Build Introduction
The 
Shadow Step Rogue is an advanced endgame build featuring 
Shadow Clone in Diablo 4, Vessel of Hatred. The infinite casts of Shadow Step enable this build to be the fastest speed-farmer within the Rogue class, perfect for Helltides, Nightmare Dungeons, and The Pit!
Season 7 Update (Patch 2.1): Shadow Clone is changed to inherit all benefits from the Rogue character and is now added to the build. The Shadow Step Rogue gains a substantial buff with Shadow Clone providing additional damage output.
This endgame guide assumes your character is Level 60 and fulfills the Build Requirements. If you are not ready for this build, follow the Rogue Leveling Guide to find a starter build.
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Extremely high mobility for speed-farming
- High burst damage
- Multiple crowd controls to render entire groups of enemies helpless
- Boss damage dependent on Stagger
- Strict build requirements
- Small cleave radius
Check the build tier lists to see how this build compares to others on Icy Veins.
Video Build Guide and Gameplay Footage
Build Requirements
The Shadow Step Rogue requires a high amount of Cooldown Reduction to be applied to Shadow Step. With Disciplined Shadow Step reducing the Cooldown by 3 seconds, the Shadow Step Cooldown on its tooltip needs to be lowered to at least 3.25 seconds for rapid casting (0.25 seconds account for the attack animation frames). Shadow Clone Cooldown should also be reduced. Obtain the following list of items before attempting the build.
Assassin’s Stride — A greater affix Mobility Cooldown Reduction with 3 masterworking bonuses is highly recommended.- At least 1 Ring or Amulet with a Shadow Step Cooldown Reduction temper.
- At least 1 Ring or Amulet with a Shadow Clone Cooldown Reduction temper.
Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar
Shadow Step
HeartseekerShadow Clone
Smoke Grenade
Dark Shroud
DashThe Skill Tree above shows the full allocation of 71 Skill Points for the Shadow Step Rogue build. Make sure you obtain the 12 Skill Points available from Renown.
Shadow Imbuement is automatically applied by Assassin’s Stride. Do not equip it on the Skill Bar.
Frigid Finesse is activated by a Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze temper. The damage buff also always applies against Staggered Bosses, as they count as being affected by all crowd controls.
Rogue Specialization
Preparation is the preferred specialization for the Shadow Step Rogue to grant 15% Damage Reduction and reduce Shadow Clone Cooldown. 
Qax consumes Energy to activate Preparation.
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 Shadow Step 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 | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Ranged Weapon (+100% bonus effect) |  Aspect of Apogeic Furor | Casting an Ultimate Skill increases your Ultimate damage by x [6 – 10%] , up to x [60 – 100%]. At 10 stacks, your Cooldowns and this bonus are reset. |
| Amulet (+50 bonus effect) |  Ravager’s Aspect | Shadow Step has an additional Charge. Killing an enemy with Shadow Step refunds a Charge and increases the damage of Shadow Step by x [4.5 – 14.5%] for 2 seconds, up to x [27 – 87%]. |
Ring Slot #1 ( Pitfighter’s Gull optional) | Coldclip Aspect | 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 Ring Slot #2 | Vehement Brawler’s Aspect | Casting an Ultimate Skill increases your damage by [10 – 30%] for 8 seconds. Gain 2 additional Ultimate Skill Ranks. |
| Dual-Wielded Weapons or Ring Slot #2 | Aspect of Retribution | Distant enemies have a 10% chance to be Stunned for 2 seconds when they hit you. You deal x [15 – 35%] increased damage to Stunned and Knocked Down enemies. |
| Dual-Wielded Weapons or Ring Slot #2 | Aspect of Inner Calm | Deal x [5 – 13%] increased damage. Triple this bonus after standing still for 3 seconds. |
Gloves (replaced by  Grasp of Shadow) | Clandestine Aspect | Gain + [3 – 5] Ranks to Agility and Subterfuge Skills. |
| Helm |  Cowl of the Nameless,  Harlequin Crest, or  Heir of Perdition | See Unique and Mythic Items section. |
Chest (replaced by  Shroud of False Death) |  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 – 25%] increased damage to Dazed enemies. |
| Pants | Frostbitten Aspect | 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 – 30%] increased Critical Strike Damage against Frozen or Stunned enemies. |
| Boots | Assassin’s Stride | Mobility Skills are always Shadow Imbued with [40 – 80%] increased potency. Lucky Hit: Damaging an Elite or Boss with a Mobility Skill has up to a [40 – 80%] chance to instantly triggers a free Shadow Imbuement explosion. |
Gems and Runewords
Listed below are the best Gems to socket into gear for each item type.
| Weapon Gems | Armor Gems | Jewelry Gems |
|---|---|---|
 Grand Emerald for Critical Strike Damage. | Grand Emerald for Dexterity. | Any Resistance Gems needed or  Grand 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. Socketing 3 of the following Occult Gems into your jewelry, listed in order of importance.
