The highest item level one-handed swords a level 11–20 character can wear as a Rogue on the Horde side start with Smotts' Cutlass (item level 25, common). 36 items fit the slot and band; the top 25 are ranked here by item level, then quality, not by simulation.
| # | Name | ILvl | Req. | DPS | Speed | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Smotts' Cutlass | 25 | 20 | 11.6 | 1.90 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Negolash at 100.0% (vanilla) |
| 3 |  Shadowfang | 24 | 19 | 15.6 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Lupine Horror (Shadowfang Keep) at 0.1% (+8 more) (vanilla) |
| 7 |  Warped Blade | 24 | 19 | 7.2 | 1.60 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Large Iron Bound Chest (Gnomeregan) at 1.2% (+315 more) (vanilla) |
| 4 |  Bluegill Kukri | 24 | 19 | 12.3 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Bluegill Warrior (Wetlands) at 1.5% (vanilla) |
| 5 | Bronze ShortswordCHANGED | 24 | 19 | 12.2 | 2.50 | One-Handed Sword | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 6 | Decapitating Sword | 24 | 19 | 12.3 | 2.60 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Humar the Pridelord (The Barrens) at 1.6% (+547 more) (vanilla) |
| 2 | Cruel Barb | 24 | 19 | 15.5 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Edwin VanCleef (The Deadmines) at 20.0% (vanilla) |
| 9 | Buzz SawCHANGED | 23 | 18 | 15.2 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Sneed's Shredder (The Deadmines) at 10.0% (vanilla) |
| 10 |  Legionnaire's Sword | 23 | 18 | 15.0 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Kelm Hargunth (Horde) (vanilla) |
| 8 |  Butcher's SlicerCHANGED | 23 | 18 | 15.0 | 2.90 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Razorclaw the Butcher (Shadowfang Keep) at 33.3% (vanilla) |
| 12 |  Militant Shortsword | 22 | 17 | 11.0 | 2.50 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Apothecary Falthis (Ashenvale) at 1.7% (+502 more) (vanilla) |
| 11 | Thief's BladeCHANGED | 22 | 17 | 14.4 | 1.70 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Mr. Smite (The Deadmines) at 40.0% (vanilla) |
| 13 | Scimitar of AtunCHANGED | 21 | 16 | 10.6 | 2.60 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Murloc Scout (Redridge Mountains) at 1.0% (+1 more) (vanilla) |
| 14 |  Ironpatch Blade | 20 | 15 | 13.5 | 2.60 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Rot Hide Bruiser (Silverpine Forest) at 0.0% (+211 more) (vanilla) |
| 16 |  Elegant Shortsword | 20 | 10.0 | 2.00 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Serena Bloodfeather (vanilla) | |
| 15 | Night Watch Shortsword | 20 | 15 | 13.5 | 2.60 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Rot Hide Bruiser (Silverpine Forest) at 0.0% (+211 more) (vanilla) |
| 20 | Stock Shortsword | 19 | 14 | 5.8 | 1.80 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Weapon Crate (The Barrens) at 10.0% (+315 more) (vanilla) |
| 17 | Blackwater CutlassCHANGED | 19 | 14 | 12.9 | 1.90 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Defias Pirate (The Deadmines) at 3.5% (+1 more) (vanilla) |
| 19 |  Scimitar | 19 | 14 | 8.7 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Ariyell Skyshadow (+13 more) (vanilla) |
| 18 |  Solid ShortbladeCHANGED | 19 | 9.4 | 2.50 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Red Silk Bandanas (vanilla) | |
| 21 |  Cursed FelbladeCHANGED | 18 | 13 | 12.2 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Taragaman the Hungerer (Ragefire Chasm) at 33.3% (vanilla) |
| 22 | Northern Shortsword | 18 | 13 | 9.1 | 2.20 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Firecaller Radison (Darkshore) at 1.7% (+505 more) (vanilla) |
| 23 | Daryl's Shortsword | 17 | 8.7 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: A Hunter's Challenge (vanilla) | |
| 25 | Raider Shortsword | 16 | 11 | 8.2 | 1.90 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Kolkars' Booty (The Barrens) at 1.9% (+438 more) (vanilla) |
| 24 |  Defias Rapier | 16 | 11 | 8.1 | 1.60 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Defias Watchman (Westfall) at 5.0% (vanilla) |
Ranked by item level, then quality, among items with a known source: gear nothing drops, sells, rewards or makes yet (raids not yet open, the client's test items) is left out. The class filter keeps what the class can equip at level 20 (armor type, weapon skill, Dual Wield, the item's own class limit); the side filter drops items that only the other side's vendors and quests offer. Source: the best known drop first (a Forever rate at 10+ loots, else the vanilla 1.12 chance), then vendors, quest rewards and the profession that makes it. Reviewed picks: Rogue Best in Slot.
Other slots: Dagger, One-Handed Axe, One-Handed Mace, Two-Handed Sword, Two-Handed Axe, Two-Handed Mace, Polearm, Staff, Bow, Gun. Every slot and level.