Build Introduction
The Twisting Blades Rogue build eviscerates your foes before they know what hit them. Twisting Blades hits hard with two sources of damage per cast. The target is first damaged with an impale, followed by an even more damaging hit when the blades are ripped out to fly back to the Rogue. The blades pierce through all enemies on the return flight, dealing more damage with proper positioning. This fast-paced melee build is perfect for players desiring a more complex and involved playstyle
The only starting requirement for this endgame build guide is a character around Level 50 in World Tier 3. Check our Rogue Leveling Guide if you need help getting there.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- High single-target burst damage
- Rapid movement for fast dungeon runs
- Completely shuts down individual targets
Weaknesses
- Small area of effect
- Requires melee range
- Lacks survivability against multiple enemies
To see how this build compares to the other builds on our site, you can check out our build tier lists.
Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar
Skill Bar Setup for Twisting Blades Rogue (order does not matter)
Twisting Blades 
Puncture 
Shadow Imbuement 
Caltrops 
Shadow Step 
Dash
The Skill Tree above shows the full allocation of 58 Skill Points for the Twisting Blades Rogue build. Make sure you obtain the 10 Skill Points available from Renown.
Season 5 Update (Patch 1.5.0): Concussion is reworked to Unstable Elixirs. Do not forget to use a Potion to activate the buff for maximum damage.
Smoke Grenade is not equipped on the Skill Bar, but is instead activated through Aspect of Quickening Fog.
Dark Shroud is not equipped on the Skill Bar, but is instead granted through Umbrous Aspect.
Twisting Blades Rogue Specialization
Combo Points is the preferred Rogue Specialization for general farming due to the burst damage playstyle of Twisting Blades Rogue. Build Combo Points with Puncture to unleash additional damage for Twisting Blades.
Paragon
Paragon unlocks after reaching Level 50, and the progression system offers a considerable boost to character power. The images below provide a visual of each Paragon Board setup for the Twisting Blades Rogue.
Important Notes:
- Make sure you select the correct Legendary Boards and rotate them into the correct orientation.
- Attach Legendary Boards in the correct order, as bonus requirements of Rare Nodes increase with their placement order.
- Additional bonus requirements on Rare Glyphs may not be obtainable until they gain increased radius range at Level 15.
1. Starting Board (Closer)
Socket Closer in the starting board for some valuable Damage Reduction.
2. Tricks of the Trade (Turf)
Rotate the Tricks of the Trade board 2 times before attachment. Immediately obtain the Legendary node, and then Socket Turf for some valuable Damage Reduction. Prioritize leveling Turf to 15 for increased radius, as it is needed to allocate enough Strength to activate the additional bonus.
3. Cheap Shot (Canny)
Rotate the Cheap Shot board 2 times before attachment. Immediately obtain the Legendary node on this board. Socket Canny to increase damage to Shadow Imbued attacks. Prioritize leveling Canny to 15 for the increased radius to obtain the additional bonus.
4. Exploit Weakness (Control)
Rotate the Exploit Weakness board 2 times before attachment. Immediately obtain the Legendary Node on this board. Socket Control to gain Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies for an increased damage bonus on Close Quarters Combat.
5. No Witnesses (Exploit)
Rotate the No Witnesses board 3 times before attachment. Socket Exploit for increased Vulnerable damage and additional Vulnerable applications. The Legendary Node on this board is not utilized.
Paragon Board images courtesy of d4builds.gg. Click this link for the Paragon planner.
Gear, Gems, Elixirs, and Stats
The following sections cover the important systems that are essential to improving the power of your character in the endgame of Diablo 4.
