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Twisting Blades – Rogue Leveling Build for Diablo 4

Rapidly stab your foes to level quickly with Twisting Blades!

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Lexyu

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Twisting BladesPunctureDashShadow StepConcealmentShadow Imbuement


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Build Introduction

The Twisting BladesTwisting Blades Rogue leveling build rapidly impales foes with dual-wielded weapons. This is your leveling guide for Diablo 4, with the maximum Skill Point allocation at Level 60. Let us go over the build mechanics, character progression, and playstyle!

Twisting BladesTwisting Blades deals high single-target damage with two hits per cast, and the returning blades can be used to kill multiple enemies at a time with proper positioning. This fast-paced leveling build is recommended for players preferring a melee playstyle.

Check the Rogue Leveling Guide Overview for a comparison of all the starter builds on Icy Veins.

Once your Rogue character reaches Level 60, switch to the endgame guide for Twisting Blades to continue this build.

Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar

Skill Bar Setup for Twisting Blades Rogue (order does not matter)
Twisting BladesTwisting BladesDashDashShadow StepShadow StepPuncturePunctureConcealmentConcealmentShadow ImbuementShadow Imbuement

The following table shows the order in which to allocate your Skill Points while leveling with the Twisting Blades Rogue build. You gain 59 points at Level 60 and 12 points from Renown, for a total of 71.

OrderSkillCluster
1PuncturePuncture Rank 1Basic SkillBasic Skill
2Enhanced PunctureEnhanced PunctureBasic SkillBasic Skill
3Twisting BladesTwisting Blades Rank 1Core SkillCore Skill
4Fundamental PunctureFundamental PunctureBasic SkillBasic Skill
5Enhanced Twisting BladesEnhanced Twisting BladesCore SkillCore Skill
6Improved Twisting BladesImproved Twisting BladesCore SkillCore Skill
7DashDash Rank 1Agility SkillAgility Skill
8Shadow StepShadow Step Rank 1Agility SkillAgility Skill
9Twisting BladesTwisting Blades Rank 2Core SkillCore Skill
10Twisting BladesTwisting Blades Rank 3Core SkillCore Skill
11Twisting BladesTwisting Blades Rank 4Core SkillCore Skill
12Twisting BladesTwisting Blades Rank 5Core SkillCore Skill
13ConcealmentConcealment Rank 1Subterfuge SkillSubterfuge Skill
14Enhanced ConcealmentEnhanced ConcealmentSubterfuge SkillSubterfuge Skill
15Subverting ConcealmentSubverting ConcealmentSubterfuge SkillSubterfuge Skill
16ExploitExploit Rank 1Core SkillCore Skill
17Shadow ImbuementShadow Imbuement Rank 1Imbuement SkillImbuement Skill
18Enhanced Shadow ImbuementEnhanced Shadow ImbuementImbuement SkillImbuement Skill
19Mixed Shadow ImbuementMixed Shadow ImbuementImbuement SkillImbuement Skill
20ExploitExploit Rank 2Core SkillCore Skill
21ExploitExploit Rank 3Core SkillCore Skill
22MaliceMalice Rank 1Core SkillCore Skill
23MaliceMalice Rank 2Core SkillCore Skill
24MaliceMalice Rank 3Core SkillCore Skill
25InnervationInnervation Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
26InnervationInnervation Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
27InnervationInnervation Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
28HasteHaste Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
29HasteHaste Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
30HasteHaste Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
31Unstable ElixirsUnstable Elixirs Rank 1Agility SkillAgility Skill
32Unstable ElixirsUnstable Elixirs Rank 2Agility SkillAgility Skill
33Unstable ElixirsUnstable Elixirs Rank 3Agility SkillAgility Skill
34MomentumMomentumKey PassivesKey Passives

Important respec step: Marksman Skills can not be used once you obtain MomentumMomentum. Reallocate 3 Skill Points spent in PuncturePuncture nodes to gain Blade ShiftBlade Shift Rank 1, Enhanced Blade ShiftEnhanced Blade Shift, and Primary Blade ShiftPrimary Blade Shift.

