TBC Classic Guide
Rogue class icon

Combat Rogue

Melee DPS medium demand

The go-to PvE Rogue spec with versatile weapon options and consistent damage output.

How It Feels to Play

Combat is the Rogue's PvE workhorse. It's the most common raid spec, and for good reason: it works with any weapon type (swords, maces, fist weapons), provides consistent damage, and has Blade Flurry for cleave situations. If you want to raid as a Rogue and not worry about specific weapon drops, Combat is your best bet.

The rotation centers around Sinister Strike to build combo points, Slice and Dice to maintain your attack speed buff (this is your highest priority), and Rupture or Eviscerate as your damage finisher. Keeping Slice and Dice up at all times is the single most important thing you can do. Letting it fall off is a massive DPS loss.

Blade Flurry is your big cooldown, and it's incredible on fights with two targets. You attack one, and your Blade Flurry hits the other for free. Adrenaline Rush doubles your energy regeneration, letting you unload a burst of abilities. The spec feels fast and active during cooldowns, and steady and reliable outside of them.

Complexity

Strengths

  • Works with any melee weapon type for maximum flexibility
  • Blade Flurry provides strong cleave damage
  • Consistent, reliable DPS output

Pain Points

  • Slice and Dice management is unforgiving
  • Less burst potential than Assassination
  • Competition from other melee DPS for raid spots

Demand & Supply

medium demand

The standard PvE Rogue spec with flexible weapon options. Most raiding Rogues are Combat. Demand is moderate; raids want 1-2 Rogues but melee spots are limited.

Talent Build

Standard Combat DPS

15/41/5
Adrenaline Rush
Doubles your energy regeneration rate for 15 seconds. Massive burst cooldown
Blade Flurry
Increases attack speed by 20% and makes your attacks hit an additional nearby target
Combat Potency
Your off-hand hits have a 20% chance to generate 15 energy
Surprise Attacks
Your finishing moves can no longer be dodged and Sinister Strike/Backstab deal 10% more damage

41 into Combat for Surprise Attacks, 15 into Assassination for Malice (5% crit) and Relentless Strikes (energy refund on finishers), 5 into Subtlety for Camouflage. Sinister Strike to build combo points, Slice and Dice MUST be up at all times, then Rupture or Eviscerate. Blade Flurry and Adrenaline Rush are your big cooldowns.

Stat Priority

Hit Rating (9% cap / 142 rating)
100
Expertise (6.5% / 26 skill)
85
Haste Rating
80
Agility
75
Attack Power
70
Critical Strike Rating
65

Hit cap and Expertise are mandatory. Combat values Haste more than other Rogue specs because faster attacks mean more Combat Potency procs (energy regeneration from off-hand hits). Agility and Attack Power scale well.

Pre-Raid Best in Slot

Slot Item Source
head Wastewalker Helm Wastewalker Helm Epoch Hunter - Old Hillsbrad Foothills (Heroic) Epoch Hunter - Old Hillsbrad Foothills (Heroic)
neck Choker of Vile Intent Choker of Vile Intent Revered - Keepers of Time Revered - Keepers of Time
shoulders Wastewalker Shoulderpads Wastewalker Shoulderpads Warp Splinter - The Botanica Warp Splinter - The Botanica
back Auchenai Death Shroud Auchenai Death Shroud Exarch Maladaar - Auchenai Crypts Exarch Maladaar - Auchenai Crypts
chest Tunic of Assassination Tunic of Assassination Quest - Wanted: Pathaleon the Calculator's Head Quest - Wanted: Pathaleon the Calculator's Head
wrists Nightfall Wristguards Nightfall Wristguards Murmur - Shadow Labyrinth (Heroic) Murmur - Shadow Labyrinth (Heroic)
hands Wastewalker Gloves Wastewalker Gloves Quagmirran - The Slave Pens (Heroic) Quagmirran - The Slave Pens (Heroic)
waist Girdle of the Deathdealer Girdle of the Deathdealer Warp Splinter - The Botanica (Heroic) Warp Splinter - The Botanica (Heroic)
legs Wastewalker Leggings Wastewalker Leggings Warlord Kalithresh - The Steamvault Warlord Kalithresh - The Steamvault
feet Boots of the Unjust Boots of the Unjust Warchief Kargath Bladefist - The Shattered Halls Warchief Kargath Bladefist - The Shattered Halls
ring Shapeshifter's Signet Shapeshifter's Signet Exalted - Lower City Exalted - Lower City
ring A'dal's Command A'dal's Command Quest - How to Break Into the Arcatraz Quest - How to Break Into the Arcatraz
trinket Hourglass of the Unraveller Hourglass of the Unraveller Temporus - The Black Morass Temporus - The Black Morass
trinket Bloodlust Brooch Bloodlust Brooch 41 Badges - G'eras (Shattrath) 41 Badges - G'eras (Shattrath)
main hand Latro's Shifting Sword Latro's Shifting Sword Aeonus - The Black Morass Aeonus - The Black Morass
off hand The Bladefist The Bladefist Warchief Kargath Bladefist - The Shattered Halls (Heroic) Warchief Kargath Bladefist - The Shattered Halls (Heroic)
ranged Mama's Insurance Mama's Insurance Quest - The Smallest Creatures (Netherstorm) Quest - The Smallest Creatures (Netherstorm)

Rotation & Priority

41 into Combat for Surprise Attacks, 15 into Assassination for Malice (5% crit) and Relentless Strikes (energy refund on finishers), 5 into Subtlety for Camouflage. Sinister Strike to build combo points, Slice and Dice MUST be up at all times, then Rupture or Eviscerate. Blade Flurry and Adrenaline Rush are your big cooldowns.

Progression Path

1
Level to 70

Quest through Outland, run dungeons for gear along the way.

2
Normal Dungeons

Farm reputation to Revered for Heroic keys. Replace leveling greens.

3
Heroic Dungeons

Collect your Pre-Raid BiS gear and Badge of Justice items.

4
Karazhan & T4

Enter your first raid. Collect Tier 4 tokens and epic drops.

5
T5 & Beyond

Progress into SSC, Tempest Keep, Black Temple, and Sunwell.

View the full dungeon progression guide →

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