Legendary Aspects
Listed below are all the best-in-slot Aspects for the Twisting Blades Rogue build. Salvage Legendary Items with higher Aspect values to unlock them in the Codex of Power, and then imprint them onto Legendary Items with the preferred affixes.
| Gear Slot | Aspect Name | Aspect Power |
|---|---|---|
| Ranged Weapon | Bladedancer’s Aspect | Twisting Blades orbit for a short time after they return to you, dealing [20 – 30%] of Twisting Blade’s return damage per hit. |
| Amulet | Aspect of Disobedience | You gain [0.6 – 1.1%] increased Armor for 4 seconds when you deal any form of damage, stacking up to [36 – 66%]. |
| Dual-Wielded Weapon Slot #1 (replaced by Condemnation) | Aspect of Retribution | Distant enemies have a 10% chance to be Stunned for 2 seconds when they hit you. You deal [15 – 30%] increased damage to Stunned and Knocked Down enemies. |
| Gloves (optional replacement with Fists of Fate) | Edgemaster’s Aspect | Skills deal up to [10 – 20%] increased damage based on your available Primary Resource when cast, receiving the maximum benefit while you have full Primary Resource. |
| Ring Slot #1 (replaced by Ring of Starless Skies) | Accelerating Aspect | Critical Strikes with Core Skills increase your Attack Speed by [15 – 25%] for 3 seconds. |
| Dual-Wielded Weapon Slot #2 or Ring Slot #2 | Aspect of the Expectant | Attacking enemies with a Basic Skill increases the damage of your next Core Skill cast by [5 – 10%], up to 30%. |
| Dual-Wielded Weapon Slot #2 or Ring Slot #2 | Rapid Aspect | Basic Skills gain [15 – 30%] Attack Speed. |
| Helm (replaced by Harlequin Crest) | Aspect of Might | Basic Skills grant 20% Damage Reduction for [2 – 6] seconds |
| Chest (Tyrael’s Might optional) | Aspect of Quickening Fog | You automatically drop a Smoke Grenade at the end of Dash. Smoke Grenades reduce Dash’s Cooldown by [0.4 – 0.6] seconds for each enemy hit, up to [2.0 – 3.0] seconds. |
| Pants or Boots | Aspect of Concussive Strikes | Lucky Hit: Damaging an enemy has up to a 20% chance to Daze them for 2 seconds. You deal x [5 – 20%] increased damage to Dazed enemies. |
| Pants or Boots | Umbrous Aspect | Lucky Hit: Critical Strikes have up to a [45 – 60%] chance to grant a free Dark Shroud shadow. |
Gems
Listed below are the best Gems to socket into gear for each item type.
| Weapon Gems | Armor Gems | Jewelry Gems |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Sapphire for increased Vulnerable Damage. | Royal Ruby for increased Maximum Life. | Any Resistance Gems needed or Royal Skull for Armor (up to the 9,230 Armor cap). |
Elixirs
Visit the Alchemist in any main town to craft helpful Elixirs that increase stats and experience gain for 30 minutes. Make sure to forage plants and pick up the necessary crafting materials during your adventures; they randomly spawn around the world. Elixirs can also drop randomly from enemies and chests during many activities in Diablo 4. Listed below are the best Elixirs to consume, ranked by importance.
- Elixir of Precision provides the highest damage output increase, if not already capped at 100% Critical Strike Chance.
- Elixir of Advantage increases damage output, if not already capped at 100% Attack Speed bonus from gear and Paragon.
- Elixir of Resource greatly helps with Energy issues, if you do not already have the appropriate Energy gear. This elixir is highly recommended for starting characters to maintain the casting of Core Skills.
- Elixir of Fortitude is the best general-purpose option for survivability.
- Elixir of Iron Barbs can provide a high amount of Physical Damage Reduction. Armor becomes more effective as you approach the Armor cap (9,320 against monster level 100 and above).
- Specific Resistance Elixirs can be utilized to survive against Uber Bosses with elemental attacks.
Return to the Alchemist again when you reach Level 20, 30, 45, 60, 70, 80 and 90, to upgrade your potion. The extra healing is essential to survival.
Stat Priority and Tempering Affixes
Listed below are the affixes to prioritize on gear for Twisting Blades Rogues. Each line of affixes are listed in order of importance. Affixes on the same line are considered to be equally important, but their benefits may vary depending on how much is stacked or other character stats. Attempt to obtain all affixes in each line before moving to the next line. Bolded affixes are the most important targets for Masterworking upgrades.
