Of the mighty seven playable characters in Diablo 2, there’s a bunch of ways you can smite the three Prime Evils. Even by 2018 standards this game, made almost 20 years ago, has enough classes that it’s hard to pick the one to focus on:
Are you brutally unstoppable as the Barbarian or do you shrug off man-felling blows while buffing your teammates as the Paladin?
Bear-ly control your rage as the Druid or summon a lagtastical Army of Darkness with the Necromancer?
If choosing from the 7 classes wasn’t enough, there are multiple ways to build your character as well. This guide will walk you through each character’s skill progression and includes a few of the most popular builds as well!
Scroll down and find the path that’s right for you!
The Amazon
Hailing from a tropical island, these warrior women commonly travel beyond their isolated homeland to walk the plains as nomads. Trained to defend their rainforest to the death, these master strategists meet any would be invader with a barrage of projectiles. Amazons come from a matriarchal society, where women are regarded as better suited to the dense jungle fighting so common to their island. Duty is engrained into them at a young age, everyone on the island must “play their part” to maintain order.
A sense of duty can take an Amazon far across the world, where her skills in hand-to-hand combat, javelin, and bow are in high demand.
Her loyalty and independence however, aren’t for sale.
Skill Progression:
| Unlock Lvl | Bow and Crossbow | Passive and Magic | Javelin and Spear |
| Level 1 | Magic Arrow Fire Arrow |
Inner Sight
Critical Strike |
Jab |
| Level 6 | Cold Arrow Multiple Shot |
Dodge | Power Strike
Poison Javelin |
| Level 12 | Exploding Arrow | Slow Missiles
Avoid |
Impale
Lightning Bolt |
| Level 18 | Ice Arrow
Guided Arrow |
Penetrate | Charged Strike
Plague Javelin |
| Level 24 | Immolation Arrow
Strafe |
Decoy
Evade |
Fend |
| Level 30 | Freezing Arrow | Valkyrie
Pierce |
Lightning Strike
Lightning Fury |
The Amazon’s play style is truly dependent on her focus, from volleys of electrical bolts to multiple stabs with a javelin. A mobile kit built for kiting monsters, bosses, or even other players in PvP.
From mobs of monsters to 1v1, the Amazon has multiple different builds to tackle any challenge:
| Build Name | Focus |
| Angelzon | Items. |
| Bowazon | The bow or crossbow and related skills. |
| Fendazon | The skill ‘Fend’. |
| Hybridazon | A combination of two skills from different skill trees. ‘Valkyrie’ is normally required no matter the variant. |
| Javazon | Javelins or spears and related skills. |
| Lightjab Amazon | The skills ‘Jab’ and ‘Lightning Fury’. |
| Passivezon | Passive and magic skills. |
| Plagazon | The skill ‘Plague Javelin’. |
Trivia
Jessica Straus, the voice actor for the Amazon in Diablo II and LOD, also has lent her voice to other Blizzard Entertainment projects like: Warcraft III and World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King.
The Assassin
(LOD Only)
Eschewing magic, Assassins come from an order known as the Viz-Jaq’taar: The Order of the Mage Slayers. Operating from the shadows, the Order believes that by avoiding the use of magic, except magical weapons and armor, an Assassin is free from the risk of corruption. Armed only with her wits and physical prowess, she deftly manoeuvres, avoiding blows until the moment comes for the perfect strike. This is the culmination of years of training, to keep her mind focused and spirit pure, drawing from within to fuel a killing blow with every swing.
The return of the Three Prime Evils has forced these silent professionals from clandestine operator to death incarnate. Scything through her foes she’ll maintain peace; root out corruption across the world of Sanctuary instead of only within the mage clans.
