The Best Rogue Runes in Season of Discovery

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Rogue Chest Runes, Ranked

Rogue Gloves Runes, Ranked

Rogues in World of Warcraft Season of Discovery may not have everything in their toolkit at Level 25, but in later phases, the class is sure to turn into a powerhouse. But despite historically being a DPS-only class across all three specs, Rogues (along with Warlocks and Mages) are getting brand-new dungeon and raid “specs” in SoD, in this case, the role of the Tank.

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Though many of these WoW Rogue Runes have been found, their effects and power levels will change as the Season of Discovery progresses. Because only one Rune can be equipped to each slot, each section below ranks Rogue Runes against other Runes within the same gear category.

Updated November 6, 2023 by Erik Petrovich: Now that the Season of Discovery is in full swing a week after launch, all Rogue Runes SoD players can get have been found. Some are easy to get, and players will practically stumble across some Rogue SoD Runes in the starting zones, while others can only be used after long questlines (and long journeys across Azeroth). This guide to the best SoD Rogue Runes has been updated with all Discovery methods – but players who want to preserve the sense of adventure and mystery need not avert their gaze. Though the names and effects are spoiled below, the methods to get each of the best Rogue Runes in SoD are hidden by default. Only reveal this information if you are truly stumped on how to get the best Rogue Runes WoW SoD offers.

This guide to the best Rogue Runes in WoW SoD covers all 12 Phase One Runes. Later in the Season, check back for information on the best SoD Rogue Runes for other equipment slots when the 40, 50, and 60 level brackets unlock in later Phases.

Rogue Chest Runes, Ranked

Deadly Brew, Just A Flesh Wound, Quick Draw, & Slaughter From The Shadows

Each of the three gear slots available for Rune Engraving in Phase One of the Season of Discovery gives Rogues new Tanking tools. On the Chest Slot Rogues get Just A Flesh Wound, a nearly all-in-one Tanking overhaul for the class. This single ability increases Threat generation, reduces enemy Crit Chance and Physical damage, and gives Rogues a direct Taunt. For those planning to try out this new playstyle, Just A Flesh Wound is a necessary Rune to pick up ASAP.

But Rogues get lots of other fun things to play with in their traditional DPS role. Slaughter from the Shadows, though weak, gives Rogues a stronger opening when using Backstab and Ambush, as it can more easily be followed with other abilities. Deadly Brew is great for Assassination Rogues as it lets them apply Deadly Poison with any other Poison. Quick Draw will be useful for all specs as it’s a reliable way to reduce enemy movement speed (in addition to Gouge), and gives Rogues a reason to pick up ranged weapons like Crossbows and Guns.

Slaughter From The Shadows

WoW Rune Guides Spoiler Text Click To Reveal Hidden Expandable-3

Human characters must climb onto the roof of a house north of Goldshire to find a chest containing the Rune

Dwarf and Gnome characters must climb on top of the Kharanos Inn to find the chest

Night Elf characters must kill Furbolgs inside the Furbolg Cave to get a key, which unlocks a chest found deeper in Ban’Ethil Hollow

Undead characters must loot a key from mobs near the Agamand Family Crypt, then unlock a chest in the Crypt

Orc and Troll characters must look for a chest in the Drygulch Ravine near a group of Harpies

Slaughter From The Shadows Effect	Reduces the Energy cost of your Backstab and Ambush abilities by 20.

Deadly Brew

All characters must reach Level 20, at which point they will get a letter in the mail from an NPC named C. Head to Silverpine Forest, to Pyrewood Village, and look for a hut near the entrance to the Shadowfang Keep dungeon. Loot the chest here, then head to the Stonetalon Mountains and find an NPC named Veenix.

Pickpocket a Venture Co Work Order from nearby Venture Co. Operators, and trade it with Veenix to get a Breaching Charge. Enter Shadowfang Keep, on your own, and blow open the gate with the Breaching Charge.

Look for new elites named Gefell and Gemela in the dungeon and pickpocket them to get both halves of a key – both can be found in or near the Ballroom. Combine both pieces, then head to the Stables near the start of the dungeon. Loot the chest here, then head back out with the Horn of Xelthos in hand.

Turn in the quest at the hut, then go to a capital city to get the final part of the quest in the mail. Return to the hut in Pyrewood Village to unlock the Rune.

Deadly Brew Effect	When you inflict any other poison on a target, you also inflict Deadly Poison

Quick Draw

All characters must pickpocket Treasure Map Fragments from different enemy types in their respective starting zones. Combine all four map pieces (labeled by corner) and follow the instructions to find a treasure chest containing the Rune.

