The Technical Alpha for Diablo 2: Resurrected begins this weekend, giving select players a first look at Blizzard's remastered RPG. The new version of 2000's Diablo 2 comes with greatly improved graphics and network functions, but leaves the gameplay largely untouched.
While there will be seven classes for players to choose from in the release version of Diablo 2: Resurrected, only three will be available in the alpha. With these classes, players will be able to take on the game's first and second Acts, and each of the three classes has multiple playstyles for players to explore. However, the three that have been selected were clearly chosen for their distinct styles to give players the best look at the three pillars of combat: melee, ranged, and magic. Ultimately, which class is "best" in the Diablo 2: Resurrected alpha will be different for each player.
The Barbarian
Representing the first of the three pillars is the Barbarian, a tough, melee-expert who can outlast everyone else on the front lines. The Barbarian is one of Diablo's most iconic classes, and supplanted the Warrior after the first game as the series' primary melee hero. The Barbarian is all about dealing raw, physical damage, and offers a straightforward approach to melee combat.
The Barbarian's skill trees in Diablo 2 are divided between Combat Skills, Combat Masteries, and Warcries. The first two of these are the most straightforward, with Combat Skills being active powers that players can use in combat, and Masteries being passive buffs that can greatly boost the Barbarian's capabilities. The final tree, Warcries is more support-orientated, containing both buffs for the Barbarian and his party, as well as debuffs for enemies.
The Barbarian combines these skill trees into a melee juggernaut, able to survive in the toughest fights while still putting out great damage. Using powerful close-range skills like Whirlwind and Berserk, the Barbarian can tear through most hordes with ease. He also has a huge life pool, giving him the staying power to remain in the thick of combat as long as it takes. Ultimately, the Barbarian is the ideal Diablo class for any player who wants to hurl themselves straight into danger and tear through enemies at point-blank range.
The Amazon
The next class in the Diablo 2: Resurrected alpha is the Amazon, who is the most versatile class in Resurrected, able to excel with both melee and ranged weaponry. In addition, the Amazon has some minor magical abilities, meaning that she can be built in a huge number of different ways.
Her skill trees match this versatility, allowing her to focus on Bow and Crossbow Skills, Javelin and Spear Skills, or Passive and Magic Skills. The Bow tree grants the Amazon a range of special arrow attacks, capable of exploding enemies, freezing them, or dealing elemental damage. The Javelin tree mixes melee with ranged skills, giving Diablo 2's Amazon the ability to choose which range to engage at. Finally, the Magic tree contains useful buffs that increase the Amazon's survivability and damage.
Despite this huge versatility, the Amazon does have an overall focus on dealing high amounts of damage to single targets. She excels when fighting bosses, but has enough area-of-effect abilities to not suffer too badly when facing a horde. In conclusion, the Amazon is the best class for players who are looking for versatility and want to be able to adjust their playstyle to suit the situation.
The Sorceress
The final class in the Diablo 2: Remastered alpha is the Sorceress. The Sorceress is the quintessential elemental spellcaster, able to put out vast amounts of area-of-effect damage. This is balanced by her being one of the squishiest classes in Diablo 2: Resurrected. While she can protect herself using skills like Energy Shield and Teleport, her best defense is to stay out of combat altogether.
The Sorceresses' skill trees of Fire, Lightning, and Cold each give her powers a different flavor, and let her specialize in an element. The Fire tree is the most consistently damaging of the three, and also has the longest range, allowing the Sorceress to even engage off-screen targets. The Lightning tree mixes chaotic damage spells with utility abilities like Energy Shield and Teleport. Finally, the Cold tree has the least attack power of the three, but makes up for it with greatly increased crowd control abilities.
No matter which of the three skill trees a Diablo Sorceress chooses to focus on, the basic playstyle of the class remains largely unchanged. A strong offense is often the best defense, and the Sorceresses incredible damage-output is more than enough to compensate her lack of staying-power. Overall, the Sorceress is the best class for players who love to blast crowds of enemies apart with flashy displays of elemental power, and don't mind being vulnerable themselves.
Diablo 2 Resurrected is currently in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