Skill Progression:
| Unlock Lvl | Martial Arts | Shadow Disciplines | Traps |
| Level 1 | Tiger Strike
Dragon Talon |
Claw Mastery
Psychic Hammer |
Fire Blast |
| Level 6 | Fists of Fire
Dragon Claw |
Burst of Speed | Shock Web
Blade Sentinel |
| Level 12 | Cobra Strike | Cloak of Shadows
Weapon Block |
Charged Bolt Sentry
Wake of Fire |
| Level 18 | Claws of Thunder
Dragon Tail |
Fade
Shadow Warrior |
Blade Fury |
| Level 24 | Blades of Ice
Dragon Flight |
Mind Blast | Lightning Sentry
Wake of Inferno |
| Level 30 | Phoenix Strike | Venom
Shadow Master |
Death Sentry
Blade Shield |
A PvP machine, she is best played avoiding a toe-to-toe fight, weaving in and out of combat like a dancer. From psychic abilities to trapping, lock picking to devastating kicks the Assassin kites you around the battlefield, wearing you down, before landing a killing blow.
Builds
Because of the precise nature of the Assassin’s skills, there are three main builds and loads of sub-builds that Assassins in Diablo II fall into. The main three are Trap Assassins (‘Trapsin’), Martial Artist, or Hybrid with small variations within each build:
| Name | Assassin Build | Focus |
| Dark Warrior | N/A | Shadow disciplines. |
| Elementalist Variant | Martial Artist | Elemental martial arts like ‘Phoenix Strike’. |
| Lightning Trapper | Trapsin | Lightning traps such as ‘Lightning Sentry’. |
| Monk | Hybrid | Skills that impact the area of effect, like ‘Death Sentry’ and ‘Phoenix Strike’. |
| Talon Kicksin Variant | Martial Artist | Finishing kicks, specifically ‘Dragon Talon’ and ‘Dragon Flight’. |
| Vampire | Martial Artist | The skill ‘Cobra Strike’, which sucks mana/life from enemies. |
| Whirlwind Assassin (WWsin) | N/A | Rather than skills, this build is centred on the Chaos rune word. |
Trivia
The first Assassin featured in Diablo II is Natalya. She only plays a minor role and has no real in-game function, but many believe her to be a preview for the introduction of the Assassin class in Diablo II: Lord of Destruction.
The Barbarian
Northern Steppe warriors spoken of in legend, the Barbarian tribe known as the ‘Children of Bul-Kathos’, guard the power within Mount Arreat. Though curious and brutal to their city dwelling far-off neighbours, Barbarians are tasked with guarding a power that is tied to the fate of all humanity. They patrol the frigid Northern Steppes in roving bands, a vigilant and dutiful nomad culture that isn’t anything like the savages they’re portrayed to be.
Moving with an innate sense of direction, a Barbarian is an overwhelming force in melee combat. Like the Assassin clan, Barbarians distrust magic but still use magical weapons and armor. A Barbarian has no equal in combat, they’re sung of in legend as merciless on the battlefield. Known for their bond with nature, a Barbarian frequently channels an animal’s spirit in battle, fighting with ferocity never before seen by their southern cousins.
With the return of the Prime Evils the world has seen more and more Barbarians venturing south, seeking information about the coming threat.
Skill Progression:
| Unlock Lvl | Combat Skills | Combat Masteries | Warcries |
| Level 1 | Bash | Sword Mastery
Axe Mastery Mace Mastery |
Howl
Find Potion |
| Level 6 | Double Swing
Leap |
Polearm Mastery
Throwing Mastery Spear Master |
Shout
Taunt |
| Level 12 | Double Throw
Stun |
Increased Stamina | Find Item |
| Level 18 | Leap Attack
Concentrate |
Iron Skin | Battle Cry |
| Level 24 | Frenzy | Increased Speed | Battle Orders
Grim Ward |
| Level 30 | Whirlwind
Berserk |
Natural Resistance | War Cry
Battle Command |
Equivalent to the Juggernaut in terms of brutal force, the Barbarian is unmatched one vs one. Spinning in circles with Whirlwind (WW) like a tanky tornado or leaping at you, he’s definitely one thing: He will always be belligerently in your face. You can’t ignore a Barbarian’s damage, nor their ability to stay glued to their enemy.
