Although there's still no official release date for Diablo 4, hype is steadily growing for the next entry in the veteran action-RPG series. Details have been trickling out of Blizzard's California-based studio over the last year, including that Diablo 4 will feature five playable classes.

Four of these classes have now been confirmed, and the latest to be revealed is one of the most interesting. The Rogue is a versatile, agile combatant able to utilize both ranged and melee combat. Unlike the brute force of the Barbarian or the elemental magic of the Sorceress, the Rogue uses mobility, stealth, and clever tactics to overcome her enemies. Here's the case for playing the dexterous class when Diablo 4 launches.

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The Rogue Returns

While each of the four classes in Diablo 4 is a returning classic from previous Diablo titles, the Rogue is the only one who hasn't been around since Diablo 1. In the first game in the Diablo series the Rogue was the best class with a Bow, but could also handle herself in melee combat.

Though she didn't reappear in the subsequent Diablo titles, she did inspire many other classes. In Diablo 2 the Rogue's role is filled by both the Amazon and the Assassin, with the Amazon gaining her combat versatility and the Assassin her stealth and lock-picking skills.

In Diablo 3 the closest class to the Rogue is the Demon Hunter. Although a purely ranged class, the Demon Hunter shares the Rogue's evasion and mobility skills, as well as her glass-cannon class design. In Diablo 4 the Rogue will return much as she was in Diablo 1, combining melee and ranged abilities with a focus on stealth and mobility.

Diablo 4 Rouge Character Render

Talent Specializations

The Rogue will have three different Talent Specializations in Diablo 4: Shadow Realm, Combo Points, and Exploit Weakness. The first of these is Shadow Realm, which allows the Rogue to pull nearby enemies into an alternate dimension. Although the ability only lasts for a few seconds, the Rogue is Stealthed, Unstoppable, and deals 50% more damage to the enemies in the Shadow Realm. This Specialization allows the Rogue to divide and conquer, taking down enemies through guile rather than brute force.

The second Talent Specialization for the Rogue class in Diablo 4 is the Combo Points system. The Combo Points system divides the Rogue's abilities into Builders and Spenders. Builders create Combo Points when used, which are then consumed by Spenders to grant them major bonuses. This system gives the Rogue another way to play smart, getting into a rhythm in combat to maximize the building and spending of their Combo Points.

The final Rogue Talent Specialization is Exploit Weakness, which functions somewhat like a counterattack system. Exploit Weakness is a passive effect which causes an icon to flash over enemies' heads during certain attacks. Attacking the enemy in that moment deals a guaranteed critical strike, and well as 60% more damage.

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The Imbue Weapon System

The final cog in the Rogue's versatile engine is the Imbue System, which allows them to add elemental damage to all their skills. The full list of elements that the Rogue can Imbue with has yet to be revealed, but we do know that Frost, Poison, and Shadow are among the options.

Imbuing attacks with Frost grants them the Chill effect, slowing enemy movement and attack speed. Building up enough of this Chill can Freeze the enemy, halting them completely. What's interesting is that the Rogue can work with other elemental classes like Diablo 4's Sorceress to quickly build up these status effects.

Abilities Imbued with Poison deal heavy damage over time, and can melt enemies into bubbling puddles with repeated application. Finally, Shadow Imbued abilities can Curse Diablo 4 enemies that they hit. Cursed enemies exploded upon death, dealing additional damage to all nearby targets.

diablo 4 rogue gameplay early screenshot

Why Play The Rogue?

Of all the revealed classes that players may choose to take through Diablo 4's story campaign, the Rogue is best-suited for players who like to mix sound tactics with fast reactions. The Rogue is the most agile class we've seen so far, easily dashing around the battlefield both to escape and engage.

Her Talent Specializations give her ways to approach each battle with a plan, rather than just smashing in like Diablo 4's Barbarian class. Shadow Realm can be used to cut a fight down to a more manageable size, while Combo Points and Exploit Weakness improve with the player's rhythm and timing.

Overall, the Rogue will the best class to choose at Diablo 4's launch for any player who likes versatility, cunning, and mobility. Unlike the melee-adverse Sorceress or the close-combat Barbarian, the Rogue can excel at any range. Although she may not have the raw power of fury or elemental magic, her quick wits, agile moves, and Imbued weaponry should be more than enough against even the toughest monsters in Diablo 4.

Diablo 4 is currently in development, with PC, PS4, and Xbox One as confirmed platforms.

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