Of the five unique class mechanics Diablo 4 offers players, the Rogue's specialization system is arguably the most build-defining, even though it's the least customizable. Rogues don't have to earn extra Experience like the Barbarian or collect Spirit Offerings like a Druid, and they don't have to mess with a custom tree: Rogues simply get three game-changing passive options.
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The three Rogue specializations – Combo Points, Inner Sight, and Preparation – each benefit players differently, but there's no way to have all three equipped at once. All three choices are unlocked by the time players hit level 30, giving plenty of time to figure out which spec works best for your preferred Rogue playstyle in Diablo 4.
Updated October 23, 2024 by Erik Petrovich: In Diablo 4, Specializations are the unique Rogue class feature that lets players customize Rogue builds beyond effects granted by skills, gear, and Paragon points. For Rogues, there are three Specialization choices, each of which is suited for different playstyles or Rogue builds. After several updates since the launch of Diablo 4, Rogue Specializations skills still work the same way they did on release, but all three Specialization choices have received several updates and changes since launch. This guide to the Diablo 4 Rogue Specialization feature has been updated to match the stats and effects of each Specialization as of Diablo 4 Season 6.
How To Unlock & Equip Rogue Specializations
Rogue Specializations become available at Level 15, but only one of the three choices is unlocked: the Combo Points specialization. At Level 20, the Inner Sight Specialization becomes available, while Level 30 unlocks the final Specialization, Preparation.
Before actually being able to use any of these Rogue Specializations, though, players must complete an associated questline. Once Rogues reach Level 15, their quest log will update with the quest "True Potential," which sees them go into the Forsaken Quarry dungeon. After Bakira is defeated, and the quest is complete, Combo Points should unlock as a choice. After this initial quest is complete, reaching Level 20 and Level 30 will automatically unlock the other choices without any requirements.
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It's easy to refund skill points and respec to a new build in Diablo 4 – what is not as easy is how much gold respeccing can cost.
To select a Specialization, simply open the character/inventory menu and tab over to the Specializations screen with the shoulder buttons or by clicking on it. Here, your currently-available Specializations will be shown. Just select one to activate it – it's really that simple. This is more convenient than most other class' options, as it can be changed at any time, even in the middle of combat.
Rogue Specializations Overview: Effects and Synergies
Though every class has received significant updates since the launch of Diablo 4, especially with the Vessel of Hatred DLC, the Rogue Specializations system still works largely the same way as it did before. However, the specifics of each Specialization's stat boosts and effects have changed. Each of the Rogue Specialization effects below has been updated to match the D4 Season 6 and Vessel of Hatred power levels.
Combo Points Specialization – Unlock Level 15 (Default)
Your basic skills now generate Combo Points.
Core Skills consume Combo Points for additional effects.
This Rogue specialization gives new effects to an array of abilities with the addition of Combo Points. Similar to the Rogue of World of Warcraft, Combo Points are generated by Basic Attacks and are spent by Core Skills to enhance their strength or add another effect.
Core Skills include Barrage, Rapid Fire, Penetrating Shot, Flurry, and Twisting Blades, and each is empowered significantly when cast using Combo Points. For example, Barrage and Rapid Fire launch more Arrows with boosted damage, Penetrating Shot nearly doubles in damage at just one Combo Point, and Flurry and Twisting Blades grant Attack and Movement Speed, respectively, alongside huge Damage Boosts.
|
Ability Name |
One Combo Point |
Two Combo Points |
Three Combo Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Barrage |
+29% damage, 6 Arrows |
+31% damage, 7 Arrows |
+35% damage, 8 Arrows |
|
Rapid Fire |
+36% damage, 6 Arrows |
+40% damage, 7 Arrows |
+46% damage, 8 Arrows |
|
Penetrating Shot |
+91% damage, +10% Lucky hit chance |
+112% damage, +20% Lucky hit chance |
+133% damage, +30% Lucky hit chance |
|
Flurry |
+15% Attack Speed, +162% damage for 3s |
+30% Attack Speed, +195% damage for 3s |
+45% Attack Speed, +227% damage for 3s |
|
Twisting Blades |
+70% damage, +20% Speed |
+86% damage, +40% Speed |
+102% damage, +60% speed |
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Prioritize unlocking Torment 1 difficulty in Diablo 4 to get the best chance at high-tier loot and boost your Gold and XP gains.
Inner Sight Specialization – Unlock at Level 20
Attack enemies to fill your Inner Sight gauge.
Marked enemies fiull the Inner Sight gauge faster.
When filled, gain unlimited Energy and +25% Crit chance for 4 sec
The Inner Sight Specialization marks a random enemy in a pack with a purple icon. When players hit this enemy, they will gain Inner Sight, a new resource that can be seen next to the regular Energy meter. When the Inner Sight meter fills up completely, it will empty and completely fill the player's Energy reserves.
The Inner Sight marking will move from enemy to enemy once they are killed or if they live for longer than 10 seconds while marked. This doesn't negatively impact the Rogue, the mark just moves to a new target. In boss fights, the Inner Sight marking pretty much always stays on the Boss themselves, meaning a much faster time to proc the Energy refill.
Preparation Specialization – Unlock at Level 30
Spend 75 Energy to reduce your Ultimate cooldown by 5 sec.
Ultimates reset all of your other Cooldowns and grant 15% Damage Reduction for 10 sec.
The Preparation Specialization reduces the cooldown of the Rogue's Ultimate abilities, but only once they have spent at least 75 Energy. Every 75 Energy a player spends on abilities, their Ultimate ability cooldown will be reduced by 5 sec. Additionally, using an Ultimate ability completely resets the cooldown on all other abilities, and grants you a nifty 15% Damage Reduction too. This Damage reduction lasts for 10 sec.
This might not seem like a lot, but players can build and spend Energy remarkably quickly, especially with late-game Rogue builds. Preparation is a skill that's worth building around for the potential to nearly never run out of Cooldowns and Skill uptime, and for making Ultimate abilities much more of a feasible choice thanks to its enormous cooldown reduction. Just be sure to pick an Ultimate that recharges quickly to take advantage of this cooldown reset as often as possible.
Diablo 4
- Released
- June 5, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Blizzard
- Franchise
- Diablo
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
