Diablo 4: Rogue Specializations Guide

Of the five unique class mechanicsDiablo 4 offers players, Rogue's specialization system is arguably the most build-defining, even if it's the least customizable. Rogues don't need to earn extra experience like the barbarian or gather Spirit Offerings like a druid, and they don't need to mess with a custom tree: Rogues simply get three game-changing passive options.

The three Rogue specializations – Combo Points, Inner Sight, and Preparation – each benefit players in different ways, but there's no way to have all three equipped at the same time. All three picks are unlocked when players reach level 30, giving plenty of time to figure out which spec works best for your preferred Rogue playstyle in Diablo 4.

Updated October 23, 2024 by Erik Petrovich: In Diablo 4, Specializations are the unique Rogue class feature that allows players to customize Rogue builds beyond effects provided by skills, equipment, and Paragon points. For Rogues, there are three specialization choices, each suited to different playstyles or Rogue builds. After several updates since the launch of Diablo 4, Rogue Specializations skills still work the same as they did at release, but all three specialization choices have received several updates and changes since launch. This Diablo 4 Rogue Specialization feature guide has been updated to match the stats and effects of each specialization as of Diablo 4 Season 6.

How to unlock and equip Rogue Specializations

Rogue Specializations become available at level 15, but only one of the three choices is unlocked: the Combo Points specialization. At level 20, the Inner Sight specialization becomes available, while level 30 unlocks the final specialization, Preparation.

Before players can actually use any of these Rogue Specializations, players must complete an associated questline. Once Rogues reach level 15, their quest log will be updated with the “True Potential” quest, which sees them enter the Forsaken Quarry dungeon. After Bakira is defeated and the mission is complete, Combo Points should be unlocked as an option. Once this first mission is completed, level 20 and level 30 will automatically unlock the other choices without any requirements.

To select a specialization, simply open the character/inventory menu and tab over to the Specializations screen using the shoulder buttons or by clicking on it. Here your currently available specializations will be displayed. Just select one to activate it – it really is that simple. This is more convenient than most other class options, as it can be changed at any time, even mid-battle.

Rogue Specializations Overview: Effects and Synergies

Although each class has received significant updates since the launch of
Diablo 4
especially with
The ship of hate
DLC, the Rogue Specializations system still works pretty much the same way it did before. However, the details of each specialization's stat boosts and effects have changed. Each of the Rogue Specialization effects below have been updated to match D4 Season 6 and
The ship of hate
power levels.

Combo Points Specialization – Unlock Level 15 (Standard)

Your basic skills now generate Combo Points.

Core skills consume combo points for additional effects.

This Rogue specialization adds new effects to a range of abilities with the addition of Combo Points. Similar to Rogue of World of WarcraftCombo Points are generated by Basic Attacks and spent by Core Skills to improve their strength or add another effect.

The core skills include barrage, rapid fire, penetrating shot, surge, and twisting blade, and each of them gains considerable power when thrown with combo points. For example, Barrage and Rapid Fire launch more arrows with increased damage, Penetrating Shot nearly doubles its damage at just one combo point, and Flurry and Twisting Blades provide Attack and Movement Speed ​​respectively along with massive Damage Boosts.

Inner Sight Specialization – Unlock at level 20

Attack enemies to fill your Inner Sight meter.

Marked enemies fill the inner view faster.

When filled, you gain unlimited energy and +25% Crit chance for 4 sec

The Inner Vision specialization marks a random enemy in a pack with a purple icon. When players hit this enemy, they gain Inner Sight, a new resource that can be seen next to the regular energy meter. When the Inner Sight gauge is fully filled, it will empty and completely fill the player's energy reserves.

The Inner Sight marker will move from enemy to enemy when they are killed or if they live longer than 10 seconds while marked. This does not negatively affect the Rogue, the mark just moves to a new target. In boss fights, the Inner Sight marker pretty much always stays on the Boss itself, which means a much faster time to process the energy refill.

Preparation Specialization – Unlock at level 30

Spend 75 energy to reduce your ultimate cooldown by 5 sec.

Ultimates resets all your other Cooldowns and grants 15% damage reduction for 10 sec.

The preparation specialization reduces the cooldown of Rogue's ultimate abilities, but only when they have spent at least 75 energy. For every 75 energy a player spends on abilities, their ultimate ability cooldown will be reduced by 5 sec. Additionally, using an Ultimate ability resets the cooldown of all other abilities and also gives you a nice 15% damage reduction. This damage reduction lasts for 10 sec.

This may not seem like much, but players can build and spend energy remarkably quickly, especially with late-game Rogue builds. Preparation is a skill worth building around for the potential to almost never run out of Cooldowns and Skill uptime, and to make Ultimate abilities much more of a viable choice thanks to its massive cooldown reduction. Just make sure to pick an Ultimate that charges quickly to take advantage of this cooldown reset as often as possible.