BoE World Drop)
• Phase 1 - Nightslayer Bracelets (Trash Mobs (BoE), Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Nightslayer Bracelets
• Phase 3 - Bloodfang Bracers (Drop from Razorgore the Untamed, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Cloudrunner Girdle (Drop from Quartermaster Zigris, Lower Blackrock Spire)
• Phase 1 - Nightslayer Belt (Trash Mobs (BoE), Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Nightslayer Belt
• Phase 3 - Bloodfang Belt (Drop from Vaelestrasz the Corrupt, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Cape of the Black Baron (Drop from Baron Rivendare, Stratholme)
• Phase 1 - Cape of the Black Baron
• Phase 2 - Puissant Cape (Drop from Azuregos, Azshara World Boss)
• Phase 3 - Clock of Firemaw (Drop from Firemaw, Blackwing Lair)
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

1. Maintain Slice and Dice at all times (use it with 5 Combo Points)

2. Vanish if too high on Threat and there is a danger of pulling Aggro

3. Adrenaline Rush on Cooldown

4. Blade Flurry when Adrenaline Rush is active or when multiple Targets available

5. Eviscerate at 5 Combo Points

6. Sinister Strike/Backstab as a CP generator (depending on the situation/build)

1. If you want to deal more Damage and stand out from your Raid competition, Stack Consumables. Spending some additional Gold or a few extra hours grinding might secure you a spot in a Raid, as Raid leaders prefer dedicated and well-prepared players.

2. Do not ever overcap your Combo Points or Energy, but don't just spam Energy requiring abilities, try to maintain a stable Energy level (60-80).

3. You should always try to use your Finishing Moves with 5 Combo Points in order to maximize efficiency. Keep track of Ruthlessness procs, as they can change the math slightly (don't just spam 5x Sinister Strike/Backstab into finisher, keep track of your current CP).

4. Use Macros. You should add a /startattack macro to all your offensive abilities. Other macros, like /cancelaura "x", Weapon Swaps (/equip "WeaponName") and even mouseovers (/cast [target=mouseover, exists] AbilityName; AbilityName) are worth considering as well. Weapon Swap macros can be especially useful if you have multiple Weapons, with different Poisons applied, in your bags (you can swap weapons to apply poisons as needed).

5. Always try to improve. Get an addon that tracks your performance and try to optimize your equipment and rotation.

END NOTE

This Guide should help you to prepare yourself for that legendary Vanilla  Raiding Experience and allow you to progress through Raid Tiers efficiently and with a good amount of fun.

We hope that you have found this guide useful and informative.  If we have missed a piece of information that is important to you, please let us know! 

Please do note that this is an early version of our guide, and we will be happy to receive constructive criticism, that will help us improve it, so leave your suggestions in the comments section below.