Builds for Rogue in Diablo 4: Best Skills, Abilities and Aspects
The Rogue is perhaps the most mobile class in Diablo 4. Mastering it isn't easy, so much depends on your playstyle and build. Additionally, you'll need to decide which weapon is more preferable for you. In this guide, we'll break down all the main builds for the Rogue and explain which aspects and skills to choose.
What are the features of the Rogue class
The Rogue is an excellent fighter requiring constant control. Standing still in the arena won't work, so movement is your best ally. The Rogue has a number of features that help him deal maximum damage from behind and even become invisible for a while. Moreover, it's one of the few classes with an impressive arsenal: swords, daggers, bows, crossbows, and a variety of traps. You'll easily find something to your liking.
Before playing as a Rogue, you must understand that high damage requires carefully selecting a build. Random leveling will quickly make your hero helpless against hordes of enemies. Your skills are closely tied to your weaponry. While you can carry everything at once, it's crucial to decide whether you'll focus on melee combat, ranged attacks, or traps. Creating a versatile fighter is also possible but much more challenging.
Like other classes, the Rogue has a unique mechanic—specializations. As you level up, you'll gradually unlock each of the three:
- Combo Points (requires level 15) — Basic attacks increase combo points, core attacks consume combo points and gain additional properties;
- Inner Sight (requires level 20) — Hitting marked enemies fills the gauge, and when it's full, the character gains unlimited energy for 4 seconds;
- Preparation (requires level 30) — For every 100 energy spent, the cooldown of a powerful skill is reduced by 4 seconds, and after using a powerful skill, all other abilities instantly refresh.
When leveling up, pay attention to Dexterity, Strength, and Intelligence. Willpower, however, is not needed.
Blade Master build for Rogue
One of the most popular builds due to the high damage the Rogue deals to single targets. However, you can also control groups of enemies. Traps with dark magic and poison spreading over an area will help you with this. You'll need to constantly monitor the Vulnerable status on enemies; moreover, to unlock the full potential of this build, you'll need to complete the storyline campaign. Only at higher levels will you have the opportunity to enhance the skill tree. If you plan to start your first playthrough as a Rogue, it might be worth considering other builds and then respec into this one later. The specialization to choose is Inner Sight.
What Skills Are Needed for the Blade Master Build
- Puncturing Strike — Your first ability that helps regenerate energy faster and applies negative effects like Slow and Vulnerability. One point is enough, but be sure to buy enhancements: Enhanced Puncturing Strike and Fundamental.
- Piercing Blades — The main attacking skill, max it out and buy the enhancements Enhanced Piercing Blades and Advanced.
- Resilience — A passive talent that reduces melee damage, max it out.
- Leeching Strikes — Another passive skill that helps restore health when dealing critical hits, max it out.
- Shadow Step — This skill allows you to instantly strike from behind. One point is enough, but it needs to be improved with Enhanced Shadow Step and Methodical. This will increase the chance of critical damage and can stun the enemy.
- Dash — You lunge forward, dealing multiple slashing strikes. One point is sufficient, but additional buffs are needed. Enhanced Dash increases critical hits, and Disciplined applies Slow to all enemies hit by the rogue. If the target is already slowed, it gains the Dazed status.
- Weapon Master — An important passive ability that unlocks powerful attacks, max it out.
- Concussion — After knocking back or knocking down an enemy, you gain an increased chance of critical hits. Max it out.
- Cunning Attacks — When you deal a critical hit to a dazed enemy, they fall, one point is enough.
- Poison Trap — A trap that deals poison damage. Can be enhanced with an Improved Trap to make enemies fall.
- Trickery — You deal more damage to enemies with health above 80% and below 35%. Max it out.
- Malice — You deal more damage to vulnerable enemies. Max it out.
- Deadly Poison — You deal increased poison damage. This passive is needed only to activate the next one in the branch, so spend just one point.
- Alchemical Advantage — You gain increased attack speed for each poisoned enemy. This talent works particularly well with the poison trap. Max it out.
- Deadly Trap — Another trap in your arsenal that deals significant damage. Buy the modifiers Primal and Irresistible Trap. This will give you an important feature — enemies in the area of effect are pulled to one point, helping to quickly destroy them all with other abilities. Cooldown time is reduced if the trap deals lethal damage.
- Energy Surge — Every 100 units of energy increase the hit chance. Max it out.
- Trap Master — This ability increases the effectiveness of the poison and deadly traps, exactly those you will actively use. Max it out.
- Final Surge — This skill gives an additional energy boost. Max it out.