Builds
Though the most popular builds for Barbarian are either WW Barbarian or BvC (Barbarian vs. Caster), these are a few other common builds:
| Name | Focus |
| Axethrower | The skill ‘Double Throw’. |
| Berserker | The skill ‘Berserk’. |
| Concentrator | The skill ‘Concentrate’. |
| Dragoon | The skill ‘Leap Attack’. |
| Frenzy Barb | The skill ‘Frenzy’. |
| Horker | Finding gold and gambling. |
| Immortal King Barbarian | Immortal King items |
| Singer | The skill ‘War Cry’. In multiplayer, it also turns the Barbarian into a supportive caster. |
| Whirlwind Barb (also known as Whirly-Barb) | The skill ‘Whirlwind’. |
Trivia
The Barbarian is the only class that features in all three Diablo games. While he is a main class in Diablo II and Diablo III, he is only a test class in the Diablo: Hellfire expansion, available by editing game files.
The Druid
(LOD Only)
Kin to the Barbarian tribes, these graduates of the Druid Colleges are masters of Sanctuary’s elements and creatures alike. Tracing back into the ancient times, their founder was the trusted advisor to the legendary Barbarian king Bul-Kathos.
Together they founded the first Druid College in Scosglen, teaching the ways of shape shifting, command of animals, and mastery of the elements.
A Druid’s spiritual connection to the land affords them great power: shredding enemies with blades of wind or melting them in a molten firestorm. The Druid commands nature itself, in the form of choking vines and other creatures. Druids can shape shift into either Werewolf or Werebear, to maul any foolish Mage who dares to venture into their forest.
Skill Progression:
| Unlock Lvl | Elemental | Shape Shifting | Summoning |
| Level 1 | Firestorm | Werewolf
Lycanthropy |
Raven
Poison Creeper |
| Level 6 | Molten Boulder
Arctic Blast |
Werebear | Oak Sage
Summon Spirit Wolf |
| Level 12 | Cyclone Armor
Fissure |
Maul
Feral Rage |
Carrion Vine |
| Level 18 | Twister | Fire Claws
Rabies |
Heart of Wolverine
Summon Dire Wolf |
| Level 24 | Volcano
Tornado |
Shock Wave
Hunger |
Solar Creeper |
| Level 30 | Armageddon
Hurricane |
Fury | Spirit of Barbs
Summon Grizzly |
All around the most balanced tool kit of any of the classes. With equal helpings of both the Sorceress’ DPS, the Necro’s summoning, and the Barbarian’s staying power the Druid is a force of nature.
Tanky and reliable, the Druid can either destroy enemies from a distance or viciously maul them in close combat.
Builds
If you want to be lazy and have minions do the fighting for you there’s a Druid for that. If you want to be in their face, swiping in rage, there’s a Druid for that. If you want to rain fire and use the elements as weapons, there’s also a Druid for that. A Jack-of-all-trades that needs to be specialized, a Druid shouldn’t be too hybridized or he risks losing potential DPS.
| Name | Focus |
| Beastmaster | Creates summons and fights alongside them. |
| Fire Druid | The skill ‘Armageddon’. |
| Fireclaws Werewolf | The skill ‘Fire Claws’. |
| Flamethrower with a Tank | The skills ‘Firestorm’ and ‘Summon Grizzly’. |
| Fury Werewolf | The skill ‘Fury’, nearly becoming a werewolf zealot. |
| Hybrid Werewolf | A shape shifter with more than one attack skill. |
| Maul Bear | Werebear with the ‘Maul’ skill. |
| Natural Summoner | Uses summons to do the work. |
Trivia
Thanks to his prowess in battle and spell casting abilities, the Druid has the most well rounded skill set. He is effectively a combination of the Barbarian, Necromancer and Sorceress classes.
The Necromancer
Students of the ‘Great Cycle of Being’, these specialized mages are from what many believe to be the oldest Mage Clan, the Priests of Rathma. Necromancers are trained in an underground city beneath the Eastern Jungles, training for years to master an understanding in the balance of all things, or ‘Great Cycle of Being’.
