There is always going to be a debate when it comes down to the best build in Diablo 2: Resurrected. Player strengths and weaknesses are simply too vast for there to be a single cookie-cutter design that works for every single person who picks up the game.
But when veterans are asked what the consensus "best" build in Diablo 2: Resurrected is, the overwhelming choice is the Paladin's Blessed Hammer build. It's the S-Tier of the S-Tier builds. The usefulness against monsters from beginning to end needs to be experienced to be believed. But definitely experience it, because there is a reason so many believers in the community swear by the Hammerdin.
Updated on November 16th, 2021 by Hodey Johns: Anybody who was worried about Blessed Hammers working just as well in the latest version of this game quickly put their fears to bed. This build remains the best build for the Paladin and, with limited objections, the best build in the entire game. But making this build survive until hitting that sweet late game is easier said than done. Therefore, this build has added a section that details what stats and skills players should prioritize from the beginning of the game all the way through the mid and endgame to help with the entire leveling process and not just the maximum level.
Skills
Prayer | 1 |
Cleansing | 1 |
Defiance | 1 |
Vigor | 20 |
Meditation | 3 |
Might | 1 |
Blessed Aim | 20 |
Concentration | 20 |
Smite | 1 |
Charge | 1 |
Holy Bolt | 1 |
Blessed Hammer | 20 |
Holy Shield | 20 |
The Paladin has several skills that are considered the best skills in the endgame for any class. Only one aura, Concentration, assists with Blessed Hammer while it is active, so that becomes the default aura. Vigor and Blessed Aim provide passive benefits to Blessed Hammer, so getting them to 20 is also important. Holy Shield is perhaps the best defensive skill in the game and almost everything the Paladin needs to be a physical tank.
Our friends over at Icy Veins have a skill calculator (as seen here) for those who would like to customize the skills for themselves!
Attributes
Strength | 156 |
Dexterity | Enough to get 75% block chance |
Vitality | All the rest |
Energy | None |
At 156 strength, the Paladin can use the Monarchy shield with the Spirit Runeword. There is an alternative build that uses the Herald of Zakarum instead, which trades damage output for tankiness, but Holy Shield is plenty tanky and the extra casting speed on Spirit is superior. The Paladin will be in the eye of the Storm, so getting to maximum block with dexterity is key. The gear has plenty of mana (it's intended for casters) so energy isn't useful. Vitality enables the Paladin to be a complete tank.
Equipment
Weapon | Heart of the Oak |
Offhand | Spirit |
Head | Harlequin Crest |
Body | Enigma |
Hands | Magefist |
Feet | Sandstorm Trek |
Waist | Arachnid Mesh |
Neck | Mara's Kaleidoscope |
Finger 1 | Bul-Kathos' Wedding Ring |
Finger 2 | The Stone of Jordan |
Unique Charms | Gheed's Fortune, Hellfire Torch, Annihilus |
Grand Charms | Lion Branded Grand Charms of Balance |
Small Charms | Shimmering/Stalwart Small Charms of Balance |
Aside from the sheer amount of additional skills these items have, they speed up castrate substantially with some of the best Runewords in the game, allowing the Hammerdin to cover the entire room with Blessed Hammers. Attack rate and physical damage boosts do not help this build; Blessed Hammer is a spell, hence the volume of caster gear. The small charms should be used to get resistances to 75% before using them to boost generic defense.
Mercenary
Mercenary | Act 2 Defensive Desert Mercenary |
Weapon | Reaper's Toll |
Head | Andariel's Visage |
Body | Fortitude |
The defensive Desert Mercenary offers an aura that slows enemies, keeping them from either escaping the Paladin's Blessed Hammers or closing in on the Paladin as he casts. Getting every last drop out of the mercenary is more important for the Paladin than most because this build has no physical damage output. Against a magic immune enemy, this duty falls to the mercenary to pick up the slack.
Leveling With The Build
Of course, it's impossible to fight against the game's toughest bosses when not leveled or geared up, yet the majority of the Diablo 2: Resurrected experience is exactly that. Having the endgame in mind is important but getting from point A to point B is a tough journey. Here are some tips to ease the burden.
Skill Order
Of course, getting a few points into Blessed Hammer is going to be a huge difference-maker. After about five points into that skill, go grab one level each in Concentration, Vigor, and Meditation. Concentration should be used during combat while Vigor and Meditation will top off the Paladin's stamina and mana between rounds. Vigor also gets from fight to fight in the blink of an eye.
Get one level in Holy Shield and then max out the Blessed Hammer from there. After that, max out Vigor and Blessed aim, which both increase the damage of Blessed Hammer. It should be smooth sailing from here, but if it isn't respec a few more points into Holy Shield for some tanking ability.
Stat Priorities
Put three points in strength and two points in vitality until hitting 156 strength. This enables the Paladin to wear the heaviest armor required by this build. Afterward, put two points in dexterity and three points in vitality until getting a 75% block chance. After that, go all in vitality.
It's critically important to get a 75% resistance to each source of damage. This can feel like a build that has no weaknesses, but it often requires being in the center of the storm, so this magic resistance is necessary to tank certain enemies. Pro tips for the endgame include getting as many items that increase Paladin skills or Combat skills as possible, then holding out for the gear on this list.
Diablo 2: Resurrected was released on September 23rd, 2021, and is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.