- Adrenaline Rush — Energy regenerates faster while moving. One point is enough.
- Haste — If energy level is 50% or higher, the hero's movement speed increases; if lower, attack speed increases.
- Harmful Impact — The final passive skill that grants access to stunning grenades or reduces the cooldown time of all traps.
How to Play the Blade Master Build
Almost always, your battles begin with Puncturing Strike. You will regenerate energy and weaken enemies with negative effects.
Identify the priority target with Inner Sight, then close the distance with Dash or Shadow Step. Now you can use your main attacking skill — Piercing Blades.
Constantly use available traps whenever possible. These abilities are the foundation of all your passive talents. Don't forget to break the distance in case of mortal danger. Dash will be useful for this again.
Shadow Rogue Build for Rogue
This build is not for everyone, as the survivability of the Shadow Rogue is much lower than other builds. However, you will gain the ability to deal area damage and move very quickly. Moreover, you won't have to worry too much about aspects; the Shadow Rogue can manage without them. Pay close attention to where exactly your hero is on the arena. Proper positioning is the key to success. As in the previous build, you should choose Inner Sight as your specialization.
What Skills Are Needed for the Shadow Rogue Build
- Puncturing Strike — your first ability that helps regenerate energy faster and apply negative effects like Slow and Vulnerability. One point is enough, but make sure to get the enhancements: Enhanced Puncturing Strike and Fundamental.
- Piercing Blades — the main attacking skill, max it out and get the enhancements: Enhanced Piercing Blades and Advanced.
- Toughness — a passive talent that reduces melee damage, max it out.
- Siphoning Strikes — another passive that helps restore health when dealing critical hits, max it out as well.
- Shadow Step — this skill allows you to instantly strike from behind, one point is enough, but it needs to be enhanced with Enhanced Shadow Step and Methodical. This will increase the chance of critical damage and can also stun the enemy.
- Dash — you rush forward, dealing multiple slashing blows. One point is enough, but additional buffs are needed. Enhanced Dash will increase critical hits, and Disciplined will apply Slow to all hit by the rogue. If the target is already slowed, it will receive the Dazed status.
- Weapon Mastery — an important passive ability that unlocks powerful attacks, max it out.
- Trick Attack — you deal more damage to enemies with health levels above 80% and below 35%. Max it out.
- Malice — you deal more damage to vulnerable enemies. Max it out.
- Shadow Crash — after dealing dark magic damage, there is a chance the target will be stunned. One point is necessary.
- Shadow Absorption — when killing with dark magic, you regenerate energy.
- Dark Saturation — helps trigger a series of explosions or damage boost on a boss. After activation, the next two skills deal dark magic damage and infect. Such enemies explode upon death, and if they survive, they take additional damage. Also get Enhanced and Conjugated saturation. The first increases critical hit chance, and the second makes enemies vulnerable. Max it out.
- Aimed Saturation — increases critical hit chance. Max points.
- Dark Reflection — your shadow starts mimicking the hero's actions and dealing damage. Get enhancements — Primal and Inevitable reflection. This will increase the shadow clone's damage and grant the status — unstoppable.
- Finale — this skill gives an additional energy boost. Max points.
- Adrenaline Surge — while moving, energy regenerates faster. One point is enough.
- Momentum — after moving a certain distance, attack power increases. Max points.
- Haste — if energy level is 50% or higher, the hero's movement speed increases; if lower — attack speed increases. Max points.
- Ruthless Execution — this passive has a chance to trigger an explosion affecting the target and everyone around.
How to Play with the Shadow Rogue Build
Start the battle by clearing out weaker enemies to increase your chances of triggering explosions from the Ruthless Execution ability. Your main attacking skill is Puncturing Strike. Don't forget about the specialization, which, although briefly, gives you infinite energy. If enemies corner you, Dash and Shadow Step will help. Dark Reflection provides excellent protection for the hero but has a long cooldown. Use this skill only in the most critical situations.
Damage-Focused Cutthroat Build for Rogue
The damage-focused build borrows a lot from previous setups. You should also be mobile and constantly maintain the Vulnerability status on enemies. You'll have to work on collecting legendary aspects, and you won't always feel safe against large groups of enemies, but in boss fights, this rogue will be unmatched. Hence, another nuance arises — the emphasis on melee combat. We recommend the Inner Sight specialization, but you can experiment with others.
Skills Needed for Damage or Cutthroat Build
- Puncturing Strike — This skill won't be useful long-term, but it's worth getting initially to unlock other branches.
