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Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
The Rogue class in Diablo 4 specializes in fast, agile movements along with melee, ranged, and trap-based combat skills. This makes the class one of the most versatile in the game despite having rather frail defenses. In order to take full advantage of the weapons in the Rogue’s arsenal, there are several skills that stand out as ideal for the class to use. That’s why today we are breaking down the 10 best skills for Rogue in Diablo 4 based on how fundamental they are to success while playing the class.
Best Rogue Skills in Diablo 4, Ranked From Useful to Vital
Let’s cut right to the chase with our list of the 10 best skills for Rogue in Diablo 4, ranked from useful to downright necessary.
Puncture
Puncture is the Basic Skill of choice for most Rogue builds in Diablo 4. While it is not as crucial to a build as its Core Skill or Key Passive, Puncture can be useful for assisting in building Combo Points for the Rogue while dealing 21% base damage and Slowing enemies with every third hit. It is not as essential as other skills on this list, but Puncture is still a great choice for your first Rogue skill investments.
Barrage
Barrage is one of the Rogue’s best options for Core Skills in Diablo 4. By firing five arrows at once in a spread pattern, it can create a shotgun-like spread that can quickly deal with enemies at both close and mid range. Its arrows also have the added bonus of ricocheting off of enemies one time and dealing 40% damage. When paired with Combo Points, Barrage can fire even more arrows at a time that deal a greater amount of damage.
Shadow Imbuement
One of the aspects of Diablo 4’s Rogue class that sets them apart from others in the game is their Imbuement Skills that allow the Rogue to infuse their attacks with an element for bonus damage and effects. Of these skills, Shadow Imbuement is the best choice for most Rogue builds since it can be great for dealing with large groups of enemies. Shadow Imbuement gives the Rogue’s next two attacks Shadow Damage and infect enemies with Shadow, who explode and damage other nearby enemies upon death.
Exploit
Exploit is a Passive under the Subterfuge Skill category of the Rogue’s skill tree. What makes this skill nearly universally useful is the fact that it can increase the Rogue’s damage output against enemies with very common status conditions. Enemies who are Healthy and Injured take increased damage per level of Exploit. An enemy is considered Healthy if their health is about 80% and Injured if their health is below 35%. This gives the Rogue a solid range to potentially deal higher levels of damage to enemies.
Shadow Step
An important element of playing a Rogue in Diablo 4 is being able to maneuver out of tricky situations to make up for the class’ poor defenses. This is where Agility Skills like Shadow Step can really shine. Shadow Step allows the Rogue to become Unstoppable while quickly moving behind an enemy to stab them from behind for 72% base damage. They then gain a 50% movement speed increase for 2 seconds afterwards to help them reposition.
Poison Trap
One of the trickiest tools the Rogue has in their toolbox are Trap Skills, and Poison Trap is the most useful of the bunch. This skill places and arms a trap that activates when an enemy moves in range. Once triggered, the trap deals 344% Poison damage to nearby enemies over nine seconds. Not only is this skill great for quickly draining enemy health bars, but up to four traps can be placed at once for increased area of effect.
Twisting Blades
Twisting Blades is the Core Skill of choice for one of the Rogue’s best Diablo 4 builds. This skill impales enemies with the Rogue’s blades that deals 45% base damage and makes them take 8% increased damage while impaled. After 1.5 seconds, the blades return to the Rogue, dealing an additional 72% base damage and piercing enemies. As such, Twisting Blades can synergize well with many of the Rogue’s other skills, resulting in massive damage potential.
Dash
The most versatile of the Rogue’s Agility Skills is Dash. Like Shadow Step, this is a great skill for helping the Rogue escape dangerous situations and reposition. A relatively simple skill, Dash allows the player to dash forward and deal 36% base damage to enemies in their path. What makes this skill so universally useful is the relatively short cooldown time, repositioning potential, and two total charges it starts with. Combined, these features help Dash give the Rogue great mobility.
Close Quarters Combat
While perhaps not as exciting as some of the active skills in the Rogue’s skill tree, Key Passives can be the cornerstone of many builds. Close Quarters Combat is one of the best Key Passives for Rogues as it can blend the effects of several skills together for optimal synergy. This Key Passive grants a 10% attack speed buff when damaging a Close enemy with a Marksman or Cutthroat Skill. Additionally, the Rogue gains 20% increased damage to crowd controlled enemies while both buffs are active. This is the perfect passive for players utilizing both types of skills while also relying on crowd control effects.
Exposure
Likely the most useful skill in the Rogue’s arsenal is the Key Passive Exposure. This passive is a must-use for Rogues utilizing Trap Skills as it offers a 25% chance to reduce cooldowns for Trap Skills by 20% and drop a cluster of Stun Grenades that deal 40% Physical damage and Stun enemies when an enemy is damaged by a trap skill. With all of these added effects, it makes using Trap Skills one of the Rogue’s best options for dealing with Diablo 4’s demonic horde.
Join the High Ground
Do you agree with our list of the best skills for the Rogue in Diablo 4? Let us know which skills are your favorite in the comments down below. While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss any of our upcoming Diablo 4 guides.
Happy Gaming!
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