Heartseeker Rogue Leveling Guide for Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred (Season 6)
Last updated on 06/10/2024
DIablo 4 Builds
General Notes
General Notes for the Heartseeker Rogue Leveling Guide in Vessel of Hatred
Note: This leveling guide is optimized for Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred (Season 6).
Heartseeker has been one of the Rogue's most popular skills since Season 4. It is also useful for leveling, but must be combined with a Core Skill. Penetrating Shot is the best option for this because of its large area damage. My build is complemented by Shadow Imbuement to create explosions that further increase your area damage.
By combining the skills mentioned, the build can be played with Combo Points and is effective against both large groups of monsters and bosses. Plus, you won't have any Energy problems from the start.
During the leveling phase, it is not yet advisable to play with Victimize, as the necessary conditions are not met at this point. At high levels with good equipment, it is therefore advisable to switch to my Heartseeker endgame build with Victimize.
Until when is this leveling build playable? You can play this and all my other leveling guides on Vitablo.com for as long as you like. Some of them still perform well at Torment difficulty 4, others have their limit at Torment difficulty 3. As soon as your build no longer feels strong enough, you can switch to one of my endgame builds.
Playstyle
Playstyle for the Heartseeker Rogue Leveling Guide
- Against small groups of monsters, you only have to use Heartseeker until everything is dead.
- Bei Elitegegnern solltest du dreimal mit Herzsucher angreifen, um Kombopunkte aufzuladen. Daraufhin kannst du Schatteninfusion aktivieren und Durchschlagender Schuss abfeuern. Den Prozess wiederholst du, bis alle Gegner tot sind.
- When facing elite opponents, you should attack three times with Heartseeker to charge Combo Points. Then you can activate Shadow Imbuement and fire Penetrating Shot. Repeat the process until all opponents are dead.
- You save Shadow Step for when you're stunned, as it makes you Unstoppable.
- You should consume a Healing Potion every 10 seconds to get the damage buff of Unstable Elixirs.
- Once you've found enough Aspects, you just need Heartseeker for bosses.
Skills
Skills for the Heartseeker Rogue Leveling Guide
Note: Level up all your active skills first and work your way down to your Key Passive as quickly as possible. If you are missing skill points to progress on your way through the skill tree, you can invest them in some passive skills. As soon as you have leveled up all active abilities and your Key Passive Ability, continue with the missing passive skills.
Skill tree notes:
- Skill Cold Imbuement when you use the Coldclip Aspect, because Heartseeker then automatically has Cold Imbuement and benefits from its bonuses.
- The Key Passive Ability Victimize is only worthwhile in the endgame.
- With the Umbrous Aspect, you no longer need Dark Shroud as an active skill and can replace it with Countering Smoke Grenade. You take the three skill points for this from Precision Imbuement.
Specialization
Specialization for the Heartseeker Rogue Leveling Guide
Combo Points
Your Basic Skills now generate Combo Points. Core Skills consume Combo Points for additional effects.
The build relies on Combo Points, because it significantly increases your damage with Penetrating Shot.
Aspects
Aspects for the Heartseeker Rogue Leveling Guide
Aspect of Might
Basic Skills grant X% Damage Reduction for X seconds.
Umbrous Aspect
Lucky Hit: Critical Strikes have up to a X% chance to grant a free Dark Shroud shadow.
With this aspect, you no longer need Dark Shroud as an active skill and can replace it with Countering Smoke Grenade. You get the three skill points for this from Precision Imbuement.
Aspect of the Expectant
After attacking enemies with a Basic Skill, increase the damage of your next Core Skill cast within X seconds by X%, up to X%.
Undying Aspect
When you cast a Skill, you heal for X% Life. Double this bonus while below X% Life.
Aspect of Concussive Strikes
Lucky Hit: Damaging an enemy has up to a X% chance to Daze them for X seconds. You deal X% increased damage to Dazed enemies.
Aspect of Adaptability
When cast below X% Maximum Resource, Basic Skills generate X of your Primary Resource, once per cast. When cast at or above X% Maximum Resource, Basic Skills deal X% increased damage.
Trickshot Aspect
Whenever Penetrating Shot damages an enemy, X additional arrows split off to either side. These side arrows deal X% of Penetrating Shot's Base damage and do not split.
Coldclip Aspect
Your Basic Skills are always Cold Imbued. You deal X% increased damage to enemies who are Chilled or Frozen.
Edgemaster's Aspect
Skills deal up to X% increased damage based on your available Primary Resource when cast, receiving the maximum benefit while you have full Primary Resource.
Rapid Aspect
Basic Skills gain X% Attack Speed.
