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The Best Classes And Builds For Diablo 4's Vessel Of Hatred Expansion

Published

1 month ago

October 17, 2024

Christoph Rediske

Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

Vessel of Hatred
brings new season & class bal changes, making Spiritborn the new meta in
Diablo 4
.
Sorcerer & Barbarian see minimal changes, Druid gets companion buffs, Necromancer & Rogue remain strong.
Spiritborn offers easy leveling and huge endgame potential, outpacing other classes for season 6 in
Diablo 4
.

Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred expansion brings with it a new season, and thus a whole host of class balance changes. As well as adding the new Spiritborn class, which is quickly becoming the new meta, Blizzard has made changes to some underperforming classes, abilities, and gear.

2:13

Diablo 4: Hardest Classes To Master, Ranked

These classes in Diablo 4 can be incredibly tough to master, even for experienced players.

This means there are all kinds of new viable endgame builds to experiment with. It also means that the best class argument has been shaken up, and any previous class tier lists are going to need a rethink. For those wondering which class to pick first for season 6, these are the best-performing options right now.

6 Sorcerer

Still Strong But Had The Least Adjustment

Best Leveling Build: Firewall

Skills	Gear/Aspects Advertisement	Key Passives
Firewall rank 5 Hydra rank 5 Familiar rank 1 (Enchanted) Teleport rank 1 Ice Armor rank 1 Flame Shield rank 1 Fireball rank 1 (Enchanted) Any basic skill rank 1	Aspect of Searing Wards (helm) Juggernaut’s Aspect (chest) Serpentine Aspect (gloves) Aspect of Concussive Strikes (pants) Ghostwalker Aspect (boots) Aspect of Elemental Constellation (staff) Conceited Aspect (ring) Aspect of Creeping Death (ring)	Combustion Fiery Surge (Full Tree) Elemental Synergies Inner Flames Elemental Dominance Glass Cannon Evocation Mana Shield

Best Endgame Build: Chain Lightning

Skills	Gear/Aspects Advertisement	Key Passives
Chain Lightning rank 5 Unstable Currents rank 5 Teleport rank 1 (Enchanted) Ice Armor rank 1 Ice Blades rank 1 (Enchanted) Flame Shield rank 1 Familiar rank 1 Fire Bolt rank 1	Heir of Perdition (helm) Raiment of the Infinite (chest) Lightning Rod Aspect (gloves) Axial Conduit (pants) Storm Swell Aspect (weapon) Conceited Aspect (offhand) Tal Rasha’s Iridescent Loop (ring) Ring of Starless Skies (ring)	Enlightenment Hoarfrost Warmth Invigorating Conduit Elemental Synergies Evocation Mana Shield Protection

Best Mercenary: Subo

Sorcerers definitely benefited least from the Vessel of Hatred patch, but their primary build options remain similar and are still effective. Leveling is relatively straightforward, but players will need to hit more specific gear requirements and focused builds to challenge the endgame bosses and The Pit.

5 Druid

More Companion Buffs

Best Leveling Build: Stone Burst

Skills	Gear/Aspects	Key Passives/Spirit Boons
Stone Burst rank 5 Petrify rank 5 Poison Creeper rank 1 Debilitating Roar rank 1 Earthen Bulwark rank 1 Hurricane rank 1 Wind Shear rank 1	Vasily’s Prayer (helm) Juggernaut Aspect (chest) Aspect of Anticline Burst (gloves) Stormshifter’s Aspect (pants) Aspect of the Changeling’s Debt (weapon) Aspect of Retaliation (amulet) Subterranean Aspect (ring) Ring of Starless Skies (ring)	Gift of the Stag (deer) Avian Wrath (eagle) Masochistic (snake) Bestial Rampage Heightened Senses Resonance Envenom Stone Guard

Best Endgame Build: Wolves

Skills	Gear/Aspects	Key Passives/Spirit Boons
Wolves rank 5 Cataclysm rank 5 Ravens rank 1 Blood Howl rank 1 Debilitating Roar rank 1 Shred rank 1 Maul rank 1	Harlequin Crest (helm) Spirit Bond Aspect (chest) Aspect of the Stampede (gloves) Storm’s Companion (pants) Shepherd’s Aspect (weapon) Aspect of the Alpha (amulet) Mjölnic Ryng (ring) Moonrage Aspect (ring)	Packleader (Wolf) Iron Fur Vigilance Call of the Wild One With Nature Envenom Toxic Claws Feral Aptitude

Best Mercenary: Varyana

Diablo 4 Infernal Horde characters with various weapons split image

Diablo 4: Best Weapon Types For Infernal Horde

In order to thrive in this endgame content, picking the best weapon types is optimal.

