01-14-2010, 01:44 PM
Here is a quick summary of the basics of playing a combat raiding rogue:
* Spec
The top combat spec is currently 20/51/0
* Weapons
For a main hand, get a slow weapon (2.5-2.7) which is as high-DPS as possible. DPS matters more than speed. For the off-hand, you want something as fast as possible (1.4 - 1.5).
You want two weapons of the same type so that both use your specialization. There's currently a preference for Hack and Slash: sword/sword and axe/axe builds are currently favored due to itemization issues.
* Stats
All the rogue stats are good (Agility, Attack Power, Hit, Haste) for where we are (early ICC).
(Late in ICC, theory has it that combat rogues should look into gemming hit to reach their Crit cap, and then stacking Armor Penetration.)
* Attack rotation
(1) Get Slice and Dice up ASAP
(2) Sinister Strike to 5 combo points (Sinister strike is your main attack and combo-point generator)
(3) Eviscerate (5-point Eviscerates are your main finisher)
- Keep Slice and Dice up at all times, no matter what your combo points are at
- Blow cooldowns whenever possible. Killing Spree + Blade Flurry; Blade Flurry + Adrenaline Rush are both good. Adrenaline Rush + Killing Spree is not recommended as your energy will cap (will sit at 100).
* Poisons
Main hand: Instant Poison
Off-hand: Deadly Poison
For more general advice on playing and gearing a rogue, see my post on The Art of DPS.
* Spec
The top combat spec is currently 20/51/0
* Weapons
For a main hand, get a slow weapon (2.5-2.7) which is as high-DPS as possible. DPS matters more than speed. For the off-hand, you want something as fast as possible (1.4 - 1.5).
You want two weapons of the same type so that both use your specialization. There's currently a preference for Hack and Slash: sword/sword and axe/axe builds are currently favored due to itemization issues.
* Stats
All the rogue stats are good (Agility, Attack Power, Hit, Haste) for where we are (early ICC).
(Late in ICC, theory has it that combat rogues should look into gemming hit to reach their Crit cap, and then stacking Armor Penetration.)
* Attack rotation
(1) Get Slice and Dice up ASAP
(2) Sinister Strike to 5 combo points (Sinister strike is your main attack and combo-point generator)
(3) Eviscerate (5-point Eviscerates are your main finisher)
- Keep Slice and Dice up at all times, no matter what your combo points are at
- Blow cooldowns whenever possible. Killing Spree + Blade Flurry; Blade Flurry + Adrenaline Rush are both good. Adrenaline Rush + Killing Spree is not recommended as your energy will cap (will sit at 100).
* Poisons
Main hand: Instant Poison
Off-hand: Deadly Poison
For more general advice on playing and gearing a rogue, see my post on The Art of DPS.