Hi everyone, I'm a fairly new Rogue player and I'm looking to figure out which spec is best atm. :)
(Note: I edited this post because my first draft was written on my phone, so now that I'm on my laptop I feel I can better express my concern)
I have looked up a lot of info and I'm getting mixed recommendations, so I thought I'd try asking here :) My main focus will be to play the best viable pvp spec, but I also want to be able to do PvE content.
Here is what I learned so far about the differences between the specs. I might be wrong so feel free to correct me:
Subtlety I heard is best for PvP single target. They are supposedly very good for burst damage, but very moderate in sustained damage. Reading online I see many claim that Subtlety is "broken" this expansion. Thoughts on this?
Assassin I heard is decent in PvP and PvE, and it's a spec that relies on DOT based fighting through bleeds and poisons. I don't know where Assassin stands compared to the other specs so if anyone could help shed some light on this I would be happy :)
Outlaw I heard is very good in PvE and multi target, but I don't know how this spec is in single target PvP? As you can read, I don't know much about Outlaw...
What I personally liked about each spec after trying them:
(I have tried all three specs long enough to get a sense of their rotations. I used IcyVeins and YouTube to guide me on this).
Subtlety
This spec felt very powerful during the first burst when all CDs very available. I felt I dominated the enemy if I didn't mess up my opening burst rotation, but I also felt severely punished afterwards if I made a mistake in the rotation. I feel a rotation should be a bit more strong in its sustained damage while waiting for its next burst. The only spell I feel is actually useful during the CD period, is "Shadowstrike" which require "Shadow Dance". Both the opener and the sustained rotation are very reliant on "Shadow Dance", which only has 2 charges. This means if I mess up the opener I might as well "Vanish" my way out of the fight and try again when my CDs are available again. This "glass canon" type gameplay isn't really my playstyle...
Assassin
I'm a bit split about this spec. I LOVE the whole poison/bleed theme and the rotation feels a bit more forgiving than Subtlety. However because this spec is very DOT based I rarely get that satisfying "I just hit something" feeling. After applying all my DOTs I feel like I'm just waiting for the DOTs to wear off so I can apply new DOTs. I feel that 75% of my attacks are preparations or DOT based, which is something I would have to get used to if I choose this spec.
Outlaw
Gameplay wise I love this spec because I feel like I'm hitting something on nearly all spells. This "I just hit something" feeling is present here. Rotation wise I feel that Outlaw is fast paced and fun (a dangerous word to use since most people tell you to play the class/spec you think is most fun). The only downsides to this spec is that I much more like the "poison/knife themed" Assassin spec, and I don't know how well Outlaw does in single target PvP. If Outlaw is the worst single target PvP spec of all three, then it's a deal breaker for me.
I really appreciate help on this, and any feedback the community might have for me.
Thank you :)
11/11/2018 00:33Posted by GomlorthSubtlety is best for pvp single target. However many claim that it is "broken" this expansion. Thoughts on this? Is very burst dependant and bad at sustaining damage after burst.
No, subtlety has literally no damage. If you want to bore your enemy to death with CC, pick Sub, otherwise, forget this trash spec even exists for the time being.
11/11/2018 00:33Posted by GomlorthAssassin is dot based fighting. Descent in pvp and pve. I like the idea of poisons, but don't know where it stands compared to the other specs.
Assassin is probably the best PvP spec, it's certainly the most popular, it has great damage, great control and is an absolute nightmare for the enemy healer to deal with thanks to deadly brew (wound poison) which you can pretty much keep on all 3 targets in an arena environment.
11/11/2018 00:33Posted by GomlorthOutlaw is great in pve and multi target. How is this spec in pvp single target? Outlaw feels easier to learn than the other two specs.
Outlaw is the unsung hero of all 3 rogues specs atm, the damage is VERY high and with a shorter CD on blind than the other 2 specs, the enemy is forced to sit a full blind in order to the trinket the second one (otherwise they'll be stuck on CD and its pretty much a free win). I would say it's more reliant on RNG (with roll the bones) but you'll do good damage with most roll combinations.
Assass vs Outlaw is the only choice here, both are fun and viable, so take your pick.
Assassination is essentially the fotm spec for rogues right now. it has amazing burst damage as well as heavy sustain pressure and slows. However , Outlaw is so much fun its damage isnt as high as assassination but it has much more control then then sin so if played correctly can be equally as effective. With the deadshot trait 3x stacked it can also have some nice burst.
In reality if you are new to rogue go assassination get to grips with rogue full stop as it is much more forgiving and easier then outlaw. However, once u feel ready play outlaw its the most fun and super rewarding being able to solo control games.
In reality if you are new to rogue go assassination get to grips with rogue full stop as it is much more forgiving and easier then outlaw. However, once u feel ready play outlaw its the most fun and super rewarding being able to solo control games.
Definitely not sub. Blizz killed it.
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Outlaw or assa in PVP and you can use what you pref in PVE
I am new to Rogue. I have been Outlaw since beginning of BfA. PvE is IMO straight forward and easy with massive AoE. PvP feels strange. I provide decent damage but the problem I see with Outlaw is it does damage when you sit on target. Some classes can kite you.
I am now testing Assassination and its DoTs. At first my damage was low when I did not understand how it worked. Now, I’ve started to like sin. It feels a little detached but what I like is the burst damage on target and wait for CDs when my DoTs do the job. I also like PvE after I have realised how to work with poisons.
EDIT: I would like to add that I am more and more into assassination. I just took Marked for Death, Toxic Blade and Subterfuge and these talents work great. In PvE, targets usually die momentarily. If not then I take Vendetta. For AoE sin is also good. If you spread poisons and DoT multiple targets, you should get much less issue with energy, which is even better with high haste. But Outlaw seems easier for AoE.
Currently, I just swap between one and another specs. I would recommend to keep trying both assassination and outlaw.
Bear in mind - playing for a few months and very casually, but my first and almost only spec was (and is) Subtlety, with talent for a third shadow dance and better cooldawn reduction from finishers you can easily have 5-6 Shadow dances in a row, the main trick is watch you energy and do not pop it unless you have like 2/3 of it. Obviously the more haste you have - the better, at later stages you can literally spam 2X Shadowstrike - Eviscerat. Also a little trick if you use 2 shdowstrike, free energy stun then Eviscerate you’ll have animation cancel and stun + eviscerate will happens in the same time, saving you a priceous fractions of a second in Dance.
Also sub is the most self sufficient spec, every second in stealth or shadow dance you regenerate 3% of you max health, and if you do everything right, you’ll sit in it most of the time in combat. This plus stunlocks and panic buttons let you live much longer under pressure, the other specs do.
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Go outlaw pal! Headshot all day long! 1 stun killing spree up their as$ and RIP GG MLG NO SCOPE! Best combo ever! I swear most fun spec! Also 1% chance to go super sayan mode with each roll! OMG how cool is that pal?!