Build Introduction
The Dance of Knives Rogue (DoK) features a newly added Skill in the Diablo 4 expansion, Vessel of Hatred. Dance of Knives is channeled to rapidly throw knives at enemies while moving in a spin-to-win playstle. Due to the high mobility and cleaver snapshot mechanics, the Dance of Knives Rogue is the best build to level a new character in Season 7.
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 the Dance of Knives Rogue to continue this build.
Build Overview and Gameplay Footage
Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar
The following table shows the order in which to allocate your Skill Points while leveling with the Dance of Knives Rogue build. You gain 59 points at Level 60 and 12 points from Renown, for a total of 71.
| Order | Skill | Cluster |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Puncture Rank 1 | Basic Skill |
| 2 | Enhanced Puncture | Basic Skill |
| 3 | Barrage Rank 1 | Core Skill |
| 4 | Fundamental Puncture | Basic Skill |
| 5 | Enhanced Barrage | Core Skill |
| 6 | Barrage Rank 2 | Core Skill |
Important respec step: Once you have unlocked 7 Skill Points, reallocate the 3 points invested into Barrage nodes to gain Stutter Step Rank 3.
Rogue Specialization
Once you reach Level 15, immediately complete the True Potential class questline to unlock the Rogue Specialization. Combo Points is the preferred Rogue Specialization while leveling the Dance of Knives Rogue, which is not utilized until you equip a Legendary Item with Aspect of Star Shards. Once the aspect is acquired, cast Puncture 3 times before channeling Dance of Knives to extend its duration.
Build Mechanics and Playstyle
The Dance of Knives Rogue is a spin-to-win build featuring a simple playstyle that excels in all Diablo 4 activities. While there are several utility skills to improve performance, Dance of Knives is channeled for the majority of combat.
Movement Speed
Movement Speed is the most important stat while leveling with the Dance of Knives Rogue. Every 30 meters you travel while Channeling Dance of Knives grants 4 Charges from Enhanced Dance of Knives. Reach the Movement Speed cap at 200% to have a near-infinite Channeling duration for Dance of Knives, which provides a longer benefit of snapshot mechanics.
A Total of +105% Movement Speed bonus is easily obtained from the Skill Tree by Dance of Knives (+20%), Stutter Step Rank 3 (+15%), Haste Rank 3 (+15%), Enhanced Dark Shroud (+25%), and Momentum (+30%). Any additional Movement Speed provided by gear can still be beneficial when there are no enemies to Critically Strike to activate Stutter Step or Dark Shroud Shadows are depleted.
Snapshot Mechanics
Multiple snapshot mechanics, which extend the duration of temporary buffs by applying them to a channeled skill, are utilized. Cast Concealment and then channel Dance of Knives immediately afterward to create the snapshot. Maintain the channeling without interruption to keep the following buffs active the entire time.
- Subverting Concealment guarantees Critical Strikes and applies Vulnerable status to hits from Dance of Knives and Aspect of Star Shards. Stealth granted by Shadow Clone or Shroud of False Death must be broken by attacking before casting Concealment for the snapshot to apply.
- Shadow Imbuement snapshots while only costing 1 charge.
- Damage on Next Attack After Entering Stealth tempers from Subterfuge Expertise.
- Aspect of Synergy
- Danse Macabre (when Paragon is unlocked at Level 60)
- Yax Qax Runeword grants 100% increased damage on the next non-Basic Skill that deals damage, which applies to the entire duration of a channeled Dance of Knives. Drink 2 potions during each channel period to prepare the buff for the next channel.
The Damage on Next Attack After Entering Stealth temper from Subterfuge Expertise does NOT snapshot.
Damage Rotation
Use the following rotation to optimize damage output.
- Activate Shadow Imbuement to increase damage with Mixed Shadow Imbuement and for explosive damage against groups of enemies.
- If you have Aspect of Star Shards equipped, cast Puncture 3 times to build Combo Points.
- Use a Potion to activate the damage buff from Unstable Elixirs.
- Cast Concealment to prepare temporary buffs for snapshotting.
- Channel Dance of Knives without interruption to maintain snapshotted buffs.
- While channeling, drink a Potion near Elites to activate Unstable Elixirs. 2 Potions should be consumed per rotation to prepare the Yax Qax Runeword.
