Dance of Knives – Rogue Leveling Build for Diablo 4 (Season 10)

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 playstyle. Due to the high mobility and auto-aiming projectiles, the Dance of Knives Rogue is the most effective build to level a new character during a season start.

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.

Quick Navigation

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Allocation of Skill Points

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.

Order	Skill	Cluster
7	Dance of Knives Rank 1	Agility Skill
8	Enhanced Dance of Knives	Agility Skill
9	Disciplined Dance of Knives	Agility Skill
10	Dash	Agility Skill
11	Dance of Knives Rank 2	Agility Skill
12	Concealment Rank 1	Subterfuge Skill
13	Enhanced Concealment	Subterfuge Skill
14	Subverting Concealment	Subterfuge Skill
15	Dark Shroud Rank 1	Subterfuge Skill
16	Enhanced Dark Shroud	Subterfuge Skill
17	Shadow Imbuement Rank 1	Imbuement Skill
18	Enhanced Shadow Imbuement	Imbuement Skill
19	Mixed Shadow Imbuement	Imbuement Skill
20	Dance of Knives Rank 3	Agility Skill
21	Dance of Knives Rank 4	Agility Skill
22	Dance of Knives Rank 5	Agility Skill
23	Countering Dark Shroud	Subterfuge Skill
24	Second Wind (not utilized, only a prerequisite)	Ultimate Passive
25	Haste Rank 1	Ultimate Passive
26	Haste Rank 2	Ultimate Passive
27	Haste Rank 3	Ultimate Passive
28	Impetus Rank 1	Ultimate Passive
29	Impetus Rank 2	Ultimate Passive
30	Impetus Rank 3	Ultimate Passive
31	Unstable Elixirs Rank 1	Agility Passive
32	Unstable Elixirs Rank 2	Agility Passive
33	Unstable Elixirs Rank 3	Agility Passive
34	Momentum	Key Passive
35	Weapon Mastery Rank 1	Agility Passive
36	Weapon Mastery Rank 2	Agility Passive
37	Weapon Mastery Rank 3	Agility Passive
38	Exploit Rank 1	Subterfuge Passive
39	Exploit Rank 2	Subterfuge Passive
40	Exploit Rank 3	Subterfuge Passive
41	Malice Rank 1	Subterfuge Passive
42	Malice Rank 2	Subterfuge Passive
43	Malice Rank 3	Subterfuge Passive
44	Deadeye Rank 1	Imbuement Passive
45	Deadeye Rank 2	Imbuement Passive
46	Deadeye Rank 3	Imbuement Passive
47	Shadow Crash Rank 1	Imbuement Passive
48	Shadow Crash Rank 2	Imbuement Passive
49	Shadow Crash Rank 3	Imbuement Passive
50	Trick Attacks Rank 1	Agility Passive
51	Trick Attacks Rank 2	Agility Passive
52	Trick Attacks Rank 3	Agility Passive
53	Concealment Rank 2	Subterfuge Skill
54	Concealment Rank 3	Subterfuge Skill
55	Concealment Rank 4	Subterfuge Skill
56	Concealment Rank 5	Subterfuge Skill
57	Shadow Imbuement Rank 2	Imbuement Skill
58	Shadow Imbuement Rank 3	Imbuement Skill
59	Shadow Imbuement Rank 4	Imbuement Skill
60	Shadow Imbuement Rank 5	Imbuement Skill
61	Enhanced Dash	Agility Skill
62	Methodical Dash	Agility Skill
63	Sturdy Rank 1	Core Passive
64	Sturdy Rank 2	Core Passive
65	Sturdy Rank 3	Core Passive
66	Siphoning Strikes Rank 1	Core Passive
67	Siphoning Strikes Rank 2	Core Passive
68	Siphoning Strikes Rank 3	Core Passive
69	Dark Shroud Rank 2	Subterfuge Skill
70	Dark Shroud Rank 3	Subterfuge Skill
71	Dark Shroud Rank 4	Subterfuge Skill

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Skill Bar and Skill Tree Points

Skill Bar Setup for the Dance of Knives Rogue (order does not matter)

Dance of KnivesPunctureConcealmentShadow ImbuementDark ShroudDash

If you are unsure about the usage of these Skills, read the Build Mechanics section after setting up your Skill Bar.

Wondering what comes after Level 60 or which Paragon boards to pick? Head to the Rogue Builds page and choose an endgame build to continue your character progression.

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Rogue Class Mechanic – Specialization

Once you reach Level 15, immediately complete the True Potential class questline to unlock the Rogue’s Specialization. Combo Points is the preferred 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.

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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 during the leveling process. Higher Item Power generally indicates stronger gear, but you should also consider the affixes and effects that are relevant to your class and build.

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. For the best results, combine these Aspects with the ideal Stat Priorities. 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 [X] Physical damage. Dance of Knives now Consumes 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
Clandestine Aspect	Gain + [3 – 5] Ranks to Agility and Subterfuge Skills.	Random Drop
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.	Abandoned Mineworks, Kehjistan
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
Cheat’s Aspect	You gain [5 – 15%] increased Damage Reduction and +10% increased Movement Speed. These bonuses are doubled while below 50% Maximum Life.	Luban’s Rest, Scosglen
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

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Stat Priority and Tempering Affixes

Listed below are the affixes to prioritize on gear during the early leveling of a Dance of Knives Rogue, 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.

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.

The most beneficial tempering affixes while leveling are included below. The best-in-slot tempering affixes are available in the Endgame Guide for the Dance of Knives Rogue. Check the Tempering Guide for more information on this system.

