TBC Classic Rogue DPS Guide

Rogues are one of the most fun classes to play in TBC Classic for both PvE and PvP. Despite what many think, Rogues bring a decent amount of utility to the raid and deal heavy single-target damage. Combat is hands down the strongest build for maximizing DPS output for PvE. Through the use of two strong offensive cooldowns, as well as talents catered towards maximizing damage output - this makes the spec the clear choice in TBC Classic.

If you would like to see where Rogues fall in the overall rankings among DPS specs for both PvE and PvP in TBC Classic, we have created pages dedicated to explaining what classes and specializations are the best of the best through multiple factors. However, ultimately, you should not let these lists dissuade you from playing what you enjoy.

Troll is the strongest horde race for PvE if you can properly utilize Berserking. Troll and Orc both sim out to be very close, so it will be personal preference as to what you want your character to look like. Berserking combined with trinket procs, Mongoose procs, and low health will yield a noticable DPS-increase.

Orc has always been one of the strongest choices for PvE. Blood Fury is essentially another small trinket that you can line up with your cooldowns to get great use out of it. Blood Fury does, however, need to be used carefully. as it decreases healing effects done on you by 50% for 25 seconds. Hardiness also has its benefits in PvE fights.

Undead is one of the weaker races for strictly PvE racials. Will of the Forsaken is very good on some boss fights with fear mechanics though. An example would be Archimonde - it can change fights for you. I would recommend playing Undead if you plan on doing arena for your weapons, as they are the strongest race for arena. You will also need to acquire a rating of 2050 to get weapons, so it will not be an easy task for every player.

Blood Elf is one of the weaker races for strictly PvE racials. Arcane Torrent is a nice way to regain a little bit of Energy for some extra burst damage. You can line up this racial nicely with trinket and Mongoose procs to maximize your damage. Arcane Torrent also has some very good utility for trash packs, as an AOE silence could prevent a lot of damage from going out.

Human is hands down the best choice for Alliance players in terms of PvE as well as PvP. Sword specialization is the best racial for Rogues for either faction. 5 bonus skill for swords or maces is extremely valuable - especially due to how uncommon Expertise is on gear. Diplomacy is also a very strong racial as well. This will allow you to get reputation quicker, which will benefit you in your hunt for pre-bis gear, as well as later in the game when you are farming Scale of the Sands reputation, as well as Ashtongue Deathsworn. In terms of PvP, Perception will give you the upper hand against other Rogues or Druids. Being able to secure an opener provides a lot of momentum and changes the dynamic of fights in arena.

Dwarf has no great offensive abilities for PvE. Stoneform has its defensive benefits and can be nice to remove bleeds, poisons, or diseases from a boss. This can be beneficial for bosses like Leotheras the Blind if you get hit accidentally by the whirlwind bleed.

Gnome is another weak choice for PvE, but has Escape Artist, which can be very strong on fights with root mechanics.

Night elves have no real PvE benefit as far as racials go. They have the highest base Agility of any race for Rogues.

While the following professions in this guide are recommended based upon their benefits to your DPS, you may also wish to alter your selection based on the profession's ability to generate gold. If you would like to learn more about how your profession of choice can be used to supplement your goldmaking, along with a variety of other means to bolster your income, see our full goldmaking guide linked below:

Engineering is one of your strongest choices for all of TBC. Blizzard has now changed Engineering, so you will not be able to obtain Deathblow X11 Goggles until Tier 5 - but outside of that the benefits are very strong. You can make use of bombs as well as Gnomish Battle Chicken. Gnomish battle Chicken is an on-use trinket that provides a chance on hit for 5% melee Haste for your entire party for 4 minutes. Once Tier 5 is released, you will be able to craft your Engineering goggles as well, which can be used until Tier 6 helm for Rogues and is also one of the strongest choices for arena.

Enchanting is one of the next best professions you can use on a Rogue. Ring enchants are a great way to maximize your DPS (+4 to all stats).

Jewelcrafting is a good option as well for Rogues in TBC. Jewelcrafting becomes more beneficial during Sunwell Plateau when Hard Khorium Choker is released. Before then, you can use personal epic gems from Jewelcrafting too.

Leatherworking has always been considered one of the trademark must-have professions for TBC. Blizzard has added in a debuff called "Tinnitus", where you will not be able to have drum rotations. One member in each party will need to be a leatherworker. Outside of drums, the benefits to Leatherworking are still very strong. Primalstrike gear is some of the strongest pre-raid BiS gear you can make as a Rogue, though you do replace it quite quickly into Tier 4.

Blacksmithing is a great choice early on for Rogues. The crafted mace does take a long time to farm, but you can reliably farm it. The main-hand is a great weapon to use in the earlier tiers before you have access to other options. For Tier 4 BiS, Dragonmaw does slightly beat out the other sword options, but the DPS difference is very marginal. Once you are in Tier 5, Talon of Azshara outweighs the Tier 3 version Dragonstrike by a good amount, making Blacksmithing an okay profession.