Welcoming death like an old friend, a Necromancer is a pragmatist who uses every tool at his disposal. Cold and calculating, many see a Necromancer’s logic as their main defense against the inherent corruption using this ‘dark’ magic. Controlling the dead and living alike with Prime Magic, the Priests of Rathma seek only to maintain harmony and balance in Sanctuary.
The imbalance caused by the resurgence of the Prime Evils has set many a Necromancer on a quest to rid the world of any non-mortal interloper, divine or infernal.
The Necromancer is the enemy of any power that would use mortals as pawns in their eternal war.
Skill Progression:
| Unlock Lvl | Curses | Poison and Bone Spells | Summoning Spells |
| Level 1 | Raise Skeleton
Skeleton Mastery |
Teeth
Bone Armor |
Amplify Damage |
| Level 6 | Clay Golem | Poison Dagger
Corpse Explosion |
Dim Vision
Weaken |
| Level 12 | Golem Mastery
Raise Skeletal Mage |
Bone Wall | Iron Maiden
Terror |
| Level 18 | Blood Golem | Poison Explosion
Bone Spear |
Confuse
Life Tap |
| Level 24 | Summon Resist
Iron Golem |
Bone Prison | Attract
Decrepify |
| Level 30 | Fire Golem
Revive |
Poison Nova
Bone Spirit |
Lower Resist |
Armed with some of the best auras in Diablo 2, summons, and damage that most enemies have no resistance for a Necromancer is an easy choice to play. Fun, with a unique play style, the possibilities to dominate as the Necromancer are numerous.
Builds
Mage skeletons or Bone Spears, the Necromancer is definitely one of the most versatile classes in Diablo 2. With better class resistances than the Druid and buffs/debuffs, a Necromancer should still be specialized or risk the same downfalls as the Druid.
| Name | Focus |
| Bonemancer | Bone spells. A very popular Necromancer build. |
| Daggermancer | A variation of the Novamancer. The main skill is ‘Poison Nova’, further complemented by ‘Poison Dagger’. |
| Explosionmancer | The skill ‘Corpse Explosion’. The classic Diablo II Necromancer build. This build is normally found in multiplayer as it relies on others to make the first kill. |
| Hybridmancer | Combination of Bonemancer and Summonmancer |
| Novamancer | The skill ‘Poison Nova’, normally in combination with ‘Lower Resist’. |
| Summonmancer | Having lots of minions to overwhelm enemies. |
Trivia
The Necromancer was originally a sub-class during development.
The Paladin
Undertrained and underprepared, the very first missionaries who left on pilgrimage from the Church of Zakarum found a brutal, dangerous world. After tragedy struck, the Church began their indoctrination and training of a holy sect of warriors named ‘Protectors of the Word’. Commonly known as Paladins, these knightly priests defend their charges gallantly against whatever horror Sanctuary has to offer.
A civil war has broken splintered the order into two ways of thought: Loyalists who believe those who are declared evil are the enemy and those who believe the Prime Evils are the source for the world’s corruption.
As a member of the rebellious faction, the Paladin has travelled far west in search of the source of darkness in his world. Honorable and battle ready, he’s trained his mind and body to never succumb to corruption. He can cast protective auras over his allies while at the forefront of fight, sword and shield in hand.
Skill Progression:
| Unlock Lvl | Combat Skills | Defensive Auras | Offensive Auras |
| Level 1 | Sacrifice
Smite |
Prayer
Resist Fire |
Might |
| Level 6 | Holy Bolt | Defiance
Resist Cold |
Holy Fire
Thorns |
| Level 12 | Zeal
Charge |
Cleansing
Resist Lightning |
Blessed Aim |
| Level 18 | Vengeance
Blessed Hammer |
Vigor | Concentration
Holy Freeze |
| Level 24 | Conversion
Holy Shield |
Meditation | Holy Shock
Sanctuary |
| Level 30 | Fist of the Heavens | Redemption
Salvation |
Fanaticism
Conviction |
The best place for auras in Diablo 2, a Paladin has utility. He keeps buffing himself and his party, he has high resistances to damage and is filling the screen with thrown hammers. A favorite in PvM and PvP.
