*disclaimer* If you don’t give a shit about rogue v rogue then this isn’t for you…hardcore theorycraft inc.
Now this is a match up that has evolved greatly throughout the history of the game. It has gone from one of the most flat and dry duels to one of the most intricate, deep, reaction based duels in the game. I can’t think of another match up for any class, especially any mirror match up, where speed, reaction time, and quick strategy and decision making come into play. A lot people would state that luck plays a huge role (and it can), and argue that openers are paramount to success (which they are when not playing a split opener), but ultimately when you really understand this match up it is still very much skill driven. Talking to Neilyo recently, he still considers it the deepest 1 v 1 match up in the game.
It’s also important to remember that rogue v rogue does have some practical application. The same concepts that you see here occur in arena at any point in 2s, 3s, or 5s when both rogues are attacking one another, trying to get the upper hand. The only difference is that in arena you will be far less aggressive with your cooldown use, unless you are playing 2s and one or more teams is without a healer.
With this guide I’ll throw out this brief video that will just show some examples of rogue v rogue duels and might give some ideas.
Gear
Considering the amount of damage one rogue can deal to another, you want to use as much stamina and resilience as you have available. Although even in full max item level resilience gear you usually can’t survive a complete stun lock from another rogue without trinketing, having the resilience gives you a cushion. It means you won’t be redlined in a cheap shot, and therefore you can delay your trinket until after kidney shot more easily. You can be less predictable with trinket than you normally would be. Since the duel is decided on whoever gets the first complete stun lock on the opposing rogue after they use trinket, and you don’t need much in the way of offensive stats to 100-0 a rogue in a full stun lock with full energy, full PvP / resilience and stamina gear is the way to go.
Spec
For the sake of this Guide, I’m going to assume both rogues are playing a standard mutilate prep spec without killing spree or shadow dance. These abilities completely change the matchup, and generally “break” it. As these are not popular arena specs, and generally aren’t PvP viable, I won’t waste time analyzing them.
Etiquette
This may sound stupid but this is pretty essential if you’re taking the duels seriously as a measure of skill or for practice. There really isn’t any point to having both rogues start in stealth. This just makes it as though the winner is determined by luck (rng), and if this is the case why not just role dice or flip coins instead of dueling?
The most common thing to do is to trade openers (ie. Rogue1 opens on Rogue2, Rogue2 opens on Rogue1, and so on. If it’s for a series or some kind of competition, the fair thing to do is give an equal amount of openers).
The other option is to start with a double sap. This involves both rogues stealthing before accepting the duel, targeting each other in stealth and spamming sap as the duel counts down. This should make you both start the duel sapped assuming you have relatively equivalent latency.
On using prep
Once you vanish, there is no reason not to prep, unless you are blinding. Hesitating on prep can often cost you the duel.
Your Opener
This is the ideal situation for winning a rogue v rogue fight. When you have the opener (meaning you start in stealth using a stealth ability and the other rogue is out of stealth), you have the absolute power to win regardless of the other rogues actions if you’re fast enough. Even if you’re not the fastest rogue, the opener gives you an extremely high win rate.
Now (more…)
