WoW 10.2: Rogue Class Rework - Everything You Need to Know

In the latest 10.2 update of World of Warcraft, Rogues have undergone substantial changes, showcasing Blizzard's responsiveness to player feedback and concerns. This article, based on information from WoWHead (Anshlun), delves into the details of the significant updates introduced in this latest patch.

Assatination Rogue

Caustic Spatter - A new talent reshaping Assassination's AoE priorities and cooldowns. While above 50% of maximum Energy, your Garrote, Rupture, and Crimson Tempest consume 2 Energy to duplicate 25% of any damage dealt.
Crimson Tempest - The instant damage on cast has been removed, simplifying its usage. A finishing move that slashes all enemies within 10 yards, causing victims to bleed. The duration increases per combo point and deals extra damage when multiple enemies are afflicted, increasing by 20% per target, up to 100%.
Indiscriminate Carnage - A revamped favorite in mythic+, now a passive effect from stealth. Garrote and Rupture apply to 2 additional nearby enemies when used from Stealth and for 10 seconds after breaking Stealth.
Kingsbane - Though not new, Kingsbane gains renewed strength in 10.2 due to increased accessibility in the spec tree. Release a lethal poison from your weapons, injecting it into your target, dealing instant Nature damage and additional damage over time. Each time you apply a Lethal Poison to a target affected by Kingsbane, Kingsbane's damage increases by 20%.
Path of Blood and Vigor - When combined, these talents provide Assassination with a potential maximum of 300 Energy, leading to intriguing decisions about when to spend resources. Path of Blood increases maximum energy by 100, while Vigor increases your maximum Energy by 50 and Energy regeneration by 5%.
Sanguine Blades - A redesign of the old Sanguine Blades, particularly effective in AoE situations with an energy surplus. While above 50% of maximum Energy, your Garrote, Rupture, and Crimson Tempest consume 2 Energy to duplicate 25% of any damage dealt.
Shadow Dance - This might not be new to the tree but crucial, especially with changes in 10.2, securing its spot in Talent Builds. Allows the use of all Stealth abilities and grants all the combat benefits of Stealth for 6 seconds, with the effect not breaking from taking damage or attacking.
Sudden Demise - Very useful for open-world and mythic+ adventuring, especially where heavy bleed damage is needed. It boosts bleed damage by 10%, causing targets below 35% health to instantly bleed out and suffer fatal damage if your avatar's dealt damage exceeds 150% of their remaining health.

Outlaw Rogue

We're witnessing a removal of uninteresting damage nodes, replaced with more utility without sacrificing damage nodes. Notable additions include:

Graceful Guile: Enhances defensive options for your rogue character. Feint now has 1 additional charge.
Iron Stomach: Useful for healing, boosting the effects of healing potions. Increases healing from Crimson Vial, healing potions, and healthstones by 25%.
Nimble Fingers: Aids in enhancing self-sustain. Reduces the energy cost of Feint and Crimson Vial by 10.
Improved Sprint and Featherfoot: Combined, these two will make you very fast. Improved Sprint reduces the cooldown of Sprint by 60 seconds, while Featherfoot increases sprint movement speed by an additional 30% and has a 4-second increased duration. Improved Sprint works exceptionally well with Restless Blades.

Outlaw gameplay remains the same, revolving around Fan the Hammer, Audacity, and Hidden Opportunity. A new addition to this mix is:

Crackshot: Between the Eyes has no cooldown and dispatches the target for 75% of normal damage when used from Stealth. Getting as many Between the Eyes casts in this patch is crucial and will significantly benefit you.

Subtlety Rogue

Subtlety Rogue goes though significant changes in the 10.2 WoW patch, addressing many long-standing issues, brought up by fans.

Ephemeral Bond: A new addition to the Subtlety tree, enhancing healing. Increases healing received by 8%.
Exhilarating Execution: Another new option in the Subtlety tree, beneficial in challenging situations. Finishing moves heal you for 5% of damage done. At full health, gain shielding, absorbing up to 10% of your maximum health.
Goremaw's Bite: A new damage capstone node, unleashing an attack inflicting (270% of Attack power) Shadow damage and causing your next 3 finishing moves to cost no Energy.
Perforated Veins: Reworked to provide better damage effects. After hitting 4 times with [Gloomblade / Backstab], your next combo point-generating attack deals 50% increased damage.
Shadow Blades: Now transformed into a potent burst ability, drawing upon surrounding shadows, empowering your weapons to deal 20% additional damage as Shadow. Combo point-generating abilities produce full combo points for 20 seconds.
Shadow Techniques: Underwent a significant change, allowing players to stack buffs. Auto attacks have a 28% chance to generate 4 Energy and store 1 combo point, up to 10. Attacks generating combo points can expend the stored points to generate additional combo points, up to the maximum.
Shadowcraft: Another new damage capstone node. During Symbols of Death, your Shadow Techniques triggers 40% more frequently, stores 1 additional combo point, and finishing moves can use the stored points when there are enough to refresh full combo points.
Shadowstep: Now playing a more significant role, enhancing mobility. Step through the shadows to appear behind your target and gain 70% increased movement speed for 2 seconds.
The Rotten: Receives a buff, ensuring that after activating Symbols of Death, your next 2 combo point-generating attacks deal 35% increased damage and are guaranteed to critically strike.

Final Thoughts

World of Warcraft's Rogue class has experienced a series of noteworthy adjustments in the 10.2 update. Blizzard's commitment to addressing player complaints and heeding valuable advice has resulted in a patch that aims to enhance the overall Rogue experience.