Humans must pickpocket Defias, Gnolls, Kobolds, and Murlocs to get each Map fragment.

Dwarves and Gnomes must pickpocket Troggs, Trolls, Dark Iron Spies, and Lepers to get each Map fragment.

Night Elves must pickpocket Harpies, Grells and Sprites, Timberlines, and Furbolg to get each Map fragment

Undead must pickpocket Gnolls, Murlocs, Scarlet Monastery enemies and Human Farmers to get each Map fragment

Orcs and Trolls must pickpocket Kul Tirans, Cultists, Quillboar, and Trolls to get each Map fragment

Quick Draw Effect	Draw your ranged weapon and fire a quick shot at an enemy, causing ranged weapon damage and reducing movement speed by 50% for 6 sec. Awards 1 combo point. Quick Draw benefits from all talents and effects that trigger from or modify Sinister Strike.

Just A Flesh Wound

Purchased from Waylaid Supply vendors after reaching Honored with the new faction, the Azeroth Commerce Authority/Durotar Supply and Logistics.

Just A Flesh Wound Effect	You take 20% reduced Physical damage while Blade Dance is active. Additionally; The player gains a 6% reduced chance to be critically hit by melee attacks Threat generated by all actions is massively increased Feint is replaced with Tease, which Taunts the target to attack you.

Rogue Legs Runes, Ranked

Between the Eyes, Blade Dance, & Envenom

Rogues get just three Runes for their Legs slot, but these Rogue Runes are among the most impactful the class can choose from – they’re all finishers, after all. For Tank Rogues, the Legs Rune to pick up is Blade Dance. This synergizes directly with Just A Flesh Wound’s effects and increases Parry chance, further reducing damage taken. It’s not a bad skill to take while leveling up a damage-dealer, either.

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Envenom will be a go-to for Rogues who plan to use Poisons in the Season of Discovery, as it has the potential for immense Poison damage that stacks with Deadly Poison doses on the target. But Between the Eyes might be the most useful new Rogue Rune in the Legs Slot in general.

This finisher stuns targets for up to six seconds, based on the number of combo points spent, and can be used at a range. Though perhaps the most useful for Rogues out in the world, Between The Eyes shows its usefulness in PvP and PvE too, and is a great pick for damage or Tank players both.

Envenom

All characters must find Tog’thar, a vendor in Durnholde Keep in Hillsbrad Foothills. Purchase the Hot Tip for 75s, and read the hint. Head north along the river, through the Alterac Mountains until the river reaches the Western Plaguelands and turns into a waterfall. Loot the chest at the base of the falls to get Envenom.

Envenom Effect	Finishing move that deals instant poison damage based on your Deadly Poison doses on the target. Following the Envenom attack you have a 75% increased frequency of applying Instant Poison for 1 sec plus an additional 1 sec per combo point One dose is activated per combo point.

Blade Dance

Alliance characters must pickpocket Defias enemies in Westfall, or Dark Iron Dwarves in Loch Modan, to find either a Note or a Lockbox. The Note leads to a chest containing the Rune, while the Lockbox can be opened with the Lockpicking skill. Night Elves must kill Naga in the Cliffspring River Cave in northwestern Darkshore to get a key, and its matching chest is found deeper in the cave.

Horde characters must pickpocket the Southsea Cannoneer mobs near Ratchet to get the Buccaneer’s Matchbox. Look for a camp on top of a nearby hill, and interact with a Gunpowder Bucket with the Matchbox in the inventory. It will blow up and drop Blade Dance in a chest.

Blade Dance Effect	Finishing move that increases your Parry chance. Lasts longer and grants more Parry chance per combo point.

Between the Eyes

Human characters must find Cutthroat Alley in the Dwarven district of Stormwind. Go to the end of the row of houses, open a chest in the top floor of a house, then kill the Cutthroat Mugger who appears.

Dwarf and Gnome characters must find the Dusty Crate in the Forlorn Cavern near the Rogue trainer, then kill the Cutthroat Mugger that appears.

Night Elf characters must get a key by pickpocketing Furbolgs, then open the Gnarlpine Stash in the deep southwest of Teldrassil.

Undead characters must get a key by pickpocketing Murlocks, then open a chest found underwater in northern Tirisfal Glades

Orc and Troll characters must look for the chest in The Drag in Orgrimmar, right across from the entrance to the Valley of Honor

Between the Eyes Effect	Ranged Finishing move that causes damage per combo point, increased by Attack Power, and Stuns the target. Cooldown shared with Kidney Shot.

