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: The War Within (11.2).

Single Target

Start from Stealth with Ambush to apply Deathstalkers Mark.

• GarroteView detailsMaintain uptime, cast from Stealth when possible.
• RuptureView detailsMaintain with 5+ Combo Points.
• DeathmarkView detailsActivate on cooldown.
• KingsbaneView detailsUse on cooldown, sync with buffs.
• ShivView detailsUse 1 charge after Deathmark, extend debuff with 2nd charge.
• EnvenomView detailsCast with 5+ Combo Points, 7 CP if Darkest Night is active.
• AmbushView detailsUse to generate Combo Points when available.
• MutilateView detailsUse to generate Combo Points.
• Thistle TeaView detailsUse alongside Shiv.
• Vanish ➜ AmbushView detailsReapply Deathstalkers Mark if it drops or switching targets.

Maintain Garrote and Rupture while syncing Kingsbane and Deathmark with buffs. Use Shiv strategically and Envenom with high Combo Points for max DPS.

AoE

Open from Stealth with Ambush to apply Deathstalkers Mark.

• GarroteView detailsMaintain on multiple targets, cast from Stealth when possible.
• RuptureView detailsMaintain at least 5 with 5+ Combo Points.
• Crimson TempestView detailsMaintain for AoE damage.
• Caustic SpatterView detailsMaintain by using Mutilate every 10 seconds.
• DeathmarkView detailsActivate on cooldown.
• KingsbaneView detailsUse on cooldown, sync with buffs.
• ShivView detailsUse 1 charge after Deathmark, extend debuff with 2nd charge.
• VanishView detailsRefresh Garrote and Rupture if DoTs are expiring.
• EnvenomView detailsCast with 5+ Combo Points, 7 CP if Darkest Night is active.
• AmbushView detailsUse to generate Combo Points when available.
• Fan Of KnivesView detailsUse to generate Combo Points on 2+ targets (3+ with Blindside).
• Thistle TeaView detailsUse alongside Shiv.

Maintain Garrote, Rupture, and Crimson Tempest on multiple targets. Use Kingsbane and Deathmark on cooldown, and Fan Of Knives for Combo Points in AoE scenarios.

Cooldowns

• DeathmarkView detailsUse on cooldown for burst damage.
• KingsbaneView detailsSync with buffs for max DPS.
• ShivView detailsUse strategically with Deathmark and Kingsbane.
• VanishView detailsReapply Deathstalkers Mark or refresh DoTs.
• Thistle TeaView detailsUse to restore Energy during burst phases.

Use Deathmark and Kingsbane on cooldown, syncing them with buffs. Utilize Shiv strategically and Vanish to maintain DoTs or Deathstalkers Mark.

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.