The Rogue is the sneaky class in Dark And Darker. Confined to the shadows and armed with a dagger, you're not likely to start a fight head-on with an enemy, but prowl in the dark and wait for an ambush. It's an extremely fun class and our pick for one of the best solo classes in the game, although that is open to interpretation.

RELATED: Dark And Darker: Class Guide

This guide covers the best Rogue builds (perks, abilities, and gear), as well as general gameplay tips and how to get started with the class.

We updated this information on February 6, 2023, for the February playtest of the game. We added some info on the new solo queue for Rogue, some better item information, and some updated class stats.

Rogue Class Overview

The Rogue is a fast, sneaky class with the ability to go entirely invisible. If prowling around in the shadows and stabbing enemies in the back sounds like fun, the Rogue is for you. Beware, though, because if you get caught out you will die quickly as a Rogue.

• Pros
  • Really fast, the fastest base class in the game
  • Good variety of Damage Over Time debuffs to apply to enemies
  • Can go completely invisible

• Cons
  • You will die to Mosquito/Dragonfly bites (and lots of other things)
  • Lowest health pool of any class

Rogue Solo Performance

In terms of the Goblin Cave solo queue in Dark And Darker, Rogue can feel a bit difficult to play to begin with. That's because the Goblins and various other enemies do serious damage and take a beating. However, if you can play to your advantages and target other solo players, Rogue can perform really well in this arena. Watch out for Fighter's and their shields, Wizard's fireballs, and a Barbarian axe to the head.

Here's a look at the Rogue's perks and abilities.

Rogue Perks And Abilities

Perks
Ambush	First attack after coming out of stealth deals 50% extra damage
Backstab	30% damage boost if you hit an enemy in the back
Creep	Your footsteps are even quieter while walking and crouching
Dagger Expert	5% extra physical damage with daggers
Hidden Pockets	Potions are invisible on your tool belt
Lockpick Expert	You can pick locks without having a lockpick
Poisoned Weapon	Your attacks inflict a poison debuff for 4s, this stacks up to 5 times
Stealth	While hiding, you can move 10 steps crouching or walking and stay in stealth
Trap Detection	Highlights traps nearby, allows you to disable traps
Abilities
Hide	Turns you completely invisible - ends when you move/completely another action
Rupture	Your next attack causes bleed, deals 20 physical damage over the course of five seconds
Smoke Bomb	Creates a smoke diversion (big cloud of grey smoke) for 7 and a half seconds
Weakpoint Attack	Your next attack deals 50% extra damage and reduces enemy defense for 50% for a short period

read more

At the base level, level 0, you can only take one perk. New perks are unlocked at level 5, 10, and 15.

Starter Rogue Perks And Abilities

For a starter Rogue build, you should take the Poisoned Weapon perk as it's probably one of the best (if not the best) passive skills for the Rogue.

As for abilities, we think that Rupture and Weakpoint Attack are the most reliable and the most effective at doing what Rogues do best: killing enemies in the dark.

Hide and Smoke Bomb are situationally effective, but we still think pure damage is superior.

Max Level Rogue Build

When you've hit level 20 and started to think about the best build for the Rogue, you will be able to pick up four perks.

Here's what a sample Rogue build might look like.

We've opted to keep Rupture and Weakpoint Attack as our go-to Rogue abilities.

In terms of perks, we've picked up Poisoned Weapon, Backstab, Trap Detection, and Creep. Here's why.

• Poisoned Weapon - As explained above, we think this is hands-down one of the better Rogue passives. Constant, ticking poison damage with every attack? And it stacks? Perfect!
• Backstab - Excellent pick as it's consistent damage if you're attacking your enemy in the back - with Rogue's high movement speed you can reposition in fights to constantly hit the back.
• Trap Detection - This was a toss-up between Lockpick and Traps. Both are viable - in a party you might want to take Lockpick, but for solo, Trap Detection is very useful.
• Creep - Footsteps and sound are king in Dark And Darker. Creep makes you even quieter and hopefully gives you that sneaky drop on an enemy.

RELATED: Best Solo Classes In Dark And Darker

Best Rogue Gear To Look Out For

Rogues can feel pretty limited in their gear choices - they only wear cloth and leather armor and can only wield daggers, sometimes a rapier.

• You can wear a Gambeson or the Rogue set (called the Marauder outfit), both are viable.
• Daggers are your first choice and what you start out with - Rapiers come later. Rapiers are slower but offer a bit better range and damage.
• Gear with + movement speed is a great choice. This plays to your class' strengths.
• Gear with +1 Attributes is also fantastic.
• Any Green or Blue gear is a big upgrade on your starting White gear, so look out for it when you can.

Rogue Gameplay Tips

• We have the Rogue down as one of the best solo classes in the game because their sneaky abilities to get in, loot, kill an enemy or two, and then extract.
• You won't be swinging through enemies and cleaving heads with the Rogue, though. It's a very difficult class to PvP with against multiple players. The best bet is to just run.
• You have no sustain as a Rogue, so make sure to take HP pots or Bandages and remember where Health Shrines are.
• Choose your fights wisely. Play to your strengths in the dark/backstabs/poison tick damage.

NEXT: Dark And Darker: Beginner Guide