PvM Class Build Staples List

Xios

Xios

New member
So as I've mentioned in the past, one of the reasons I started playing Single Player was to branch out to more classes and builds. With how frustrating muling was in multiplayer as well as needing multiple accounts, I tended to stick to my personal favourites or easy to crutch on characters every time I made a return to the Realms.

So far I've really been enjoying trying out new things as it's both refreshing and rewarding. It started to make me think however about build variety, so I come to you guys with a question.

If you were to list all of the archetypical/foundational builds in Diablo 2 across classes, what sort of list would you come up with? Now I realize this may be a little too broad, so let me start to preface this:
  • First off, I'm only asking in terms of PvM [focused] builds, no need to open the PvP side of things.
  • Assume recent versions (1.13/1.14+)
  • Assume you are trying to Mat/Pat/Guardian this build (it can get to the end of Hell.) and it overall is "complete" (while I'm sure someone can beat the game with no skills, that's not really the point I'm going for). Note it doesn't need to have strict answers for "everything" (it can run past troublesome packs) but it should have a reasonable chance with only moderate amounts of patience/skill, think Tier 1 / Tier 2 builds if you were to rank them.
  • The builds shouldn't fall apart without / completely require very specific end game item combinations / high runewords. While the build doesn't need to be at its best untwinked, twinking shouldn't be a requirement to function altogether. I might still note some of these however as some are particularly unique and may warrant an exception, such as some of the oSkill builds.
  • Assume that an average/new player would be able to pilot the build sufficiently. This might be a little vague, but for example you should be able to explain what the build is doing / how it progresses / what skills it's using and why in a fairly straightforward manner.
  • The builds should be using some different core skill(s) compared to other builds listed. While there's plenty of ways to flesh out a character near the end, they should function differently enough to be separate entries. It should have its own distinct identity.
  • Hopefully the build is fun to play/experience, even if it doesn't wind up being everyone's cup of tea. To the average player who says they've done all the main builds, these are the ones you should be checking to see if that's truly the case.
Now to help reduce how much listing anyone who responds may need to do, I'll try to write one out myself, and therefore it can be added/edited/commented on as necessary.

If it's preferred, I might add entries in [Like So] to represent builds that could work but are not overly popular, may have an overly difficult time closing out Hell, require additional/specific gear support, or are hyperspecialized but uniquely fun enough that they deserve mentioning but are not outright staples. Think your Tier 3/4 type builds just for a more complete picture.

The order of the entries doesn't signify anything.

Amazon:
  • Jab/Fend
  • CS/LF Lightning
  • Lightning/Poison Hybrid
  • Fishyzon (Bow/Jav Hybrid - Usually LF/FA)
  • Strafer/Multi
  • Gunslinger (Strafe/LF)
  • Ice Maiden (FA/Strafe)
  • Magezon (Fire/Ice)
Assassin:
  • LS/DS Trapper
  • Kicksin
  • Furysin
  • Phoenix Striker
  • Dancer (Trap/Kick Hybrid)
  • DTailer
  • Fire Trapper
  • (Dragon) Claws
  • [WWsin]
  • [Riftsin]

Necromancer:
  • Skelliemancer/Fishymancer
  • Overlord / Summoner
  • Bone (Bone Spear / Spirit)
  • Poison Necro / Venomancer / Novamancer

Barbarian:
  • Singer/Bard
  • Frenzy
  • Berserker
  • WW
  • Conc/Iron Barb
  • ZealBarb
  • [Thrower]
  • [Dragoon/Leap Attack]

Paladin:
  • Hammerdin
  • Zealot (Fana/HF)
  • Avenger
  • Tesladin
  • [Smiter]
  • [Abbot]
  • [Charger]
  • [Ranger]
Sorceress:
  • Blizzard Sorc
  • Chain Lightning Sorc
  • Meteorb (Or Fireball/Frozen Orb)
  • Hydra
  • Firewaller
  • Charged Bolt
  • [Enchantress]

Druid:
  • Windy Druid
  • Fury Wolf
  • Mauler Bear
  • Shockbear Summoner
  • Rabies Wolf
  • Fireclaw Mauler
  • Ranger Summon
  • [Fire Druid]
General:
  • [oSkill Bear/Wolf Builds]

So what do you guys think? Am I missing something crucial? I'm sure a few slipped through the cracks through forgetfulness or being indecisive (lots of theoretical dual element builds for Sorcs, lots of hybrid Sins, etc). Are there better ways to split some options? I realize this sort of discussion might be unneeded ("Every build is possible.") but I'd imagine this sort of information would have been useful if I was brand new to the series, and we all want more people playing Diablo 2, right?

