The Rogue is known for its limited survivability, but using this Twisting Blade build, clearing out mobs of enemies while maximizing single-target damage is now easy-peasy.
Diablo 4’s line-up of character classes is already impressive as it is, and more will likely come via expansions in the coming future.
Each class has its distinct play style and benefits that cater to specific individuals, and if you’re interested in creating a mobile character who dances around the battlefield, then the Rogue is definitely for you.
Still, although the Rogue enjoys incredible damage-per-second (DPS) capabilities, the class is quite feeble and susceptible to damage, especially during the early game. It sounds a little bit complex; let’s follow the strategy below or hire a coach.
Because of this, a Twisting Blade build could be a great option for you to apply to your character, making your leveling experience that much more convenient and fun!
Here are the skills that you need to put points into upon each level up till Level 50:
- Level 1: Puncture
- Level 2: Enhanced Puncture
- Level 3: Twisting Blades
- Level 4: Fundamental Puncture
- Level 5: Enhanced Twisting Blades
- Level 6: Improved Twisting Blades
- Level 7: Dash
- Level 8: Shadow Step
- Level 9: Twisting Blades Lvl.2
- Level 10: Twisting Blades Lvl.3
- Level 11: Twisting Blades Lvl.4
- Level 12: Concealment
- Level 13: Enhanced Stealth
- Level 14: Countering Stealth
- Level 15: Twisting Blade Lvl.5
- Level 16: Enhanced Shadow Step
- Level 17: Shadow Imbuement
- Level 18: Enhanced Shadow Imbuement
- Level 19: Mixed Shadow Imbuement
- Level 20: Shadow Crash
- Level 21: Consuming Shadows
- Level 22: Consuming Shadows Lvl.2
- Level 23: Consuming Shadows Lvl.3
- Level 24: Methodical Shadow Step
- Level 25: Adrenaline Rush
- Level 26: Haste
- Level 27: Haste Lvl.2
- Level 28: Haste Lvl.3
- Level 29: Concussive
- Level 30: Trick Attacks
- Level 31: Trick Attacks Lvl.2
- Level 32: Trick Attacks Lvl.3
- Level 33: Concussive Lvl.2
- Level 34: Close Quarters Combat
- Level 35: Concussive Lvl.3
- Level 36: Stutter Step
- Level 37: Stutter Step Lvl.2
- Level 38: Stutter Step Lvl.3
- Level 39: Exploit
- Level 40: Exploit Lvl.2
- Level 41: Exploit Lvl.3
- Level 42: Malice
- Level 43: Malice Lvl.2
- Level 44: Malice Lvl.3
- Level 45: Agile
- Level 46: Agile
- Level 47: Agile
- Level 48: Sturdy
- Level 49: Sturdy
- Level 50: Sturdy
You can find the exact explanation and details for each skill in-game, but to give a general overview of their basic versions, you can read them below:
- Puncture
- Generates: 1 Combo Point
- Lucky Hit Chance: 50%
- Deals 21% Damage
- 3rd hit Slows enemies by 20% (2 seconds)
- Critical Strikes always Slow
- Twisting Blades
- Cost: 50 Energy
- Lucky Hit Chance: 33%
- Deals 45% Damage
- Enemies impaled suffer from +8x Damage Received
- Deals 72% Damage upon returning (after 1.5 seconds)
- Combo Point effects:
- 1 Combo Point = 58% Damage, +20% Movement Speed
- 2 Combo Points = 72% Damage, +40% Movement Speed
- 3 Combo Points = 86% Damage, +60% Movement Speed
- Dash
- Charges: 2
- Charge Cooldown: 10 seconds
- Lucky Hit Chance: 25%
- Forward dash deals 37% Damage
- Shadow Step
- Cooldown: 9 seconds
- Lucky Hit Chance: 100%
- Becomes Unstoppable
- Backstab for 72% Damage
- +50% Movement Speed (2 seconds)
- Concealment
- Cooldown: 30 seconds
- 4-second invisibility
- Becomes Unstoppable
- +25% Movement Speed
- Phases through enemies
- Shadow Imbuement
- Cooldown: 9 seconds
- Lucky Hit Chance: 33%
- Weapon is imbued with Shadow damage, with the next two (2) skills dealing it and infecting enemies for 6 seconds
- Infected enemies explode upon death, dealing 40% Damage to other nearby enemies
- Deals 40% Damage to the infected enemy instead if it doesn’t die during infection
- Shadow Crash
- Upon a Lucky Hit, Shadow damage has a 10% chance to Stun for 0.5 seconds
- Consuming Shadows
- Every enemy killed by Shadow damage generates 10 Energy
- Adrenaline Rush
- +5% Energy Regeneration while moving
- Haste
- At 50% Maximum Energy, +5% Movement Speed
- Below 50% Maximum Energy, +5% Attack Speed
- Concussive
- +5% Critical Strike Chance against enemies that are Knocked Back/ Knocked Down (3 seconds)
- Trick Attacks
- Critical Strikes on Dazed enemies make them Knocked Down for 0.5 seconds
- Close Quarters Combat
- +10% Attack Speed (8 seconds) after hitting a nearby enemy using a Marksman or Cutthroat Skill
- Upon using both skills (resulting in +20% Attack Speed), +20% Damage against Crowd-Controlled (CC-ed) enemies
- Stutter Step
- +5% Movement Speed (4 seconds) after a successful Critical Strike
- Exploit
- Deals +6% Damage to Healthy and Injured enemies
- Malice
- +3% Damage to Vulnerable enemies
- Agile
- +3% Dodge Chance upon a skill entering cooldown (2 seconds)
- Sturdy
- +4% Close Damage Reduction
Now, this build is catered for World Tier 1: Adventurer and World Tier 2: Veteran, meaning it works best for those who are new to Diablo 4 and want to grind quickly.
When considering changing the World tier to World Tier 3: Nightmare or World Tier 4: Torment, you might need to respect the current build and change to a more end-game build accordingly.
With that out of the way, this Twisting Blade setup is flexible for almost every circumstance.
You can prompt Twisting Blades after setting up buffs, like Shadow Imbuement and Concealment.
Movement skills, such as Dash, are then used to maneuver yourself behind different enemies, making the returning blades from Twisting Blades pass through them as well.
You can experiment with different attack rotations depending on your preferences, but in general:
- Single target rotation
- Shadow Step -> 3x Puncture -> Shadow Imbuement -> Twisting Blades
- Area-of-Effect rotation
- Concealment -> Shadow Imbuement -> Shadow Step -> Twisting Blades -> Dash to reposition -> 3x Puncture -> Twisting Blades
These are just two (2) examples, and you are free to experiment with different ones while staying true to the current build.
In terms of specialization, either Combo Points or Inner Sight works, each offering different boons, so opt for one that synergizes with you well.
When it comes to socketing Gems, you might want to focus on these:
- Weapon: Emerald
- Armour: Ruby
- Jewellery: Diamond
Obviously, there’s more to this build than what’s detailed here, such as Aspects and gear selection. Think you’re ready to best all monsters in Diablo 4 now?