Elder Sigil — Your Agility, Corpse, Potency, Mastery, Weapon Mastery, and Wrath Skills deal 25% increased direct damage to Hexed enemies.- Pointed Finger — Your Summons deal 15% more direct damage to Hexed Elites.
Voice of the Stars — While you have an Aura active, your Ultimate Skills gain each Grimoire tag and deal 10% more damage.- Moonlight Ward — For each rank in your slotted Unique Witchcraft Power, you gain 3% Damage Reduction and 0.5% Maximum Resistance to All Elements.
- Dust Stone — For each of your Auras and Hexes an enemy is afflicted by, they take 2.5% increased damage from you.
Hungering Void — While you have an Aura active, pull Nearby enemies toward you every 8 seconds.
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.
| Runewords | Effects |
|---|---|
 YulQax | Gain: 50 Offering — Cast a Skill with a Cooldown. 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. |
 Noc Kry | Gain: 10 Offering — Inflict a Crowd Control. Gain double offering if it isn’t a Slow or a Chill. Requires: 300 Offering, Cooldown: 3 Seconds — Invoke the Spiritborn’s Vortex, dealing damage and Pulling In enemies. |
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 Shadow Step 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.
Stat Priority and Tempering Affixes
Listed below are the affixes to prioritize on gear for Shadow Step Rogues. Each line of affixes are listed in order of importance. Gear 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 gear affixes in each line before moving to the next line. Yellow affixes are the most important targets for Masterworking upgrades, while blue affixes are secondary options.
Daggers are selected over Swords for the Damage to Close Enemies implicit when using 
Close Quarters Combat. A Bow is preferred for a faster cast of 
Heartseeker.
If Critical Strike Chance is not capped at 100% (see Critical Strike Chance section), replace Critical Strike Damage with Vulnerable Damage instead.
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 the Tempering Guide for more details on Blacksmith upgrading.
| Slot | Gear Affixes | Tempering Affixes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranged Weapon | 1. Maximum Life, Dexterity, Critical Strike Damage | 1.  Agile Augments (Weapon): Shadow Clone Double Damage2. Natural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Close Enemies |
| Dual-Wielded Weapons | 1. Maximum Life, Dexterity, Critical Strike Damage | 1. Natural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Close Enemies 2. Assassin Augments (Weapon): Shadow Step Cleaves |
| Helm | 1. Cooldown Reduction 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity | 1. Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor up to 1,000 cap, otherwise Dodge Chance 2. Worldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Slow |
| Chest | 1. Ranks to Dark Shroud 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity | 1. Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor up to 1,000 cap, otherwise Dodge Chance 2. Worldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Immobilize |
| Gloves | 1. Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity | 1. Natural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Close Enemies 2. Daze Control (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Daze |
| Pants | 1. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 2. Maximum Life, Dexterity | 1. Worldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze 2. Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor up to 1,000 cap, otherwise Rogue Cloaking: Dodge Chance |
| Boots | Assassin’s Stride | Masterworking Priority: Mobility Cooldown Reduction |
| Amulet | 1. % Dexterity, Ranks to Frigid Finesse 2. Ranks to Unstable Elixirs 3. Ranks to Exploit or Malice | 1. Agility Efficiency (Resource): Shadow Step Cooldown Reduction 2. Natural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Close Enemies |
| Rings | 1. Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed 2. Maximum Life, Dexterity, Critical Strike Damage | 1. Agility Efficiency (Resource): Shadow Step Cooldown Reduction or Ultimate Efficiency — Rogue: Shadow Clone Cooldown Reduction 2. Natural Finesse (Offensive): Damage to Close Enemies |
Unique and Mythic Items
Listed below are the recommended and optional Unique Items for the Shadow Step Rogue build. Each item description includes the most important affix to target for Masterworking upgrades.
- Cowl of the Nameless (highly recommended) is best-in-slot for damage output if +7 Ranks to
Trick Attacks is granted by a greater affix and masterworking bonuses. - Masterworking Priority: Ranks to Trick Attacks
- Heir of Perdition (optional) provides a consistent damage increase, which works against bosses that do not summon adds.
