Like most ARPGs, a core aspect of theDiabloseries is character and build customization around the different classes available in each entry, andDiablo 4offers some of the most unique class mechanics to date. However, the series has had its fair share of iconic classes, spanning all the way back to the original 1996 game, that have been noteworthy for their role as the game’s most powerful, easiest to use, or for a combination of elements. WhileDiablo 4players are busy building their characters in preparation for the game’s upcoming Season 1 content, it’s important to look back at the classes that have had the most impact on the franchise.
Several archetypes can be found throughout eachDiablogame’s class options, such as powerful melee characters, quick dexterity-based characters, ranged magic users, and even summoners. Although these types of classes appear in multipleDiabloentries, they are not always the same from game to game with some being more powerful than others depending on the game. As a whole, if there was a monument dedicated to the mostnotable classes in theDiablofranchise, these four would be featured.
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Diablo 1’s Warrior
The first entry in theDiablofranchiseonly offered players a total of three classes to choose from in the base game: Rogue, Sorcerer, and Warrior. Unlike subsequent entries in the series, the firstDiablodid not include class-restricted abilities and weapons, meaning any of the three could cast spells or utilize heavy weapons. However, this doesn’t mean that all were created equal, and the Warrior was the firstDiabloclass to stand out as the best thanks to their monstrous strength and fantastic early-game health pool.
Diablo 1’s Warriorcan utilize most weapons with ease thanks to their high-strength stat, making weapons like swords, axes, and maces the ideal choice for this class. Additionally, their high strength stat allowed the Warrior to equip even the game’s heavy armor types as well as shields without limiting their attack speed. Despite the Warrior’s life stat growth dropping off at higher levels, they were able to make up for this limitation with their heavy armor and shields, as well as support spells like Stone Curse and Teleport.
Diablo 2’s Paladin
Diablo 2upped the ante in terms of class variety from the first game with five total class options in the base game and two more included in the Lord of Destruction expansion. The most consistently powerful and versatile of the group, however, was the Paladin, one of thebase classes inDiablo 2. The Paladin is primarily a melee-based class, but also has access to many useful Holy skills that can buff their abilities and make them perfect for slaying the unholy hordes of demons and Prime EvilsDiablo 2players will encounter.
One of themost powerful builds inDiablo 2is the Paladin’s “Hammerdin” build that utilizes the class' Blessed Hammer skill in combination with a strong one-handed weapon like a flail to deal increasing amounts of damage as the player levels up. Other key skills for this build include Blessed Aim and the Concentration aura which both help to boost the damage that the Paladin can deal per use of Blessed Hammer while preventing the player from being interrupted when attacking. The potential damage output this build can yield made the Paladin one of the most used classes inDiablo 2, and the Hammerdin build a particularly potent and memorable play style.
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Diablo 3’s Wizard
While the spellcaster archetype has been present throughout each entry in theDiabloseries, none can quite compare toDiablo 3’s Wizard. Typically acting like glass cannons with high damage output but poor defenses, Wizards inDiablo 3can be a bit tricky for players to master. However, with the right build,Diablo 3’s Wizard becomes one of, if not the best class in the game and has seen consistently high usage throughout each season ofDiablo 3due to the class' insane damage output potential.
What makes the Wizard class so powerful inDiablo 3is their ability to keep enemies at a range and inflict significantcrowd control onDiablo 3’s enemiesto make their frail defenses ultimately negligible. The Wizard’s Meteor skill is particularly potent and is a staple of many of the best builds for the class. When used in conjunction with skills like Black Hole and Spectral Blade, as well as the Tal Rasha armor set, players can amplify the power of Meteor and create fantastic synergies that can wipe out enemies before they ever become a threat to the Wizard.
Diablo 4’s Rogue
Although the game is still too new to really get a good feel for the staying power of some of its classes,Diablo 4’s Roguehas been the class with the most potential to stand out among players so far. This class is a call-back to the classic class option from the firstDiablowhile also incorporating elements from other dexterity-based classes from the series' past. It’s not the most beginner-friendly class, but it excels in the late game and in PvP scenarios, making the Rogue worthy of a spot amongDiablo’s most excellent classes.
The Rogue’s ranged options might be limited inDiablo 4, but one of the best builds in the game is theRogue’s Twisting Blades build. This build is ideal in the endgame ofDiablo 4and takes advantage of the Rogue’s fast movement abilities to get up close to enemies and Impale them with blades that can then deal increased damage over time. Combine this skill with some of the Rogue’s other agility options like Shadow Step and Dash and players can get in, dish out high levels of damage, and get out, making Rogues perfect for taking down bosses in PvE and opposing players in PvP.
Diablo 4is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