Will edit the list as things are added.
 
Last edited:
ThomasJohnsen said:
[Abbot] by SSoG (which is no longer available on these fora so I will need to link to http://www.guardianhq.com/othergames/diablo-2/).
An expensive and not too effective build, but if you like a huge untwinked challenge or a semi-twinked dude that's very hard to kill - well look no further.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'd like to build one someday. But I'm still farming some of the items. Particularly the Circlet and amulet. Btw, the original post is still on the Amazon Basin :).

I'll add builds when I have more time. For now I'd like to mention a Rabies / Fury Werewolf. Plays similarly as the regular Fury Werewolf, but it actually is quite different at the same time, and Rabies is just so much fun when it spreads among enemies. I built mine with a Grief PB for both Fury and Rabies, but I'm sure you can do with less than that.
 
As a (very) long time player of this great game, I think that builds can be fairly separated into goal-oriented groups. For instance, if I simply wish to complete the grail and find every TC87, I could achieve that goal entirely with a pure Blizzard sorc in ancient tunnels, or a berserker or strafer in the pit. If I want to pound Baal and his minions to a bloody pulp, Hammerdin or dual element sorc might be the best option. If Pindleskin needs a thrashing, the trapper or lightning zon make quick work of him. For a ton of gold and high runes, WW Barb makes the council look easy. Or if you just want someone to beat the tarnation out of the vast majority of the game with little effort and store bought gear, the fishymancer or fishyzon can take you there. A lot of the other builds are either very niche or another class does it better. For example I don't much like the fury wolf because Barb does physical damage better, or the holy freeze zealot because sorc does cold damage better. But if Nightfish taught me anything, it's that everything is Hellable.
 
GooberGrape said:
But if Nightfish taught me anything, it's that everything is Hellable.
Click to expand...

...and superdave. Most epic complete the game thread ever imo. Also the uber quest by crawlingdeadman is worth a read.

But to stay on subject, I think the OP was referring to character not running one particular area constantly, but rather (a) character(s) that can complete every part of the game (or most parts anyway) without being terribly twinked. At least thats the impression I got.
 
That's correct. Say for example someone is planning a playthrough (all three difficulties) and these are the sort of base archetypes of each class that are either the simplest, easiest, or most popular, while the ones in [brackets] are probably well known enough to have identifiable names, but aren't mainstays.

The build options don't necessarily need to compete with each other ("Why play X when you can play Y") necessarily, especially if there is a difference in class. So for example "Why play a Zealot with Might when you can use Fanaticism" is valid, but "Why play a Tesladin when LF Zon exists" is less important.

It's mostly in the context of what you could consider the cornerstones of the classes or builds in general for D2. Something you would suggest that someone play if they were new or looking to branch out, and brings a unique aspect to the table, even if it may be weaker than another class or build in theory.

It's a little wishy washy I know, but I thought I'd ask all the same. I'm sure most of the builds that'd be on the list sort of build themselves-- insert obvious primary attack skill, add synergies, maybe delve into secondary element, done.
 
If I got it right, it seems like you listed most of the main builds out there. I would like to add few more:

Necro:
  • Melee Necro
Paladin:
  • Ranger
Druid:
  • Rabis druid
 
Hydra sorceress! It is one of my favorite builds, and very safe when played conservatively (cast your hydras out ahead of you and wait if they fire at stuff - similar to using Decoy with the Amazon).

It's one of my favorite old-time builds. I usually go tri-elemental with Frozen Orb and high-level Static Field, but there are plenty of variants; you could focus more on Hydra with its synergies, go with Chain lightning or Blizzard as a secondary skill, etc.

I have also been playing a leap Barb recently. Not very fast, but there is something about Leap Attack that I find very fun. Plenty of good variants here too, especially when considering war cries (I'm trying to decide between Howl vs. War Cry). Not a whole lot of these in the pat/mat compilation thread, either.

