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Welcome to the Twisting Blades season in Diablo 4, where Rogue mains can finally bask in the glory of their favorite skill rising to the top of the meta. Whether you’re farming Uber bosses, speed-clearing nightmare dungeons, or dominating Astaroth for the thousandth time Diablo 4 Items, this build doesn’t just shine-it blazes through the battlefield like a storm of daggers.
While the Poison Imbuement version of the build is topping leaderboard charts for pure endgame pushing, this guide will focus on the Ass Wrath variant-a much faster, smoother build that excels in virtually every piece of content outside the Pit. But don’t worry; if you’re a die-hard pusher, the pit-optimized version will be included in the planner.
Let’s break down the mechanics, gear, skills, and seasonal power interactions that make this build one of the most exciting and lethal in the game right now.
Why Twisting Blades?
Twisting Blades is a Rogue skill that not only deals devastating single-target damage but also hits multiple enemies on return. Compared to builds like Penetrating Shot, Twisting Blades deals more damage and attacks faster due to how its animation frames function-a technical but crucial difference that gives this build a significant DPS edge.
Azurewrath: The Heart of the Build
At the core of this setup is the legendary weapon Azurewrath, which deals Cold damage through Lucky Hit procs. While it’s had a known bug for over a year that causes it to scale directly with attack speed, this quirk actually works in our favor. Not only does attack speed help us proc Lucky Hits more often, but it also directly increases our flat damage from Azurewrath. Stack as much of it as you can-via gear, elixirs, Paragon boards, and tempering.
Key Skills and Interactions
Here’s what you’ll be using to become the ultimate whirlwind of knives:
Dash
Used for speed and mobility, Dash also synergizes with Twisting Blades’ ability to reset cooldowns. You’ll be zipping around the map with ease. Add Shadow Step if you want even more burst movement.
Shadow Clone
Although bugged with Twisting Blades for pit pushing (it removes impales, significantly reducing boss damage), it works perfectly for farming and general content. It provides Unstoppable and contributes to your Lucky Hit procs. Swap it out for Death Trap if you’re Pit pushing seriously.
Shadow Imbuement
Essential for both AoE and damage scaling. Grants huge non-physical damage boosts from the skill tree and even more Lucky Hit chances thanks to the Imbuement explosion mechanic.
Poison Trap
Grants a consistent Alchemical Advantage buff, improving all your elemental damage. It’s especially useful if you’re not tempering Poison directly onto your weapon.
Calrops
Used strictly for boss fights to get a huge 45% damage multiplier.
Gear Breakdown: What You Need and Why
Helm: Air of Pedition or Cowl of the Nameless
Both offer significant damage bonuses. If you can roll Greater Affix (GA) Lucky Hit on them, even better.
Chest: Shroud of False Death
An S-tier piece offering unparalleled value. If you don’t have it, use a standard chest with a strong defensive aspect.
Gloves: Fists of Fate
This is non-negotiable. Look for GA Lucky Hit chance and masterwork it. Most of your Lucky Hit scaling originates here.
Pants & Boots
Your defense comes mainly from pants. Prioritize Shadow Imbuement skill ranks and damage reduction stats. Use Umbrous Aspect for up to 50% DR from Dark Shroud. Boots get the Slice and Dice aspect, which boosts cleave damage and Lucky Hits.
Weapons
Main Hand (Azurewrath): Look for GA Lucky Hit and high attack speed. Stack attack speed on gloves, rings, and via elixirs to cap out both attack speed buckets.
Off-Hand Dagger: Must have Lucky Hit to restore resources. This is mandatory-without it, you’ll run dry mid-fight. Temper Lucky Hit to deal Poison or Cold damage here depending on whether you’re using Poison Trap.
Crossbow or Bow?
Doesn’t matter much. Whichever you choose, apply the Twisting Blades hits twice aspect and max its Masterwork rank. Use Conceited Aspect since you’ll always have a barrier and socket Tam + Thu runes for Vulnerable and Freeze procs.
Amulet
Get Dexterity and passive ranks here. Aspect: Vehement Brawler for generic damage multipliers (needed for Azurewrath to scale effectively).
Rings
Starless Sky: Easily the best. Comes with everything-damage, Lucky Hit, and sometimes resource help.
Second Ring: Focus on attack speed and use Accelerating Aspect. Try to cap both attack speed buckets-use Myriad Stone gem if needed.
Seasonal Powers and Paragon Boards
Nimbus Power
It doesn’t hugely matter-the multipliers are small. Use Cold Nimbus for more freezes or Shadow Nimbus for added DR.
Charms
Bloody Charm: Grants execute chance.
Gleaming Conduit: Boosts Bloody Charm’s range and effect.
Fractured Core: Removes resistance auras from mobs.Skill Tree Overview
Basic
Use Twisting Blades, not Heartseeker. Heartseeker triggers Close Quarters Combat, but it’s too clunky for this fast-paced build.
Agility
Dash, Shadow Step, Calrops
Pick Trick Attacks for crit chance and Unstable Elixir to keep damage buffs up by chugging potions.
Subterfuge
Poison Trap and Dark Shroud
Additional damage passives (get these on your Amulet)
Imbuements
Shadow Imbuement
Tons of Lucky Hit and multiplicative bonuses.
Ultimate
Shadow Clone or Death Trap
Lots of passive Lucky Hit and resource regen bonuses.
Key Passive
Victimize: Best overall damage boost.
Alternatives:
Momentum: More sustain and DR
Close Quarters Combat: For Pit pushing (requires Heartseeker)
Paragon Boards
You want speed and multiplicative damage vs. crowd-controlled enemies. Suggested path:
1.Head Hunter-Dex and damage
2.No Witness-Cap via Fluidity
3.Eldritch Bounty-Slot in Cannyph for big bonuses
4.Dance Macabre-Control node for CC damage
5.Exploit Weakness + Devious Glyph-Both offer additive and multiplicative bonuses
How to Play It
It’s incredibly simple:
1.Dash into enemies-knocks them down and triggers Malice for more damage
2.Spam Twisting Blades, Shadow Imbuement, and Shadow Clone on cooldown
3.Use Poison Trap and Calrops on bosses or tougher elites
4.Keep Unstable Elixir active by drinking health potions regularly
Profit
On bosses, make sure both traps are always active to keep damage multipliers going. Otherwise, you’re free to zip through mobs, cleaving entire rooms in seconds.
Final Thoughts
This Twisting Blades build isn’t just strong-it’s fast, smooth, and easy to play. With most of the complexity boiled down to gearing and build setup diablo 4 duriel mats, it’s incredibly accessible for both casual and hardcore players.