DPS Rotation & Cooldowns
This rotation guide provides a quick, basic understanding of which abilities to prioritize when playing a Assassination Rogue, along with additional details on important cooldowns at the bottom. Updated for the latest patch in World of Warcraft: The War Within (11.1).
Single Target
Start from Stealth for optimal damage.
- Open from Stealth to apply Deathstalker's Mark.
- Maintain Garrote from Stealth when possible.
- Maintain with 5+ CP.
- Use when available.
- Use on cooldown, sync with buffs.
- Use on cooldown to refresh Garrote.
- Use one charge before Kingsbane, second after.
- Use with 5+ CP, refresh with 7 CP when Darkest Night is active.
- Use to generate CP.
- Use after reapplying Deathstalker's Mark.
Maintain Garrote and Rupture, use Deathmark and Kingsbane on cooldown, and refresh Envenom with 7 CP when Darkest Night is active.
AoE
Open from Stealth for maximum effectiveness.
- Open from Stealth to apply Deathstalker's Mark.
- Maintain multiple Garrotes from Stealth when possible.
- Maintain at least five Ruptures with 5+ CP.
- Maintain for AoE damage.
- Use Mutilate every 10 seconds to maintain.
- Activate when available.
- Use on cooldown, sync with buffs.
- Use on cooldown to refresh Garrote.
- Use one charge before Kingsbane, second after.
- Use with 5+ CP, refresh with 7 CP when Darkest Night is active.
- Use to generate CP on 3+ targets.
For AoE, maintain multiple Garrotes and Ruptures, use Crimson Tempest, and activate Deathmark and Kingsbane on cooldown.
Cooldowns
Use cooldowns strategically for maximum impact.
- Use with DPS potion and trinkets.
- Use on cooldown, sync with other buffs.
- Use to refresh Garrote before Deathmark.
- Use to extend Kingsbane duration.
- Use on cooldown to empower Envenom.
Prioritize Deathmark and Kingsbane during burst phases, and use Vanish and Shiv to maintain buffs.