Builds
Paladin boasts arguably the strongest of PvP builds, but since he lacks gap closing, specialized runes and items are a must.
| Name | Focus |
| Auradin | Runewords that strengthen auras. |
| Dragon Paladin | The skill ‘Holy Fire’ paired with the right equipment. |
| Hammerdin | The most popular Paladin build in Diablo II. As the Paladin thrives in close combat fighting, this build can teleport into a large group of enemies and use the ‘Blessed Hammer’ to inflict a lot of damage.
|
| Smiter | The skill ‘Smite’. Also normally has expensive gear like Exile Shield. |
| Zealot | The skill ‘Zeal’. Can be complemented by ‘Fanatacism’ for a speedy and effective series of hits. |
Trivia
The Paladin in Diablo II is voiced by Larry B. Scott, an actor who has also appeared on Seinfeld.
Sorceress
The most secretive of the Mage Clans, the Zann Esu are the result of a merging of a Mage Clan with the powerful witch covens of Esu. After disappearing into the eastern jungles to study magic, the Sorceress has emerged to fight against the three Prime Evils.
Like the Druids, the Zann Esu believe elemental magic won’t corrupt its user: It’s ‘perfect’ magic.
The sect refuses to use any other school of magic, as it’s corruptible and dangerous, and views melee combat as vulgar, preferring to sling spells from afar.
The ‘Time of Emergence’ is now; as Sorceresses appear across Sanctuary, ready to destroy any monster that would upset the peace.
Skill Progression:
| Unlock Lvl | Cold Spells | Lightning Spells | Fire Spells |
| Level 1 | Ice Bolt
Frozen Armor |
Charged Bolt | Fire Bolt
Warmth |
| Level 6 | Frost Nova
Ice Blast |
Static Field
Telekinesis |
Inferno |
| Level 12 | Shiver Armor | Nova
Lightning |
Blaze
Fire Ball |
| Level 18 | Glacial Spike | Chain Lightning
Teleport |
Fire Wall
Enchant |
| Level 24 | Blizzard
Chilling Armor |
Thunder Storm
Energy Shield |
Meteor |
| Level 30 | Frozen Orb
Cold Mastery |
Lightning Mastery | Fire Mastery
Hydra |
DPS DPS DPS, there is no easier way to one shot-ing most bad guys than specializing in Fire Ball. The Sorceress has great cast times on most of her spells and is the fastest to maximise Magic Find due to her passive skill.
Also the most mobile of classes because of her natural access to the Teleport, she won’t have to grind to a rune word to be viable in PvP.
Builds
Named normally for spell she specializes in, most Sorceress builds are fairly straightforward.
| Name | Focus |
| Blizzard Sorceress | Cold spells, with ‘Blizzard’ as the main skill. The most feared build thanks to her ability to teleport and instantly cast death. |
| Enchantress | The ‘Enchant’ spell, in combination with ‘Energy Shield’ or ‘Shiver Armor’. Deemed the best build in Diablo II for hand-to-hand combat, when given the right gear. |
| Frozen Orb Sorceress | Cold spells, with ‘Frozen Orb’ as the main skill. The most common PvP Sorceress build, armed with a huge area of effect. |
| Fire Ball Sorceress | The ‘Fire Ball’ and ‘Fire Mastery’ skill. Very powerful, unless the enemy has high levels of fire resistance. |
Word to the wise: It is rare for a Sorceress to specialize in Lightning spells due to long cast times.
No matter what style you want to play, Diablo 2 has a class and build made just for you. Just be ready with quick reflexes or you might have to start all over again in town or even permanently!
Are you having trouble choosing a build?
Did I not mention one you were looking for?
Do you have any suggestions for new or returning players?
Join the conversation and add to the discussion below!