Just a few quick questions about combat dagger CP cycles. I'm a fairly low-geared (blues) player, so I'm not at 9% to hit yet. Close, but not all the way there. I'm preparing to enter MC and get in my first serious raid encounters as a rogue.

1) 2/3 or 3/3 improved S&D vs. the 1% crit in Dagger spec?

2) How do I work my cycles? I know that S&D is the #1 priority: how do I ensure maximum uptime for it, especially on short v. long-term fights? I've read about the 3-5-5 for 3/3 Sword rogues, but I haven't seen anything regarding its equivalent for combat daggers.

3) Gearing priorities: if I understand properly, I'll want to work for AP gear while maintaining balance (don't stack one stat, but AP is probably my most efficient in terms of iLevel).

Sorry if this is a repeat/has already been covered. I tried to search for information on this, but couldn't come up with anything. Thanks again for your time.

You will also want aged core leather gloves asap. I'd prioritize them ahead of just about any other armor piece based on the resists and stats (also nightslayer gloves aren't that useful for a dagger rogue relative to the other pieces).

I'd go with ACL/Gutgore, NS Belt, NS hood (you'll need/want it for FR eventually), NS shoulders, NS chest, NS pants, in that order. Striker's mark and Quickstrike ring should also be in there at some point.

Gutgore is a pretty huge waste of DKP, I'd save for CHT, makes a decent MH, then a great OH.

IMO: ACL, CHT, NS Shoulders, Striker's Mark, NS Chest, Perd's, BF hood, BF Pants, BF Bracers.

Thanks a ton, guys. I'm grinding up AV rep right now for my Lobo/Don Julio, so I think I'll probably be skipping a Gutgore and saving DKP for a Perdy/CHT. I'll be running with a guild that's got it on farm, so I'll have access to the full zone from the beginning.

When you have Death's Sting and Weapon Expertise, it's worth it to use Bonescythe Gauntlets.

Depending on his guilds skill level and his current itemization, GGR may not be a -total- waste of DKP. Granted, if they're 1 shotting every mob up through domo on their first run, I too would pass on GGR. However if they're having trouble on *any* bosses up through Domo, I'd pick it up (as I did). I've still only seen maybe 2-3 CHT's drop in about 6 months of MC clears. Plus, CHT isn't really such a nice MH, when you can easily get bonescraper (for free) - which is a pretty efficient use of its' itemization budget.

Totally forgot about ACL's too - durrr moment.

Right now? I'd say 2/3. Post 1.12, 3/3 and go 2/3 Ruthlessness. It's a pretty arguable question, though, and personal preference can easily make your choice one way or the other on this one.

The equivalent for combat daggers is, essentially "Get as many CP as possible before you have to refresh SnD, then refresh SnD." Getting to 5 CP from 2 CP (your starting point) is most of the trick in learning to play the build. But again, it basically comes down to: build CP as fast as you can, SnD, eventually aiming for 5 CP SnDs.

Meh. Balance is going to be your watchword, don't gear for one specific stat, gear for damage. Work out (formulaically or via Chalon's sheet or via Theorycraft, even) what 1 AP, 1% crit, 1% hit, 1 skill, 1 Agi are worth in terms of damage upgrades, and select upgrades based on that.

Definitely pick up ACLG if they drop - those will last you through until Naxxramas. NS bracers and boots are worthless - they're outdone by easily obtained blues (Eclipse bracers, ZG boots). NS pants are ok, NS shoulders are excellent, NS chest is good as well. Once you're reliably one-shotting Ony with 40, it will probably be worth splitting into 2 25-mans and doing 2 Onys per reset to increase the rate at which you get scales (and, you know, T2 helms), so NS helm isn't that important.

If you're planning to rep to exalted with CC for Earthstrike, you might as well get the exalted dagger - it makes a decent MH, a decent OH, and the set bonus is actually very nice.

Crayte: ACLG will still be worth wearing in 1.12, assuming you don't have a Death's Sting.

Try running ZG for the Jin rings. They're better than just about any combination out there until you're on Nef, even then it's difficult to break up the set.

Agreed, I just broke my set for the Master Dragonslayer's Ring from Nef's head, and the Honored Brood of Nozdormu ring. I certainly couldn't justify breaking it to equip any one epic ring.

I hate to slightly derail the thread, but I don't think this question deserves it's own post.

I recently got a Brut. blade and respecced to swords, should I somehow have my gear focused towards something different of does nightslayer get the job done?

At the moment I'm wearing 4/8 NS, and some random blues from AQ 20 along with boots of vanguard.

I wouldn't look at any one stat as being something you should "focus on" with a build. Just put your gear and the stats into Chalon's spread sheet and see what you put out, and come up with your own AEP style system.

Or just do what I do, thumbnail it straight up with classic AEP and then reinforce it with Chalon's sheet.