Subtlety Rogue DPS Rotation & Cooldowns

DPS Rotation & Cooldowns

This rotation offers a general priority list for Subtlety 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. Updated for the latest patch in World of Warcraft: The War Within (11.1.5).

Single Target

Start in Stealth with Instant Poison applied.

Use when >5 combo points, Shadow Blades ready, and Symbols Of Death & Shadow Dance charges align.
Use together after Flagellation.
Use during Flagellation and Shadow Dance.
Use as first finisher during Shadow Dance with 6+ combo points.
Use at 6+ combo points when Darkest Night is active.
Refresh if <9 seconds remaining (outside Shadow Dance).
Primary builder during Shadow Dance.
Use to build combo points outside Shadow Dance.

Begin in Stealth and apply Instant Poison. Use Flagellation when conditions align, followed by Symbols Of Death and Shadow Dance. Spend combo points with Secret Technique or Eviscerate, and build with Shadowstrike or Backstab.

AoE

Start in Stealth with Instant Poison applied.

Use when >6 combo points, Shadow Blades ready, and Symbols Of Death & Shadow Dance charges align.
Use together after Flagellation.
Use during Flagellation and Shadow Dance.
Use as first finisher during Shadow Dance with 6+ combo points.
Use at 6+ combo points during AoE.
Primary builder during Shadow Dance.
Use if talented (outside Shadow Dance).
Fallback builder outside Shadow Dance.

For AoE, use Flagellation when conditions align, followed by Symbols Of Death and Shadow Dance. Spend combo points with Secret Technique or Black Powder, and build with Shuriken Storm or Backstab.

Cooldowns

Use during burst windows with aligned cooldowns.
Pair with Flagellation and Shadow Dance.
Use with Shadow Dance for max efficiency.
Use during Flagellation and Shadow Blades.
Pair with Secret Technique during Shadow Blades.

Align Flagellation, Shadow Blades, and Shadow Dance for burst. Use Symbols Of Death with Shadow Dance, and pair Cold Blood with Secret Technique for max damage.