Rogue Gloves Runes, Ranked

Main Gauche, Mutilate, Saber Slash, Shadowstrike, & Shiv

Three of the five Gloves Runes Rogues have in SoD are, essentially, better versions of the Sinister Strike ability. Shiv, Saber Slash, and Main Gauche all generate Combo Points and benefit from buffs and talents that enhance Sinister Strike. Shiv is best used against poisoned targets in an Assassination build, Saber Slash suits the Combat Rogue, while Main Gauche will be Tank Rogues’ go-to Rune in the Gloves slot.

However, Assassination Rogues might want to pick up Mutilate instead of Shiv, as it generates two combo points and deals instant weapon damage – plus a little extra if the target is poisoned. Subtlety Rogues haven’t been forgotten in the SoD, either, as they can pick up the incredibly useful Shadowstrike skill. Shadowstrike is best used in PvP to take enemies unawares from a distance, but in PvE, it’s typically better to play in the open than in the shadows.

Of all the Gloves Runes Rogues can choose, Main Gauche is likely the best as it increases Rogues’ defensiveness, which can be great for non-Tank builds and Tanks alike. But ultimately, the best Gloves Rune for Rogues depends on one’s playstyle.

Shiv

All characters must pickpocket Defias Night Runner enemies in Duskwood to get the Engraved Gold Ring. Go to Raven Hill, equip the Engraved Gold Ring, then perform a /kneel emote in front of the statue in the center of the area.

Shiv Effect	Instantly attack with your off-hand weapon with a 100% chance to apply the poison from your off-hand weapon to the target. Slower weapons require more energy. Awards 1 combo point.

Mutilate

Human characters must pickpocket Garrick Padfoot in the starting zone to get a note, then speak with Cutty, an NPC hidden north from Crystal Lake

Dwarf and Gnome characters must pickpocket Dark Iron Dwarf enemies in Dun Morogh to get a note, then speak with an NPC near the frozen lake in the zone

Night Elf characters must kill Lord Melenas

Undead characters must pickpocket Caprain Perrine to get his Ring, then bring it to Brill to create a Forged Document. Bring this to an NPC named Jamie Nore

Orc and Troll characters must pickpocket Burning Blade enemies near Razor Hill to get a note, then look for a stealthed Troll named Ba’So

Mutilate Effect	Instantly attacks with both weapons for 100% weapon damage plus additional damage with each weapon. Damage is increased by another 20% against Poisoned targets Awards 2 combo points.

Saber Slash

Human characters must pickpocket the Elite Defias Scout, above Sentinel Hill, without being seen

Dwarf and Gnome characters must look for an interactive toolbox at the Stonewrought Dam of Loch Modan

Night Elf characters must look for an interactive dirt pile on an island right across from the Auberdine Docks

Undead characters must use Sprint to jump across a platform near Shadowfang Keep, a jump that can only be made with the Sprint movement buff active

Orc and Troll characters must go to Northwatch Hold and climb onto the Stable to find a chest containing the Rune. Jump onto the wall, then jump down to the stable. Lockpicking 80 required.

Saber Slash Effect	Viciously slash an enemy for 130% weapon damage, and cause the target to bleed every 2 sec for 12 sec, stacking up to 3 times. Awards 1 combo point. Saber Slash benefits from all talents and effects that trigger from or modify Sinister Strike.

Shadowstrike

All characters get Shadowstrike after completing the Level 2 introductory questline for the Rune system. The requirements are different for every race.

Human characters must find a chest just south of Millie’s Vineyard

Dwarf and Gnome characters must look for a chest near the Grik’nir the Cold enemy in the Troll cave

Night Elf characters must look for a Small Owl Statue on the roof of the starting zone inn

Undead characters must either pickpocket or kill the Scarlet Convert found in Deathknell

Orc and Troll characters must look for a chest on the cliffs behind Sarkoth, practically visible from the spawn point

Shadowstrike Effect	Teleport behind your target and strike, causing 150% weapon damage to the target. Must be stealthed. Awards 1 combo point.

Main Gauche

Purchased from Grizzby in the Ratchet Inn after completing a series of quests requiring several items – 24 Fish Oil, 20 Dark Iron Ordinance, and 16 Shredder Turbochargers. Players have at least 5 Gold to interact with Grizzby.

Main Gauche Effect	Instantly strike with your off-hand weapon for normal off-hand weapon damage and increase your chance to parry by 10% for 10 sec. Awards 1 combo point. Main Gauche benefits from all talents and effects that trigger from or modify Sinister Strike.

World of Warcraft

Platform(s): PC
Released: November 23, 2004
Developer(s): Blizzard
ESRB: T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence (online interactions not rated)