d4EndgameGuideColdrogueRangedSeason 8

Dual Core Rapid Fire Flurry – Rogue Build for Diablo 4 (Season 8)

Double Core Skills for both single target and AoE damage!

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Lexyu

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Theorycraft Build Maker and Content Creator


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Rapid FireFlurryPunctureCold ImbuementDashDark Shroud


Build Introduction

The Rapid FireRapid Fire and FlurryFlurry Rogue can adapt to win any fight on the battlefield. If you used the Dual Core Rapid Fire Flurry Rogue Leveling Build, this is the perfect guide to transition into the endgame. This article adds the best-in-slot Legendary Aspects and Paragon setup to continue the build.

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 second Core Skill. The Pure Rapid Fire Rogue build is recommended once you obtain Scoundrel’s Kiss, which can be target-farmed from Lord Zir.

If your character has not reached Level 60, follow the Leveling Guide for the Rapid Fire Flurry Rogue.

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


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

Quick Navigation

Want to skip ahead? Use the table below to jump to sections.

BiS Gear, Gems, and RunesParagon Board
Rotation and PlaystyleSeason Updates

Skill Bar and Skill Tree Points

Skill Bar Setup for Dual Core Rapid Fire Flurry Rogue (order does not matter)
Rapid FireRapid FireFlurryFlurryPuncturePunctureCold ImbuementCold ImbuementDashDashDark ShroudDark Shroud

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

Smoke GrenadeSmoke Grenade is not equipped on the Skill Bar, but is instead activated through Aspect of Quickening FogAspect of Quickening Fog.

Alternative Skills

Cold ImbuementCold Imbuement is preferred for massive burst damage against elites and tougher packs of enemies. Imbuement Skills can be swapped around depending on your preference.

Shadow ImbuementShadow Imbuement provides explosions when enemies are killed for additional AoE clearing and generate Energy when paired with Consuming ShadowsConsuming Shadows.

Poison ImbuementPoison Imbuement provides more sustained damage over time. It is especially beneficial during long boss fights.

Wondering what comes after Level 60? Head to the Paragon Board section to power up the build even further. If you want to see how everything plays out in combat, check out the Rotation and Playstyle section for a quick breakdown.


Rogue Class Mechanic – 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 PuncturePuncture to unleash additional damage and arrows for Rapid FireRapid Fire. Combo Points can also be used to gain additional damage and an Attack Speed buff with FlurryFlurry.

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

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Gear, Stats, Gems, and Runes

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 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. For the best results, combine these Aspects with the ideal Stat Priorities.

Gear SlotAspect NameAspect Power
Ranged Weapon (+100% bonus effect)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.
Amulet (+50 bonus effect)Coldclip 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)Accelerating AspectAccelerating AspectCritical Strikes with Core Skills increase your Attack Speed by [15 – 25%] for 3 seconds.
GlovesEdgemaster'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.
Ring Slot #1 (replaced by Ring of Starless SkiesRing of Starless Skies)Rapid AspectRapid AspectBasic Skills gain [15 – 30%] Attack Speed.
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 #2Aspect of Encircling BladesAspect of Encircling BladesFlurry damages enemies in a circle around you and deals [35 – 55%] increased damage.
Helm (replaced by Harlequin CrestHarlequin Crest)Aspect of MightAspect of MightBasic Skills grant 20% Damage Reduction for [2 – 6] seconds
Chest (replaced Shroud of False DeathShroud of False Death)Cheat's AspectCheat’s AspectYou take [10 – 30%] less damage from Crowd Controlled enemies. Whenever a Crowd Controlled enemy deals direct damage to you, gain 15% Movement Speed for 2 seconds.
PantsUmbrous AspectUmbrous AspectLucky Hit: Critical Strikes have up to a [45 – 60%] chance to grant a free Dark Shroud shadow.
BootsAspect of Quickening FogAspect of Quickening FogYou 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.

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Stat Priority and Tempering Affixes

Listed below are the affixes to prioritize on gear for Dual Core Rogues, ranked by importance. Affixes on the same line have equal value, so attempt to obtain all affixes in each line before moving on to the next. Bolded affixes are the most important targets for Masterworking upgrades. For more details, check the Tempering and Masterworking guides.

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

Close Quarters CombatClose Quarters Combat increases the priority of the Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies tempering affix from Natural FinesseNatural Finesse.

Prioritize Boots with the implicit effect “attacks reduce Evade’s cooldown” for constant Evades to activate Advanced Rapid FireAdvanced Rapid Fire and Advanced FlurryAdvanced Flurry.

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.

