WoW Season of Discovery: Top DPS Rogue Runes Guide

Rogues in WoW Season of Discovery have been performing well, often topping DPS in boss fights in Gnomeregan with minimal effort. However, their choices have been limited during this season due to the superiority of some of the best Rogue SoD Runes.

While Rogues now have the ability to Tank, it is not the most effective playstyle. The most optimal build for Rogues in Phase One and Phase Two (and likely in future phases) is the Assassination Poison build. Therefore, the best Rogue runes available in SoD are those that can maximize the bonuses from the Assassination Talent Tree related to Poison chance and damage, or those that address some of the class' main weaknesses, such as the absence of a gap closer.

Envenom

Best Rogue Legs Rune

WoW SoD Best Rogue Runes Envenom Season of Discovery Rogues Rune - Best Rogue Legs Rune

Envenom plays a crucial role in enhancing the DPS Rogue's effectiveness during the Season of Discovery in PvE. In the initial two phases, Assassination Rogues stand out as the top Rogue build due to the significant impact of Mutilate. However, strategically using Envenom right after activating a well-maintained Slice and Dice can lead to triggering Deadly Poison on a target with nearly every swing of your Daggers.

It is worth noting that the damage inflicted by Envenom is dependent on the current stacks of Deadly Poison on the target, rather than the number of Combo Points accumulated. The quantity of Combo Points on the target simply determines the duration of the heightened probability of applying Poisons.

Deadly Brew

Best Rogue Chest Rune

WoW SoD Best Rogue Runes Deadly Brew Season of Discovery Rogues Rune - Best Rogue Chest Rune

For Assassin Rogues, the Deadly Brew Rune is a great help for Poison damage. It gives Instant Poison for free, saving trips to the Rogue supplies vendor for Poison materials and reducing the need to worry about Charges or Stacks in your Inventory.

When your current Poison triggers on a target, including the Instant Poison from the Rune, it also activates Deadly Brew. This version of Deadly Brew increases in damage with your AP. Ultimately, the Deadly Brew Rune, Envenom, and Mutilate are crucial for Rogues' DPS output in SoD.

Mutilate

Best Rogue Hands Rune

WoW SoD Best Rogue Runes Mutilate Season of Discovery Rogues Rune - Best Rogue Hands Rune

After the Energy cost of Mutilate was reduced to just 40 Energy, it has become extremely powerful. For the same cost or even less than other abilities, Mutilate provides high damage similar to Backstab, generates two Combo Points, and deals extra damage to Poisoned targets.

Although it requires the Rogue to have two Daggers equipped, it is difficult to find a reason to choose any other Rune in the Gloves slot over Mutilate in its current state. Even Tank Rogues are opting for Mutilate over Rogue Tank abilities like Main Gauche because of its exceptional strength.

Shadowstep

Best Rogue Belt Rune

WoW SoD Best Rogue Runes Shadowstep Season of Discovery Rogues Rune - Best Rogue Belt Rune

Rogues rely heavily on the Shadowstep ability as it serves as their primary method of closing the gap between themselves and their target. Unlike Sprint, which has a lengthy cooldown and requires movement towards the target, Shadowstep allows Rogues to teleport behind their target, much like a skilled Ninja.

Shadowstep can be utilized both in and out of Stealth and has a cooldown of approximately 30 seconds. For instance, when a Mage quickly blinks away, Shadowstep can be used to swiftly close the distance once more. In situations where an enemy is attempting to escape with low health, such as in the chaotic STV, Shadowstep enables Rogues to catch up and secure the kill, particularly if they are slower while Stealthed. Additionally, Shadowstep proves valuable in certain Boss battles, such as against the Crowd Pummeler in Gnomeregan. In the event that the Boss knocks you off the stage, Shadowstep can be used while mid-air to safely return.

Master of Subtlety

Best Rogue Boots Rune

WoW SoD Best Rogue Runes Master of Subtlety Season of Discovery Rogues Rune - Best Rogue Boots Rune

A useful Rune for Rogues is Master of Subtlety. Among the Boots Runes introduced in Phase Two, Master of Subtlety is considered the most versatile, despite its simplicity.

After exiting Stealth, your attacks will deal 10% more damage for six seconds. This Rune is great for dealing heavy damage to opponents in PvP battles, and it also comes in handy for boosting your DPS against weaker enemies in instances. While it may not be the most intricate Rune available, any increase in damage output is always beneficial.

Editor's P/S:

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the best Rogue runes available in the Season of Discovery (SoD) for World of Warcraft. It highlights the key benefits and synergies of each rune, explaining how they can maximize the potential of the Assassination Poison build, which is the optimal choice for Rogues during Phase One and Phase Two. The article also discusses the importance of gap closers for Rogues and emphasizes the utility of the Shadowstep rune in this regard.

Overall, the article is well-written and informative, offering valuable insights for Rogue players looking to improve their performance in SoD. The inclusion of images and tables adds clarity and helps illustrate the key points. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each rune and how they complement the Rogue's abilities, players can make informed choices to optimize their character's effectiveness in various combat situations.