Where would rogues rank on a list for 1v1 prowess in open world PvP? I want to know what happens when everyone has access to the best gear they can get from both PvP and PvE when Naxx is out and all that jazz. Also assume that the two players fighting are playing at the theoretical top of their class limits and utilizing professions to the maximum potential. Do orcs edge out forsaken as rogues in these scenarios? I just watched a bunch of old school wow rogue PvP videos but apparently they were from earlier patches of vanilla and none of them were orcs so I’m lost as to what I’m going to play at the moment.
Rogues are always #1 because they’re the only class that can actually pick and reset fights if they don’t want to keep going. They may not be able to beat a geared Warrior (or a solid Mage/Hunter), but they’re still able to just outright avoid them.
I think it’s hard to rank end game rogues on a list for 1v1 prowess in classic b/c it’s very dependent on the encounter they engage in (which is extremely powerful). If it’s a 1v1 and the enemy doesn’t know you are about to gank them, rogues are formidable in endgame gear (especially if they are horde rogues w/ either wotf or orc racial).
However, if it’s a duel and the enemy is aware that you are there and assuming both are using engineering or even consumables (Free action or living action potion, restorative potion or limited invulnerability potion), rogues will struggle against some classes b/c those consumes can negate their ability to control the fight.
Assuming that both players are fighting at the same theoretical level in endgame gear in a 1v1 I think some of their tougher or closer match-ups would be:
-
SL Warlock or Destro w/ voidwalker pet – Succy pet if enemy rogue is not undead (Especially difficult fights if warlock is an Orc)
-
Shadowpriest (Especially troll or dwarves)
-
Hunters (Especially Dwarves and Orcs)
-
Ele Shaman (Especially Orc, Tauren is strong as well)
-
Mage (Human may be strongest in a 1v1 if they can break opener w/ perception, but gnome (escape artist) and troll (Berserk) are decent racials vs rogues as well)
-
Druid (This can be an interesting match-up b/c it will depend heavily on the druids spec and gear, like 29/11/11 builds are quite strong in this match-up or even balance/NS builds can be strong too – Tauren is probably the strongest race in this match-up)
-
Paladin (Especially Dwarf – this can really be a drawn out war b/c of all the defensive and offensive cooldowns a paladin has, LoH/bubble/Freedom/HoJ etc etc)
-
Warriors (Especially Orc – With leeway in classic it will be interesting to see how well rogues can bleed kite warriors and dance in their no charge zone – if they can kite effectively I feel this match-up will favor rogues)
With that being said I think w/ many of these matches I feel the rogue will have a chance assuming they are well skilled and use consumes/engineering effectively
I’m pretty set on playing a rogue regardless of the pecking order but I am suprised to not find many orcs among the old school pvp videos considering all the reading I’ve been doing around here about the benefits of playing one in pvp.
Also thanks Drakthul for the thorough write up. 
1 Like
I really think rogues are a fantastic class in classic wow and I’m sure you will have fun playing them as a class.
As far as which race is best for a rogue I feel there is definitely a debate between undead or orc for pvp
Both races have powerful racials, I do think undead rogues will tend to be favored more b/c will of the forsaken is really strong and can help balance those match-ups against warlocks and priests.
However orcs are a strong choice as well b/c stun resist is great in general and their attack power racial is quite strong too.