Druids have seen some skill adjustments via the DLC patch, with Stone Burst becoming a nice viable ability to main while leveling. Companions have also seen some general buffs in the most recent patches, which makes endgame builds focused on Wolves a strong choice.

4 Barbarian

New Player Friendly

Best Leveling Build: Tactical Ground Stomp & Dust Devils

Skills Advertisement	Gear/Aspects	Key Passives/Technique
Ground Stomp rank 5 Double Swing rank 5 War Cry rank 5 Challenging Shout rank 1 Rallying Cry rank 1 Leap rank 1 Lunging Strike rank 1	Relentless Berserkers Aspect (helm) Wildbolt Aspect (chest) Executioner’s Aspect (gloves) Aspect of Bul-Kathos (pants) Aspect of Perpetual Stomping (boots) Aspect of Fierce Winds (2H weapon 1) Windlasher Aspect (2H weapon 2) Aspect of Earthquakes (1H weapon 1)	Two-Handed Axes Imposing Presence Martial Vigor Battle Fervor Unconstrained Pit Fighter Slaying Strike Swiftness

Best Endgame Build: Death Blow Berserker

Skills Advertisement	Gear/Aspects	Key Passives/Technique
Death Blow rank 5 Wrath of the Berserker rank 5 Bash rank1 Charge rank 1 Leap rank 1 Rallying Cry rank 1	Ugly Bastard Helm (helm) Tibault’s Will (pants) Yen’s Blessing (boots) Overkill (2H weapon 1) The Third Blade (1H weapon 1) Banished Lord’s Talisman (amulet) Ring of Red Furor (ring) Aspect of Voracious Rage (ring) Aspect of Encroaching Wrath (gloves)	Two-Handed Axes Warpath Martial Vigor Raid Leader Irrepressible Unconstrained Heavy Handed Concussion

Best Mercenary: Varyana

The meta around the Barbarian hasn’t changed much, but its balance of survivability and damage makes it a good choice for newcomers. Using Leap for mobility and Charge for breaking crowd control effects are still strong options in any build, and Berserking is still the best way to augment most Barbarian builds.

3 Necromancer

Minion Lovers Rejoice

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred Necromancer Soulrift Ultimate

Best Leveling Build: Minions & Blood Surge

Skills	Gear/Aspects	Key Passives/Book of the Dead
Blood Surge rank 5 Soul Rift rank 5 Corpse Tendrils rank 4 Iron Maiden rank 1 Raise Skeleton rank 1 Reap rank 1	Juggernaut’s Aspect (helm) Aspect of Hardened Bones (chest) Blood-bathed Aspect (gloves) Aspect of Occult Dominion (pants) Blood Getter’s Aspect (boots) Aspect of Frenzied Dead (amulet) Aspect of the Great Feast (ring) Aspect of Reanimation (ring)	Skeletal Warrior Skirmishers Skeletal Mages, Cold Golem, Iron Imperfectly Balanced Fueled by Death Kalan’s Edict Hellbent Commander Death’s Defense Skeletal Mage Mastery Skeletal Warrior Mastery

Best Endgame Build: Empowered Minions & Soul Rift

Skills	Gear/Aspects	Key Passives/Book of the Dead
Soul Rift rank 5 Corpse Tendrils rank 5 Blood Mist rank 2 Decrepify rank 1 Raise Skeleton rank 1 Reap rank 1	Heir of Perdition (helm) Tyrael’s Might (chest) Aspect of the Great Feast (gloves) Aphotic Aspect (pants) Aspect of Occult Dominion (boots) Aspect of Grasping Veins (amulet) Ring of Mendeln (ring) Aspect of Reanimation (ring)	Skeletal Warriors, Reapers Skeletal Mages, Shadow Golems, Iron Kalan’s Edict Skeletal Mage Mastery Skeletal Warrior Mastery Bonded In Essence Hellbent Commander Necrotic Carapace Amplify Damage

Best Mercenary: Raheir

Necromancer is a great class for some top-tier builds in season 6. Minions have received several buffs, and a focused minion build is now fully capable of taking on the Diablo 4 endgame. Un-updated but strong abilities like Blood Lance and Bone Spear remain fully viable, too, and Blood Surge builds remain the best way to quickly climb to Level 50.