Aspect of the Moonrise
Damaging an enemy with a Basic Skill grants you X% Attack Speed for X seconds, stacking up to X times. Upon reaching maximum stacks, you enter a Vampiric Bloodrage, gaining X% Basic Skill damage and X% Movement Speed for X seconds.
Items & Affixes
Items & Affixes for the Heartseeker Rogue Leveling Guide
General tips about your Gear
- Armor: You need a maximum of 1,000 armor. Anything above that is useless and has no effect. If you haven't reached your armor cap yet, adjust your equipment, gems and paragon talents accordingly.
- Resistances: You need at least 70% to all resistances. If you have not yet reached these values, adjust your equipment, gems and paragon talents accordingly.
- Affixes: Each item type has different properties (affixes) that are useful for this build. Some of these are mandatory, others are optional. Please pay attention to the following symbols:
Helmet
- Life
- Dexterity
- Cooldown Reduction
- Armor as Required
- Resistances as Required
- Aspect of Might
Worldly Endurance
- Maximum Life
- Total Armor
- Dodge Chance
Until Torment 1 Life, after that Armor.
Worldly Fortune
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Slow
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Freeze
to stagger bosses
Chest Armor
- Ranks to Dark Shroud
- Life
- Dexterity
- Armor as Required
- Resistances as Required
- Umbrous Aspect
Worldly Endurance
- Maximum Life
- Total Armor
- Dodge Chance
Until Torment 1 Life, after that Armor.
Worldly Fortune
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Slow
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Freeze
to stagger bosses
Gloves
- Ranks to Penetrating Shot
- Ranks to Core Skills
- Critical Strike Chance
- Attack Speed
- Dexterity
- Critical Hit Damage
- Aspect of the Expectant
Worldly Finesse
- Critical Strike Damage
- Vulnerable Damage
- Overpower Damage
The Key Passive Ability Precision scales with critical hit damage.
Worldly Fortune
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Slow
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Freeze
to stagger bosses
Pants
- Life
- Dexterity
- Armor as Required
- Resistances as Required
- Undying Aspect
Worldly Endurance
- Maximum Life
- Total Armor
- Dodge Chance
Until Torment 1 Life, after that Armor.
Worldly Fortune
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Slow
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Freeze
to stagger bosses
Boots
- Movement Speed
- Life
- Dexterity
- Armor as Required
- Resistances as Required
- Aspect of Concussive Strikes
Rogue Motion
- Movement Speed
- Movement Speed from Blade Shift
- Movement Speed per Dark Shroud Shadow
- Shadow Step Duration
- Ranks to Stutter Step
Worldly Fortune
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Slow
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Immobilize
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Stun
- Lucky Hit: Chance to Freeze
to stagger bosses
Amulet
- Dexterity
- Ranks to Frigid Finesse
- Ranks to Malice
- Ranks to Exploit
- Ranks to Weapon Mastery
- Critical Strike Chance
- Attack Speed
- Aspect of Adaptability
Worldly Finesse
- Critical Strike Damage
- Vulnerable Damage
- Overpower Damage
Imbuement Abundance
- Shadow Imbue Lasts For +X Casts
- Poison Imbue Lasts For +X Casts
- Cold Imbue Lasts For +X Casts
Rings
- Critical Strike Chance
- Attack Speed
- Dexterity
- Life
- Critical Strike Damage
- Trickshot Aspect
- Coldclip Aspect
Worldly Finesse
- Critical Strike Damage
- Vulnerable Damage
- Overpower Damage
Imbuement Abundance
- Shadow Imbue Lasts For +X Casts
- Poison Imbue Lasts For +X Casts
- Cold Imbue Lasts For +X Casts
Daggers
- Dexterity
- Critical Strike Damage
- Life
- Edgemaster's Aspect
- Rapid Aspect
Marksman Augments – Core
- Chance for Barrage Projectiles to Cast Twice
- Chance for Rapid Fire Projectiles to Cast Twice
- Chance for Penetrating Shot Projectiles to Cast Twice
Worldly Finesse
- Critical Strike Damage
- Vulnerable Damage
- Overpower Damage
Bow
- Dexterity
- Critical Strike Damage
- Life
- Aspect of the Moonrise
Marksman Augments – Basic
- Chance for Puncture Projectiles to Cast Twice
- Chance for Heartseeker Projectiles to Cast Twice
- Chance for Forceful Arrow Projectiles to Cast Twice
Worldly Finesse
- Critical Strike Damage
- Vulnerable Damage
- Overpower Damage
Asheara's Khanjar
Damage
Maximum Life
Critical Strike Chance
Lucky Hit Chance
Ranks to Weapon Mastery
Hits with this weapon increase your Attack Speed by X% for X seconds, up to X%.
