What is the Best Class in Diablo 2: Resurrected?

Determining the absolute “best” class in Diablo 2: Resurrected is a complex question with no single, universally agreed-upon answer. It largely depends on individual player preferences, playstyle, and goals within the game. However, if we’re talking about overall effectiveness, versatility, and ease of solo play, the Paladin, often specifically in its Hammerdin build, frequently takes the crown. While other classes possess unique strengths and can excel in specific scenarios, the Paladin’s combination of powerful melee and magical capabilities, exceptional survivability, and the sheer dominance of the Hammerdin build make it a top contender for the “best” class.

The Mighty Paladin: Why It’s a Top Choice

The Paladin is a versatile powerhouse capable of dealing substantial damage, providing invaluable support, and surviving harsh encounters. His strengths stem from:

• Offensive Prowess: Paladins aren’t limited to one style. They can deliver devastating melee attacks, channel holy magic, and even be effective with ranged weaponry and spells.
• Defensive Prowess: Paladins possess numerous skills and auras that enhance their survivability and the survivability of their allies.
• Versatile Builds: From the ubiquitous Hammerdin to the lightning-fast Zealot and the supportive Holy Fire build, the Paladin offers a diverse range of viable options that cater to different play styles.
• The Hammerdin Advantage: The Blessed Hammer, the cornerstone of the Hammerdin build, deals magic damage which is notoriously difficult to resist by the various monsters and bosses, making it an incredibly efficient build for clearing large groups of enemies. This build, when properly equipped with items like the Enigma runeword, becomes a truly formidable force.

While the Paladin’s Hammerdin build is often considered the most powerful, it does require specific high-end gear to truly shine. For newer players, a Holy Fire Zealot build offers an incredibly smooth leveling experience and allows one to get to grips with the game mechanics.

Other Contenders for “Best” Class

While the Paladin often tops the list, other classes also have compelling arguments for being the “best” in certain contexts:

The Necromancer: Master of Minions

The Necromancer is another highly-rated class, celebrated for its ability to raise and command an army of undead. The Summoner Necromancer build is arguably the most powerful solo build in the game, allowing players to clear content with minimal direct engagement. Its strengths lie in:

• Minion-Based Combat: A large army of skeletons, mages, and revives that can absorb damage and deliver consistent DPS.
• Powerful Curses: A variety of curses that can debuff enemies, weakening them and making them easier to kill.
• Safety and Survivability: By leveraging their minions, Necromancers tend to be safer from direct engagement than some other classes.

The Sorceress: Queen of Magic

The Sorceress is a potent caster, renowned for her high damage output and teleportation skill, which grants unparalleled mobility. Her strengths include:

• Devastating Spells: A wide range of elemental spells, capable of unleashing massive damage.
• Unrivaled Mobility: The Teleport skill allows for fast travel and escapes from dangerous situations.
• Strong Early Game: Sorceresses are excellent levelers and become powerful relatively early in the game.

Honorable Mentions

• Barbarian: A tough melee class known for its powerful attacks and shout buffs. Great for a simple and effective playthrough experience.
• Amazon: Capable of both ranged and melee combat. Can be built to focus on javelins, bows, or melee attacks with varying degrees of success.
• Druid: A shapeshifter capable of summoning powerful creatures, transforming into werewolves or werebears, and utilizing elemental magic. It presents a bit more of a learning curve for some.
• Assassin: A high-mobility melee class using traps and martial arts, allowing players to play in an agile, challenging style.

Conclusion

The best class in Diablo 2: Resurrected ultimately depends on your personal preferences and what you seek from the experience. While the Paladin, specifically the Hammerdin build, is arguably the most potent in terms of raw power, other classes like the Necromancer and Sorceress offer equally viable, and perhaps more engaging, options for solo play.

Consider your preferred play style: do you enjoy commanding an army of undead? Do you prefer smashing enemies with melee attacks or raining down spells from afar? Experiment with different classes and builds to find what resonates with you. The beauty of Diablo 2: Resurrected lies in the diversity of its character options, each offering a unique and rewarding gameplay experience. Don’t be afraid to try different things to figure out what is the most fun for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the easiest class to play solo in Diablo 2: Resurrected?

The Necromancer, Paladin, and Sorceress are generally considered the easiest classes for solo play. They each have optimal builds that allow players to comfortably clear most of the game’s content.

2. Is the Paladin really the most overpowered class?

While the Hammerdin build is exceptionally powerful, calling it the “most overpowered” is subjective. Other builds, especially with optimized gear, can also become very powerful. The Hammerdin is just the most reliable for clearing most of the game solo.

3. What class is best for beginners in Diablo 2: Resurrected?

The Paladin, with its simple mechanics and defensive capabilities, and the Necromancer, with its minion-based gameplay, are excellent choices for beginners. The Sorceress is also a good start, though she may be a little squishier for newer players.

4. Can any class beat Diablo 2 solo?

Yes, all classes in Diablo 2 are viable for solo play. Some are easier to play solo than others, but with proper builds, knowledge, and a bit of patience, any class can conquer the game.

5. Which class has the highest DPS in Diablo 2: Resurrected?

This is tricky as different builds shine in different scenarios. The Hammerdin can do immense magic damage. The Sorceress can do extreme elemental damage. The Zealot can deliver very high physical damage. However, with specific gear, the Amazon with a strong javelin build and the Assassin with a well-developed martial arts build can potentially compete.

6. What is the most fun class to play in Diablo 2: Resurrected?

“Fun” is subjective! The Sorceress is very popular due to its mobility and spell variety. The Necromancer has a unique playstyle with minions. The Paladin feels powerful, and the Amazon and Assassin both present a fast-paced, action-packed playstyle. Experiment to see what fits your preferences.

7. What is the least popular class in Diablo 2: Resurrected?

While popularity stats are hard to pin down precisely, it is generally agreed that the Druid and Assassin are considered among the least played classes. They do, however, offer powerful playstyles when utilized correctly.

8. What is the strongest solo build in Diablo 2?

The Summoner Necromancer and Hammerdin Paladin builds are the strongest solo builds due to their overall effectiveness and versatility.

9. Does gear matter more than class in Diablo 2?

Gear is extremely important in Diablo 2. A well-geared character of any class can be highly effective. Certain builds, like the Hammerdin, however, require specific and often expensive pieces of gear.

10. Can I respec my character in Diablo 2: Resurrected?

Yes, you can respec your character’s skills and stats by using the Den of Evil quest or special tokens.

11. Are some builds required to finish the game?

No, you can beat the game with numerous build configurations. However, some builds are generally easier or faster than others.

12. Is Diablo 2 harder to solo than in groups?

Yes, solo play in Diablo 2: Resurrected is generally more challenging than playing in groups. Group play allows for synergy between classes and a more dynamic experience.

13. Which class is the tankiest in Diablo 2: Resurrected?

The Barbarian is known for their high health pool and resistance, making them the tankiest class. However, the Paladin with their skills and gear can also be a powerful and very sturdy tank.

14. Are all classes viable for endgame content?

Yes, all classes are viable for endgame content in Diablo 2: Resurrected. However, some builds may require very specific gear to truly excel.

15. What is the highest damage weapon in Diablo 2: Resurrected?

Theoretically, an ethereal, repaired, cruel rare Thunder Maul with 450 enhanced damage and socketed with two Ohm runes would have the highest possible top-end damage.