Rain of Arrows (RoA) – Rogue Build for Diablo 4 (Season 7)

Build Introduction

The Rain of Arrows Rogue (RoA) hails down an endless stream of death. In Season 7 (Patch 2.1.0), Rain of Arrows receives a new Rank 5 scalar that increases damage by 80% of your Damage to Distant bonus. The massively buffed damage output makes the Rain of Arrows Rogue a S-Tier build capable of clearing the highest Tiers of The Pit!

The Rain of Arrows Rogue is a top-performing build for the endgame of Diablo 4 but requires strict gearing to function. Make sure you meet the Build Requirements before getting started. The Dance of Knives Rogue is recommended as a starter build to collect the gear.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Check the build tier lists to see how this build compares to others on Icy Veins.

Gameplay Footage

The following video showcases the Rain of Arrows Rogue build in the Season 7 Public Test Realm (PTR). The Rain of Arrows Rank 5 scaling bonus from Damage to Distance Enemies has since been reduced from 100% to 80%. The Rain of Arrows Rogue still remains a S-Tier despite the minor nerf. The build setup in the video does not include power creep from Witchcraft Powers in Season 7.

Build Requirements

The Rain of Arrows Rogue is a specialized build that requires strict gearing to function. Obtain the following items before switching to this build.

• Skyhunter
• Word of Hakan
• Beastfall Boots
• At least 150 Maximum Energy is required. Beastfall Boots provides at least 30 Energy when fully masterworked, and then Elixir of Resourcefulness II fulfills the remaining requirement.
• The Cooldown of Rain of Arrows needs to be reduced to 10.25 seconds or less. Word of Hakan can easily reach the 75% cap for Rain of Arrows Cooldown Reduction to lower a Rank 5 Rain of Arrows Cooldown to 10.25 seconds.

Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar

Skill Bar Setup for Rain of Arrows Rogue (order does not matter)

Rain of ArrowsHeartseekerBarrageConcealmentSmoke GrenadeCaltrops

The Skill Tree above shows the full allocation of 71 Skill Points for the RoA Rogue build. Make sure you obtain the 12 Skill Points available from Renown.

The remaining 3 Skill Points are allocated into Deadeye (Skill Tree will be updated soon).

Rain of Arrows Rogue Specialization

Preparation is the required Rogue Specialization for the Rain of Arrows Rogue. Barrage consumes 150 Energy through Beastfall Boots to activate Preparation twice, reducing the Cooldown of Rain of Arrows by 10 seconds.

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 Rain of Arrows 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	Skyhunter	The first direct damage you deal to an enemy is a guaranteed Critical Strike. When you consume Precision casting a Skill, that Skill gains x [20 – 60%] increased Critical Strike Damage and you gain [30 – 60] Energy.
Amulet	Word of Hakan	Your Rain of Arrows is always Imbued with all Imbuements at once and receives your Arrow Storm benefits.
Dual-Wielded Swords	Aspect of Arrow Storms	Lucky Hit: Your Marksman and Cutthroat Skills have up to a 25% chance to create an Arrow Storm at the enemy’s location, dealing Physical damage over 3 seconds. Your Arrow Storms deal [45 – 65%] increased damage.
Dual-Wielded Swords	Vengeful Aspect	Lucky Hit: Damaging a Vulnerable enemy has a 25% chance to create an Arrow Storm at the enemy’s location, dealing [X] Physical damage over 3 seconds. Your Arrow Storms deal x [45 – 65%] more damage.
Gloves (replaced by Fists of Fate optional)	Vehement Brawler’s Aspect	Casting an Ultimate Skill increases your damage by [10 – 30%] for 8 seconds. Gain 2 additional Ultimate Skill Ranks.
Ring Slot #1 (replaced by Ring of Starless Skies)	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.
Ring Slot #2 (replaced by Pitfighter’s Gull)	Aspect of Retribution	Distant enemies have a 10% chance to be Stunned for 2 seconds when they hit you. You deal [15 – 35%] increased damage to Stunned and Knocked Down enemies.
Helm (replaced by Cowl of the Nameless)	Aspect of Might	Basic Skills grant 20% Damage Reduction for [2 – 10] seconds.
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. Note: Only used for the damage increase, not for Grenades.
Boots	Beastfall Boots	When you cast an Ultimate Skill, your next Core Skill consumes all of your energy and deals [0.25 – 0.75%] increased damage per Energy consumed. Using a Cooldown restores 25 Energy.

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 to scale Precision.	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.