+1 for rabies druid; I've only used that skill/build a few times, but I was impressed with its abilities (though I never played one in Hell); plus it makes "Hit Causes Monster to Flee" a useful ability to spread around the rabies virus. Zombie-wolf, anyone?
 
i think the single best build is bonemancer, it is not a giant PITA at the wormhole, and you got bonewalls for blocking

for necro at least.

Untwinked I'd stay away from any physical char, but barb takes the crown there i guess
 
Melee Necro seems quite hard to finish Hell with, unless you have some really good gear, no?

As to the OP, I had to google what a Dragoon Barb is. Maybe Leap Attack Barb is a more commonly known word? I also know him as Booyaka, but I'm not sure everyone does. It's definitely a viable build, although even with very good gear rather slow due to the nature of the attack.

I'm not sure why a Phoenix Striker is between brackets. Yes they require quite some hotkeys, a some getting used to, but other than that it is a very viable build, even without really fancy gear.

I agree with @JoeBruce on the Hydra Sorcs. Lots of fun !!! Easiest to build is with Orb or Blizzard, but I tried other combinations too, like a Nova / Hydra Sorc, and they work really well with good (but not insane) gear. While both skills require somewhat different gear, the playing style really matches: cast a Hydra to attack monsters, teleport on top of them and start using Nova. Very fast paced build, as all builds involving Nova are.

Actually, as far as Sorcs go, almost any combination works, once you acquire a certain level of gear. I know this applies to most classes if you get really good gear, but for Sorcs the level at which your gear has to be, generally is much lower.

As for other builds that can go in the list:

Amazon:
  • FA / Multi (or Strafe). Unless that's the same as Ice Maiden. Very strong and safe build.
  • Daggerzon. Actually never build one myself, but read a lot of threads about people who did.
Assassin:
  • Dancer (Traps / DTalon hybrid). Very fun, very strong with good gear (Stormlash on kick switch). Was my first ever Guardian in SP, so can definitely be done untwinked.
  • DTailer. Can even be built untwinked. Hardest part is to figure out game mechanics, but other than that very strong build.
  • Fire Trapper. Very strong and underrated build. Struggles with FIs in Hell, but can easily take a backup attack. I used BF with a Lawbringer on switch, which worked very well.
  • Dragon Claw pure melee build.

Barb:

  • ZealBarb. Requires Passion, but that should be within reach for everybody. One of my strongest characters ever was a ZealBarb, using a Passion in the offhand to enable Zeal, and a Grief PB in the main hand to actually deal the damage. Strong, safe, fun, ... enough said :).

Sorceress:
  • Fire Wall with Orb / Blizzard / (Chain) Lightning
  • Charged Bolt with Orb
  • Ranged Enchantress (requires bow or xbow with explosive bolts, and ideally also pierce)

Druid:
  • Fire Claws / Maul. Fun and versatile build.
 
Agreed on the Thrower Barb (also needs to be twinked with the Patience skill, as they require lots and lots of towntrips). A pity really, because they are a lot of fun. O yes, and also agreed on the Vengeance Sorc. Kingslayer made in a big 2H Axe of course :).
 
I definitely agree that Sorcs are the hardest for me to quantify since it's usually a matter of "Pick two attack moves with differing elements." So if you really want to stretch out the builds I'm sure you could come up with a list of concepts that are all technically viable, if a little less popular.

The Phoenix Striker being in brackets was more inexperience on my end as I haven't played it but knew it existed and added it as an afterthought.

Wasn't entirely sure where to draw the line on certain oSkill builds and whether some should be listed as regular builds or bracket builds due to the technicality-- I guess that'll be a little subjective. I agree Passion is probably the easiest to argue for.

As to the Thrower comment that sounds about right. The only time I took a Thrower into Hell was in a co-op playthrough on Classic (where I learned to my surprise non-standard throwing weapons didn't exist.) I wasn't sure how much they improved come the expansion.

I definitely see a few I had forgotten listed now, will try to update the list. The idea was to compile a "Greatest Hits" type list of all the builds [nearly] everyone is familiar with and are more or less tried and true.
 
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