by Daniel Xiao Wang

Created on: November 16, 2009   Last Updated: November 19, 2009

Rogues in World of Warcraft are one of the most interesting classes to play. They are one of the most difficult classes to master and play well, and possess some very versatile abilities. Rogues are one of the most lethal classes in the entire game.

Rogues are a very difficult class to master because they are incredibly unique. They have a combo point system that makes them rely upon a combination in combat in order to produce the largest amount of death and destruction possible. Death and destruction are, after all, the rogue's primary objective.

The combination that a rogue uses allows it to pull several tricks out of its repertoire that allow it to produce deadly and devastating effects. Rogues are able to poison their opponents, cause them to bleed their life out over time, incapacitate them, and even redirect their anger against another party member.

In addition to lethal combat abilities, rogues have the incredibly useful vanish ability that causes a rogue, even in mid combat, to disappear right before his opponent's eyes. In a desperate situation this can often allow a rogue to escape sure death, at time meaning that the entire party may perish in a dungeon (referred to as an instance) but the rogue himself.

In addition to combat abilities, a rogue has several useful non-combat abilities. The ability to pick pockets gives a rogue access to more than his fair share of loot. This also helps the rogue make a little extra cash.

The lock pick ability is very practical and will allow the rogue many useful benefits. It also makes the rogue terribly handy to have around. In some dungeons like Dire Maul, Scholomance, and Shattered Halls, having a rogue in the party means that troublesome locked doors do not pose a problem. Additionally, a locked chest is easily and quickly opened. Any locked boxes that the party discovers can be handled by the rogue as well. This use of the lock pick ability is also a great way for the rogue to make a little extra money by selling his lock-picking services in any major city.

Starting a rogue can often prove difficult as rogues are hard to level in the beginning. They have less attack and defense power than other classes, and lack the ability to self heal. They wear leather armor at best throughout the entire game. At level ten they finally gain the ability to duel wield, allowing a rogue to equip a weapon in both hands, but still not allowing a rogue to use two handed weapons.

A rogue has three specialization options, just like any other class, they are Assassination, Combat, and Subtlety. All three specs are various ways to cause death and inflict pain. A rogue is strictly a DPS class, or a Damage Per Second class. As such, duel specialization is not a game altering decision for a rogue character, or toon.

A rogue is a particularly lethal opponent in Player vs. Player combat, or PvP. Due to their ability to remain unseen until it is too late they can often get the upper hand early. Coupled with the ability to stun and disarm a target, rogues are to be feared and avoided on the field of PvP combat.

Rogues have the ability to use various poisons as well. A good portion of a rogue's DPS comes from the poison's applied to a rouge's weapon. Poisons are cheap and relatively easy to come by, so there is no reason not to have them applied all the time. If for some reasons poisons are not ready available to a rogue they should at least always have poisons on their weapons in an instance.

Rogues can be very lethal, but they are hard to master. Having a rogue around can add tremendous benefit to almost any group. They may not be easy to play, but their value can be incredible.

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