1. Voice of the Stars — While you have an Aura active, your Ultimate Skills gain each Grimoire tag and deal 10% more damage.
2. Moonlight Ward — For each rank in your slotted Unique Witchcraft Power, you gain 3% Damage Reduction and 0.5% Maximum Resistance to All Elements.
3. Dust Stone — For each of your Auras and Hexes an enemy is afflicted by, they take 2.5% increased damage from you.
4. Friend of the Bog — While you have three or more Growth and Decay Witch Powers slotted, you gain 10% primary stat, 10% Maximum Life and you are always Unhindered.
5. Killing Wind — While you have three or more Eldritch Witch Powers slotted, gain 25% Movement Speed and 15% Critical Strike Chance.
6. Hungering Void — While you have an Aura active, pull Nearby enemies toward you every 8 seconds.

Insert the following 2 Runewords, each consisting of a Rune of Offering and a Rune of Invocation, into any equipped Helm, Chest, or Pants item. Add sockets to your equipment at the Jeweler if necessary.

Runewords	Effects
Yul Ohm	Gain: 50 Offering — Cast a Skill with a Cooldown. Requires: 600 Offering, Cooldown: 2 Seconds — Invoke the Barbarian’s War Cry, increasing your damage dealt by x15% for 6 seconds.
Zan Vex	Gain: 150 Offering — Cast an Ultimate Skill. Requires: 150 Offering, Cooldown: 5 Seconds — Gain +1 to Skills for 10 seconds.

Elixirs and Incense

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 Rain of Arrows Rogue, ranked by importance.

1. Elixir of Resourcefulness II is required in this build to reach 150 Energy.

Stat Priority and Tempering Affixes

Listed below are the affixes to prioritize on gear for RoA Rogues, 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. Yellow affixes are the most important targets for Masterworking upgrades, while blue affixes are secondary options.

Swords are equipped for the Critical Strike Damage implicit stat.

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 out our Tempering Guide for more details on Blacksmith upgrading.

Slot	Gear Affixes	Tempering Affixes
Ranged Weapon	Skyhunter	Masterworking Priority: Chance for Marksman Projectiles to Cast Twice up to 100% cap and then Critical Strike Damage.
Dual-Wielded Swords	1. Critical Strike Damage 2. Dexterity, Maximum Life	1. Assassin Augments (Weapon): Chance for Rain of Arrows to Deal Double Damage 2. Marksman Finesse (Offensive): Critical Strike Damage
Helm	1. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 2. Dexterity, Maximum Life	1. Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Percent Total Armor 2. Natural Schemes (Utility): Barrier Generation
Chest	1. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 2. Dexterity, Maximum Life	1. Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Percent Total Armor 2. Natural Schemes (Utility): Barrier Generation
Gloves	1. Critical Strike Damage, Attack Speed 2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 3. Dexterity, Maximum Life	1. Marksman Finesse (Offensive): Critical Strike Damage 2. Natural Schemes (Utility): Barrier Generation
Pants	1. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor 2. Dexterity, Maximum Life	1. Worldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Stun 2. Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Percent Total Armor
Boots	Beastfall Boots	Masterworking Priority: Movement Speed
Amulet	Word of Hakan	Masterworking Priority: Rain of Arrows Cooldown Reduction until 75% cap and then Ultimate Damage.
Rings	1. Critical Strike Damage 2. Attack Speed 3. Dexterity, Maximum Life	1. Marksman Finesse (Offensive): Critical Strike Damage 2. Ultimate Efficiency — Rogue (Resource): Rain of Arrows Cooldown Reduction

Unique and Mythic Items

Listed below are the required, recommended, and optional Unique Items for the Rain of Arrows Rogue build. Each item description includes the most important affix to target for Masterworking upgrades.

• Word of Hakan (required) caps Rain of Arrows Cooldown Reduction at 75% and grants Arrow Storm benefits.
  • Masterworking Priority: Rain of Arrows Cooldown Reduction until 75% cap and then Ultimate Damage.
• Beastfall Boots (required) is necessary to consume all Energy to activate Preparation.
  • Masterworking Priority: Movement Speed
• Skyhunter (highly recommended) provides a high amount of Critical Strike Damage to scale Precision and double cast for Rain of Arrows.
  • Masterworking Priority: Chance for Marksman Projectiles to Cast Twice up to 100% cap and then Critical Strike Damage.
• Cowl of the Nameless (highly recommended) grants Ranks to Trick Attacks to scale Precision.
  • Masterworking Priority: Trick Attacks
• Shroud of False Death (recommended) provides the highest damage increase in the slot due to the +1 Ranks to All Passives inherent affix.
  • Masterworking Priority: All Stats or Damage on Next Attack After Entering Stealth
• Pitfighter’s Gull (recommended) provides a multiplier to Critical Strike Damage that double dips with Precision. The Damage on Next Attack After Entering Stealth affix is utilized by casting Concealment immediately before Rain of Arrows.
  • Masterworking Priority: Damage on Next Attack After Entering Stealth
• Fists of Fate (optional) is notable for the Crowd Control Effects to quickly stagger bosses during high-tier Pit pushes.
  • Masterworking Priority: Attack Speed
• Ring of Starless Skies (optional) provides a highly valuable 1.5x multiplier.
  • Masterworking Priority: Attack Speed