OrderSkillCluster
35Weapon MasteryWeapon Mastery Rank 1Agility SkillAgility Skill
36Weapon MasteryWeapon Mastery Rank 2Agility SkillAgility Skill
37Weapon MasteryWeapon Mastery Rank 3Agility SkillAgility Skill
38Trick AttacksTrick Attacks Rank 1Agility SkillAgility Skill
39Trick AttacksTrick Attacks Rank 2Agility SkillAgility Skill
40Trick AttacksTrick Attacks Rank 3Agility SkillAgility Skill
41Target PracticeTarget Practice Rank 1Core SkillCore Skill
42Target PracticeTarget Practice Rank 2Core SkillCore Skill
43Target PracticeTarget Practice Rank 3Core SkillCore Skill
44Enhanced Shadow StepEnhanced Shadow StepAgility SkillAgility Skill
45Disciplined Shadow StepDisciplined Shadow StepAgility SkillAgility Skill
46Stutter StepStutter Step Rank 1Core SkillCore Skill
47Stutter StepStutter Step Rank 1Core SkillCore Skill
48Stutter StepStutter Step Rank 1Core SkillCore Skill
49Precision ImbuementPrecision Imbuement Rank 1Imbuement SkillImbuement Skill
50Precision ImbuementPrecision Imbuement Rank 1Imbuement SkillImbuement Skill
51Precision ImbuementPrecision Imbuement Rank 1Imbuement SkillImbuement Skill
52Enhanced DashEnhanced DashAgility SkillAgility Skill
53Methodical DashMethodical DashAgility SkillAgility Skill
54ImpetusImpetus Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
55ImpetusImpetus Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
56ImpetusImpetus Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
57SturdySturdy Rank 1Core SkillCore Skill
58SturdySturdy Rank 2Core SkillCore Skill
59SturdySturdy Rank 3Core SkillCore Skill
60Siphoning StrikesSiphoning Strikes Rank 1Core SkillCore Skill
61Siphoning StrikesSiphoning Strikes Rank 2Core SkillCore Skill
62Siphoning StrikesSiphoning Strikes Rank 3Core SkillCore Skill
63DashDash Rank 2Agility SkillAgility Skill
64DashDash Rank 3Agility SkillAgility Skill
65DashDash Rank 4Agility SkillAgility Skill
66DashDash Rank 5Agility SkillAgility Skill
67AgileAgile Rank 1Subterfuge SkillSubterfuge Skill
68AgileAgile Rank 2Subterfuge SkillSubterfuge Skill
69AgileAgile Rank 3Subterfuge SkillSubterfuge Skill
70EvasiveEvasive Rank 1Subterfuge SkillSubterfuge Skill
71EvasiveEvasive Rank 2Subterfuge SkillSubterfuge Skill

Twisting Blades Rogue Specialization

Once you reach Level 15, immediately complete the True Potential class questline to unlock the Rogue Specialization. Combo Points is the preferred specialization to unleash additional damage for Twisting BladesTwisting Blades.

Twisting Blades
Combo Points Are Counted Above the Skill Bar

Build Mechanics and Playstyle

The Twisting Blade Rogue leveling build is more involved to play than most others. Twisting BladesTwisting Blades damage is increased by several buffs to cause a devastating hit. Combo Points can be generated for additional damage. Shadow ImbuementShadow Imbuement turns the attack into Shadow damage. Finally, ConcealmentConcealment guarantees your opener to be a Critical Hit. After the first victim is impaled by Twisting Blades, DashDash and Shadow StepShadow Step are used to reposition around other enemies, so the returning blades can hit them. The flying blades retain the damage buffs of the initial impale, including the guaranteed Critical Hit!

Damage is increased further with Close Quarters CombatClose Quarters Combat, Unstable ElixirsUnstable Elixirs, MaliceMalice, ExploitExploit, Precision ImbuementPrecision Imbuement, and ImpetusImpetus. Survivability is gained through AgileAgile and SturdySturdy, while Siphoning StrikesSiphoning Strikes sustain Life. Finally, Stutter StepStutter Step and HasteHaste speed up movement for faster farming.

Fundamental PunctureFundamental Puncture easily applies Vulnerable to a target with a single Basic attack.

AoE Damage Rotation

Explode groups of mobs with the following rotation.

