What's new for Rogue in WoW Forever?
Updated: Oct 16, 2026 · beta data
Every difference between Classic and WoW Forever for Rogue: new, removed and moved talents in each tree, plus new abilities. The list is generated automatically from the game files, with descriptions and rank values exactly as they appear in the client.
At a glance
- New talents: 9
- Removed talents: 6
- Moved or changed: 14
- New abilities: 0
Key changes per Blizzard
Poisons have more charges and stack with a sharpening stone, and Rogues can now use one-handed axes. Sap no longer breaks stealth. Mutilate is a 21-point talent, Venom a 31-point talent, and the weapon specializations are merged into a single talent. Blizzard explicitly calls Rogue the class with the highest potential single-target melee damage. per Blizzard's class preview
Source: Class deep dive: Rogue and Warlock, Oct 7, 2026. Summarized in our own words; reflects the beta.
New abilities
No new abilities in the game files.
Pulled automatically from the game files: abilities with spells that didn't exist in Classic. Some entries may still change before launch. See the Rogue class page for all abilities by level.
Assassination Assassination build
- New: 2
- Changed: 4
- Removed: 0
New talents
Mutilate Row 5 · requires 20 points in the tree · 1 rankInstantly attacks with both weapons for 75% weapon damage plus an additional 17.2 with each weapon. Damage increased by 20% against Poisoned targets. Awards 2 Combo Points.
More ranks from the trainer: Level 40, Level 50, Level 60
Venom Row 7 · requires 30 points in the tree · 1 rankFinishing move that increases the damage of your Poisons by 30% and your chance to apply Poisons by 10%. Lasts longer per combo point: 1 point : 9 sec 2 points: 12 sec 3 points: 15 sec 4 points: 18 sec 5 points: 21 sec
Moved and changed talents
Improved Gouge
moved from Combat
Cold Blood
Row 5 → Row 4 (at 15 instead of 20 points)
Vigor
Row 7 → Row 5 (at 20 instead of 30 points)1 rank → 2 ranksEffect changedClassic: Increases your maximum Energy by 10.
WoW Forever: Increases your maximum Energy by 5/10.
Improved Kidney Shot
3 ranks → 2 ranks
Combat Combat build
- New: 2
- Changed: 3
- Removed: 3
New talents
Puncturing Wounds Row 2 · requires 5 points in the tree · 3 ranksIncreases the critical strike chance of your Backstab by 10/20/30% and your Mutilate by 5/10/15%, and gives Backstab a 15/30/45% chance to add an additional Combo Point.
Flawless Execution Row 4 · requires 15 points in the tree · 1 rankReduces the Energy cost of your Eviscerate ability by 10.
Moved and changed talents
Improved Eviscerate
moved from Assassination
Deflection
5 ranks → 3 ranks
Precision
5 ranks → 3 ranks
Removed talents
Hack and Slash Row 4 · 5 ranksIncreases your chance to get a critical strike with Daggers and Fist Weapons by ?%.
Hack and Slash Row 5 · 5 ranksYour attacks with Maces ignore up to ?% of your target's armor.
Fist Weapon Specialization Row 5 · 5 ranksIncreases your chance to get a critical strike with Fist Weapons by 1/2/3/4/5%.
Subtlety Subtlety build
- New: 5
- Changed: 7
- Removed: 3
New talents
Dirty Tricks Row 2 · requires 5 points in the tree · 2 ranksReduces the Energy cost of your Sap and Blind abilities by 25/50%.
Improved Distract Row 3 · requires 10 points in the tree · 2 ranksIncreases the radius of your Distract ability by 3/5 yds, and further reduces the Stealth detection of distracted enemies as though they were an additional 1/2 levels lower.
Quietus Row 6 · requires 25 points in the tree · 5 ranksYour Sinister Strike, Ghostly Strike, and Hemorrhage abilities cause 2/4/6/8/10% more damage against targets below 35% health.
Cutthroat Row 6 · requires 25 points in the tree · 5 ranksYour Backstab has a 3/6/9/12/15% chance to cause your next Ambush within 10 sec to not require Stealth.
Thousand Cuts Row 7 · requires 30 points in the tree · 1 rankWhen your Rupture ability deals periodic damage, the Energy cost of your next Hemorrhage or Backstab ability within 10 sec is reduced by 3, stacking up to 5 times.
Moved and changed talents
Camouflage
Row 2 → Row 1 (at 0 instead of 5 points)
Master of Deception
5 ranks → 3 ranks
Opportunity
5 ranks → 2 ranks
Setup
Row 4 → Row 2 (at 5 instead of 15 points)
Improved Ambush
Row 3 → Row 2 (at 5 instead of 10 points)
Heightened Senses
Row 5 → Row 4 (at 15 instead of 20 points)
Premeditation
Row 7 → Row 4 (at 15 instead of 30 points)
Removed talents
Sleight of Hand Row 2 · 2 ranksReduces the chance you are critically hit by attacks by ?% and increases the threat reduction of your Feint ability by ?%.
Improved Sap Row 4 · 3 ranksGives you a 30/60/90% chance to return to stealth mode after using your Sap ability.
Deadliness Row 6 · 5 ranksIncreases your Attack Power by ?%.
Values marked with “?” are not in the game files.
FAQ
What's changing for Rogue in WoW Forever?
Per the game files, Rogue gets 9 new talents, including Mutilate, Venom, Puncturing Wounds, Flawless Execution. 6 Classic talents are gone, and 14 have been moved or changed.
What are the new Rogue talents?
Mutilate, Venom, Puncturing Wounds, Flawless Execution, Dirty Tricks, Improved Distract, Quietus, Cutthroat, Thousand Cuts.
Which Rogue talents were removed?
Hack and Slash, Hack and Slash, Fist Weapon Specialization, Sleight of Hand, Improved Sap, Deadliness.
What new abilities does Rogue get?
No new abilities in the game files.
When do talents and dual spec unlock?
Talent points start at level 10, for 51 in total by level 60. According to Blizzard, dual spec unlocks at level 40.