In World of Warcraft: Legion, much revolves around the artifact weapons. These are given to players early on and grow throughout the entire expansion with their bearers. Each talent specialization receives its own weapon, which is why rogues have a total of 3 artifacts available. Let’s take a look at the individual weapons.
Spoiler Warning: The background story of “Anguish and Sorrow” may spoil parts of the Warcraft movie. You have been warned.
Subtlety – Anguish and Sorrow (Artifact Weapons for Subtlety Rogues)
Background Story: The Orc warlock Gul’dan created the two blades to make them the perfect killing tools. They were designed to drink blood and transmit poisons, leaving no traces of the poison behind – the perfect weapon for a stealthy assassination. Gul’dan entrusted the weapons to Garona, who committed numerous murders under the warlock’s control, including that of King Llane. After this act, Garona fell into despair and asked her friend Meryl Winterstorm to hide the two blades – until today.
Properties of Anguish and Sorrow: The artifact properties of Anguish and Sorrow are straightforward, especially the ordinary points almost always directly increase the damage of individual abilities. Interesting is an improvement of Vendetta, where the rogue’s maximum energy is restored immediately upon activation of the ability.
All begin with Kingsbane. Upon activation, the powerful poison of the blades is released, causing tenfold weapon damage immediately and then additional damage over 14 seconds. During this time, each tick of deadly poison and wound poison increases the outstanding damage of Kingsbane by 20%.
From the Shadows enhances the ability “Vendetta”. The target will now automatically be affected by a DoT that inflicts nature damage over 20 seconds.
Blood of the Assassinated gives bleeding a chance to infect the target. Infected targets take 100% more damage from bleeding.
Bag of Tricks enhances the ability Poisoning. Each time an opponent is attacked with Poisoning, there is a chance to also hurl a poison vial at the enemy that deals damage. Afterwards, a poison puddle forms at the location, damaging all enemies in the area over 6 seconds.
Outlaw – The Dreadblades (Artifact Weapons for Outlaw Rogues)
Background Story: The exact origin of these two blades is unknown; they were only salvaged after the Cataclysm from the wreck of a ship near Booty Bay. Admiral Eliza Bloodblade used the blades and has since made a name for herself on the seas – no ship was safe from her plundering, as no one has been able to defeat her in battle yet. Some pirates even whisper that the blades are cursed and will devour their wielder if not provided with fresh victims at some point.
Properties of the Dreadblades: In Outlaw, the normal artifact properties are rather classic: they increase the damage of abilities and reduce the costs. Interesting is the possibility to enhance the Cloak of Shadows in such a way that for every effect removed or resisted, the rogue is healed by 2% of their maximum health.
All Outlaw Rogues start with Curse of the Dreadblades. Upon activation, each strike of the weapons fully refills the combo points for the next 12 seconds. However, there is a price: each use of a finisher causes the blades to consume 5% of the rogue’s current health.
Blunderbuss enhances the new attack Saber Slash. If Saber Slash strikes again, the next pistol shot is converted into Blunderbuss, dealing more damage and reducing the target’s movement speed by 50% for 6 seconds.
An improvement for Adrenaline Rush is Blurred Time. As long as Adrenaline Rush is active, all cooldowns of the rogue end 200% faster.
Greed grants the Dreadblades a chance to occasionally execute a Cleave attack that hits all enemies within melee range and deals increased damage. For each enemy hit, 5% of the rogue’s maximum health is restored.
Assassination – Fangs of the Devourer (Artifact Weapons for Assassination Rogues)
Background Story: Even the leader of the Burning Legion, Sargeras, had a dog. “Goremaw the Devourer” helped his master devour countless worlds for the Legion, until he was eventually overwhelmed and killed. The dreadlord Mephistroph crafted two daggers from the teeth, which contained a part of Goremaw’s essence. Subsequently, the blades were given to Akaari, one of Sargeras’ most dangerous assassins, who still possesses these daggers today.
Properties of the Fangs of the Devourer: The Assassination rogue has some interesting artifact properties. He can make himself completely immune to fall damage and permanently increase his dodge chance by 20%. If the rogue sprints for 3 seconds without taking damage, Vanish is automatically activated without triggering its cooldown.
All start with Goremaw’s Bite. The ability deals high shadow damage, slows the target by 60% for 8 seconds, and regenerates 30 energy over 6 seconds.
Shadow Nova makes every appearance of the rogue amusing. As soon as a rogue exits stealth, he explodes, causing medium shadow damage around him.
Akaari’s Soul enhances Sneaky Trick and Shadow Strike. Whenever one of the two abilities hits, Akaari’s soul appears after 4 seconds and deals medium shadow damage to the same target, followed by high shadow damage over 6 seconds.
Finality enhances the new ability Nightblade and Disembowel. Whenever one of the two abilities is used, the next finisher is amplified by the Fangs of the Devourer, significantly increasing their damage.
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