Post by trendon
I posted a similar thread
(here) because I didn't really understand the reason sub is avoided for leveling. As I've been reading, what seemed normal for me is not the case with other specs.
It seems, you have to be more creative with sub than you do with other builds. Since you are using ambush (as I do, too) you are stuck with a dagger in your main hand. In that thread, I quizzed everyone on why this is so wrong and was quickly shown the damage differences of hemorrhage and sinister strike with daggers as opposed to slower weapons. It is quite substantial. Assuming you are trying to fly up to 80, you are going to have to get really creative to even come close to the damage output of the other two specs.
Now, I like to leverage the intrinsic value of subtlety; the escapability. You get zero experience and kill zero mobs on a corpse run, especially when you get preparation. When you get further down, Master of Subtlety, Premeditation, Shadowstep, Honor Amongst Thieves (for groups), and Slaughter From the Shadows help a great deal but they still pale in comparison to Combat and Assasination for straight-up damage if you are running around with daggers.