  1. (Optional) Initiate combat with Shadow StepShadow Step to close the gap, targeting the toughest opponent to Stun it.
  2. Use a Potion to activate the damage buff from Unstable ElixirsUnstable Elixirs.
  3. Immediately activate both ConcealmentConcealment and Shadow ImbuementShadow Imbuement to buff your next attack.
  4. Cast Twisting BladesTwisting Blades one or two times on the target, depending on how tough it is.
  5. Use DashDash or Evade to move through any additional enemies so the returning blades pierce through them.
  6. Use PuncturePuncture to finish off any injured enemies, generate Energy, and build Combo Points for your next Twisting BladesTwisting Blades.
  7. Cast additional Twisting BladesTwisting Blades on any remaining enemies with high health.
  8. Repeat the rotation when cooldowns are ready.

Single Target Damage Rotation

Use the following rotation against Bosses for high sustained single target DPS.

  1. (Optional) Close the gap to the target with Shadow StepShadow Step.
  2. Use a Potion to activate the damage buff from Unstable ElixirsUnstable Elixirs.
  3. Rapidly cast PuncturePuncture three times to build up Combo Points. Stand close enough to the target to hit twice, applying Vulnerable.
  4. If not on cooldown, activate ConcealmentConcealment to guarantee the next Critical Hit.
  5. If not on cooldown, activate Shadow ImbuementShadow Imbuement for more damage.
  6. Cast Twisting BladesTwisting Blades once on the target.
  7. Repeat the rotation. Get into the rhythm of casting 3 Basic attacks for Combo Points before each Twisting BladesTwisting Blades.

Gear, Gems, Elixirs, and Stats

The following sections cover the important systems that are essential to improving the power of your character during the leveling process.

Legendary Aspects

Bladedancer's AspectBladedancer’s Aspect can be unlocked in the Codex of Power by completing the Jalal’s Vigil dungeon in Scosglen. Visit the Occultist to imprint this Aspect onto an item for Twisting BladesTwisting Blades to orbit you for a short time after they return. Imprint onto a Bow or Crossbow to gain a +100% bonus effect. You do not need to replace your ranged weapon often, as this build doesn’t use any ranged skills. A Crossbow with useful damage increase stats is preferred.

Higher Tier Aspects with stronger effects can be found on dropped Legendary Items. Salvage unwanted Legendary Items at the Blacksmith to unlock these Aspects in the Codex of Power, and then imprint them onto well-rolled Rare Items. Check the in-depth Aspect and Codex of Power guide for more information.

Listed below are all the Aspects found on Legendary Items that are important for the Twisting Blades Rogue leveling build. They are listed in order of priority. The best-in-slot Aspects List is in the Endgame Guide for Twisting Blades Rogue.

Aspect NameLegendary Aspect PowerSource
Bladedancer's AspectBladedancer’s AspectTwisting BladesTwisting Blades orbit for a short time after they return to you, dealing [40 – 60%] of Twisting Blades’ return damage per hit. Based on the distance the blades returned, the orbit damage increases up to [20 – 30%] of the return damage.Jalal’s Virgil, Scosglen
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.Oldstones, Scosglen
Aspect 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%.Underroot, Scosglen
Aspect of RetributionAspect of RetributionDistant enemies have a 8% chance to be Stunned for 2 seconds when they hit you. You deal [20 – 40%] increased damage to Stunned enemies.Abandoned Mineworks, Kehjistan
Ravager's AspectRavager’s AspectShadow StepShadow Step has an additional Charge. Killing an enemy with Shadow Step refunds a Charge and increases the damage of Shadow Step by [1 – 6%] for 2 seconds, up to [5 – 30%].Random Drop Only
Aspect of MightAspect of MightBasic Skills grant 20% Damage Reduction for [2 – 6] secondsDark Ravine, Dry Steppes
Rapid AspectRapid AspectBasic Skills gain [15 – 30%] Attack Speed.Buried Halls, Dry Steppes
Accelerating AspectAccelerating AspectCritical Strikes with Core Skills increase your Attack Speed by [15 – 25%] for 3 seconds.Random Drop Only

Gems and Runewords

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

Weapon GemsArmor GemsJewelry Gems
SapphireSapphire for increased Vulnerable Damage.EmeraldEmerald for Dexterity.Any Resistance Gems needed or SkullSkull for Armor (up to the 1,000 Armor cap).

Runes can drop during various activities, most notably at the end of Undercity runs. A Rune of Offering and a Rune of Invocation can be combined by inserting them into equipment with 2 available sockets, creating a Runeword. A limit of 2 Runewords can be equipped.