- Masterworking Priority: Critical Strike Chance
- Harlequin Crest (optional) is useful for a boosted Cooldown Reduction affix if you cannot reduce the Cooldown of Shadow Step enough elsewhere.
- Masterworking Priority: Cooldown Reduction
- Assassin’s Stride (highly recommended) is the best source of Cooldown Reduction for Shadow Step.
- Masterworking Priority: Mobility Cooldown Reduction
- Grasp of Shadow (recommended) grants up to +8 Ranks to Shadow Step with a greater affix and masterworking bonuses. The unique effect triggers an extra Shadow Clone to mimick Shadow Step, with an estimated 2 second internal cooldown.
- Masterworking Priority: Ranks to Marksman or Cutthroat Skills
Fists of Fate (optional) is helpful for faster staggers against bosses to push higher Tiers of The Pit. The unique effect provides up to 50% increased damage, coming close to a perfectly rolled and crafted Grasp of Shadow. - Masterworking Priority: Attack Speed or Critical Strike Chance
- Shroud of False Death (highly recommended) 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
- Pitfighter’s Gull (optional) provides a 45% damage increase after casting Smoke Grenade.
- Masterworking Priority: Critical Strike Chance
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 Shadow Step 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.
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.
Breath of the Coven: Lost Power - Dealing damage or applying Crowd Control with an Eldritch, Psyche, or Growth & Decay Effect increases your Attack Speed by + [15.5%] for 10 seconds, stacking once per category up to + [46.5%].
- While all three bonuses are active, you gain +25% Lucky Hit Chance.
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.
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: Raheir
- Skills:
Ground Slam, 
Raheir’s Aegis, 
Bastion, 
Inspiration
- Skills:
- Reinforcement: Varyana
- Skill:
Bloodthirst - Opportunity: Cast when the player casts any skill in combat
- Skill:
Advanced Information
Additional details are provided in the following sections for a more in-depth explanation of the Shadow Step Rogue. Read this advanced information after understanding the basic overview of the build in the previous sections.
Build Mechanics
The Shadow Step Grenade Rogue is a specialized build that requires a high amount of Cooldown Reduction applied to Shadow Step to function. Shadow Step is rapidly cast by lowering the base Cooldown to at least 3.25 seconds, while Disciplined Shadow Step further reduces the Cooldown by 3 seconds. The remaining 0.25 seconds account for the attack animation frames of Shadow Step.
Shadow Clone contributes to the majority of damage output, and its Cooldown needs to be reduced with at least 1 Shadow Clone Cooldown Reduction temper. The Cooldown is further reduced by a Yul Qax runeword that activates Preparation.
Shadow Imbuement is automatically applied by Assassin’s Stride to gain the benefits of Enhanced Shadow Imbuement and Mixed Shadow Imbuement.
Vulnerable status is applied by Enhanced Shadow Step to multiple enemies with Shadow Step Cleave tempers.
Critical Strike Chance
Critical Strike Chance should be capped at 100% to fully utilize Critical Strike Damage bonuses. A total of 25% Critical Strike Chance is granted through the Skill Tree by 
Subverting Dark Shroud and Enhanced Shadow Imbuement. Fundamental Heartseeker, Enhanced Dash, and Trick Attacks can also be somewhat reliable.
The character stats sheet needs to display the remaining Critical Strike Chance, acquired through gear. Greater Affixes and/or Masterworking Bonuses for Critical Strike stats on gear can be utilized. Elixir of Precision II can also be used if needed.
Damage Rotation
Use the following rotation to optimize damage output.
- Activate Dark Shroud to prepare for battles.
- Hit elites and bosses with
Smoke Grenade to apply Enhanced Smoke Grenade and activate Pitfighter’s Gull. - Cast Shadow Clone to activate
No Witnesses and mimick Shadow Step. - Drink a Potion to activate
Unstable Elixirs. - Cast Heartseeker to activate the Marksman requirement of Close Quarters Combat and
Tricks of the Trade. - Rapidly spam Shadow Step to deal damage. The button for Shadow Step can be held down for continuous attacks, even chaining to your next enemy.
- Cast Dash to traverse when there are no enemies to target with Shadow Step.
Changelog
- February 3, 2025: Fist of Fate included as an optional Unique Item.
- January 30, 2025:
- Build reworked to optimize Shadow Clone damage output.
- New video guide added.
- Build reworked to optimize
- 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).
- September 2, 2024: Guide created for Season 5 (Patch 1.5.0).
