
Build Introduction
The Heartseeker Rogue is the easiest-to-play build within the class, mainly focused on repeatedly casting a Basic Skill to deal damage. Heartseeker deals devasting single-target damage, and
Paingorger’s Gauntlets echos the damage to clear activities with high monster density, such as Inferno Hordes and The Pit.
The final version of the Heartseeker Rogue utilizes Shard of Verathiel for maximum damage output.
Heartseeker is transformed to consume Energy, so the setup has strict requirements to function properly. Check the Shard of Verathiel section for the full details.
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
- Easy to play ranged build
- Heartseeker seeks enemies so aiming is not an issue
- Deals high single-target damage and echos it to additional enemies.
- Playstyle can be boring for some players
- Requires a lot of well-rolled gear to see results
Check the build tier lists to see how this build compares to others on Icy Veins.
Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar
The Skill Tree above shows the full allocation of 71 Skill Points for the Heartseeker Rogue build. Make sure you obtain the 12 Skill Points available from Renown.
Dark Shroud is not equipped on the Skill Bar. Dark Shroud shadows are granted through
Umbrous Aspect.
Cold Imbuement is not equipped on the Skill Bar.
Coldclip Aspect automatically applies the effects of
Enhanced Cold Imbuement and
Mixed Cold Imbuement to
Heartseeker.
Heartseeker Rogue Specialization
Preparation is the preferred specialization for the Heartseeker Rogue for 15% Damage Reduction and to reset Cooldowns. The bonuses are activated by casting Shadow Clone.
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 Heartseeker 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 | ![]() | Damaging an enemy with a Basic Skill grants you 4% Attack Speed for 10 seconds, stacking up to 5 times. Upon reaching maximum stacks, you enter a Vampiric Bloodrage, gaining x [40 – 80%] Basic Skill damage and 15% Movement Speed for 10 seconds. |
Amulet | ![]() | When cast below 50% Maximum Resource, Basic Skills generate 3 of your Primary Resource, once per cast. When cast at or above 50% Maximum Resource, Basic Skills deal x [20 – 80%] increased damage. |
Dual-Wielded Weapons or Rings | ![]() | 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. |
Dual-Wielded Weapons or Rings | ![]() | Basic Skills gain [15 – 30%] Attack Speed. |
Dual-Wielded Weapons or Rings | ![]() | Your Basic Skills are always Cold Imbued. You deal x [5 – 20%] increased damage to enemies who are Chilled or Frozen. |
Dual-Wielded Weapons or Rings | ![]() | Gain x [20 – 30%] increased damage to a set of damage types for 7 seconds. This effect alternates between 2 sets: • Fire, Lightning, and Physical. • Cold, Poison, and Shadow. |
Gloves (replaced by ![]() | ![]() | Enemies 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) |
Helm (replaced by ![]() | ![]() | Basic Skills grant 20% Damage Reduction for [2 – 6] seconds |
Chest (replaced by ![]() ![]() | ![]() | You automatically drop a Smoke Grenade at the end of Dash. Smoke Grenades reduce Dash’s cooldown by [0.5 – 0.65] seconds for each enemy hit, up to [1.50 – 1.95] seconds. |
Pants | ![]() | Lucky Hit: Critical Strikes have up to a [45 – 60%] chance to grant a free Dark Shroud shadow. |
Boots | ![]() | 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. |
Gems and Runewords
Listed below are the best Gems to socket into gear for each item type.
Weapon Gems | Armor Gems | Jewelry Gems |
---|---|---|
![]() ![]() | ![]() | Any Resistance Gems needed or ![]() |
If you are playing the Season of Witchcraft (Season 7), visit Gelena at the Tree of Whispers to craft Occult Gems. Socketing 3 of the following Occult Gems into your jewelry, listed in order of importance.
Friend of the Bog — While you have three or more Growth & Decay Witch Powers equipped: You gain x8% Primary Core Stat, x10% Maximum Life, and Unhindered.
Dust Stone — For each of your Auras and Hexes an enemy is afflicted by, they take 2.5% increased damage from you.
Pointed Finger — Your Summons deal 15% more direct damage to Hexed Elites.
Moonlight Ward — For each rank in your slotted Unique Witchcraft Power, you gain 3% Damage Reduction and 0.5% Maximum Resistance to All Elements.
Hungering Void — While you have an Aura active, pull Nearby enemies toward you every 8 seconds.
Insert the following 2 Runewords, each consisting of a Rune of Offering and a Rune of Invocation, into any equipped Helm, Chest, or Pants item. Add sockets to your equipment at the Jeweler if necessary.
Runewords | Effects |
---|---|
![]() ![]() | Gain: 200 Offering — Drink a Healing Potion. Requires: 25 Offering, Cooldown: 1 Second — Gain 2.5% Critical Strike Chance for 5 seconds, up to 25%. |
![]() ![]() | Gain: 25 Offering — Stand still for 0.3 seconds. Requires: 600 Offering, Cooldown: 2 Seconds — Invoke the Barbarian’s War Cry, increasing your damage dealt by x15% for 6 seconds. |
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 Heartseeker Rogue, 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 Fortitude is the best general purpose option for survivability.
