Best Diablo 4 Rogue Build – Twisting Blades Melee

The Rogue class has some of the best DPS in Diablo 4, and if it weren’t for how squishy they all are, it would be the best option in the game. Despite how squishy it is, I have been using a build that crosses life steal and crowd control with the power of Twisting Blades. Now I have the full outline so you can start tearing through enemies with the perfect rotation. Here’s the best Rogue build for Diablo 4.

Twisting Blades Rogue Build in Diablo 4

This Twisting Blades build has all of the active and passive skills that you need with 60 different skill points. I will also go over the Specialization and the rotations that I use, with some of the best Aspects to focus on sprinkled into the build. However, the main focus here is the 60 skill points.

Rogue Active Skills:

• Basic Skill – Puncture (5 Points)
  • Enhanced Puncture
  • Fundamental Puncture
• Core Skill – Twisting Blades (5 Points)
  • Enhanced Twisting Blades
  • Improved Twisting Blades
• Agility Skill – Dash (2 Points)
  • Enhanced Dash
  • Disciplined Dash
• Agility Skill – Shadow Step (2 Points)
  • Enhanced Shadow Step
  • Methodical Shadow Step
• Subterfuge Skill – Concealment (3 Points)
  • Enhanced Stealth
  • Countering Stealth
• Imbuement Skill – Shadow Imbuement (5 Points)
  • Enhanced Shadow Imbuement
  • Mixed Shadow Imbuement

Rogue Passive Skills:

• Stutter Step (3 Points)
• Sturdy (3 Points)
• Siphoning Strikes (3 Points)
• Weapon Mastery (2 Points)
• Concussive (1 Point)
• Trick Attacks (1 Point)
• Exploit (3 Points)
• Malice (3 Points)
• Shadow Crash (1 Point)
• Consuming Shadows (1 Point)
• Innervation (2 Points)
• Close Quarters Combat – Key Passive

Rogue Specialization:

• Combo Points
• Inner Sight for major boss fights

On this Diablo 4 Rogue build, I leave out any Ultimate Skills. Most decent Rogue builds will leave the ultimate behind in favor of another active skill, and I do the same thing. But to make the most of the skill swap, you need to know the best rotation possible.

Twisting Blades Rogue Build Rotation in Diablo 4

Using the rotation in the right way is integral to understanding and succeeding with the Rogue in high-level content. Any time you see a boss or a group of enemies, you want to approach them with the same idea. I like to start with the Shadow Step and then stab with the Twisting Blades so I can increase my movement speed and capitalize on the additional critical chance.

After the first stab, I use three quick Puncture attacks to cause Vulnerable and build up my Combo Points. Once the Combo Points are full, I activate the Shadow Imbuement and the Concealment skill. This part is incredibly important because the first attack will be a guaranteed critical strike.

As soon as you are Concealed, stab the toughest enemy with Twisting Blades, or the enemy in the front of the group, and Dash through the crowd. Not only is this going to slow everything in your path, but it’s also going to drag your Twisting Blades to the other side. After about one second, your guaranteed critical Twisting Blades that are Shadow Imbued will fly through the crowd or the boss.

From this point, keep building up your Combo Points with Puncture and use Twisting Blades after every three strikes. This should become a rhythm for you over time. Puncture, Twisting Blades, move, and repeat. As soon as you have other abilities like Shadow Imbuement, Dash, and Concealment back up, then repeat the first rotation.

Also, keep in mind that you can essentially infinitely stun any Elite in the game. Your Twisting Blades can stun on impact, your Shadow Step will stun, and your passives will cause dazed enemies to fall. Just keep using your crowd control tools and tear through enemies. Remember too that you get tons of bonuses, such as armor and life steal, when you remain up close.

Best Aspects for the Twisting Blades Rogue Build in Diablo 4

Without a doubt, Barriers and the Bladedancer’s Aspects are the best item skills you can have for your Rogue. When I got the Bladedancer’s Aspect on my Twisting Blades Rogue, my DPS skyrocketed. The skill causes your recalled blades to swirl around you for a few hits after the move ends. I managed to find an Aspect from a Legendary item in a Nightmare Dungeon that gave the orbiting blade a base of +21% damage per hit. Based on the distance, it can rise to +42%. Applying this to a Crossbow can make it even more powerful.

For this build, the Bladedancer’s Aspect is mandatory, but there are some other suggestions as well. I like to use the Aspect of the Protector, which gives me a Barrier with nearly 1,500 HP when I attack an Elite. This gives me more incentive to Shadow Step the first Elite in a group, and I get tons of protection in the process.

Related: How to Get The Blood-Drinker Glyph in Diablo 4

I also like to use Quickening Fog, which drops a Smoke Grenade at the end of Dash, causing enemies to be dazed. In the process, the cooldown of Dash is reduced. I simply get more crowd control for the rotation and more uses of the Dash.

Otherwise, feel free to experiment with your equipment. There are tons of great skills to use, and as long as you keep your strengths in mind with the Twisting Blades Rogue in Diablo 4, you have a lot of breathing room. In the meantime, here is a guide for exactly where to find the Bladedancer’s Aspect if you have yet to collect it.