The Rogue's Twisting Blades Skill quickly stole the spotlight as one of the class' best abilities in Diablo 4. It enables a superfast playstyle that's great against hordes and bosses alike, though its reliance on mobility and elusiveness makes it a little harder to use than other options.
Further, players who reach Diablo 4's endgame can continue to rely on this ability due to its scaling and the items available to buff it. With more Aspects, Uniques, and synergies to be had, Rogues can dance their way through all the content the game has to offer using Twisting Blades. Keep reading for tips on building a Twisting Blades Rogue with consistent AoE and CC.
Updated on September 16th, by Abigail Angell: The best build choices for the Rogue's Twisting Blades build has changed significantly throughout the last several seasons. Particularly with the reworked loot system, new items added to the game, and the upcoming changes announced for the Vessel of Hatred expansion. With these changes in mind, the build guide has been reworked.
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Why The Twisting Blade Rogue Build Works
The Twisting Blades Rogue, unlike many of the builds in Diablo 4, doesn't rely on a specific aspect or item to make it work. Instead, the build focuses on player skill alongside the high damage of the Twisting Blade skill's return flight. As the Blade animation will continue to track the player until it collides with the player model, those who can kite and jump around the battlefield can annihilate entire groups of enemies on a single Twisting Blades cast. This is especially true with sufficient Critical Strike Damage, which is what this variation of the build focuses on.
To get the most mileage out of the build, players will want enough survivability to match up with endgame enemies (using as few build resources as possible and instead relying on their dodging skills) alongside the highest Critical Strike Chance, Critical Strike Damage, and damage to Vulnerable enemies possible. In addition, it is imperative to have good melee weapons at all times when playing this build, since you'll use your blades exclusively.
Diablo 4: Rogue Twisting Blades Build (Level 50+)
Since this is an endgame build, it is assumed that players have already hit the level cap and obtained the extra ability points from the Renown System.
Basic Node
The Basic ability used in this build is Invigorating Strike. This will regenerate more energy for casts of core abilities than other options while having a similar range and feel to the ability. However, there is little benefit to investing more Ability Points into the skill than necessary to unlock the next node - merely put one point into the skill, and a second into the Enhanced Invigorating Strike upgrade before moving on.
Core Node
The second node of the skill tree is where the build's most important ability is unlocked - Twisting Blades. Here is also where the build picks up its first passives, two of which rely on Critical Strikes to be useful.
-
Twisting Blades (5/5)
- Enhanced Twisting Blades
- Advanced Twisting Blades
- Sturdy (3/3)
- Siphoning Strikes (3/3)
- Stutter Step (3/3)
Maximizing the power of Twisting Blades is key to making the build work, so putting five ranks into the skill and fully upgrading it to Advanced Twisting Blades is the most important step. Not only will this make the skill deal more damage, but it will also increase its movement speed bonus and thus the Rogue's ability to dodge incoming damage.
Agility Node
Next, the Agility Node gives Rogues access to several defensive and movement abilities. Because the Rogue is so squishy, picking up multiple skills here is typically advised. However, similar to the basic skills, there is rarely a reason to put the maximum number of points into these abilities. This build uses Shadow Step, and Dash for maximum mobility, all the better to run the Twisting Blades around as they fly.
-
Shadow Step (1/5)
- Enhanced Shadow Step
- Methodical Shadow Step
-
Dash (1/5)
- Enhanced Dash
- Disciplined Dash
- Unstable Elixirs (1/3)
- Trick Attacks (3/3)
Subterfuge Node
The Subterfuge Skills in the Rogue's Skill Tree are geared toward disengaging from fights and playing with enemy Aggro. The only skill taken from this node in the Twisting Blades build is Dark Shroud due to its damage reduction. Other abilities here don't suit the build, as the Twisting Blades Rogue wants to remain aggroed on enemies, so they line up for shots and rely on movement speed to kite them instead.
-
Dark Shroud (1/5)
- Enhanced Dark Shroud
- Countering Dark Shroud
- Exploit (3/3)
- Malice (3/3)
Imbuement Node
The all-important imbuement won't show up on the player's Hotbar, but it is one of the heavy damage dealers in the Twisting Rogue build. This is because the imbuement chosen will apply additional damage to every core ability cast as well as the casts of Dash and Shadow Step. There are variations of this build using both Shadow Imbuement and Poison Imbuement, but here we'll take the Shadow Imbuement for the increased Critical Strike Chance, interacting with both Stutter Steps and Siphoning Strikes.
-
Shadow Imbuement (5/5)
- Enhanced Shadow Imbuement
- Blended Shadow Imbuement
- Shadow Crash (1/3)
- Consuming Shadows (3/3)
- Precision Imbuement (3/3)
Ultimate Node
The final skill on the player's Hotbar in this build is the Death Trap ultimate. This skill is used primarily to group enemies for casts of Twisting Blades, utilizing an upgrade that pulls in enemies upon detonation.
-
Death Trap
- Enhanced Death Trap
- Supreme Death Trap
- Trap Mastery (3/3)
Key Passive
This build utilizes the Key Passive Momentum to increase Damage Reduction, Movement Speed, Damage, and Energy. All abilities on the Hotbar in this build are Cutthroat (and thus interact positively with Momentum) other than Dark Shroud and Death Trap. Since these abilities both have significant cooldowns, they should be cast infrequently enough that players will rarely dip below the maximum 10 stacks of Momentum.
