Sources: Icy Veins (Eleem — Sub/Ass, Seliathan — Assassination, Mysticall — PvP) | Updated Mar 2026
Midnight changes:
- Flagellation removed; Symbols of Death removed; Rupture removed
- Shadow Blades now doubles combo points generated (not always full)
- Combo point refund partially moved to Rank 4 Apex talent
- Deepening Shadows and Swift Slasher make Haste more desirable
- Nimble Flurry no longer cleaves Eviscerate or Shadowstrike
- Clever Combatant: Shuriken Storm can proc Unseen Blade
- Deathstalker's Mark can now only be moved while Darkest Night buff is active
- Flawless Form is stronger but caps at 5 stacks
Deathstalker (recommended ST and PvP)
- Builds around Deathstalker's Mark — powerful single-target debuff on priority target
- Best for burst damage and prio-target funnel in M+
- Darkest Night: empowered Eviscerate when the gameplay loop is completed — massive burst
- Lingering Darkness: extra Shadow damage after Shadow Blades expires — double burst window potential
- Caveats: Mark is cumbersome to move between targets; lost if target despawns/submerges; poor if stuck on a boss that runs away
Trickster (AoE/M+ alternative)
- Doubles down on burst windows; less consistent but higher burst potential
- Coup de Grace replaces Eviscerate as capstone hit
- More complex with additional buttons to track
- Slightly lower ceiling in current tuning — Deathstalker preferred for most content
Core Concept: Outside Shadow Dance = build resources. Inside Shadow Dance = dump everything.
Outside Shadow Dance (build phase):
1. Maintain Slice and Dice
2. Shadowstrike as primary CP builder
3. Eviscerate at 5+ CP (or save for Shadow Dance)
4. Shuriken Toss for ranged building
Shadow Dance Window (burst phase):
1. Apply Deathstalker's Mark immediately (naturally via Shadowstrike)
2. Shadowstrike → build combo points rapidly (Shadow Blades gives full CPs per builder)
3. Darkest Night proc → Eviscerate immediately (massive damage)
4. Secret Technique at 5+ CP when available
5. Eviscerate to spend remaining CPs
6. Shadowstrike filler
Shadow Blades window:
- Shadow Blades: every builder gives full CPs
- Spam builders → Darkest Night procs → Eviscerate dumps
- Lingering Darkness buff after Shadow Blades = another mini-burst window; Secret Technique deals Shadow damage so it benefits
Agility > sim everything else
- Stat weights shift heavily between Trickster and Deathstalker
- Trickster: ~700 Haste breakpoint then sim remainder
- Deathstalker: ~600 Haste breakpoint then sim remainder
- After breakpoints: Versatility and Critical Strike generally follow Haste
Midnight key changes:
- Heavy Envenom chaining emphasis (Inspiring Strike, Rapid Injection, Poisoner's Drive)
- Shiv no longer deals bonus damage — removed from DPS rotation entirely; now purely utility for Soothe
- Deathmark no longer duplicates bleeds; instead makes them deal more damage while generating Energy
- Kingsbane is now more accessible — likely required for any build as the 1-minute cooldown
- Crimson Tempest redesigned: combines Fan of Knives and Indiscriminate Carnage (CP builder that spreads bleeds)
- AoE rotation now much more similar to single-target rotation
- Deathstalker's Mark no longer tied to Ambush — can be applied without stealth requirement
Fatebound (recommended default — beginner-friendly)
- Consistent damage via Fatebound Coin flips; AoE capable through buffed Caustic Spatter
- Much more forgiving than Deathstalker; proc randomness evens out over time
- Good AoE through coin procs affecting class abilities
- Recommended starting choice before exploring Deathstalker
Deathstalker (recommended prio-damage/ST)
- Deathstalker's Mark provides strong bonus against singular priority target
- Good if you want to optimize prio-target damage in M+