- Fortitude — A passive talent that reduces melee damage; max it out.
- Draining Strikes — Helps restore health when dealing critical hits; also max it out.
- Barrage — A rapid attack on multiple enemies. Purchase Enhanced and Empowered Barrage. This will allow more active use of Vulnerability. Max points.
- Dash — Critical hits increase movement speed. You'll need to move a lot, so this skill is very useful. Max points.
- Shadow Step — Allows you to instantly strike from behind. One point is enough, but upgrade with Empowered Step and Methodical. This increases the chance of critical damage and can stun the enemy. One point is sufficient.
- Weapon Mastery — An important passive ability that unlocks powerful attacks; max it out.
- Lunge — You dash forward, dealing multiple slashing attacks. One point is enough, but additional buffs are required. Empowered Lunge increases critical hits, and Ordered helps better control the crowd. One point.
- Evasion — Each time you use a cooldown, your dodge chance increases. Max points.
- Healing Veil — You heal while in stealth. Max points.
- Camouflage — You literally become invisible to enemies. Purchase Enhanced to also boost energy, and Cunning, so any attack skill that ends camouflage applies the Vulnerability effect. One point.
- Shadow Veil — Shadows surround you, reducing damage taken. This is a good skill for direct encounters if you can't quickly escape. Purchase Enhanced Veil and Retaliation to increase critical damage. One point.
- Trickery — You deal more damage to enemies with health above 80% and below 35%. One point.
- Malice — You deal more damage to vulnerable enemies. Pairs well with Barrage. One point.
- Deadly Trap — Another trap in your arsenal that deals significant damage. Purchase the Primal and Inevitable Trap modifiers. This grants an important feature — enemies in the area are pulled to a single point, helping you quickly eliminate them with other abilities. Cooldown is reduced if the trap deals lethal damage.
- Finale — This skill provides an additional energy boost. Max points.
- Adrenaline Rush — Energy regenerates faster while moving. Max it out.
- Haste — If energy is 50% or higher, the hero's movement speed increases; if lower, attack speed increases. Max it out.
- Momentum — After moving a certain distance, attack power increases. Max points.
- Impulse — The final passive. When dealing damage to enemies with negative effects, you gain impulse charges. Once you have three, your attack power, movement speed, and energy regeneration increase.
How to Play with the Damage or Cutthroat Build
First and foremost, use Barrage. Identify the strongest enemy and use Shadow Step or Lunge to deal devastating damage and start charging Momentum. Don't forget about Deadly Trap, but it has a long cooldown, so don't use it wastefully. When all abilities are on cooldown, it's Time for Shadow Veil — you'll heal, restore energy, and apply Vulnerability.
Archer Build for Rogue
The archer is perhaps the most unusual build, worth trying at higher levels. Only there do all the necessary abilities unlock. In battle, the focus is on ranged weapons and constantly slowing down enemies, but you can't stand still. Specialization — Preparation.
Skills Needed for Archer Build
- Force Arrow — a basic skill that you will use more often than others. Applies Vulnerability. It restores energy well. Acquire Enhanced Arrow and Core to deal increased critical damage and pierce through enemies. One point.
- Durability — a passive talent that reduces melee damage, max it out. You won't find yourself in such situations often, but it happens.
- Leeching Strikes — another passive that helps restore health when dealing critical hits, also max it out. The archer should take care of healing right away.
- Rapid Fire — the hero shoots five arrows at once. The first upgrade increases critical damage, and Enhanced Shooting gives energy for damage to Vulnerable enemies. It is very important to use the skill after Force Arrow, otherwise, you might lose the buffs from Vulnerability, which simply won't occur. Max points.
- Weapon Master — an important passive ability that unlocks powerful attacks, max it out.
- Spikes — a trap that slows enemies. Immediately buy the upgrades — Enhanced increases damage, and you can choose the second one yourself. One deals cold damage, the other increases damage to Vulnerable enemies. Max points.
- Poison Trap — a trap that deals, of course, poison damage. It can be enhanced with Enhanced Trap so that enemies also fall, and Counter Trap, which will speed up the cooldown of some abilities. Max it out.
- Deception — you deal more damage to enemies with health levels above 80% and below 35%. Max it out.
- Malice — you deal more damage to vulnerable enemies. Max it out.
- Deadly Trap — another trap in your arsenal that deals significant damage. Buy the modifiers Primal and Inevitable Trap. This way, you get an important feature — enemies in the area are pulled into one point, which helps quickly destroy them all at once with other abilities. Cooldown is reduced if the trap deals lethal damage. Good to use in conjunction with the poison trap.