Slot	Gear Affixes	Tempering Affixes
Weapons	1. Critical Strike Damage 2. Maximum Life, Dexterity	Agile Augments (Weapon): Chance for Dance of Knives Projectiles to Deal Double Damage 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	Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Total Armor
Chest	1. Ranks to Dark Shroud 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity	Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Total Armor
Gloves	1. Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity	Subterfuge Expertise (Offensive): Damage Per Dark Shroud or your highest damage increase temper that is applicable to the build
Pants	1. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 2. Maximum Life, Dexterity	Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Total Armor
Boots	Implicit Stat: Maximum Evade Charges 1. Movement Speed 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity	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	Subterfuge Expertise (Offensive): Damage Per Dark Shroud or your highest damage increase temper that is applicable to the build Subterfuge Efficiency (Resource): Subterfuge Cooldown Reduction
Rings	1. Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed 2. Any uncapped Resistances 3. Maximum Life, Dexterity	Subterfuge Expertise (Offensive): Damage Per Dark Shroud or your highest damage increase temper that is applicable to the build Subterfuge Efficiency (Resource): Subterfuge Cooldown Reduction

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Gems and Runewords

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

Gems

Equip the corresponding Gems into your Weapon, Armor, and Jewelry slots.

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).

Runewords

Runes start to drop after unlocking them during the Vessel of Hatred campaign. A Rune of Ritual 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
Neo Wat	Gain: 200 Offering — Deal damage after not taking any within 2 seconds. (Resets if Invulnerable.) Requires: 100 Offering, Cooldown: 1 Second — Invoke the Necromancer’s Horrid Decrepify, Slowing enemies, reducing their damage, and letting you Execute them.
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.

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Chaos Perks (Season 10)

Season 10: Infernal Chaos offers seasonal powers that can be utilized to enhance this build. Access Chaos Perks from the Powers tab in the character sheet.

Unlocking specific powers for a build is challenging due to their random appearance, so utilize any that provide the most damage. Beneficial Chaos Perks for leveling, which can be unlocked by progressing through the Seasonal Reputation Board, are listed below in order of importance. Check the Endgame Guide for the Dance of Knives Rogue for the best-in-slot setup of Boss Powers.

Priority	Power	Description
1	Unpredictable Alchemy	Imbuements flow wildly, Imbuing every Basic Skill Cast with a random Imbuement. Imbued Skills deal x40% increased damage.
3	Erupting Chaos	Chaotic Bursts randomly erupt around you, dealing 400% damage of your highest damage type. Your Chaotic Bursts additionally deal 100% of their initial damage over 4 seconds.
4	Accelerating Chaos	Lucky Hit: Damaging an enemy has up to a 10% chance to trigger a Chaotic Burst on the enemy, dealing 400% damage. Your Chaotic Bursts that hit an enemy reduce a random active Cooldown by 0.5 seconds.
5	Crazy Brew	Your Healing Potion is infused with the power of Chaos, granting you 100% Resource Cost Reduction, +80% increased Attack Speed and +80% increased Movement Speed for 5 seconds. Your Healing Potion has a 15 second Cooldown and you can drink it at full Life. Cooldown is affected by Cooldown Reduction.

Mercenaries

Once the Den is unlocked during the main questline in the Vessel of Hatred expansion, complete the key quests to acquire each Mercenary. Hire a Mercenary and enlist a Reinforcement in the following setup.

• Hired Mercenary: Raheir
  • Skills: Ground Slam, Raheir’s Aegis, Bastion, Inspiration
• Reinforcement: Varyana
  • Skill: Bloodthirst
  • Opportunity: Cast when the player casts any skill in combat.

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Build Mechanics

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.

Trick Attacks can be activated using a potion with Unstable Elixirs near enemies to Stun them. Shadow Crash provides a more consistent source of Stun to keep Trick Attacks stacked.

Damage output is higher at range due to Deadeye. Attempt to fight from a ranged distance just inside the throw range of Dance of Knives when maximum damage is needed.

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.

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.

Rotation and Playstyle

Use the following rotation to optimize damage output.

1. Activate Shadow Imbuement to increase damage with Mixed Shadow Imbuement and for explosive damage against groups of enemies.
2. If you have Aspect of Star Shards equipped, cast Puncture 3 times to build Combo Points.
3. Channel Dance of Knives.
4. While channeling, drink a Potion near Elites to activate Unstable Elixirs.
5. Against bosses and tough elites, cast Concealment to apply Subverting Concealment.

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.

1. Elixir of Advantage II increases damage output.
2. Elixir of Fortitude II 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.

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Season 10 Updates

A brief summary of the changes in Patch 2.4.0 that may pertain to this specific build is provided below. For a complete overview of Season 10, take a look at the comprehensive season guide.

• Dance of Knives
  • Reduced Cooldown when deactivating the skill while 1 or less charge remains.
  • Now has a high chance to prioritize champions, elites, and bosses.
• Subverting Concealment
  • Reworded the tooltip.
  • Vulnerable duration increased to 4 seconds.

Difficulty and Endgame

Once you hit Level 60 with this build, tackle harder difficulties and more challenging endgame content. Make sure to pick one of our recommended endgame builds for Rogue to continue your journey! The endgame builds also cover the Paragon setup unlocked at Level 60.

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Gameplay Video

Changelog

• September 21st, 2025: Guide updated for Season 10 (Patch 2.4.0).
• June 27th, 2025: Guide updated for Season 9 (Patch 2.3.0).
• April 26th, 2025: Guide updated for Season 8 (Patch 2.2.0).
• January 21st, 2025: Guide updated for Season 7 (Patch 2.1.0).
• October 4th, 2024: Guide updated for Season 6 (Patch 2.0.2).
• September 27th, 2024: Guide created.