The weapon type selection does not make a significant difference in the performance of this build. Equip Daggers if you prefer a faster-paced playstyle or Swords if you desire higher Damage per Hit. Bows and Crossbows provide comparable implicit stats.
Close Quarters Combat increases the priority of the Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies tempering affix from Natural Finesse.
The priority order of Resistances is Lightning > Poison > Fire > Cold > Shadow. Maximum Resistance is 70% by default for each element and can be increased to 85% by various sources.
Armor is only needed until capped at 9,230.
Check out our Tempering Guide for more details on Blacksmith upgrading.
| Slot | Gear Affixes | Tempering Affixes |
|---|---|---|
| Weapons | 1. Maximum Life, Dexterity, Vulnerable Damage | Trap Augments (Weapon): Caltrops Size or Caltrops Duration Natural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies |
| Helm | 1. Cooldown Reduction, Ranks to Shadow Imbuement 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity, Lucky Hit Chance | Natural Schemes (Utility): Crowd Control Duration Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor or Maximum Life |
| Chest | 1. Dexterity, Maximum Life 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Healing Received | Natural Schemes (Utility): Crowd Control Duration Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor or Maximum Life |
| Gloves | 1. Ranks to Twisting Blades, Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Resource Cost Reduction, Maximum Life, Lucky Hit Chance | Natural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies Natural Schemes (Utility): Crowd Control Duration |
| Pants | 1. Dexterity, Maximum Life 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor | Natural Schemes (Utility): Crowd Control Duration Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor or Maximum Life |
| Boots | Implicit Stat: Attacks Reduce Evade’s Cooldown 1. Movement Speed 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Ranks to Dash, Maximum Life, Dexterity | Natural Motion (Mobility): Movement Speed Natural Schemes (Utility): Crowd Control Duration |
| Amulet | 1. Ranks to Unstable Elixirs, Frigid Finesse, and Exploit 2. Critical Strike Chance, Cooldown Reduction, Attack Speed | Imbuement Abundance (Resource): Shadow Imbue Additional Casts Natural Motion (Mobility): Movement Speed |
| Rings | 1. Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed 2. Resource Cost Reduction, Vulnerable Damage, Maximum Life | Imbuement Abundance (Resource): Shadow Imbue Additional Casts Natural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies |
Unique and Mythic Items
Listed below are the recommended and optional Unique Items for the Twisting Blades Rogue build. Each item description includes the most important affix to target for Masterworking upgrades.
- Condemnation (recommended) provides a 1.4x multiplier that works well in this Combo Points build.
- Masterworking Priority: Basic Skill Attack Speed
- Harlequin Crest (recommended) provides a good amount of offense and defense, if you are lucky enough to find this Mythic Unique Item.
- Masterworking Priority: Cooldown Reduction
- Ring of Starless Skies (recommended) is a Mythic Unique Item that provides a highly valuable 1.5x multiplier. The downside is the unique effect requires some management to ramp up and maintain the buff stacks.
- Masterworking Priority: Critical Strike Chance or Ranks to Core Skills
- Fists of Fate (optional) increases overall damage by 50% with a 300% value on the unique effect. They are comparable to well-rolled Legendary Gloves with Ranks to Twisting Blades, Attack Speed, Critical Strike Chance, and an Offensive Aspect. The downside is the drastic damage range of the unique effect can cause an inconsistency in the hits required to kill enemies.
- Masterworking Priority: Critical Strike Chance
- Penitent Greaves (optional) provide a decent damage increase in the unique effect. They are worth using when combined with Frigid Finesse to apply Chill for a damage increase.
- Masterworking Priority: Movement Speed
- Cowl of the Nameless (optional) provides the highest damage output when properly Masterworked.