- Cold Saturation — allows you to freeze enemies, giving extra time to reposition. Upgrade: Enhanced Saturation helps apply Vulnerability. Max points.
- Icy Precision — damage to chilled and frozen enemies is increased. Works well in conjunction with Spikes and Cold Saturation. Max points.
- Burdening Cold — the speed of chilled enemies is reduced. Max points.
- Trap Master — a skill for synergy with your traps. Critical damage to enemies affected by traps is increased. Max points.
- Harmful Impact — the final passive skill that unlocks access to stunning grenades or reduces the cooldown time of all traps.
How to Play with the Archer Build
Always start with Force Arrow. You won't deal significant damage, but you will apply Vulnerability, which is much more important. Combine various traps to enhance their effects. Don't forget that your skills deal good damage both in area and to single targets. The main task is to keep enemies at a distance by all available means.
Which Aspects to Choose for Rogue
- Aspect of Disobedience — when the character deals damage, their armor is strengthened; Build: any;
- Aspect of Torment — direct damage to a vulnerable enemy has a chance to cause them to become dizzy; Build: blade master, shadow rogue, cutthroat;
- Guard Aspect — skill damage increases depending on the level of the main resource. At maximum resource, the character receives the maximum bonus; Build: blade master, shadow rogue, cutthroat;
- Trickster's Aspect — the character takes less damage from enemies under control effects. When an enemy under control effects deals direct damage to the hero, their movement speed increases by 15% for 2 seconds; Build: any;
- Blade Dancer's Aspect — when returning to the character, Penetrating Blades spin around them for a while, dealing damage with each hit. The damage of the spins increases depending on the length of the flight; Build: blade master, shadow rogue;
- Explosive Grasping Aspect — direct damage to enemies affected by the character's traps has a chance to make them vulnerable for 3 seconds; Build: blade master, cutthroat, archer;
- Voracious Aspect — when the character kills a vulnerable enemy, energy recovery speed increases; Build: blade master, shadow rogue, cutthroat;
- Aspect of Darkness — applying a control effect to an enemy restores the main resource; Build: any;
- Aspect of Speed — critical hits with main skills increase the character's attack speed; Build: blade master, shadow rogue, cutthroat;
- Punishing Aspect — when the character attacks enemies with low health, their critical hit chance increases. When the hero has high health, the duration of their control effects increases; Build: blade master;
- Aspect of Power — basic skills reduce incoming damage by 20%; Build: shadow rogue, archer;
- Resentful Aspect — when you make an enemy vulnerable, the critical hit chance increases by 3% for 3 seconds, up to 9%; Build: shadow rogue, cutthroat;
- Unstable Enhancements Aspect — skills in the Saturation category cause an explosion around the character, applying saturation effects to enemies and dealing damage of the corresponding type; Build: shadow rogue, archer;
- Wandering in Shadows Aspect — while the character is unstoppable, their movement speed increases, and they can pass through enemies unhindered. The effect lasts for 4 more seconds after Unstoppability ends; Build: shadow rogue;
- Adventurer's Aspect — attacking from Stealth, the character scatters stunning grenades around them, dealing physical damage and stunning enemies for 0.5 seconds; Build: cutthroat;
- Aspect of Surrounding Blades — Flurry strikes targets from all sides around the character and deals more damage; Build: cutthroat;
- Elusive Aspect — if the character is under control effects, when their health drops to low, they gain Unstoppability for 4 seconds; Build: cutthroat;
- Protector's Aspect — when the character hits an elite enemy, they gain a barrier that absorbs damage for 10 seconds. This effect can occur no more than once every 30 seconds; Build: cutthroat;
- Explosive Brightness Aspect — the character's grenades are considered traps. When the hero sets a trap or throws a grenade, their movement speed increases for 3 seconds; Build: archer;
- Aspect of Frostbite — chilled enemies hit by the character's grenades can instantly freeze for 2 seconds. The chance of this happening is equal to double the critical hit chance. The hero deals more critical damage to frozen enemies; Build: archer;
- Aspect of Arrow Storm — skills in the Marksman category have up to a 10% chance to summon a rain of arrows over the enemy, dealing physical damage over 3 seconds. The maximum number of effects is 5; Build: archer;
- Aspect of Deceit — when casting Spikes, the character also throws stun grenades that deal physical damage and stun enemies for 0.5 seconds upon explosion; Build: archer;
- Aspect of Corruption — the character's Saturation effects are more potent on vulnerable enemies; Build: archer.
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