PvE Subtlety Rogue DPS

Subtlety Rogue in Mists of Pandaria is the most difficult Rogue specialization, focusing on precise burst sequences to deal high damage and powerful Finishing Moves. Their gameplay is considerably more challenging to master, especially since it involves a strict ability priority order and short opportunity windows for burst sequences compared to other DPS specializations.

In this guide, we’ll cover every aspect of a Subtlety Rogue, ranging from gameplay, to gearing, to quick tips & tricks so you can tackle the endgame and get to the top of the Damage Meters!

Changes in Mists of Pandaria

Powerful burst sequences and Bleed Damage still represent Subtlety Rogue in Mists of Pandaria! Thankfully, Subtlety received a few overhauls while maintaining its core identity, enjoying Quality-of-Life improvements through the new Talent System and a few specialization-specific quirks. They now have a way better Energy Regeneration mechanic thanks to the addition of Energetic Recovery, which effectively removes the need to use Recuperate. Their Find Weakness was also massively buffed to ignore 100% of the target’s armor, while its duration can be extended through the new Subterfuge talent.

The core of Subtlety Rogue’s gameplay still revolves around Hemorrhage, Backstab, Ambush, Slice and Dice, Rupture, and Eviscerate. Yet Hemorrhage no longer applies a buff that amplifies Bleed Damage, while Rupture can no longer be automatically refreshed. However, they did receive an overhaul to Sanguinary Vein and a powerful AoE Finishing Move, Crimson Tempest, which maintains their identity as a Bleed Damage specialization.

The specialization requires extreme precision in burst sequences, leaving room for nearly no mistakes. While the basic rotation is easy to execute as long as you manage to keep track of Slice and Dice, Hemorrhage, and Rupture timers, the burst sequences make the specialization hard to master, making it difficult for new players.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

• Great Mobility Tools
  Subtlety Rogues benefit from two strong mobility tools, Shadowstep and Sprint, which allow them to reposition easily during most encounters.

• Great Crowd Control & Decent Utility
  Rogues are known as masters of Crowd Control, and this is no exception in Mists of Pandaria. Subtlety Rogues also provide their group with strong Utility tools like their brethren, such as Master Poisoner, Tricks of the Trade, and Swiftblade’s Cunning.

• Decent Damage Output
  While Subtlety Rogues are not known as the best DPS specialization regarding raw Damage Output, they are still considered heavy hitters, especially when mastered!

Weaknesses

• Very Stat Dependent
  Subtlety Rogues require even more stats than their peers, especially considering their dependency on proper Energy Regeneration. While Energetic Recovery does help them, they require considerable Haste to execute their burst sequences. In addition, they need considerable amounts of Agility, Critical Strike Chance, and Mastery before their damage truly ramps up.

• Extremely Hard to Master
  It is no secret that Subtlety Rogues in PvE are the most complex Rogue specialization, but this is also true compared to other similar DPS classes. Their rotation is far more complicated and requires precise key inputs, leaving room for close to no mistakes.

Best Races

While racial effects were significant in previous versions of WoW, their importance has been overall reduced in MoP Classic. The effects now act as slight bonuses instead of actual game-changing mechanics. Subtlety Rogues are an exception to the rule due to their Sinister Calling passive, which makes Pandaren especially strong for the specialization due to the raw Agility gain from Epicurean.

Horde

The best race for Subtlety Rogue in the Horde is Pandaren due to Epicurean, followed by Orc with Blood Fury and Troll with Berserking. Goblin is also a decent pick thanks to Time is Money. Undead and Blood Elves are typically better for PvP environments.

• Pandaren: Bouncy, Epicurean, Gourmand, Inner Peace, Quaking Palm.
• Orc: Blood Fury, Axe Specialization, Hardiness, Command.
• Troll: Berserking, Da Voodoo Shuffle, Regeneration, Beast Slaying, Dead Eye.
• Goblin: Time is Money, Rocket Barrage, Rocket Jump, Best Deals Anywhere, Better Living Through Chemistry, Pack Hobgoblin.
• Blood Elf: Arcane Torrent, Arcane Resistance, Arcane Affinity.
• Undead: Will of the Forsaken, Cannibalize, Shadow Resistance, Touch of the Grave.

Alliance

The best race for Subtlety Rogue in the Alliance is Pandaren — due to Epicurean! Gnome is the other great option due to Shortblade Specialization, yet Epicurean comes on top due to the raw numbers advantage. Night Elves are also a decently strong option due to the interaction between Shadowmeld and Ambush.

• Pandaren: Bouncy, Epicurean, Gourmand, Inner Peace, Quaking Palm.
• Gnome: Shortblade Specialization, Engineering Specialization, Escape Artist, Expansive Mind, Arcane Resistance.
• Night Elf: Elusiveness, Quickness, Shadowmeld, Wisp Spirit, Nature Resistance.
• Worgen: Darkflight, Flayer, Viciousness, Aberration.
• Dwarf: Stoneform, Explorer, Mace Specialization, Crack Shot, Frost Resistance.
• Human: Sword Specialization, Mace Specialization, Will to Survive, The Human Spirit, Diplomacy.