Ahhh... Diminishing Returns. The enemy of every good stunlock if your not careful. Ever watched a video of a Rogue PvPing and seen him blind his opponent only to restealth and then sap his target as the blind wears off? Is the undead rogue simply playing with his food at this point? Hardly...

Many learned rogues understand the concept of diminishing returns. Here is an excerpt from wowwiki.com explaining the process.

• When a spell with diminishing returns is used against a target in PvP, the first effect has full duration.
• On the second use of the same category of spell (e.g. slowing), that spell's duration is reduced by 50%.
• On the third use, the duration is reduced by 75%.
• On the fourth attempt, the target becomes immune to the spell.
• Spells must be used on the same target within 15 seconds of the *end* of the duration in order to be diminished. In other words, if a target hasn't had a slowing spell active on them for more than 15 seconds, the next slowing spell will have full effect.

So the rogue described above is not simply toying with his opponent. He wants to get the full effect of his cheapshot and kidneyshot. Restealthing in a duel against a DPS class has the same effect. Wait your 15 seconds (as long as they cant heal) and then start back in against them with the full effect of your stunlock. If they are a healer blind, heal yourself, restealth and sap to elimanate diminishing returns on your opponent.

This concept is something I consider finesse. Sure you can power through a 50% shorter stunlock and kill your opponent but knowing this concept makes your moves that much more debilitating. This is the tool of a skilled Rogue acting with precision not one jumping up and down behind you flailing their weapons hoping for the best.

Labels: notebook, rogue