↑ Back to Legendary Gear Table

SlotGear AffixesTempering Affixes
Weapons1. Maximum Life
2. Dexterity, Critical Strike Damage, Vulnerable Damage
Marksman Augments — CoreMarksman Augments — Core (Weapon): Chance for Rapid Fire Projectiles to Cast Twice up to 100% cap
Natural FinesseNatural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Close Enemies
Helm1. Cooldown Reduction
2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
3. Maximum Life, Dexterity, Lucky Hit Chance
Alchemist ControlAlchemist Control (Utility): Flurry Size up to 100% cap
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor up to 1,000 cap, otherwise Dodge Chance
Chest2. Maximum Life, Dexterity
2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
3. Healing Received
Alchemist ControlAlchemist Control (Utility): Flurry Size up to 100% cap
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor up to 1,000 cap, otherwise Dodge Chance
Gloves1. Ranks to Core Skills, Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed
2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
3. Resource Cost Reduction, Maximum Life, Lucky Hit Chance
Natural FinesseNatural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Close Enemies
Alchemist ControlAlchemist Control (Utility): Flurry Size up to 100% cap
Pants1. Maximum Life, Dexterity
2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
Daze ControlDaze Control (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Daze
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
Imbuement AbundanceImbuement Abundance (Utility): Cold Imbue Additional Casts
Amulet1. Ranks to Unstable Elixirs, Frigid Finesse, Malice, and/or Exploit
2. Critical Strike Chance, Cooldown Reduction, Attack Speed
Imbuement AbundanceImbuement Abundance (Utility): Cold 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
Natural FinesseNatural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Close Enemies
Agility EfficiencyAgility Efficiency (Resource): Dash Cooldown Reduction

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Uniques and Mythic Uniques

Listed below are the recommended and optional Unique and Mythic Unique Items for the Rapid Fire and Flurry Rogue build. Each item description includes the most important affix to target for Masterworking upgrades. Check the Mythic Unique Items Guide for information on target-farming them.

  • 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
  • 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
  • Cowl of the NamelessCowl of the Nameless (optional) provides the highest damage output when properly Masterworked.
  • 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

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Gems and Runewords

Listed below are the recommended Gems and Runewords to socket into your gear.

Gems

Weapon GemsArmor GemsJewelry Gems
Grand EmeraldGrand Emerald if Critical Strike Chance is capped at 100% or Grand SapphireGrand Sapphire.Grand EmeraldGrand Emerald for Dexterity.Any Resistance Gems needed or Grand SkullGrand Skull for Armor (up to the 1,000 Armor cap).

Runewords

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. Check the Runewords Guide for more details.

RunewordsEffects
YaxYax
GarGar
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%.
LithLith
OhmOhm
Gain: 25 Offering — Stand still for 0.3 seconds.
Requires: 600 Offering, Cooldown: 2 Seconds — Evoke the Barbarian’s Enhanced War Cry, increasing your Movement Speed and damage dealt.

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Paragon Board

Use the following Paragon Boards, Legendary Nodes, and Glyphs for the Dual Core Rapid Fire Flurry Rogue.

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.

  1. Obtain any remaining nodes providing a damage increase within the radius of Glyph sockets.
  2. Path to the remaining Rare and Magic nodes. Prioritize obtaining damage reduction, any needed Resistances/Armor, and damage increases.
  3. Any remaining points can be spent on Dexterity nodes within the radius of HeadhunterHeadhunter.

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Boss Powers (Season 8)

In the Season of Belial’s Return (Season 8), equip the following Boss Powers to enhance this build.

Main: Beast in the Ice’s Sleet — After casting 3 Skills which apply Crowd Control or Stagger effects, shoot out sleet spikes that deal [800%] Cold damage and Freeze enemies for 2 seconds.

Modifier:

  • Liilth’s Wind of Hate: Hitting an Elite enemy with a Main Boss Power creates an inert Blister Clone with 10% of their Maximum Life for 15 seconds. Killing the Blister removes [2.1%] of the Elite’s Life. An Elite can have up to 1 Blister active at once, and a Boss can have up to 2 Blisters. Enemies with Resilience cannot spawn Blisters.
  • Sinerat’s Flames: Gain x [5%] increased damage to all Elements. For each 1% of an Element’s Resistance from bonuses, gain x0.2% increased damage for that Element, up to a maximum of x [15.5%].
  • Flesh Reaper’s Disruption: Gain x [5%] Vulnerable Damage, increased by x0.5% for each 1% of Crowd Control Duration Bonus you have, up to a maximum of x [10.5%].

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.