- Masterworking Priority: Ranks to Unstable Elixirs or Trick Attacks
- Tyrael’s Might (optional) is the best defensive option for a Chest Armor, although this Mythic Unique Item can be difficult to obtain. The divine barrage does not contribute a significant portion of the total damage in this build.
- Masterworking Priority: Damage Reduction
Video Guide and Gameplay Footage
Advanced Information
Additional details are provided in the following sections for a more in-depth explanation of the Twisting Blades Rogue. Read this advanced information after understanding the basic overview of the build in the previous sections.
Build Mechanics
The Twisting Blade Rogue build is more involved to play than most others. Twisting Blades damage is increased by several buffs to cause a devastating hit. Combo Points can be generated for additional damage. Shadow Imbuement turns the attack into Shadow damage.
Improved Twisting Blades apply a Daze to impaled enemies, and then Critical Hits activate Trick Attacks to continuously Knock Down the enemy. Concussive is activated on Knock Down for increased Critical Strike Chance.
After the first victim is impaled by Twisting Blades, Dash and Shadow Step are used to reposition around other enemies to hit them with the returning blades and then orbiting blades from Bladedancer’s Aspect. The flying blades retain the damage buffs of the initial impale, including the guaranteed Critical Hit and Shadow Imbuement!
Fundamental Puncture easily applies Vulnerable to a target with a single Basic attack. Aim Puncture at the toughest enemies in a pack. In group play, apply this debuff to Elites and Bosses so your teammates deal more damage!
Puncture is a Marksman Skill that can be used before casting Twisting Blades to gain the damage bonus from Tricks of the Trade.
Smoke Grenade is not equipped on the Skill Bar, but is instead auto-casted through Aspect of Quickening Fog by using Dash. Use Dash offensively to land on top of enemies and Daze them. Enhanced Smoke Grenade is also allocated for enemies to take 25% increased damage.
Dark Shroud is not equipped on the Skill Bar, but is instead granted through Umbrous Aspect.
Resource Management
Innervation, Enhanced Puncture, and Combat should provide enough Energy generation if you are taking the time to build 3 Combo Points before casting Twisting Blades. Ring of Starless Skies is an option for additional resource management.
Damage Rotation
Use the following rotation to optimize damage output.
- Initiate combat with one of the following Skills:
- Dash on top of enemies to apply Enhanced Dash, automatically drop a Smoke Grenade, and activate Tricks of the Trade.
- Cast Shadow Step on an Elite to activate Tricks of the Trade.
- Use a Potion to activate the damage buff from Unstable Elixirs.
- Build 3 Combo Points with Puncture. Make sure you are close enough for Fundamental Puncture to apply Vulnerable.
- (Optional) Cast Caltrops in longer fights against tougher Elites and Bosses.
- Activate Shadow Imbuement for increased damage and explosions.
- Cast Twisting Blades on the target.
- Move through enemies to hit them with the returning and orbiting blades.
- Repeat the rotation when cooldowns are ready.
Obol Gambling
Obol gambling is a great way to potentially find item upgrades or items missing from your build. Use Obols on your target equipment for a chance to receive Greater Affixes. Check out the new tool from Icy Veins for gambling Obols in the link below.
Obol Gambling Optimization ToolSeason 5: Infernal Hordes
The following list details the changes in the Season 5 Update (Patch 1.5.0) that may pertain to Twisting Blades Rogues. Check the Changelog for all the other guide updates.
- Enhanced Twisting Blades
- Return damage bonus increased from 30% to 35%.
- Dash
- Damage increased by 25% (0.32 to 0.4).
- Additional functionality: Dash Slows enemies hit by 30% for 3 seconds.
- Enhanced Dash
- Previous – Enemies damaged by Dash take 15% increased Critical Strike Damage from you for 5 seconds.
- Now – Casting Dash increases your Critical Strike Chance by 10% for 5 seconds.
- Disciplined Dash
- Previous – Dash Slows enemies it hits by 30% for 3 seconds. Any enemy already Slowed will be Dazed for 2 seconds instead.
- Now – At the end of Dash, Knock Down surrounding enemies for 2 seconds and deal 350% of its damage to them.