- Managing the Mark can be cumbersome on target switches; lost if target despawns
Core Priority:
1. Kingsbane — 1-minute cooldown; use on cooldown; aligns with Deathmark
2. Deathmark — 2-minute cooldown; major burst; use with Kingsbane, trinkets, potion
3. Envenom chain — spend at 5-6 CP; re-cast just before expiry; maintain chain
4. Garrote — maintain (pandemic refresh)
5. Rupture — maintain (pandemic refresh)
6. Mutilate — primary CP builder; generates 2 CP per cast
7. Crimson Tempest — only in AoE; replaces Rupture as CP builder + bleed spreader
Opener:
Garrote (from stealth) → Rupture → Kingsbane → Deathmark + trinket + potion → Envenom chain begin
Same Rogue kit as Subtlety: Cloak of Shadows, Evasion, Feint, Crimson Vial
Agility > Haste > Critical Strike > Versatility > Mastery
- Always sim — Fatebound and Deathstalker have slightly different preferences
- Haste is valuable for Energy regeneration and faster rotation
Midnight changes:
- Roll the Bones: full overhaul; now proc-based rather than RNG buff selection
- Energy generation passives lowered across class; offset by additional resource talents
- Float Like a Butterfly and Retractable Hook removed; Cheap Shot now has a cooldown
- Fatebound rolling is more consistent; no longer needs Vanish or Cold Blood to hit capstone buff
- Trickster: most bugs from War Within fixed; Coup de Grace system cleaned up
Fatebound (recommended — more consistent)
- Consistent high sustained DPS; fewer rotational buttons
- Coin procs provide direct damage or class ability damage boosts
- Better for most players; easier to execute optimally
- Currently significantly ahead of Trickster in M+ DPS
Trickster (higher skill ceiling)
- Focus on Unseen Blade triggers and Coup de Grace capstone
- Additional CP generation and damage in proc windows
- Trails behind Fatebound dramatically; recommend Fatebound unless comfortable
Roll the Bones (Midnight):
- No longer manually rerolled for specific buffs
- Now proc-based; triggers from Pistol Shot and other abilities
- Fatebound Coin flips happen passively as you play — either direct damage or ability damage amp
Between the Eyes (BtE):
- Major cooldown reducer for Adrenaline Rush via Gravedigger procs
- Primary use is its damage amp effect on the target
- Always pair with Adrenaline Rush window
Adrenaline Rush:
- Primary cooldown; massive Energy and Haste window
- Use BtE immediately after activating
- All major CDs want to align here
Opener:
Ambush (from stealth) → Adrenaline Rush + BtE + trinket + potion → Roll the Bones → Dispatch at 5+ CP → continue
Core Priority:
1. Adrenaline Rush — on cooldown; primary burst window
2. Between the Eyes — on cooldown; during Adrenaline Rush
3. Dispatch — at 5+ CP; primary finisher (replaces Eviscerate)
4. Blade Flurry — 2+ targets for cleave
5. Sinister Strike — primary CP builder
6. Pistol Shot — on Opportunity procs (replaces Sinister Strike when proc is up)
7. Ghostly Strike — on cooldown if talented
AoE:
- Blade Flurry on at 2+ targets
- Blade Rush on cooldown (if talented) during Blade Flurry
- Dispatch/BtE still valuable at 5+ CP even in AoE
Agility > Critical Strike > Haste > Versatility > Mastery
- Critical Strike is strong due to Fatebound coin interactions
- Mastery: Main Gauche gives extra Main Gauche strikes; decent scaling
| Spec | Icy Veins | Method.gg | Wowhead | Raidbots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subtlety | Subtlety Rogue | Sub Rogue | Sub Rogue | Raidbots |
| Assassination | Assassination Rogue | Assa Rogue | Assa Rogue | Raidbots |
| Outlaw | Outlaw Rogue | Outlaw Rogue | Outlaw Rogue | Raidbots |
Primary authors: Eleem (Sub/Ass), Seliathan (Assassination), Mysticall (PvP) — Icy Veins; Method.gg class team. Updated March 2026.