Lord Zir
Rogue
Penitent Greaves
Evade Grants X% Movement Speed for X Seconds
Evade Grants Unhindered for X Seconds
Movement Speed
Critical Strike Chance Against Chilled Enemies
Chill Slow Potency
Cold Resistance
You leave behind a trail of frost that Chills enemies. You deal X% more damage to Chilled enemies.
Grigoire
All Classes
Heir of Perdition
Damage to Angels and Demons
Critical Strike Chance
Lucky Hit Chance
Movement Speed
Ranks to Core Skills
Succumb to hatred and earn Mother’s Favor, increasing your damage dealt by X%. Briefly steal Mother’s Favor from Nearby allies by slaughtering enemies.
Duriel, Andariel, Tormented Bosses
All Classes
Harlequin Crest
Maximum Life
Maximum Resource
Armor
Cooldown Reduction
Gain X% Damage Reduction. In addition, gain +X Ranks to all Skills.
Duriel, Andariel, Tormented Bosses
All Classes
Tyrael's Might
Ignore Durability Loss
Movement Speed
Maximum Resistance to All Elements
Resistance to All Elements
Damage Reduction
While at full Life, your Skills unleash a divine barrage dealing X damage.
Duriel, Andariel, Tormented Bosses
All Classes
Ring of Starless Skies
Resistance to All Elements
Attack Speed
Critical Strike Chance
Lucky Hit Chance
Ranks to Core Skills
Spending your Primary Resource reduces the Resource cost of your Skills and increases your damage by X% for X seconds, up to X%.
Duriel, Andariel, Tormented Bosses
All Classes
Runewords
Runewords for the Heartseeker Rogue Leveling Guide
Note: If you are missing the required Runes, you can use Gemstones in the meantime.
1st Runeword: Lith + Ohm (Chest Armor)
Lith
Gain: 25 Offering
Stand still for X seconds.
Ohm
Required: 600 Offering
Cooldown: 2 Seconds
Evoke the Barbarian's War Cry, increasing your damage dealt. (Overflow: Increased Duration)
2nd Runewords: Yul + Gar (2H Weapon)
Yul
Gain: 50 Offering
Cast a Skill with a Cooldown.
Gar
Required: 25 Offering
Cooldown: 1 Second
Gain X% Critical Strike Chance for X seconds, up to X%. (Overflow: Gain Multiple Stacks)
Note: If you already have over 85% Critical Strike Chance with all buffs, you can replace the Gar Rune with a Yom Rune.
Yom
Required: 500 Offering
Cooldown: 5 Seconds
Evoke the Druid's Petrify, Stunning enemies and gain Resource.
Gemstones
Gemstones for the Heartseeker Rogue Leveling Guide
WeaponEmerald
Weapons: Critical Strike Damage
Armor: Dexterity
Jewelry: Poison Resistance
As long as you don't have the required Runes.
ArmorEmerald
Weapons: Critical Strike Damage
Armor: Dexterity
Jewelry: Poison Resistance
JewelryGems and Skulls
You'll need at least 70% to all resistances. If you haven't reached those numbers yet, change your gems accordingly. If you have too many resistances on your items, you can also use skulls, but you shouldn't exceed the armor cap of 1,000.
Paragon Board
Paragon Board for the Heartseeker Rogue Leveling Guide
General tips about the Paragon-Board
- Glyph Radius: To increase the radius of your Glyphs, you have to level them in the Pit. The starting radius is 3 boxes. At level 15, it increases to 4 boxes and its Additional Bonus is unlocked. At level 45, the radius is 5 boxes and the Glyph receives its Legendary Bonus.
- Skill Order: The Essential Layout shows you the most important Glyphs and Nodes that you should skill first. As soon as you're finished, you can switch to the Final Layout and fill in any missing Paragon Nodes or adjust the board layout and Glyphs as required.
Exploit
Rare Glyph "Exploit"
For every 5 Strength purchased within range, you deal X% increased damage to Vulnerable targets.
Additional Bonus: When an enemy is damaged by you, they become Vulnerable for X seconds. This cannot happen more than once every X seconds per enemy.
Legendary Bonus: Increase damage to Vulnerable targets by X%.
Legendary Node "Tricks of the Trade"
Your Marksman Skills grant your Cutthroat Skills X% increased damage for X seconds. Your Cutthroat Skills grant your Marksman Skills X% increased damage for X seconds.
Rare Glyph "Canny"
For every 5 Intelligence purchased within range, you deal X% increased Non-physical damage.
Additional Bonus: Non-Physical damage increases all the Non-Physical damage an enemy takes from you by X%, up to X%, for X seconds.
Legendary Bonus: Increase Non-Physical damage by X%.
Legendary Node "Exploit Weakness"
Lucky Hit: Hitting a Vulnerable enemy has up to a X% chance to increase your damage by X% for X seconds, up to X%. At X stacks, this bonus remains for X seconds before expiring.
