Overview
'The wound is the least of your worries.'
Performs an instant off-hand weapon attack that automatically applies the poison from your off-hand weapon to the target. Slower weapons require more Energy. Awards 1 combo point.
Functionality
- Requires Level 70
- Variable Energy
- 5 yd range
- Instant cast
- Requires Off-Hand Melee Weapon
- The energy required to use Shiv is equal to (20 + 10*weapon speed)
- So, a 1.3 speed weapon would require (20 + 10*1.3 = 33) energy, whereas a 2.9 speed weapon would require (20 + 10*2.9 = 49) energy.
Uses
While at first glance, Shiv may seem like an underpowered attack ability, it was several unique properties that make it very useful to smart Rogues.
Poison Application
One of the most obvious advantages of Shiv, instant perfect poison application is useful in a variety of ways:
- Stacking
[Deadly Poison] for easy 5-pt, 5 poison stack 
[Envenom]. - Application of
[Crippling Poison], [Mind-Numbing Poison], or stacking [Wound Poison] in PVP. - Application of [Instant Poison] or [Anesthetic Poison], to mitigate the loss of dps over other skills.
Combat Potency
Shiv attacks do proc 
[Combat Potency]. Spamming Shiv with a high-dps offhand with a speed less than 1.5 (costing 35 energy) can be very effective (given 1x 20 energy tick and a combat potency proc for another 15 energy). The high special-attack rate this skill and talent synergy has other benefits- more hits means more chance on hit procs from gear, more mace spec procs, and any other goodies you have.
Energy Cost
With its relatively lower energy cost, shiv can build combo points very quickly. Useful for fast stuns, or when you need to get 
[Slice and Dice] up.
Managing avoidance in PVP
Though it is not explicitly mentioned in the tooltip, it has been confirmed many times that Shiv cannot be dodged. It may also be unable to be parried or blocked. This makes it useful in PVP situations when your opponent is low on life and uses a temporary avoidance boost (such as 
[Evasion] or 
[Ghostly Strike]).