- 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 Heartseeker 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 Ranged Weapon type selected depends on your preference. Bows have a faster weapon speed, while Crossbows have a higher damage per hit. Equip Daggers for a faster weapon speed on Shadow Step.
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.
Slot | Gear Affixes | Tempering Affixes |
---|---|---|
Weapons | 1. Maximum Life, Vulnerable Damage 2. Life on Hit, Dexterity | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Helm | 1. Cooldown Reduction, Lucky Hit Chance 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity | ![]() ![]() |
Chest | 1. Ranks to Dark Shroud 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity | ![]() ![]() |
Gloves | 1. Critical Strike Chance, Lucky Hit Chance, Attack Speed 2. Vulnerable Damage, Resistances, Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity | ![]() ![]() |
Pants | 1. Ranks to Heartseeker 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 2. Maximum Life, Dexterity | ![]() ![]() |
Boots | 1. Movement Speed 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Ranks to Dash, Maximum Life, Dexterity | ![]() ![]() |
Amulet | 1. Ranks to Frigid Finesse, Unstable Elixirs, Malice and Exploit 2. Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed, Lucky Hit Chance | ![]() ![]() |
Rings | 1. Critical Strike Chance, Lucky Hit Chance, Attack Speed 2. Vulnerable Damage | ![]() ![]() |
Unique and Mythic Items
Listed below are the recommended and optional Unique Items for the Heartseeker Rogue build. Each item description includes the most important affix to target for Masterworking upgrades.
Paingorger’s Gauntlets (highly recommended) echos damage to multiple enemies to supplement the limited targeting of
Heartseeker.
- Masterworking Priority: Ranks to Basic Skills
Shard of Verathiel (recommended build variant) provides a 3x multiplier for
Heartseeker, at the cost of 25 Primary Resource per cast. Solving for the heavy Energy drain requires strict gearing, so check the Shard of Verathiel section for the full setup.
- Masterworking Priority: Ranks to Basic Skills
Ring of Starless Skies (recommended build variant) synergizes with
Shard of Verathiel to reduce the Mana cost of
Heartseeker, while also providing a damage multiplier.
- Masterworking Priority: Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed, or Lucky Hit Chance
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
Fists of Fate (optional) increases overall damage by 50% with a 300% value on the unique effect.
- Masterworking Priority: Lucky Hit Chance
Cowl of the Nameless (optional) provides the highest damage output when properly Masterworked.
- Masterworking Priority: Ranks to
Unstable Elixirs or
Trick Attacks
- Masterworking Priority: Ranks to
Tyrael’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, but it marks enemies for
Paingorger’s Gauntlets.
- Masterworking Priority: Damage Reduction
Shroud 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
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 Heartseeker 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. Afterward, level each Glyph to 46 to unlock its Legendary Bonus and gain another radius increase.
The Paragon setup displayed above focuses on quickly unlocking the essential Glyph sockets and Legendary Nodes at a moderate Paragon Level. Once the base setup is complete, allocate the remaining Paragon points in the following order.
- Obtain any remaining nodes providing a damage increase within the radius of Glyph sockets.
- Path to the remaining Rare and Magic nodes. Prioritize obtaining damage reduction, any needed Resistances/Armor, and damage increases.
- Any remaining points can be spent on Dexterity nodes within the radius of
Headhunter.
Witchcraft Powers
In the Season of Witchcraft (Season 7), earn seasonal reputation to unlock Witchcraft Powers. Equip the following Witchcraft Powers to enhance this build.
Piranhado: Lost Power
- When an enemy is afflicted by both a Hex and an Aura Effect, a Piranhado is summoned pulling enemies towards it and dealing [X] Physical damage over [22] seconds. Additionally, Piranhado will seek nearby enemies. You can only Summon one Piranhado every 20 seconds.
- At Rank 5: Piranhado now seek enemies.
Aura of Siphoning: Growth and Decay Power
- Conjure an aura of decay that deals [X] Poison damage to enemies every second.
- At Rank 10: Each time Aura of Siphoning deals damage, you are healed for 1% of Maximum Life.
Aura Specialization: Lost Power
- The size of your Aura Effects are increased by [79%].
- At Rank 10: Increase the Critical Strike Damage by 50% against enemies inside your Aura Effects.
Soul Harvest: Growth and Decay Power
- Whenever you use a Cooldown, you gain x1% Primary Core Stat per surrounding enemy. This bonus lasts for [15.5] seconds.
- While there are surrounding enemies, Soul Harvest has infinite duration.
Hex of Shattering: Psyche Power
- Damage done by your Witchcraft Effects afflicts enemies with Hex of Shattering causing them to deal [20%] reduced damage for 5 seconds.
- At Rank 8: When any Hex Effect is applied to Headrotten, all damage will be guaranteed Critical Strikes for 5 seconds.