Rare Glyph "Fluidity"
Grants X% bonus to all Magic nodes within range.
Additional Bonus: When you cast an Agility Skill, you deal X% increased damage and gain X% increased Energy Regeneration for X seconds.
Legendary Bonus: Increase damage by X%.
Legendary Node "Cheap Shot"
You deal X% increased damage for each Nearby enemy that is Crowd Controlled, up to X%. A Nearby Staggered Boss provides the maximum bonus.
Rare Glyph "Headhunter"
Grants X% bonus to all Normal nodes within range.
Additional Bonus: You deal X% increased damage to Elites.
Legendary Bonus: Increase damage by X%.
Legendary Node "Eldritch Bounty"
When you attack with an Imbued Skill you gain X% Maximum Resistance and X% increased damage for that Imbuement’s element for X seconds.
Rare Glyph "Efficacy"
Grants X% bonus to all Rare nodes within range.
Additional Bonus: Imbuement Skill effects have X% increased potency.
Legendary Bonus: Increase Non-Physical damage by X%.
Noch in Arbeit.
Mercenaries
Mercenaries for the Heartseeker Rogue Leveling Guide
Primary Mercenary: Varyana
Massacre
You and Varyana stack Massacre together on kills. Certain stack thresholds grant Movement Speed. Massacre resets after X seconds of not killing an enemy.
Cleave
Varyana swings two axes in an arc in front of her, dealing X% Physical damage and X% Bleeding damage over X seconds.
Selecting a Mercenary Core Skill alters their wielded Weapon and Basic Attack.
Weapon: Dual Axes
Basic Attack: Double Strike
Varyana slashes enemies with dual axes, dealing X% Physical damage. She has a X% chance to also deal X% Bleeding damage over X seconds.
Hysteria
You gain X% Attack Speed for X seconds whenever Varyana damages an enemy, up to X%.
Recklessness
Varyana's Cleave inflicts Vulnerable on enemies for X seconds.
Shockwave
Varyana slams the ground for a brutal shockwave in front of her, dealing X% Physical damage and Knocking Down enemies for X seconds.
Selecting a Mercenary Core Skill alters their wielded Weapon and Basic Attack.
Weapon: Two-Handed Mace
Basic Attack: Heavy Strike
Varyana batters enemies with a mace, dealing X% Physical damage with X% increased Critical Strike Chance.
Crushing Force
When Varyana deals damage to an enemy, she has a X% chance to Knock them Down for X seconds.
Reprisal
If you become Crowd Controlled, Varyana leaps towards the enemy that inflicted it, dealing X% Physical damage and Knocking Down surrounding enemies for X seconds on impact. This can only occur once every X seconds.
Bloodthirst
Varyana enters Bloodthirst, gaining X% Attack Speed, X% Movement Speed, and Unstoppable for X seconds. Varyana's Bloodthirst grants X% Attack Speed to you for the same duration.
Intimidated
While Varyana has Bloodthirst, enemies around her deal X% reduced damage.
Bloodlust
Varyana's Bloodthirst further increases your Attack Speed by X%.
Whirlwind
Varyana spins violently in a line, repeatedly dealing X% Physical damage and X% Bleeding damage over X seconds.
No Escape
Varyana's Whirlwind Pulls In enemies every X seconds and gains X% Size.
Taste of Flesh
When you or Varyana deal direct damage to an enemy inflicted with any of her Bleeding effects, you Heal for X% of your Maximum Life.
Earth Breaker
Varyana crushes the ground with her mace, leaving a tremor that deals X% Physical damage over X seconds and Knocks enemies Down repeatedly.
Rampage
You deal X% increased damage to enemies afflicted by any of Varyana's Crowd Control effects.
Dismembering
Enemies damaged by Varyana's Earth Breaker are left exposed, causing your next hit against them within X seconds to be a guaranteed Overpower. This may only occur on the same target once every X seconds.
Ancient Harpoons
Varyana launches three harpoons ahead of her, piercing enemies for X% Physical damage. She then rips them back, Pulling In and Stunning enemies for X seconds.
Annihilator
Varyana's Ancient Harpoons additionally Slow enemies by X% for X seconds. During this time, you gain X% Lucky Hit Chance against those targets.
Iron Grip
Varyana's Ancient Harpoons travel X% farther and reduce enemies' Impairment Resistance by X% for X seconds.
Reinforcement: Raheir
Supports you with:
Crater
Is triggered by:
Heartseeker
Video Showcase
Video Showcase for the Heartseeker Rogue Leveling Guide
Changelog
- 10/02/24 – Optimized for Vessel of Hatred (Season 6)