- Methodical Dash
- Previous – Dealing damage to Crowd Controlled enemies with Dash reduces its Charge Cooldown by 0.5 seconds, up to 4 seconds per cast.
- Now – Dash has 1 additional Charge and its Charge Cooldown is reduced by 2 seconds.
- Enhanced Shadow Step
- Previous – Damaging an enemy with Shadow Step increases your Critical Strike Chance against them by 8% for 3 seconds.
- Now – Damaging an enemy with Shadow Step Dazes and applies Vulnerable to them for 3 seconds.
- Methodical Shadow Step
- Previous – Enemies damaged by Shadow Step are Stunned for 2 seconds.
- Now – After Shadow Stepping, you gain 20% Damage Reduction for 3 seconds.
- Disciplined Shadow Step
- Previous – Shadow Step’s Cooldown is reduced by 3 seconds when it damages an enemy you have not hit with Shadow Step in the last 4 seconds.
- Now – Damaging an enemy with Shadow Step Stuns them for 2 seconds and reduces its Cooldown by 3 seconds.
- Caltrops
- Damage increased by 13% (0.4 to 0.45).
- Disciplined Caltrops
- Critical Strike Chance bonus increased from 5% to 10%.
- Smoke Grenade
- Additional functionality: Smoke Grenade now deals 45% Physical damage, has a 25% Lucky Hit Chance, and its Skill Ranks now give increased damage and Cooldown Reduction.
- Enhanced Smoke Grenade
- Previous – Enemies affected by Smoke Grenade take 25% increased damage from you.
- Now – Enemies hit by Smoke Grenade take 25% increased damage from you for 5 seconds.
- Countering Smoke Grenade
- Previous – Lucky Hit: Dealing direct damage to enemies affected by Smoke Grenade has up to a 25% chance to reduce its Cooldown by 1 second, or by 3 seconds instead if the enemy is Vulnerable.
- Now – Hitting an Elite or Boss with Smoke Grenade reduces its Cooldown by 5 seconds.
- Subverting Smoke Grenade
- Previous – If an enemy is Vulnerable, Slowed, or Chilled then Smoke Grenade will Daze them for 20% longer.
- Now – Smoke Grenade now deals Poison damage and applies another 45% Poisoning damage over 5 seconds.
- Exploit Weakness
- Previous – Whenever you deal damage to a Vulnerable enemy, they take 1%[x] increased damage from you for 6 seconds, up to 25%[x].
- Now – Lucky Hit: Hitting a Vulnerable enemy has up to a 60% chance to increase your damage by 1%[x] for 25 seconds, up to 25%[x]. At 25 stacks the bonus remains for 6 seconds then expires.
- Tricks of the Trade
- Previous – Your Marksman Skills grant your next Cutthroat Skill 25% increased damage. Your Cutthroat Skills grant your next Marksman Skill 25% increased damage.
- Now – Your Marksman Skills grant your Cutthroat Skills 25% increased damage for 8 seconds. Your Cutthroat Skills grant your Marksman Skills 25% increased damage for 8 seconds.
- Cheap Shot
- Previous – You deal 5% increased damage for each Nearby enemy that is Crowd Controlled, up to 25%.
- Now – You deal 5% increased damage for each Nearby enemy that is Crowd Controlled, up to 25%. A Nearby Staggered Boss provides the maximum bonus.
Changelog
- August 6th, 2024: Guide updated for Season 5 (Patch 1.5.0).
- May 15th, 2024: Priority Affixes updated with game changes made since the Season 4 PTR.
- May 14th, 2024: Guide updated for Season 4 (Patch 1.4.0).
- March 5th, 2024: Guide updated for the Mid Season 3 Update (Patch 1.3.3).
- January 22nd, 2024: Guide updated for Season 3 (Patch 1.3.0).
- October 17th, 2023: Guide updated for Season 2 (Patch 1.2.0).
- July 18th, 2023: Guide updated for Season 1.
