PVE Roguery 101

From Game Theory

WORK IN PROGRESS by Orend

PVE

The rogue is arguably the top pound for pound DPS class when it comes to wide-open single target nuking. As with any class there are a myriad of talent specs, gear choices, and play styles available to the rogue and it can be a daunting task figuring out what will give the best results. I would like this section to be a quick reference to maximizing gear and effectiveness and should reflect the currently accepted "best practices" for the PVE rogue.

Gear

There are many tools and resources available when it comes to squeezing every last ounce of damage out of your current gear or to use in planning your next upgrade. Two that I have found to be invaluable are:

1. The DPS Spreadsheet - This thing has it all. Pre-populated drop down boxes for talents and gear, suggestions for the most efficient skill rotations, and allowances for different combinations of raid buffs are a few of the features that make this gem worthwhile. I never bid on a piece of gear without consulting this spreadsheet. Get it at DPS Spreadsheet

2. Shadowpanther - This is a gear website that lists all of the gear a rogue would love in order of high to low DPS. It also lists out the stats on the particular item and where you can get it. I use it in conjunction with the spreadsheet in planning out future gear changes and mapping out gear progression. Shadowpanther.net

Specs

The combat spec is widely accepted as the current best when it comes to raid DPS, with combat swords and fist/sword edging out daggers. It should be noted that recent changes to the Hemo spec have brought it closer to combat damagewise, and it also provides a general raid DPS boost. If you are looking for max damage however, combat is still the best build on paper. Most combat builds are 20/41/0 or 19/42/0. A good example can be found here: Combat Build

Rotations

MORE COMING SOON!

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