The Combat Rogue Leveling Build is absolutely the most powerful leveling spec for this class. However, there are few players who really know how to unlock a rogue's potential while leveling. Read on, and you will learn how to build your character for huge pulls, and massive experience gains.
Why choose the Combat Rogue Leveling Build?
To put it bluntly, the Combat spec is the only one that supports the mass pull strategy for burning down huge groups of mobs at one time. Talents like Blade Flurry and Killing Spree allow for some great small group burning, but using Fan of Knives along with Adrenaline Rush is a massive damage strategy for the combat Rogue. In addition, the ability to keep both Slice and Dice, as well as Recuperate up at the same time will keep you chain pulling non stop for massive experience gains. When you get this strategy down, you will practically never have to stop moving. Combine all of these abilities with Evasion, Combat Readiness, and Cloak of Shadow (glyphed) you will be practically untouchable while leveling.
Glyphs for the Combat Rogue Leveling Build
The glyphs you choose are just as important as your basic talent points and combat abilities. They can be the difference between life and death, and can also mean the difference of hours or even days while leveling. Prime glyphs you wan to choose are Slice and Dice, Sinister Strike, and Adrenaline Rush. You will be using these abilities frequently, so make sure you glyph them. Major glyphs you want to use are Blade Flurry, Evasion, and Cloak of Shadows. Glyph of Blade Flurry really unlocks the potential of one of your key abilities. Evasion and Cloak of Shadows greatly enhance your survival abilities, and decreased damage taken means less downtime. Minor glyphs you want to choose are Blurred Speed, Poisons, and Safe Fall. You have pretty slim pickings on the Minor glyphs, but these can make a huge difference in travel time, buffing speed, and survivability.
Gearing up for a Combat Rogue Leveling Build
You're going to be wearing leather armor, and want to stack agility, hit rating, and stamina. You can't equip 2-handed weapons so don't bother with them. You want a slow, hard hitting main hand, with a very fast off-hand weapon. These will maximize your ability to generate energy from the combat potency talent, which in turn increases your overall ability to generate combat points, keep up Slice and Dice, and keep Recuperate up.