DPS Rotation & Cooldowns

This rotation offers a general priority list for Assassination Rogue abilities, along with key cooldowns at the bottom. It's based on a standard build and is here to help while we work on a smarter, build-aware system. If you are very new to the game or this class, we added info on the new assisted rotation features at the bottom of this guide. Updated for the latest patch in World of Warcraft: Midnight Pre-Patch (12.0.1).

Single Target

Ensure Garrote is applied from Stealth before engaging.

• GarroteView detailsMaintain uptime, use from Vanish before Deathmark.
• RuptureView detailsMaintain with 5+ Combo Points.
• DeathmarkView detailsUse on cooldown.
• KingsbaneView detailsUse on cooldown, sync with Deathmark.
• EnvenomView detailsCast with 5+ Combo Points (7 CP with Darkest Night).
• AmbushView detailsUse to generate Combo Points when available.
• MutilateView detailsUse to generate Combo Points.
• Thistle TeaView detailsUse alongside Kingsbane.

Maintain Garrote and Rupture uptime, using Deathmark and Kingsbane on cooldown. Spend Combo Points on Envenom and generate them with Ambush or Mutilate.

AoE

• GarroteView detailsApply to all targets, cast twice on opener for max duration.
• RuptureView detailsMaintain on all targets using Crimson Tempest.
• Crimson TempestView detailsUse as AoE builder to spread bleeds.
• Fan Of KnivesView detailsUse if all targets already have bleeds.
• DeathmarkView detailsUse on cooldown.
• KingsbaneView detailsUse on cooldown, sync with Deathmark.
• VanishView detailsReapply Garrote with Improved Garrote if DoTs are expiring.
• EnvenomView detailsCast with 5+ Combo Points (7 CP with Darkest Night).
• Thistle TeaView detailsUse alongside Kingsbane.

Spread bleeds with Crimson Tempest and maintain Garrote and Rupture on all targets. Use Deathmark and Kingsbane on cooldown, and spend Combo Points on Envenom.

Cooldowns

• DeathmarkView detailsUse on cooldown, pool Energy beforehand if possible.
• KingsbaneView detailsUse on cooldown, maintain 100% melee and Envenom uptime during its duration.
• Thistle TeaView detailsUse to maintain Envenom chains or during damage phases.

Use Deathmark and Kingsbane on cooldown, ensuring uptime and synergy. Utilize Thistle Tea to sustain Energy during key moments.

New to Class? Try Assisted Rotation

Patch 11.1.7 introduced new features that make it eaiser to pick and play new characters. These new settings can be enabled from settings » gameplay enhancements:

• Single-Button Assistant
• Assisted Highlight
• Cooldown Manager

If you are new to World of Warcraft or a certain class, enabling Assisted Highlight and Cooldown Manager can help you learn which abilities to prioritize and use.

While the Single-Button Assistant can be a much easier and more accessible way to play the game, it does come with a slight performance hit due to a small GCD penalty, as you will have to wait 25% longer in between spells and abilities.

To see which specs are best with the Single-Button Assistant feature, you can check out our DPS Rankings which uses SimC to sim every class using this feature.