The highest item level one-handed swords a level 21–30 character can wear as a Rogue start with Jade Serpentblade (item level 35, uncommon). 24 items fit the slot and band; the top 24 are ranked here by item level, then quality, not by simulation.
| # | Name | ILvl | Req. | DPS | Speed | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Jade SerpentbladeCHANGED | 35 | 30 | 18.2 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 3 |  Zealot Blade | 34 | 29 | 22.1 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Solid Chest (Duskwood) at 0.0% (+280 more) (vanilla) |
| 2 |  Electrocutioner LegCHANGED | 34 | 29 | 22.1 | 1.70 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Electrocutioner 6000 (Gnomeregan) at 33.3% (vanilla) |
| 4 |  Legionnaire's Sword | 33 | 28 | 21.3 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Kelm Hargunth (Horde) (vanilla) |
| 5 |  Protector's Sword | 33 | 28 | 21.3 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Illiyana Moonblaze (Alliance) (vanilla) |
| 6 |  Hardened Iron ShortswordCHANGED | 32 | 27 | 16.7 | 1.80 | One-Handed Sword | Crafted: Blacksmithing |
| 7 |  The Black Knight | 31 | 26 | 19.7 | 1.90 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Solid Chest (Duskwood) at 0.0% (+301 more) (vanilla) |
| 8 |  Viking Sword | 30 | 25 | 15.6 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Dragonmaw Battlemaster (Wetlands) at 1.1% (+492 more) (vanilla) |
| 9 |  Short Cutlass | 29 | 24 | 9.1 | 2.70 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Weapon Crate (Scarlet Monastery) at 6.7% (+680 more) (vanilla) |
| 10 | Darkwater TalwarCHANGED | 27 | 22 | 17.0 | 2.20 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Lady Sarevess (Blackfathom Deeps) at 33.3% (vanilla) |
| 13 |  Sword of Corruption | 27 | 22 | 17.1 | 2.10 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Battered Chest (Darkshore) at 0.0% (+348 more) (vanilla) |
| 11 | Heavy Marauder Scimitar | 27 | 22 | 17.1 | 2.40 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Galak Marauder (Thousand Needles) at 0.3% (vanilla) |
| 14 |  Fighter Broadsword | 27 | 22 | 13.9 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Akkrilus (Ashenvale) at 1.3% (+488 more) (vanilla) |
| 15 |  Skeletal Longsword | 27 | 22 | 13.9 | 2.20 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Skeletal Raider (Duskwood) at 0.9% (vanilla) |
| 12 | Lucine LongswordCHANGED | 27 | 17.2 | 2.50 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: What Comes Around... (vanilla) | |
| 16 | Twisted Sabre | 26 | 21 | 16.7 | 1.80 | One-Handed Sword | Found in Battered Chest (Darkshore) at 0.0% (+348 more) (vanilla) |
| 18 | Sword of the Night SkyCHANGED | 26 | 21 | 13.5 | 1.70 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Heggin Stonewhisker (The Barrens) at 25.0% (vanilla) |
| 17 | Black Metal Shortsword | 26 | 21 | 13.5 | 1.70 | One-Handed Sword | Drops from Bone Chewer (Duskwood) at 0.6% (vanilla) |
| 19 |  Longsword | 26 | 21 | 12.2 | 2.30 | One-Handed Sword | Sold by Ariyell Skyshadow (+12 more) (vanilla) |
| 20 | Phytoblade | 25 | 12.9 | 2.80 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Blisters on The Land (vanilla) | |
| 22 | Slatemetal Cutlass | 24 | 12.3 | 2.20 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Torek's Assault (vanilla) | |
| 23 |  Talonstrike | 24 | 12.2 | 1.60 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Assault on Fenris Isle (vanilla) | |
| 21 |  Wingblade | 24 | 15.7 | 2.20 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Leaders of the Fang (vanilla) | |
| 24 | Claystone Shortsword | 21 | 10.5 | 2.20 | One-Handed Sword | Quest: Arachnophobia (Horde) (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 30 (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, Fist Weapon, Two-Handed Sword, Two-Handed Axe, Two-Handed Mace, Staff, Bow, Gun. Every slot and level.