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
Legendary Aspects can be found on Legendary Items, which can be salvaged at the Blacksmith to unlock them in the Codex of Power for repeated imprinting. Higher ranks for aspects are unlocked by salvaging Legendary Items with higher aspect values. Some Rank 1 aspects can be unlocked immediately by completing a designated Dungeon. Check the Aspect and Codex of Power guide for more general information.
Aspect of Star Shards is the most beneficial aspect for the Dance of Knives Rogue, increasing single-target damage and hitting additional targets to clear groups of enemies. Unfortunately, Aspect of Star Shards is not unlockable by clearing a Dungeon. Obtaining this aspect from a Legendary Item drop can enable this build to increase the game difficulty to Expert or Penitent. Imprint Aspect of Star Shards onto a Rare or Legendary Ranged Weapon for 2x bonus effect.
Listed below are all the Aspects found on Legendary Items that are important for the Dance of Knives Rogue leveling build. They are listed in order of priority, with the most beneficial at the top. The best-in-slot Aspects List is in the Endgame Guide for the Dance of Knives Rogue.
| Aspect Name | Legendary Aspect Power | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Aspect of Star Shards | Knives from Dance of Knives have a 50% chance to shatter into 6 shards of metal on hit, dealing [100 – 200%] Physical damage. Dance of Knives now spends Combo Points, granting up to 3 additional Charges that can exceed the Maximum. | Random Drop |
| Aspect of Synergy | Using an Agility Skill reduces the Cooldown of your next Subterfuge Skill by 20%. Using a Subterfuge Skill increases the damage of your next Agility Skill by x [35 – 55%]. | Random Drop |
| Aspect of Stolen Vigor | While at maximum stacks of the Momentum Key Passive, your Cutthroat Skills deal [30 – 50%] increased damage and you become Unstoppable for 3 seconds every 8 seconds. | Random Drop |
| Aspect of Concussive Strikes | 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. | Random Drop |
| Clandestine Aspect | Gain +1 to Agility and Subterfuge Skills. | Random Drop |
| Aspect of Inner Calm | Deal x [5 – 13%] increased damage. Triple this bonus after standing still for 3 seconds. | Raethwind Wilds, Scosglen |
| Aspect of Elements | Gain x [15 – 35%] 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. | Random Drop |
| Juggernaut’s Aspect | Gain [X] Armor, but your Evade has 100% increased Cooldown. | Random Drop |
| Aspect of Might | Basic Skills grant 20% Damage Reduction for [2 – 6] seconds | Dark Ravine, Dry Steppes |
| Umbrous Aspect | Lucky Hit: Critical Strikes have up to a [45 – 65%] chance to grant a free Dark Shroud shadow. | Random Drop |
| Rapid Aspect | Basic Skills gain [15 – 30%] Attack Speed. | Buried Halls, Dry Steppes |
| Enshrouding Aspect | Using a Healing Potion makes a free Dark Shroud shadow. Each shadow grants [2.5 – 4.5%] increased Damage Reduction. | Ghoa Ruins, Hawezar |
Gems and Runewords
Listed below are the best Gems to socket into gear for each item type.
| Weapon Gems | Armor Gems | Jewelry Gems |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald for increased Critical Strike Damage. | Emerald for Dexterity. | Any Resistance Gems needed or Skull for Armor (up to the 1,000 Armor cap). |
If you are playing the Season of Witchcraft (Season 7), visit Gelena at the Tree of Whispers to craft Occult Gems. The recommended Occult Gems are included in the Dance of Knives Rogue endgame build guide due to their high crafting costs.
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 Dance of Knives Rogue.
| Runewords | Effects |
|---|---|
| Yax Qax | Gain: 200 Offering — Drink a Healing Potion. Requires: 400 Offering, Cooldown: 1 Second — Your next non-Basic Skill cast spends all of your Primary Resource to deal up to 100% increased damage. |
| Feo Lac | 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 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 Dance of Knives Rogue, ranked by importance.
- Elixir of Advantage increases damage output.
- Elixir 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 Dance of Knives 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 selecting a Dual-Wielded Weapon. The choice between Daggers or Swords does not make a big difference in overall performance. Prioritize beneficial stat affixes on a Bow or Crossbow instead of the DPS, as there are no attacks utilizing them in this build.
