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Dual Core Penetrating Shot Rapid Fire – Rogue Build for Diablo 4

Dual Core for a highly effective Ranged Playstyle!

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Lexyu

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Penetrating ShotRapid FireHeartseekerDashCold ImbuementShadow Step


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Build Introduction

The Penetrating ShotPenetrating Shot and Rapid FireRapid Fire Rogue equip two Core Skills to overcome any situation on the battlefield. This is the second version of the original Dual Core build, focusing on a more ranged playstyle. Rapid FireRapid Fire deals high single-target damage to snipe elite and bosses, while Penetrating ShotPenetrating Shot excels at clearing large groups of enemies due to the additional arrows from Trickshot AspectTrickshot Aspect.

Dual Core Skills are utilized in different situations to either snipe tough targets or clear groups of enemies. The addition of Scoundrel's KissScoundrel’s Kiss in the game enables Rapid FireRapid Fire to cover single-target and area-of-effect damage, removing the need for a 2nd Core Skill. The Pure Rapid Fire Rogue build is recommended once you obtain Scoundrel’s Kiss, which can be target-farmed from Lord Zir.

The only starting requirement for this endgame build guide is a Level 60 character. Check the Rogue Leveling Guide if you need help getting there.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths
  • Dual Core Skills for single-target and AoE damage
  • Plenty of crowd control from Stuns and Freezes
  • Fast paced and fun playstyle
Weaknesses
  • Hybrid builds do not have as much focus on an individual damage dealing Skill
  • Combo Point builds require rotations
  • Complex playstyle takes practice to master

Check the build tier lists to see how this build compares to others on Icy Veins.

Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar

Skill Bar Setup for Dual Core Penetrating Shot Rapid Fire Rogue (order does not matter)
Rapid FireRapid FirePenetrating ShotPenetrating ShotHeartseekerHeartseekerCold ImbuementCold ImbuementDashDashShadow StepShadow Step

The Skill Tree above shows the full allocation of 71 Skill Points for the Ranged Dual Core Rogue build. Make sure you obtain the 12 Skill Points available from Renown.

Dark ShroudDark Shroud is not equipped on the Skill Bar. It is instead automatically activated by Umbrous AspectUmbrous Aspect.

Penetrating Shot Rapid Fire Rogue Specialization

Combo Points is the preferred Rogue Specialization for general farming due to the burst damage playstyle of Rapid Fire Rogue. Build Combo Points with HeartseekerHeartseeker to unleash additional damage and arrows for Rapid FireRapid Fire. Combo Points can also be used to gain additional damage and Lucky Hit Chance with Penetrating ShotPenetrating Shot.

Combo Points Rogue Diablo 4
Combo Points Are Counted Above the Skill Bar

Paragon

After Character Level 60, experience gains are applied to Paragon up to Level 300. A maximum of 228 Paragon Points can be obtained through Paragon Levels, Renown, and Altars of Lilith. Follow the Paragon setup designed for the Dual Core Penetrating Shot Rapid Fire Rogue to gain a considerable amount of progression for your character.

Glyphs are inserted into sockets on each Paragon board and can be found during various activities in Diablo 4. Level up the Glyphs included in the Paragon setup by completing The Pit. Clearing higher tiers of The Pit allows Glyphs to reach higher levels.

Important Notes:

  • Make sure you select the correct Legendary Boards and rotate them into the proper orientation.
  • Attach Legendary Boards in the order shown, as bonus requirements of Rare Nodes increase with their placement order.
  • Prioritize leveling each of your equipped Glyphs to 15 to gain the increased radius, which can be required to meet additional bonus requirements.

