What is Shadow Damage in Diablo 4? – Answered

There are a couple of elements and stats in Diablo 4 that are new to the game as a whole, including the Shadow Damage that so many Rogues or Necromancers wield. To get a better idea of what the element really does, I’ll outline the full effects and the reasons to use the purple explosions in Sanctuary. Continue reading to learn more about Shadow Damage in Diablo 4.

Shadow Damage Effects in Diablo 4

Shadow Damage is an element that causes damage over time or explosions depending on the specified effect. When Rogues use a Shadow Imbument, for example, the Shadow Damage can have two damage effects. If none of the enemies in the area are killed when affected, then it will essentially work like a damage-over-time attack.

When Shadow is applied to a group of enemies, and at least one of them dies while affected, then it starts a chain reaction of explosions. These explosions can cause massive amounts of damage, apply more shadow, and easily kill the rest of the mobs in the area. As more mobs die while affected by Shadow, more explosions will occur.

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In terms of classes that make use of Shadow Damage in Diablo 4, it’s really only the Rogue and the Necromancer that can use the effect. In the current meta before Season 1 drops, Shadow happens to be one of the best elements for these classes due to the AOE damage they provide, and the base damage over time even if the explosions don’t get set off.

One of the best builds that make use of Shadow Damage in Diablo 4 is the Twisting Blades Rogue. This build relies on the blades as a core skill, but Shadow serves as the Imbuement, and it’s a surefire way to tear through Nightmare Dungeon mobs in the blink of an eye. Check out my Twisting Blades Rogue guide for all the details in Diablo 4.