Rogue Specialization
This build uses the Combo Points Rogue Specialization to enhance the burst power of Twisting Blades. The additional effect for Twisting Blades when using Combo Points is an increase a large increase in Movement Speed and Damage.
When using Combo Points, Basic attacks build up Combo Points while Core Skills expend them. It is always best to build 3 Combo Points before casting Twisting Blades, as this gives the highest damage and movement speed numbers. As a result, the optimal play of this build should include a four-part rotation of three Invigorating Strikes followed by one Twisting Blades cast.
Gear and Aspects
The ideal setup for this build includes three Unique Items and two Aspects:
- The Beastfall Boots will supercharge the next Twisting Blades Cast after each ultimate - ideal since Death Trap lines enemies up for maximum efficiency.
- Condemnation is also a good Unique dagger to have for the sake of boosting Combo Points' effectiveness.
- The Fists of Fate is an excellent Unique pair of gloves for the Twisting Blades Rogue due to the massive damage increase on the passive, and the increase to Critical Strike Chance
- Blade Dancer and Aspect of Corruption are the big damage-dealing Aspects of this build. Have them on a Crossbow and Amulet to reap the biggest benefits.
Outside of this, the itemization is quite flexible, with Max Health and Resistance Gems helping to reduce the Rogue's natural squishiness.
If players are lucky enough to get a Ring of Starless Skies, this is Best in Slot over a Legendary Ring
Helpful Aspects & Where To Get Them
|
Aspect |
Type |
Location |
|---|---|---|
|
Aspect of Concussive Strikes |
Utility |
Random Drop |
|
Aspect of Might |
Defensive |
Dark Ravine Dry Steppes |
|
Aspect of Disobedience |
Defensive |
Halls of the Damned in Kehjistan |
|
Enshrouding Aspect |
Defensive |
Ghoa Ruins in Hawezar |
|
Umbrous Aspect |
Defensive |
Random Drop |
|
Accelerating Aspect |
Offensive |
Random Drop |
|
Blade Dancer's Aspect |
Offensive |
Jalal's Vigil in Scosglen |
|
Aspect of Corruption |
Offensive |
Renegade's Retreat in Kehjistan |
|
Aspect of Stolen Vigor |
Offensive |
Random Drop |
The Aspects outside of Blade Dancer and Aspect of Corruption are here to boost defense, spread CC, and regain Energy. Umbrous Aspect and Enshrouding Aspect are generally the best defensive tools, but mileage may vary based on play style. Players should experiment with several of the Defensive Aspects on this list until they find what feels best for them.
Some of the Aspects listed do rely on Lucky Hit, however, with Shadow Step's 100% Lucky Hit Chance and the quick attack speed of Rogues in general, expect the Aspects to trigger often.
Gear Affixes & Desired Stats
As for gear stats, prioritize the following:
- Vulnerable Damage
- Critical Strike Chance
- Critical Strike Damage
- Core Skill Damage
- Maximum Health
- Resistances to 70%
It will be difficult to reach the cap of 70% for each Elemental Resistance at level 50. Aim to cap Lightning and Fire Damage Resistance first, as these will come from items instead of the player's Paragon Board, then move on to Cold Damage Resistance.
Tempering
Tempering Gear can be tricky for the Twisting Blades Rogue, as there are no obvious choices such as increased ranks of Twisting Blades. Instead, focus on defensive stats and increasing the damage of Cutthroat Skills.
-
Helm
- Dodge Chance
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
-
Chest
- Dodge Chance
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
- Gloves - Unique/No Temper
-
Pants
- Dodge Chance
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
- Boots - Unique/No Temper
-
Crossbow
- +(x%) Cutthroat Damage
- Traps Arm Faster
-
Amulet
- +(x%) Cutthroat Damage
- Dodge Chance
-
Ring 1
- +(x%) Cutthroat Damage
- Dark Shroud Cooldown Reduction
- Ring 2 - Mythic Unique/No Temper OR same as Ring 1
- Dagger 1 - Unique/No Temper
-
Dagger 2
- Damage Per Combo Point Spent
- Traps Arm Faster
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Paragon Boards
While Paragon Boards for the Rogue have traditionally contained 6 to 7 boards, changes coming with the launch of Vessel of Hatred will limit players to 5 Paragon Boards. The Paragon Board section of the guide also assumes that players have the maximum 225 Paragon Points, although those still leveling can easily work their way along the path outlined as they go. With this in mind, the Twisting Blades Rogue will take the following:
- Starting Board - Efficacy
- Eldritch Bounty - Closer
- Exploit Weakness - Exploit
- Deadly Ambush - Combat
- Cheap Shot - Infusion
Not only will these choices further increase Critical Strike Damage and Vulnerable Damage, but the Eldritch Bounty Board goes a long way to shoring up the lack of defenses this build tends to suffer from - effectively capping all Elemental Resistances. When leveling Glyphs, the following priority leads to the smoothest power curve:
- Efficacy
- Exploit
- Closer
- Combat
- Infusion
Doing each to level fifteen, then circling back to max them all at level twenty-one in the same order is ideal.
Diablo 4
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms
- Cross Save
- All platforms
- Franchise
- Diablo
- Number of Players
- 1-2 players
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
- How Long To Beat
- 26 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- File Size Xbox Series
- 158.25 GB
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 players (console only)