2 Rogue

Still Has Incredible DPS Potential

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred rogue gameplay

Best Leveling Build: Dance of Knives

Skills Advertisement	Gear/Aspects	Key Passives/Specialization
Dance of Knives rank 5 Dark Shroud rank 5 Concealment rank 1 Cold Imbuement rank 1 Smoke Grenade rank 1 Shadow Step rank 1 Invoigorating Strike rank 1	Juggernaut’s Aspect (helm) Umbrous Aspect (chest) Edgemaster’s Aspect (gloves) Aspect of Concussive Strikes (pants) Aspect of Star Shards (amulet) Aspect of Synergy (ring) Aspect of True Sight (ring) Aspect of Arrow Storms (1H weapon 1)	True SIght Stutter Step Siphoning Strikes Evasive Malice Deadly Venom Momentum Frigid Finesse

Best Endgame Build: Flurry

Skills Advertisement	Gear/Aspects	Key Passives/Specialization
Flurry rank 5 Death Trap rank 5 Dark Shroud rank 5 Concealment rank1 Cold Imbuement rank 1 Shadow Step rank 1 Puncture rank 1	Harlequin Crest (helm) Tibault’s Will (pants) Beastfall Boots (boots) Aspect of Encircling Blades (gloves) Banished Lord’s Talisman (amulet) Ring of Starless Skies (ring) Breakneck Bandit’s Aspect (1H weapon 1) Doombringer (1H weapon 2)	Preparation Sturdy Weapon Mastery Balestra Momentum Second Wind Aftermath Frigid Finesse

Best Mercenary: Raheir

Diablo 4 split image of Penitent Greaves in action and Harlequin Crest

Diablo 4: 11 Best General Unique Items, Ranked

Diablo 4 has an abundance of items and riches to sift through. Here are the best Unique options for any class.

Season 5 led to some incredibly strong Rogue builds, and that’s only been enhanced in season 6. Whether players want to get up close and personal with Flurry or spin-to-win at range with Dance of Knives, the Rogue is a great choice that provides solid damage output, heavy crits, and near-infinite CC.

1 Spiritborn

New Class And Best Class

Diablo 4 player using Quill Volley in Vessel of Hatred

Best Leveling Build: Quill Volley

Skills	Gear/Aspects Advertisement	Key Passives/Spirits
Quill Volley rank 5 The Seeker rank 5 Razor Wings rank 5 Ravager rank 4 Thunderspike rank 1 Rushing Claw rank 1	Aspect of Binding Morass (helm) Duelist’s Aspect (chest) Aspect of Redirected Force (gloves) Aspect of Interdiction (pants) Aspect of the Moonrise (ring) Rebounding Aspect (weapon) Eagle Augments (ring) Eagle Innovation (any available)	Eagle (Primary Spirit) Jaguar (Secondary Spirit) Velocity Brilliance Acceleration Furnace Vital Strikes Supremacy Intricacy

Best Endgame Build: Touch of Death

Skills	Gear Advertisement	Key Passives/Spirits
Touch of Death rank 5 Ravager rank 1 The Hunter rank 1 Scourge rank 1 Vortex rank 1 Armored Hide rank 1 Counterattack rank 1 Thrash rank 1	Aspect of Binding Morass (helm) Duelist’s Aspect (chest) Aspect of Redirected Force (gloves) Aspect of Interdiction (pants) Aspect of Apprehension (boots) Rod of Kepeleke (weapon) Insatiable Aspect (amulet) Aspect of the Moonrise (ring) Ring of the Midnight Sun (ring)	Jaguar (Primary Spirit) Jaguar (Secondary Spirit) Prodigy’s Tempo Resolution Supremacy Vehemence Potent Unrestrained Power Balanced Exertion Patient Guard Resilient

Spiritborn is the newest class added to Diablo 4 and, as one might expect, the class had been balanced towards the game’s new difficulty modes and tuned in favor of the players jumping in with Vessel of Hatred. They are a potent starting class that’s easy to level without specific gear, and their end-game damage potential is huge. They’re currently outpacing all the other classes in terms of viable endgame builds for season 6.