Listed below are the best Runewords utilizing Magic and Rare Runes that are beneficial for this build. The best-in-slot Runewords utilizing Legendary Runes are in the Endgame Guide for the Twisting Blades Rogue.

RunewordsEffects
YaxYax
TunTun
Gain: 200 Offering — Drink a Healing Potion.
Requires: 100 Offering, Cooldown: 1 Second — Evoke the Rogue’s Stun Grenades, Stunning and dealing damage to enemies.
FeoFeo
LacLac
Gain: 1000 Offering — Become Injured or Crowd Controlled (Cooldown: 10 seconds).
Requires: 400 Offering, Cooldown: 1 Second — Evoke the Barbarian’s Challenging Shout, reducing your damage taken for 3 seconds.

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 for Bundled HerbsBundled Herbs 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 while leveling the Twisting Blades Rogue, ranked by importance.

  1. 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 casts of Core Skills.
  2. Elixir of PrecisionElixir of Precision provides the highest damage output increase, if not already capped at 100% Critical Strike Chance.
  3. Elixir of AdvantageElixir of Advantage increases damage output, if not already capped at 100% Attack Speed bonus from gear and Paragon.
  4. Elixir of FortitudeElixir of Fortitude is the best general-purpose option for survivability.

Return to the Alchemist every 10 Levels 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 during the early leveling of a Twisting Blades Rogue. 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 compared to other character stats.

The Item Power of weapons determines its DPS and is the most important factor when searching for 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.

Tempering Manuals are randomly dropped while leveling, and they need to be found to unlock their usage at the Blacksmith. Each manual has Magic, Rare, and Legendary rarities that determine the range of values available. Rare Items can inherit 1 tempering affix, while Legendary Items can inherit 2 tempering affixes from different categories.

The most beneficial tempering affixes while leveling are included below. If tempering materials (Iron ChunkIron Chunk and Veiled CrystalVeiled Crystal) are limited, prioritize the Offensive and Resource categories. The best-in-slot tempering affixes are available in the Endgame Guide for the Twisting Blades Rogue.

SlotGear AffixesTempering Affixes
Weapons1. Vulnerable Damage
2. Maximum Life, Dexterity
Elemental SurgeElemental Surge: any affix
Natural FinesseNatural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Close Enemies
Helm1. Cooldown Reduction, Energy per Second, Ranks to Shadow Imbuement
2. Resistances, Armor
3. Maximum Life, Dexterity, Lucky Hit Chance
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Total Armor
Chest1. Energy per Second
2. Resistances, Armor
3. Maximum Life, Dexterity
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Total Armor
Gloves1. Ranks to Twisting Blades, Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed
2. Resistances, Armor
3. Resource Cost Reduction, Maximum Life, Lucky Hit Chance
Natural FinesseNatural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Close Enemies
Pants1. Resistances, Armor
2. Maximum Life, Dexterity
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Total Armor
BootsImplicit Stat: Attacks Reduce Evade’s Cooldown
1. Movement Speed, Energy per Second
2. Resistances, Armor
3. Ranks to Dash, Maximum Life, Dexterity
Natural MotionNatural Motion (Mobility): Movement Speed
Amulet1. Ranks to Unstable Elixirs, Exploit, Malice, or Weapon Mastery
2. Cooldown Reduction, Attack Speed
Imbuement AbundanceImbuement Abundance (Resource): Shadow Imbue Additional Casts
Natural FinesseNatural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Close Enemies
Rings1. Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed
2. Resource Cost Reduction, Critical Strike Damage, Vulnerable Damage, Resistances, Maximum Life
3. Dexterity, Lucky Hit Chance
Imbuement AbundanceImbuement Abundance (Resource): Shadow Imbue Additional Casts
Natural FinesseNatural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Close Enemies

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.

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 Twisting Blades 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 (Canny)

2. Tricks of the Trade (Headhunter)

3. Eldritch Bounty (Devious)

4. Cheap Shot (Control)

5. Exploit Weakness (Fluidity)

Paragon boards courtesy of d4builds. Click here for the planner.

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).
  • October 17th, 2023: Guide updated for Season 2 (Patch 1.2.0).
  • July 18th, 2023: Guide updated for Season 1.
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