The best Rogue builds and skills in Diablo 4

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By James

What the Rogue class is in Diablo 4 it lacks raw damage output, it makes up for maneuverability and damage-over-time effects. Those who follow the path of the Rogue in Diablo 4 will want to use every tool at their disposal to get the most out of this highly versatile class.

Unlike the Barbarian or Sorcerer, the Rogue is capable of both long-range and melee attacks while still maintaining a decent distance from targets. In addition, the Rogue allows players to take more strategic actions, as it is able to route enemies extremely effectively through narrow paths, or deal devastating damage to enemies over time through the use of traps and weapon coatings.

Best Diablo 4 ‘single target’ Rogue build

Here’s how to create an effective single target Rogue build:

  • Puncture β†’ Improved Puncture β†’ Basic Puncture
  • Flurry β†’ Enhanced Flurry β†’ Advanced Flurry
  • Dash β†’ Improved Dash
  • Shadow Step β†’ Enhanced Shadow Step β†’ Methodical Shadow Step
  • Weapon Mastery 3/3
  • Dark Shroud β†’ Improved Dark Shroud β†’ Counter Dark Shroud
  • Firm 3/3
  • Lever strikes 3/3
  • Poison Imbuement β†’ Enhanced Poison Imbuement β†’ Mixed Poison Imbuement
  • Deadly Poison β†’ Debilitating Poisons β†’ Alchemical Advantage
  • Precision Imbument 3/3
  • victimize

Best Diablo 4 ‘AOE’ Rogue build

Here’s how to create an effective ‘AOE’ Rogue build:

  • Puncture β†’ Improved Puncture β†’ Basic Puncture
  • Flurry β†’ Improved Flurry β†’ Improved Flurry
  • Dash β†’ Improved Dash
  • Weapon Mastery 3/3
  • Firm 3/3
  • Lever strikes 3/3
  • Poison Trap β†’ Improved Poison Trap
  • Shadow Imbuement β†’ Enhanced Shadow Imbuement β†’ Blended Shadow Imbuement
  • Shadow Crash β†’ Consume shadows
  • Precision Imbument 3/3
  • Death Trap β†’ Prime Death Trap β†’ Supreme Death Trap
  • Exposure

How to Make a Great Rogue Build in Diablo 4

One of the most integral things players will want to keep in mind when using the Rogue is his ability to make enemies vulnerable. This is extremely useful when tackling rare and legendary monsters found on the world map or in dungeons. Making enemies vulnerable not only makes them take 20% more damage, but when combined with other attacks that work on this particular debuff, you can stun your target.

So many of the Rogue’s basic abilities are greatly enhanced when enemies are vulnerable, so it’s a good idea to invest some points in the Bracing Attack skill tree. Taking Fundamental Invigorating Strike will make an enemy Vulnerable if you hit an opponent with the ability while you have less than 50% energy. This is great for the early game, or even late game if you make an entire build around it. Fortunately, most of the abilities the Rogue has access to are tailored for this particular debuff. So branches to Flurry, Rapid Fire and Forceful Arrow are highly recommended.

Image: Blizzard/Activision via Polygon

That said, as you keep branching out to Diablo 4‘s skill tree, this is when Rogue starts to feel really powerful. Aside from that grueling debuff, Villains can infuse their weapons with poison and shadow damage. Poison is pretty straightforward, and unless you choose to launch an attack that hits multiple targets, Poison has to go in Diablo 4 is usually reserved for single-objective combat against stronger bosses. Shadow damage, however, acts like a blast zone. After hitting an enemy and infecting them with shadow damage, if you kill them before the 6 second timer runs out, their corpse will deal massive damage to all enemies around them. This is great for World Events and taking out hordes of enemies. Since then Diablo 4 allows you to respect at any time, you can choose your poison depending on what you want to tackle.

Ultimately, players will want to get the most out of imbuement, as that’s where most of your damage will end up in the late game. Both Poison and Shadow damage are viable routes, although Shadow damage is more AoE focused, it can still deal a lot of damage. So if you don’t want to roll your build from scratch to kill boss, keeping shadow damage in lower world levels is still viable, especially when the right legendary aspects are applied to your weapon, which can make Flurry and Shadow Imbuement extremely strong in combination with lifesteal. Ultimate Skills are not required for viable Rogue builds, so don’t feel compelled to build around any of the three available options.

Keep in mind that you can further enhance the power of your skills through the use of Augments. Augments can be found on Legendary pieces of equipment, including armor, weapons, and accessories. In addition, you can remove Augments from gear items that contribute to your build and apply them to items with a higher total power. The process itself is quite simple and you can learn how to remove and apply Augments here.

Added mobility using the Rogue’s Dash is also a great tool for world bosses or for avoiding damage during particularly punishing mechanics. It is highly recommended that players invest at least one skill point in Dash so they have an extra escape tool, especially if they plan to shoot enemies in dungeons or take on a boss on their own.

As for Paragon levels, you’ll want to keep in mind the Glyphs you’ll be using. Exploit will be one of the main Glyphs Rogues will want to unlock on their Paragon board. Exploit Weakness and Tricks of the Trade are the first two Legendary glyphs you’ll want to invest in as a villain. Exploit Weakness increases damage to Vulnerable enemies, while Tricks of the Trade increases percentage damage between your Cutthroat and Marksman abilities.

Looking for others Diablo 4 builds? We have pages about the Druid, Necromancer, Sorcerer and Barbarian.

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