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 Rain of Arrows 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. After completing the Full Setup, invest any remaining Paragon Points into Dexterity 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.

1. The Cycle: Growth and Decay Power
   • Dealing any damage with your skills has a 15% chance to grow a flower from the ground. When an enemy is near, the flower deals [X] Poison damage to that enemy over 5 seconds. If an ally is near, the flower heals for [9.9%] maximum Life. The flower withers away after use. A flower may grow once every 2 seconds per enemy.
   • At Rank 5: The damage and healing affects all enemies or allies near the flower.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Purging Touch: Eldritch Power
   • Eldritch Effects deal [39.9%] increased damage against Headrotten.
   • At Rank 10: This damage bonus now extends to all monsters.
5. 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.
6. Hex of Whispers: Growth and Decay Power
   • Dealing damage to an enemy afflicts them with Hex of Whispers that deals [X] Shadow damage the next time damage is dealt. Afterwards, Hex of Whispers will jump to another enemy up to a maximum of 6 times. Hex of Whispers may only be applied once every 5 seconds.
   • At Rank 7: After bouncing onto 6 enemies, the hex bounces back to you granting [X] Fortify and removing all crowd control and negative status effects.

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
• Reinforcement: Varyana
  • Skill: Bloodthirst
  • Opportunity: Cast when the player casts any skill in combat

Advanced Information

Additional details are provided in the following sections for a more in-depth explanation of the Rain of Arrows Rogue. Read this advanced information after understanding the basic overview of the build in the previous sections.

Build Mechanics

The Rain of Arrows Rogue is a specialized build for the endgame of Diablo 4. The build excels at pushing the highest Tiers of The Pit. Although, the skill rotation is difficult and the playstyle has a slower pacing than other builds during speed-farming activities.

Rain of Arrows is rapidly cast by reducing its Cooldown. The cooldown cap of 75% can be obtained for Rain of Arrows solely through Word of Hakan to lower a Rank 5 Rain of Arrows to 10.25 seconds. Preparation is activated twice by consuming 150 Energy with Barrage and Beastfall Boots to further reduce Rain of Arrows Cooldown by 10 seconds. The additional 50 Energy is granted by Beastfall Boots and Elixir of Resourcefulness II.

Any Core Skill can be used to consume Energy with Beastfall Boots, but Barrage is ideal due to it having the lowest animation frames.

For survivability, Second Wind constantly generates Barrier due to the high Energy consumption. The ranged playstyle and Knock Downs provide additional layers of safety.

Mixed Cold Imbuement and Mixed Shadow Imbuement are applied by Rain of Arrows through Word of Hakan.

Concealment is cast directly before Rain of Arrows to apply Vulnerable with Subverting Concealment, while activating Danse Macabre and Damage on Next Attack After Entering Stealth affixes.

Resource Management

At least 150 Energy needs to be generated before each cast of Barrage to activate Preparation twice. Aftermath Rank 3 grants 75 Energy, Enhanced Concealment grants 40 Energy, and Beastfall Boots restores 50 Energy to fulfill the resource requirements.

Damage Rotation

Use the following rotation to optimize damage output.

1. Use a Potion every 10 seconds to activate the damage buff from Unstable Elixirs.
2. Against tough elites and bosses, cast Caltrops to apply Enhanced Caltrops for more damage.
3. Cast Smoke Grenade on enemies every 5 seconds to apply Enhanced Smoke Grenade and activate Pitfighter’s Gull.
4. Cast Concealment to apply Vulnerable from Subverting Concealment and activate Danse Macabre.
5. Cast Rain of Arrows to deal damage.
6. Cast Barrage to consume all your Energy for Preparation and gain 1 Precision stack.
7. Cast Heartseeker twice to gain the 2nd and 3rd Precision stack.
8. Continue repeating the rotation of Concealment, Rain of Arrows, Barrage, and 2x Heartseeker.

Changelog

• January 21, 2025: Guide created for Season 7 (Patch 2.1.0)