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Build Mechanics

Rapid FireRapid Fire has high single-target damage, but lacks Area of Effect (AoE) damage to clear groups of enemies. FlurryFlurry can supplement this build with the necessary AoE for all activities in Diablo 4. Scoundrel's KissScoundrel’s Kiss is another solution used in the Pure Rapid Fire Rogue build.

Spam FlurryFlurry in the middle of a group of enemies to deal AoE damage, while Advanced FlurryAdvanced Flurry Stuns them. Temper the Flurry Size affix to increase coverage and the Flurry Healing affix to sustain your Life. Once you have a clear line of sight, snipe Elite enemies with Rapid FireRapid Fire.

This hybrid build has an arsenal of both Cutthroat Skills (FlurryFlurry and DashDash) and Marksman Skills (Rapid FireRapid Fire and PuncturePuncture) to activate damage increases from Close Quarters CombatClose Quarters Combat and Tricks of the TradeTricks of the Trade.

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!

Smoke GrenadeSmoke Grenade is not equipped on the Skill Bar, but is instead auto-casted through Aspect of Quickening FogAspect of Quickening Fog by using DashDash. Use Dash offensively to land on top of enemies and Daze them. Enhanced Smoke GrenadeEnhanced Smoke Grenade is also allocated for enemies to take 25% increased damage.

Resource Management

Enhanced PunctureEnhanced Puncture 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.

Animation Cancel Technique

An Evade can be used immediately after using Rapid FireRapid Fire or FlurryFlurry 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 animation cancel

Rotation and Playstyle

AoE Damage Rotation

Explode groups of mobs with the following rotation.

  1. Cast Dark ShroudDark Shroud if you are missing the shadow stacks.
  2. DashDash on top of enemies to apply Enhanced DashEnhanced Dash and automatically drop a Smoke GrenadeSmoke Grenade.
  3. Use a Potion to activate the damage buff from Unstable ElixirsUnstable Elixirs.
  4. Build 3 Combo Points with PuncturePuncture, activating Tricks of the TradeTricks of the Trade for a damage bonus to your next Cutthroat Skill, FlurryFlurry.
  5. Cast FlurryFlurry to deal AoE damage.
  6. Immediately animation cancel FlurryFlurry with an Evade through another enemy to 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 damage.

  1. Cast Dark ShroudDark Shroud if you are missing the shadow stacks.
  2. Use Evade to activate Advanced Rapid FireAdvanced Rapid Fire.
  3. Build 3 Combo Points with PuncturePuncture. Make sure you are close enough for Fundamental PunctureFundamental Puncture to apply Vulnerable.
  4. Cast DashDash to activate Tricks of the TradeTricks of the Trade for a damage bonus to Rapid FireRapid Fire.
  5. Use a Potion to activate the damage buff from Unstable ElixirsUnstable Elixirs.
  6. Activate Cold ImbuementCold Imbuement for damage increases from Mixed Cold ImbuementMixed Cold Imbuement and Frigid FinesseFrigid Finesse.
  7. Cast Rapid FireRapid Fire at the target.
  8. Immediately animation cancel Rapid FireRapid Fire with an Evade to restart the rotation.

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 Rapid Fire Flurry Rogue, ranked by importance.

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

Season 8 Updates

A brief summary of the seasonal changes are provided below. For a complete overview of Season 8, take a look at the comprehensive season guide.

  • Fists of FateFists of Fate no longer applies random crowd controls.
  • Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune can no longer apply any crowd control tempers.
  • Aspect of Concussive StrikesAspect of Concussive Strikes no longer provides increased damage.
  • Frostbitten AspectFrostbitten Aspect is now in the Offensive category.
  • Trick AttacksTrick Attacks
    • Previous: Dazing or Stunning an enemy increases your Critical Strike Chance by 2/4/6% and Critical Strike Damage by 2/4/6% for 5 seconds, up to 12/24/36%.
    • Now: Attempting to Daze or Stun an enemy increases your Critical Strike Chance by 1/2/3% and Critical Strike Damage by 1/2/3% for 8 seconds, up to 5/10/15%.

Changelog

  • April 26, 2025: Guide updated for Season 8 (Patch 2.2.0)
  • January 21, 2025: Guide updated for Season 7 (Patch 2.1.0).
  • 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 22, 2024: Build guide moved to a new page.
  • May 14, 2024: Guide updated for Season 4 (Patch 1.4.0).
  • January 22, 2024: Guide updated for Season 3 (Patch 1.3.0).
  • October 17, 2023: Guide updated for Season 2 (Patch 1.2.0).
  • July 18, 2023: Guide updated for Season 1.
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