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 Chunk and Veiled Crystal) are limited, prioritize the Weapon and Offensive categories. The best-in-slot tempering affixes are available in the Endgame Guide for the Dance of Knives Rogue.
| Slot | Gear Affixes | Tempering Affixes |
|---|---|---|
| Weapons | 1. Critical Strike Damage 2. Maximum Life, Dexterity | 1. Agile Augments (Weapon): Chance for Dance of Knives Projectiles to Deal Double Damage 2. Subterfuge Expertise (Offensive): Damage Per Dark Shroud or your highest damage increase temper that is applicable to the build |
| Helm | 1. Cooldown Reduction 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity | 1. Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Total Armor (up to 1,000 cap) or Rogue Cloaking: Concealment Cooldown Reduction |
| Chest | 1. Ranks to Dark Shroud 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity | 1. Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Total Armor (up to 1,000 cap) or Rogue Cloaking: Concealment Cooldown Reduction |
| Gloves | 1. Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity | 1. Subterfuge Expertise (Offensive): Damage Per Dark Shroud or your highest damage increase temper that is applicable to the build 2. Agility Efficiency (Resource): Agility Cooldown Reduction or Subterfuge Efficiency: Subterfuge Cooldown Reduction |
| Pants | 1. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 2. Maximum Life, Dexterity | 1. Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Total Armor (up to 1,000 cap) or Rogue Cloaking: Concealment Cooldown Reduction |
| Boots | Implicit Stat: Maximum Evade Charges 1. Movement Speed 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity | 1. Rogue Motion (Mobility): Movement Speed per Dark Shroud Shadow |
| Amulet | 1. Ranks to Frigid Finesse, Unstable Elixirs, Malice, Alchemical Advantage 2. Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed, Cooldown Reduction | 1. Subterfuge Expertise (Offensive): Damage Per Dark Shroud or your highest damage increase temper that is applicable to the build 2. Agility Efficiency (Resource): Agility Cooldown Reduction or Subterfuge Efficiency: Subterfuge Cooldown Reduction |
| Rings | 1. Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed 2. Any uncapped Resistances 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity | 1. Subterfuge Expertise (Offensive): Damage Per Dark Shroud or your highest damage increase temper that is applicable to the build 2. Agility Efficiency (Resource): Agility Cooldown Reduction or Subterfuge Efficiency: Subterfuge Cooldown Reduction |
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 during the leveling process. Lost Powers are not considered in this list due to the difficulty of finding them.
- Doom Orb: Eldritch Power
- An ominous orb of pure Eldritch energy circles you damaging any enemy it touches for [X] Fire damage. Doom Orb may launch itself at distant enemies before returning.
- Kills or damage to Bosses empower the orb’s damage by 5%. After 100%, the orb explodes dealing [X[] Fire damage to nearby enemies before reforming 3 seconds later.
- 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.
- 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.
- Aura of Lament: Psyche Power
- The first time you damage an enemy, you contaminate them with Aura of Lament for [31] seconds. Enemies within are Slowed by 70% and each grant you 3 Primary Resource each second. If its host dies, Aura of Lament transfers to a new one, retaining its duration.
- You can only create an Aura of Lament once every [31] seconds. Only 2 may exist at a time.
- Aura of Misfortune: Growth and Decay Power
- You inflict non-Boss enemies near you with Aura of Misfortune, Slowing them by 30%. When an affected monster would attack, they have a [31%] chance to stumble and do nothing instead.
- You gain +15% Movement Speed.
- 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.
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
- Reinforcement: Raheir
- Skill: Bastion
- Opportunity: Cast when the player becomes Injured
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 Dance of Knives 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.
- 2 Paragon setup tabs are available! The Base Setup is designed to quickly unlock the essential Glyph sockets and Legendary Nodes at a moderate Paragon Level. The Full Setup additionally includes the remaining beneficial nodes.
Changelog
- January 24, 2025: Recommended Witchcraft Powers that are easier to obtain while leveling.
- January 21, 2025: Guide updated for Season 7 (Patch 2.1.0).
- October 13, 2024: Paragon setup updated.
- October 10, 2024: The Damage After Next Attack After Entering Stealth temper removed from setup due to it not snapshotting.
- October 4, 2024: Guide updated for Season 6 (Patch 2.0.2).
- September 27, 2024: Guide created.