Hex of Whispers: Growth and Decay Power
- Dealing damage to an enemy afflicts them with Hex of Whispers that deals [X] Shadow damage the next time damage is dealt. Afterwards, Hex of Whispers will jump to another enemy up to a maximum of 6 times. Hex of Whispers may only be applied once every 5 seconds.
- At Rank 7: After bouncing onto 6 enemies, the hex bounces back to you granting [X] Fortify and removing all crowd control and negative status effects.
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.
- Hired Mercenary: Varyana
- Skills:
Cleave,
Hysteria,
Bloodthirst,
Bloodlust
- Skills:
- Reinforcement: Raheir
- Skill:
Bastion
- Opportunity: Cast when the player becomes Injured
- Skill:
Advanced Information
Additional details are provided in the following sections for a more in-depth explanation of the Heartseeker Rogue. Read this advanced information after understanding the basic overview of the build in the previous sections.
Build Mechanics
The Heartseeker Rogue focuses on increasing Basic Skill damage with massive multipliers from
Aspect of the Moonrise and
Aspect of Adaptability.
Primary Heartseeker allows for 2 hits per cast, even against an individual target due to the seeking property of the skill.
Paingorger’s Gauntlets mark enemies hit by
Smoke Grenade and
Caltrops to echo damage done by
Heartseeker to groups of enemies.
Vulnerable from Enhanced Cold Imbuement is automatically applied through
Coldclip Aspect.
Dark Shrouds stacks are rapidly generated through Umbrous Aspect with the high Attack Speed of
Heartseeker and can also be manually cast from the Skill Bar when needed.
Smoke Grenade can be cast manually from the Skill Bar, or auto-casted through
Aspect of Quickening Fog by using
Dash. Aspect of Quickening Fog also reduces the cooldown of Dash when enemies are hit by a Smoke Grenade from either source. Use Dash offensively to land on top of enemies and Daze them, while applying
Enhanced Smoke Grenade for enemies to take 25% increased damage.
Caltrops increase the damage enemies take from you by 45% with
Enhanced Caltrops. A Caltrops Duration temper and a Caltrops Size temper prevent the effect from falling off during Boss fights.
Shadow Clone activates
No Witnesses and Preparation, while mimicking
Heartseeker to supplement damage output.
Crowd Controls and Boss Stagger
Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze/Daze/Immobilize/Slow tempers, Smoke Grenade, and
Aspect of Concussive Strikes are utilized to Crowd Control normal and elite enemies, activating
Frigid Finesse,
Aspect of Retribution, and
Control for massive damage increases. These damage bonuses do not apply to bosses unless they are Staggered. Repeated Crowd Controls of the same type in a short duration apply less Stagger to bosses, so separate sources of Crowd Controls are tempered for maximum effect. Make sure to optimize damage against Staggered bosses by building up the
Enhanced Caltrops damage bonus ahead of time.

Damage Rotation
Use the following rotation to optimize damage output.
- Initiate combat with one of the following Skills:
- Cast
Shadow Step on the toughest enemy.
Dash on top of enemies to automatically drop a
Smoke Grenade (if using
Aspect of Quickening Fog).
- Cast
Smoke Grenade to Daze enemies from a distance while running up to them.
- Cast
- Cast
Shadow Clone to activate
No Witnesses.
- Against bosses or tough elites, cast
Caltrops on top of them to apply
Enhanced Caltrops.
- Use a Potion to activate the damage buff from
Unstable Elixirs.
- Spam
Heartseeker to deal damage.
Shard of Verathiel Heartseeker Rogue
The final version of the Heartseeker Rogue utilizes Shard of Verathiel for a massive 3x damage multiplier, at the cost of 25 Primary Resource per cast. Energy is drained quickly from rapidly casting
Heartseeker with a high Attack Speed, so the setup has strict requirements to function.
Make the following changes to the original version of the Heartseeker Rogue to solve Energy issues:
- Remove
Rapid Aspect and
Aspect of Elements from the build.
- Equip a
Shard of Verathiel with at least a 150% value on the unique effect.
- Equip
Ring of Starless Skies to reduce the Resource cost of your Skills.
- Remove Skill Points from
Stutter Step (3) and
Sturdy (2).
- Add Skill Points to
Innervation (3) and
Second Wind (2).
- Temper Ranks to Innervation from
Rogue Invigoration onto your Rings and Amulet (instead of Movement Speed).
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 guide from Icy Veins for gambling Obols in the link below.
Obol Gambling Optimization ToolChangelog
- February 6, 2025: Fixed an error in the Shard of Verathiel build variant.
- January 29, 2025: Witchcraft Powers and Occult Gems adjusted due to Purging Touch not working as expected.
- January 21, 2025: Guide updated for Season 7 (Patch 2.1.0).
- October 16, 2024: New Paragon tool added.
- October 4, 2024: Guide updated for Season 6 (Patch 2.0.2).
- August 6, 2024: Guide updated for Season 5 (Patch 1.5.0).
- May 26, 2024: Guide created.