Diablo 2 Resurrected: Paladin - best builds Diablo 2 Resurrected guide, tips

This page of the Diablo 2 Resurrected game guide contains selected builds for the Paladin class.

The Paladin has a huge variety of builds, thanks to the ability to combine active skills with numerous auras. No matter the build, you should consider investing points into elemental resistance (three independent passive skills), because each of them passively increases the character's maximum resistance.

• Avenger
• Hammerdin
• Smiter
• Zealot

Avenger

Example Avenger build for level 50

The Avenger build is designed for high difficulty play: it's specifically geared towards fighting elemental-resistant opponents with the Vengeance skill, which utilises various elements.

1. Skills: Vengeance - basic attack that deals elemental damage. You can increase its efficiency by investing in Elemental Resistance Auras (e.g. the Resist Cold Aura). The Conviction Aura - it reduces the elemental resistance of your opponents. Developing the Salvation skill is also a good idea - it synergies improve the Vengeance skill and increase the character's elemental resistance when you decide that defense is more important than attack.
2. Attributes: Strength - you don't need more than is required for your weapon/armor, as you will only deal elemental damage, so this attribute won't increase your damage. Dexterity - depending on your preference, you can use a shield and invest in dexterity to reach the maximum 75% block. You can also choose a two-handed weapon, which works well with this build (since the Paladin deals extremely high damage). In this case, dexterity takes a back seat. Energy - You can assign a few points here before resetting your skills, you'll get more Mana as your character level rises. Vitality - all remaining points.
3. Mercenaries: Your aura will also increase the damage dealt by mercenaries. This is one of the few builds that allows you to use Iron Wolves in a reasonably efficient way.

Hammerdin

Example Hammerdin build for level 50

The Hammerdin build uses the Blessed Hammer skill. Its synergies turn this into a powerful skill that can inflict ridiculously high damage - and on top of that, it can damage many enemies with a single summon. However, this is a very expensive build that requires many skill points to be fully effective. At the same time, it's one of the most popular builds for the Paladin.

1. Skills: Blessed Hammer - your main offensive skill. Vigor - 14% synergy; when active, increases movement speed. Blessed Aim 14% synergy; increases attack rating - irrelevant to the main skill. Concentration - you mainly want to use this aura, as it increases damage dealt (it also has a hidden synergy that makes the Blessed Hammer more effective). Since your weapon won't be relevant, the shield becomes more important: hence it's worth investing in blocking and improving it with the Holy Shield skill.
2. Attributes: Strength and Dexterity - weapons don't play a big role for you, but defense does. Focus on obtaining the right gear, a good shield and invest in Dexterity to be able to block effectively (max 75%), but keep in mind that thanks to the Holy Shield skill, which improves your blocking ability, you won't have to invest as many points into Dexterity. Energy - You can assign a few points here before resetting your skills, you'll get more Mana as your character level rises. Vitality - all remaining points.
3. Mercenaries: You can hire the Rogue with equipment that freezes enemies (and with high Attack Speed - for the slow effect) or the Desert Mercenaries from the Nightmare difficulty level, where they passively receive the Holy Freeze aura that slows enemies - slowing them down will increase the Blessed Hammer's effectiveness.

Smiter

Example Smiter build for level 50

The Smiter, as the name suggests, uses the Smite ability. Initially, this is one of the weaker skills, so the build only becomes effective in the later stages of the game, when you will be able to kill most opponents in one hit. It's not that bad earlier on, because every Smite attack is guaranteed to hit the target. Additionally, at higher levels, Smite can also stun for 4 seconds, making it more effective than, for example, freezing (whose effect is reduced at higher difficulty levels). The Smiter doesn't need a good weapon, because he fights with his shield.

1. Skills: Smite - basic attack: always hits and stuns the target (in one of the build variants, it's enough to invest one skill point in this ability). Holy Shield - it improves the Smite ability and needs to be maxed out. However, it's still worth investing points into Smite, if only to extend the stun time. Now you can choose your aura: Fanaticism is more often preferred, as it increases the strength and speed of your attacks. Optionally, you can select Defiance for defense, mainly because it has synergy with the Holy Shield - however, it doesn't increase your strength or attack speed.
2. Attributes: Strength - to be able to equip your chosen gear. Dexterity - just like in the other Paladin builds, it's worth investing into Dexterity to reach maximum blocking. Energy - Smite only uses 2 mana points per attack, so Energy isn't necessary for this build. Vitality - all remaining points.

Zealot

Example Zealot build for level 50

The Zealot, also known as the Zealadin / Zealer, is based on the Zeal skill. This is an aggressive build that focuses on strength and attack speed. Defiance attacks opponents adjacent to the Paladin.

1. Skills: Zeal - main attack. Sacrifice - increases the efficiency of Zeal through synergy (faster than investing points in Zeal). Additionally, invest in the Fanaticism skill for strength and attack speed. The Holy Shield and Defiance skills are also reasonable options. They will increase your shield's statistics and allow you to switch between offensive and defensive mode, depending on the situation.
2. Attributes: Strength and Dexterity - the former depends on your equipment and Dexterity will improve your shield's blocking ability. Energy - none. Vitality - all remaining points.
3. Mercenaries: In this build you are almost self-sufficient and you don't need to rely on Desert Mercenary auras to boost your strength, but lowering the opponent's strength is welcome (by using a runeword weapon). You can also use the help of the Barbarians.