In this article, we explain what the best statistics are for Subtlety Rogues (WoW 4.3), how the class benefits from each of them, and what your reforging strategy should be. We also detail what the various caps are and why they should be attained. The statistics priority is important as it influences reforging strategies as well as itemisation choices (gear, enchants, and gems).

Make sure to check our Gear Optimisation Guide, which serves as a support guide for this article. The other articles of our Subtlety Rogue guide can be accessed from the table of contents on the right.

1. Basics↑top

The stat priority for a Subtlety Rogue is:

1. Agility
2. Hit Rating, until the 8% hit cap
3. Haste Rating
4. Expertise Rating, until the 26 expertise cap
5. Critical Strike Rating
6. Mastery Rating

If you are unsure what the optimal reforging strategy is for this priority, please refer to the reforging section of our Gear Optimisation Guide

You can also use Shadowcraft, an online tool dedicated to Rogues. It will give you the best reforging strategy for your character.

2. Getting a Better Understanding↑top

Agility is your most important stat, which provides the most benefit; you should look for this stat in all of your upgrades, as point for point it surpasses any other stat. It provides you with Attack Power and it increases your critical strike chance.

Hit Rating is your second most important stat, as it determines your chance to miss a target with melee attacks or any other of your abilities. Your aim is to reach 8% chance to hit (961 Hit Rating), thus ensuring that all of your special attacks will land. Once the hit cap is reached, Hit Rating loses a lot of its value and is no longer a priority.

Haste Rating provides you with increased attack speed and Energy regeneration. This statistics is crucial to help you maintain your rotation.

Expertise Rating is also important because it prevents your melee attacks (both normal and special attacks) from being dodged by a raid boss. You should aim at obtaining 26 Expertise, which marks the value at which your attacks can no longer be dodged by a raid boss. Please refer to our article on the mechanics of melee attacks for more information.

Critical Strike Rating increases your chance to critically hit with attacks.

Mastery Rating increases the damage of your Finishing Moves as well as the effect of Slice and Dice. It sounds appealing, but is in fact your worst stat.