resurrecting a rogue

[semi_subtle]

I'm just coming back from a year-long break from WoW, and though I've done my best to keep up with the changes you all have been discussing since Cata, the fact remains that I'm pretty much a below average player. My DPS is inconsistent, I've always got some kind of missing enchantment or gear snafu, and I'm really looking to improve now that I'm

Comments

[tricks_of_trade]

Did someone say Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker assassination rogue?

I play one of those!

Here's a spec. Take everything and anything having to do with poisons. I have points in Nightstalker as opposed to Deadly Momentum and Deadened Nerves because I like to be the person in front when we have to run away from things - but this is, more or less, the "accepted" assassination spec. Some people prefer to point into Deadened Nerves at high end raiding time, but unless you're min-maxing, it's kind of moot

[tricks_of_trade]

Also also: Elitist Jerks has a really handy Assassination guide here. It gives you the information you want, plus the numbers to back it up.

For gearing, take a look at Ask Mr Robot. Their gear optimizer is pretty neat and you can filter it based on the kind of play you'll be doing :D

[semi_subtle]

Excellent advice, thank you so much!

[tricks_of_trade]

It was my pleasure! I find in the greater world this is a spec that doesn't see very much play, so I'm always happy to help!

I forgot about enchants! You will want to rep with Ramkahen and Therazane asap so that you can get their enchants. Therazane, at Exalted, has the Greater Inscription of Shattered Crystal for the shoulders and Ramkahen, at Revered, has an enchant that I didn't go and get and now I feel kinda derp. I believe it's the Arcanum of the Ramkahen, for your helmet.

[cr0wgrrl]

the Shadowcraft website is up and running, too, at http://shadowcraft.mmo-mumble.com .

Shadowcraft is the descendent of the EJ spreadsheets - no more Excel, it's now an easy-to-use website, click on the gear and it shows you potential upgrades, has functions for autogemming and reforging, and is generally pretty darn useful!

The EJ guide linked above is also great, very thorough and easy to understand.

Hooray for rogues!

[cr0wgrrl]

Also, there's some nice rep gear that make tabards and quests worth it at 85.

* Guardians of Hyjal - Honored: Sly Fox Jerkin (chest, rare, 83); Revered: Acorn of the Daughter Tree (neck, rare, 85)
* Therazane - Revered: Terrath's Signet of Balance (finger, rare, 85)
* Earthen Ring - Revered: Softwind Cape (back, rare, 85); Exalted: Signet of the Elder Council (finger, epic, 85)
* Wildhammer Clan - Honored: Swiftflight Leggings (pants, rare, 83); Exalted: Stormbolt Gloves (hands, epic, 85)

[semi_subtle]

Awesome, I'll definitely keep all of this in mind, thank you!

[penguinsane]

Don't let the new dungeons scare you. The regular dungeons are super easy, it's the heroics that are a little more demanding in the DPS and general situational awareness departments.

Just level to 85 through questing and dungeons, get the feel for your character again. :)

[the__ivorytower]

People have given you excellent advise, but I will add this:

In fights where I have to watch my positioning or have to attack adds, my DPS plummets because I can't get in a full rotation. When I can hit a single target and be more or less still? I'm great. I also noticed my DPS varies *heavily* based on the group composition. If the group has a bunch of melee related buffs, I do fantastic, but if they're all casters, I don't do so well. And, of course, my favourite fight is Altarius when I can always get the extra haste buff. Well, until I pull aggro and he attempts to nom my rogue's face off. Then I'm sad.