1. Starting Board (Combat)

2. Tricks of the Trade (Headhunter)

3. Eldritch Bounty (Devious)

4. Cheap Shot (Canny)

5. Exploit Weakness (Control)

Paragon boards courtesy of d4builds. Click here for the 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 Ranged Dual Core 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 SlotAspect NameAspect Power
Ranged Weapon (replaced by SkyhunterSkyhunter)Accelerating AspectAccelerating AspectCritical Strikes with Core Skills increase your Attack Speed by [15 – 25%] for 3 seconds.
AmuletColdclip AspectColdclip AspectYour Basic Skills are always Cold Imbued. You deal x [5 – 20%] increased damage to enemies who are Chilled or Frozen.
Dual-Wielded Weapon Slot #1 (replaced by CondemnationCondemnation)Rapid AspectRapid AspectBasic Skills gain [15 – 30%] Attack Speed.
Gloves (optional replacement with Fists of FateFists of Fate)Aspect of RetributionAspect of RetributionDistant enemies have a 10% chance to be Stunned for 2 seconds when they hit you. You deal x [15 – 30%] increased damage to Stunned and Knocked Down enemies.
Ring Slot #1 (replaced by Ring of Starless SkiesRing of Starless Skies)Edgemaster's AspectEdgemaster’s AspectSkills 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.
Dual-Wielded Weapon Slot #2 or Ring Slot #2Aspect of the ExpectantAspect of the ExpectantAttacking 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 #2Trickshot AspectTrickshot AspectWhenever Penetrating Shot damages an enemy, 2 additional arrows split off to either side. These side arrows deal [10 – 25%] of Penetrating Shot’s Base damage and do not split.
Helm (replaced by Harlequin CrestHarlequin Crest)Aspect of MightAspect of MightBasic Skills grant 20% Damage Reduction for [2 – 6] seconds
Chest (replaced by Tyrael's MightTyrael’s Might or Shroud of False DeathShroud of False Death)Frostbitten AspectFrostbitten AspectEnemies hit by your Grenade Skills have a chance equal to your Critical Strike Chance to be Frozen for 2 seconds. You deal x [10 – 25%] increased Critical Strike Damage against Frozen or Stunned enemies.
(only used for the damage multiplier, not the Grenade Skills effect)
PantsUmbrous AspectUmbrous AspectLucky Hit: Critical Strikes have up to a [45 – 60%] chance to grant a free Dark Shroud shadow.
BootsAspect of Concussive StrikesAspect of Concussive StrikesLucky 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.

Gems and Runewords

Listed below are the best Gems to socket into gear for each item type.

Weapon GemsArmor GemsJewelry Gems
Grand EmeraldGrand Emerald for increased Critical Strike Damage.Grand EmeraldGrand Emerald for Dexterity.Any Resistance Gems needed or Grand SkullGrand Skull for Armor (up to the 1,000 Armor cap).

Insert one of the following Runewords, consisting of a Rune of Offering and a Rune of Invocation, into your equipped Ranged Weapon. The other Runeword can be inserted into any equipped Helm, Chest, or Pants item. Add sockets to your equipment at the Jeweler if necessary.

RunewordsEffects
XolXol
OhmOhm
Gain: 150 Offering — Evoke power from another Class.
Requires: 600 Offering, Cooldown: 2 Seconds — Evoke the Barbarian’s Enhanced War Cry, increasing your Movement Speed and damage dealt.
LithLith
WatWat
Gain: 25 Offering — Stand still for 0.3 seconds.
Requires: 100 Offering, Cooldown: 1 Second — Evoke the Necromancer’s Horrid Decrepify, Slowing enemies, reducing their damage, and letting you Execute them.

If you prefer to stutter-step (move in between attacks), replace LithLith with MoniMoni.

Elixirs

Visit the Alchemist in any main town to craft helpful Elixirs, or find Elixirs by killing enemies or opening chests during various activities in Diablo 4. Listed below are the best Elixirs to consume for the Dual Core Penetrating Shot Rapid Fire Rogue, ranked by importance.

  1. Elixir of AdvantageElixir of Advantage increases damage output, if not already capped at 100% Attack Speed bonus from gear and Paragon.
  2. Elixir of ResourceElixir 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.
  3. Elixir of FortitudeElixir of Fortitude is the best general-purpose option for survivability.
  4.  Elixir of Iron Barbs 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).
  5. Specific Resistance Elixirs can be utilized to survive against Uber Bosses with elemental attacks.

Stat Priority and Tempering Affixes

Listed below are the affixes to prioritize on gear for Ranged Dual Core 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.

When comparing Legendary weapons with similar item levels, Crossbows are preferred over Bows for the higher Damage per Hit for both Core Skills. Daggers are selected for the fastest weapon speed to generate Combo Points.

PrecisionPrecision increases the priority of Critical Strike Damage to scale the bonus multiplier, while reducing the need for Critical Strike Chance.

Prioritize Boots with the implicit effect, attacks reduce Evade’s cooldown, for constant Evades to activate Advanced Rapid FireAdvanced Rapid Fire.

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 1,000.

Check out our Tempering Guide for more details on Blacksmith upgrading.

