The Diablo 4 Rogue class boasts a thrilling playstyle that is both lightning fast and inflicts high damage. Blizzard has done a remarkable job in creating a classic hero archetype that fans of agile characters will undoubtedly appreciate. As players journey through Sanctuary, they must prevent yet another apocalypse from occurring, making the Rogue class an essential asset to any team.
In Diablo 4, Rogues have several build paths to choose from. However, some builds are more powerful and efficient when it comes to clearing potential and raw power. For players struggling to progress through the campaign or the initial levels, two Rogue builds require minimal gear and Skill Point investment without compromising DPS output or survivability.
Twisting Blades Speed Clear Build
Skill | Points |
Puncture | 1 |
Fundamental Puncture | 1 |
Twisting Blades | 5 |
Advanced Twisting Blades | 1 |
Sturdy | 3 |
Shadow Step | 1 |
Disciplined Shadow Step | 1 |
Dash | 1 |
Methodical Dash | 1 |
Weapon Mastery | 3 |
Poison Trap | 1 |
Enhanced Poison Trap | 1 |
Exploit | 3 |
Malice | 3 |
Death Trap | 1 |
Supreme Death Trap | 1 |
Victimize | 1 |
The Twisting Blades build offers Rogues an opportunity to swiftly maneuver across the room and take down enemies with ease. By combining Advanced Twisting Blades and Methodical Dash, players can reduce cooldowns and recharge Dash more quickly by hitting Crowd Controlled enemies with it. Shadow Step can also be utilized to eliminate high-priority targets or when all Dash charges have been used up. Poison Trap and Death Trap can be switched out for alternative abilities, such as Cold Imbuement for its compatibility with Methodical Dash, Dark Shroud for added survivability, or Shadow Clone for increased damage against bosses. For added effectiveness, players should consider investing in passive nodes that boost their Critical Hit Chance, especially if their gear already provides sufficient amounts of the stat.
Close Quarters Archer Build
While the build functions well on its own, incorporating the Bladedancer's Aspect onto one's gear can significantly enhance the effectiveness of Twisting Blades. It is recommended to inscribe it onto a bow or crossbow to avoid the inconvenience of having to re-inscribe it onto a one-handed weapon when a better gear piece is acquired during the leveling process.
This build utilizes a double Core Skill approach and centers on the Close Quarters Combat Key Passive which provides a considerable boost in attack speed and damage when attacking Crowd Controlled enemies. While it may not be as deadly as the Twisting Blades build, it offers great flexibility at any distance and is a delight to play.
Skill | Points |
Puncture | 1 |
Fundamental Puncture | 1 |
Flurry | 1 |
Improved Flurry | 1 |
Rapid Fire | 5 |
Improved Rapid Fire | 1 |
Caltrops | 1 |
Methodical Caltrops | 1 |
Dash | 1 |
Methodical Dash | 1 |
Exploit | 3 |
Malice | 3 |
Shadow Clone | 1 |
Supreme Shadow Clone | 1 |
Adrenaline Rush | 3 |
Close Quarters Combat | 1 |
The key to maximizing damage output in this build is by utilizing Rapid Fire as the primary damage dealer. Flurry, on the other hand, serves as a tool for spreading Vulnerable caused by Puncture and triggering the Close Quarters Combat passive. It is important for players to be within melee range when using Rapid Fire, as this is necessary for the Key Passive to work effectively.
When using Methodical Caltrops, players can both slow down enemies and gain bonus damage in Close Quarters Combat. This allows for some much-needed space after diving into melee range. To reduce the cooldown time for the next cast, use Methodical Dash to break through Chilled enemies. Shadow Clone is a powerful tool that can almost double a player's DPS output. By triggering Close Quarters Combat, making the enemy Vulnerable, and launching a barrage of arrows from a distance, players can deal massive amounts of damage. This strategy is particularly effective when using the Combo Points Specialization. However, Inner Sight can also be useful for unleashing a rapid stream of arrows when there are small windows of opportunity.
For optimal gameplay in Diablo 4, players are recommended to prioritize Rapid, Encircling Blade, and Expectant aspects. Rapid and Encircling Blade aid in the application of Vulnerable, while Expectant significantly increases the damage output of Rapid Fire when fired at full Energy and with three Combo Points. Don't miss out on the early access release of Diablo 4, with the full launch set for June 6 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
