9 races can be a Rogue in Forever: Orc, Troll, Undead, Windshaper Skyborne on the Horde side, Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, Gnome, High Order Skyborne for the Alliance (Blizzard race table).

Our picks

Horde

  1. Undead: Will of the Forsaken removes Charm, Fear and Sleep, and Touch of the Grave has a 20% chance to drain life for Rogues.
  2. Windshaper Skyborne: Wind Blessed gives 2% haste for more swings and poison chances, and Skysight gives 15% run speed.

Alliance

  1. Gnome: Eureka! gives an 8-second window where abilities cost 10% less Energy, though you can't use it in Stealth.
  2. Human: Ruthless gives 1% crit all the time, with nothing to press.

These are our opinion, based on Blizzard's beta notes. Blizzard says each race has two active and two passive racials tuned for similar offensive power, so faction, looks and who you play with can still decide it.

What each race gets

  • Orc: Blood Fury, Shatter Curse, Command. Blizzard's posts name 3 of the 4.
  • Troll: Berserking, Regeneration. Blizzard's posts name 2 of the 4.
  • Undead: Will of the Forsaken, Cannibalize, Underwater Breathing, Touch of the Grave.
  • Windshaper Skyborne: Walk on Air, Skysight, Wind Blessed, Elemental Insight.
  • Human: Will to Survive, Ruthless, Human Spirit. Blizzard's posts name 3 of the 4.
  • Dwarf: Stoneform, Find Treasure, Artisan's Precision, Big Game Hunter.
  • Night Elf: Shadowmeld, Quickness, Wisp Form. Blizzard's posts name 3 of the 4.
  • Gnome: Eureka!. Blizzard's posts name 1 of the 4.
  • High Order Skyborne: Walk on Air, Read Ley Line, Wind Blessed, Elemental Insight.

Sources: Blizzard's development notes and panel recap. Details and what's still unknown are on each race page.

More: race guide · Rogue class guide · Rogue leveling guide