SlotGear AffixesTempering Affixes
Weapons1. Maximum Life, Critical Strike Damage
2. Dexterity, Vulnerable Damage
Marksman Augments — CoreMarksman Augments — Core (Weapon): Chance for Rapid Fire or Penetrating Shot Projectiles to Cast Twice
Subterfuge Expertise (Offensive): Damage per Dark Shroud
Helm1. Cooldown Reduction
2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
3. Maximum Life, Dexterity, Lucky Hit Chance
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor up to 1,000 cap, otherwise Dodge Chance
Chest1. Ranks to Dark Shroud
2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
3. Maximum Life, Dexterity
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor up to 1,000 cap, otherwise Dodge Chance
Gloves1. Ranks to Core Skills, Critical Strike Damage, Attack Speed
2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
3. Maximum Life, Dexterity, Lucky Hit Chance
Subterfuge Expertise (Offensive): Damage per Dark Shroud
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze
Pants1. Dexterity, Maximum Life
2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor up to 1,000 cap, otherwise Dodge Chance
BootsImplicit Stat: Attacks Reduce Evade’s Cooldown
1. Movement Speed
2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
3. Ranks to Dash, Maximum Life, Dexterity
Natural MotionNatural Motion (Mobility): Movement Speed
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze
Amulet1. Ranks to Weapon Mastery, Unstable Elixirs, and Frigid Finesse
2. Cooldown Reduction, Attack Speed
Imbuement AbundanceImbuement Abundance (Resource): Cold Imbue Additional Casts
Subterfuge Expertise (Offensive): Damage per Dark Shroud
Rings1. Attack Speed, Critical Strike Damage
2. Maximum Life, Dexterity, Lucky Hit Chance
Imbuement AbundanceImbuement Abundance (Resource): Cold Imbue Additional Casts
Subterfuge Expertise (Offensive): Damage per Dark Shroud

Unique and Mythic Items

Listed below are the recommended and optional Unique Items for the Penetrating Shot and Rapid Fire Rogue build. Each item description includes the most important affix to target for Masterworking upgrades.

  • Scoundrel's KissScoundrel’s Kiss (optional build transition) shifts the focus to Rapid FireRapid Fire as the main damaging skill in the build. The lobbing arrows transform Rapid Fire to deal Area of Effect damage, removing the need for a 2nd Core Skill. Switch to the Pure Rapid Fire Rogue build guide for a specialized setup dedicated to Scoundrel’s Kiss.
    • Masterworking Priority: Ranks to Rapid Fire
  • SkyhunterSkyhunter (recommended) synergies well with PrecisionPrecision to guarantee Critical Strikes, increase damage, and restore Energy.
    • Masterworking Priority: Attack Speed, Critical Strike Damage, or Chance for Marksman Projectiles to Cast Twice
  • CondemnationCondemnation (recommended) provides a 1.4x multiplier that works well in this Combo Points build.
    • Masterworking Priority: Basic Skill Attack Speed
  • Harlequin CrestHarlequin 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 SkiesRing 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 FateFists 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 Core Skills, 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: Attack Speed
  • Cowl of the NamelessCowl of the Nameless (optional) provides the highest damage output when properly Masterworked.
  • Tyrael's MightTyrael’s Might (optional) is the best defensive option for a Chest Armor. The divine barrage does not contribute a significant portion of the total damage in this build.
    • Masterworking Priority: Damage Reduction
  • Shroud of False DeathShroud of False Death (optional) provides the highest damage increase in the slot due to the +1 Ranks to All Passives inherent affix.
    • Masterworking Priority: All Stats or Maximum Life

Mercenaries

Once the Den is unlocked during the main questline in the Vessel of Hatred expansion for Diablo 4, complete Mercenary key quests to acquire them. Hire a Mercenary and enlist a Reinforcement in the following setup.

Video Guide and Gameplay Footage

Advanced Information

Additional details are provided in the following sections for a more in-depth explanation of the Dual Core Penetrating Shot Rapid Fire Rogue. Read this advanced information after understanding the basic overview of the build in the previous sections.

Build Mechanics

Penetrating ShotPenetrating Shot excels at clearing high-density activities, such as Nightmare Dungeons. Line up enemies to hit them with the piercing arrow, while Trickshot AspectTrickshot Aspect splits off additional side arrows for more area coverage. The piercing effect of the main arrow also applies to the side arrows.

When fired at full energy, Advanced Penetrating ShotAdvanced Penetrating Shot applies a slow to normal enemies to activate Cheat's AspectCheat’s Aspect and knocks down Elites to help you survive. Penetrating Shot also has a high Lucky Hit Chance when fired with 3 Combo Points to activate Umbrous AspectUmbrous Aspect for Dark ShroudDark Shroud stacks. Dark Shroud is not equipped on the Skill Bar.

Penetrating ShotPenetrating Shot can lack single target damage against elites and bosses, so Rapid FireRapid Fire is used to snipe individual enemies. Learn when to use either Penetrating Shot or Rapid Fire in every situation to master this Dual Core Build.

Fundamental PunctureFundamental Puncture easily applies Vulnerable to a target with a single Basic attack. Aim PuncturePuncture at the toughest enemies in a pack. In group play, apply this debuff to Elites and Bosses so your teammates deal more damage!

Shadow StepShadow Step and DashDash are Cutthroat Skills that can be used before Rapid FireRapid Fire or Penetrating ShotPenetrating Shot to gain the damage bonus from Tricks of the TradeTricks of the Trade.

Resource Management

SkyhunterSkyhunter and CombatCombat should provide enough Energy generation if you are taking the time to build 3 Combo Points before casting each Core Skill. Ring of Starless SkiesRing of Starless Skies is an option for additional resource management. You can also reallocate 3 Skill Points from Stutter StepStutter Step into InnervationInnervation.

Cold Imbuement

Cold ImbuementCold Imbuement is utilized for Crowd Control and multiple damage increases. The 25% chill applies to every hit from Rapid FireRapid Fire or Penetrating ShotPenetrating Shot, meaning enemies can become Frozen after just one cast. These multi-hitting Core Skills easily activate the additional bonuses on Mixed Cold ImbuementMixed Cold Imbuement and Frigid FinesseFrigid Finesse for some insane damage multipliers. Make sure you temper the additional casts of Cold Imbuement affix onto Rings.

Elites are easy to kill after being Frozen, but bosses are initially immune to Crowd Controls. Cold ImbuementCold Imbuement and Shadow StepShadow Step can be used against bosses to eventually Stagger them. After fully Staggering a Boss, they are considered affected by all Crowd Control types for the Staggered duration.

The In-Game Crowd Control Tooltip

Animation Cancel Technique

An Evade can be used immediately after using Rapid FireRapid Fire or Penetrating ShotPenetrating Shot to cancel their casting animations. This technique is important to quickly dodge incoming attacks while activating Advanced Rapid FireAdvanced Rapid Fire. Boots with the implicit effect, Attacks Reduce Evade’s Cooldown, allow for an animation cancel after using 3 Basic Attacks and a Core Skill. Practice hitting Evade after every Core Skill to build muscle memory.

Arrows continue to fire after the animation cancel

AoE Damage Rotation

Explode groups of mobs with the following rotation.

  1. Cast PuncturePuncture 3 times at a distance to build up Combo Points.
  2. Cast Shadow StepShadow Step on tough elite enemies.
  3. (Optional) Activate Cold ImbuementCold Imbuement against tough opponents to increase damage and apply Chill/Freeze.
  4. Use a Potion to activate the damage buff from Unstable ElixirsUnstable Elixirs.
  5. Cast Penetrating ShotPenetrating Shot into the group or aimed at the toughest Elites.
  6. Immediately animation cancel Penetrating ShotPenetrating Shot with an Evade to avoid damage or gain some distance.
  7. Restart the rotation.

You lose all Crowd Control damage bonuses against Unstoppable Elites, making them much harder to defeat. Quickly kill any Elites within a group of enemies with the Single Target Damage Rotation (section directly below) before they become Unstoppable. Attempt to single them out or get next to them for Rapid FireRapid Fire to hit. Otherwise, clear out some enemies with the AoE Rotation to create a line of sight.

Single Target Damage Rotation

Use the following rotation against Elites and Bosses for high single-target.

  1. Use Evade to activate Advanced Rapid FireAdvanced Rapid Fire.
  2. Build 3 Combo Points with PuncturePuncture. Make sure you are close enough for Fundamental PunctureFundamental Puncture to apply Vulnerable.
  3. Cast Shadow StepShadow Step on the toughest Elite to activate Tricks of the TradeTricks of the Trade for a damage bonus to your next Marksman Skill, Rapid FireRapid Fire. Alternatively, DashDash can be used through a Boss to apply Enhanced DashEnhanced Dash.
  4. Activate Cold ImbuementCold Imbuement for damage increases from Mixed Cold ImbuementMixed Cold Imbuement and Frigid FinesseFrigid Finesse.
  5. Use a Potion to activate the damage buff from Unstable ElixirsUnstable Elixirs.
  6. Cast Rapid FireRapid Fire at the target.
  7. Immediately animation cancel Rapid FireRapid Fire with an Evade to restart the rotation.

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 Tool

Changelog

  • October 4th, 2024: Guide updated for Season 6 (Patch 2.0.2).
  • August 6th, 2024: Guide updated for Season 5 (Patch 1.5.0).
  • May 14th, 2024: Guide updated for Season 4 (Patch 1.4.0).
  • January 22nd, 2024: Guide updated for Season 3 (Patch 1.3.0).
  • December 18th, 2023: Guide created.
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