Best Paladin Builds in Diablo 2 Resurrected

Over 20 years after it was initially released, Diablo II has made its return. This has, of course, led to an influx of players interested in rekindling their love for finding the best synergies and techniques to make in their quest to defeat Baal, Mephisto, and Diablo himself. In the list below, we cover some of the best builds for Paladins, one of the most popular classes in the game.

Best Paladin Builds

The Paladin class focuses mostly on auras, strength, and vitality to command the battlefield. They are known to deal in holy damage and rarely move outside of their complete focus on strength and resilience. The Paladin class is known to be used by players who don't mind taking charge for their teammates, as most of them rely on the buffs and defense a Paladin provides. Because of these strengths, Paladins have a few build options that amplify their skill.

Equipment

One important thing to note about equipment is that choosing the right kind almost always depends on the player's methods rather than the build itself. Since loot is randomly generated when you slay enemies, it is always best to equip gear that best suits your needs rather than searching for specific items. However, we listed the items below that best suit the Paladin class overall. If other gear is recommended for a specific build, it will be mentioned in the Additional Notes for that build.

• Helmet: Harlequin Crest
• Armor: Chains of Honor or Guardian Angel
• Gloves: Dracul's Grasp
• Belt: Arachnid Mesh or Verdungo's Hearty Cord
• Boots: War Traveler
• Shield: Herald of Zakarum
• Amulet: Mara's Kaleidescope
• Rings: Raven Frost, Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band, or Stone of Jordan

Related: Best Sorceress Builds in Diablo II Resurrected - Pro Game Guides

Avenger

With this build, the Paladin dismantles most resistances and immunities with its wide range of elemental skills. This is a well-established and rounded-out build but requires fine-tuning in later levels to truly be effective.

• Skill Points
  • Vengeance: 20
  • Conviction: 20
  • Holy Shield: 20
  • Elemental Resistance Auras: All Remaining Points (Besides prerequisites)
• Stat Points
  • Strength: Enough for equipment.
  • Dexterity: Enough for Shield/75% block chance.
  • Energy: Base level, if possible.
  • Vitality: Dump almost all your stat points in Vitality.
• Added Notes
  • The easiest way to run this build is with a one-handed weapon and a shield.
  • The best equipment for the Avenger build is anything that improves your resistances. Crown of Ages for the Helm is the best option instead of the standard Harlequin Crest.
  • Weapon choices: Breath of the Dying, Voice of Reason, Hand of Justice, Upgraded Atlantean, or Upgraded Headstriker

Zealot

Primary strength lies in Player vs Monster environments. The Zealot uses Zeal and Fanaticism to deal high damage with high speed.

• Skill Points
  • Zeal: 20
  • Fanaticism: 20
  • Holy Shield: 20
  • Sacrifice: 20
  • Defiance: Remain points (besides prerequisites)
• Stat Points
  • Strength: Enough to wear desired items.
  • Dexterity: Enough to wear desired items.
  • Energy: Enough to wear desired equipment, but it's recommended to keep this at base level.
  • Vitality: Dump almost all your stat points in Vitality.
• Added Notes
  • Be sure to use equipment that buffed with Crushing Blow, Cannot be Frozen, and additional resistance boosts.
  • The safest option for Zealots is to use one handed weapons with a shield. The best weapon modifications depend on the weapon, but included options are Grief, Breath of the Dying, Death, and Oath.

Smiter

Focuses on the Smite skill, which stuns and always strikes enemies within range. Starts off as a weaker skill in the early game, but makes up for it in the late game when most enemies are dying in one hit.

• Skill Points
  • Smite: 20
  • Holy Shield: 20
  • Fanaticism: 20
  • Defiance: 20
  • Vengeance: Remaining (besides prerequisites)
• Stat Points
  • Strength: Enough to wear desired items.
  • Dexterity: Enough to have 75% block chance.
  • Energy: None.
  • Vitality: Dump almost all your stat points in Vitality.
• Added Notes
  • Some people opt to focus on maxing out Vengeance rather than Smite since Smite is a weaker skill, eventually in the early game. If you find that you're not doing enough damage with the generic skill point build, try going this route instead.
• Gear Alternatives
  • Amulet: Highlord's Wrath
  • Boots: Gore Rider
• Weapons: Grief or Last Wish

Related: Best Druid Builds in Diablo II Resurrected - Pro Game Guides

Auradin

Auradins are more passive Paladin builds that rely on dealing damage with offensive aura skills. These builds are best for Paladin players who don't like to take command in battle and just wish to deal damage without operating as a tank. There are a few versions of Auradins, but the best one is the Omnidin Auradin, which merges well with other Paladin classes depending on your group's needs.

• Skill Points
  • Fanaticism: 20
  • Holy Shield: 20
  • Holy Fire, Holy Shock, Holy Freeze, Defiance, Redemption: Stack simultaneously.
  • Alternatives to Defiance and Redemption are Conviction and Salvation.
  • Use other points only to fill prerequisites.
• Stat Points
  • Strength: Enough to wear desired items.
  • Dexterity: Enough to have 75% block chance.
  • Energy: None.
  • Vitality: Dump almost all your stat points in Vitality.
• Added Notes
  • Gear Alternatives
    • Helm: Dream Bone Visage or Diadem
    • Weapon: Doom Beserker Axe
    • Armor: Dragon Archon Plate
    • Shield: Exile Ethereal Zakarum
    • Gloves: Soul Drainer
    • Boots: Gore Rider

Hammerdin

The Hammerdin is probably the most popular build for any class in Diablo 2. It deals massive damage and allows you to be the main DPS of a team while still working as a resistance tank. However, all things considered, it's costly to make.

• Skill Points
  • Blessed Hammer: 20
  • Vigor: 20
  • Blessed Aim: 20
  • Concentration: 20
  • Holy Shield: 20
• Stat Points
  • Strength: Enough to wear desired items.
  • Dexterity: Enough to have 75% block chance.
  • Energy: None.
  • Vitality: Dump almost all your stat points in Vitality.
• Additional Notes
  • Gear Alternatives
    • Armor: Enigma Archon Plate
    • Gloves: Magefist

Ultimately, the best build for you depends on your play style. However, the builds above are tried and tested by many players with experience in the game. If you have any builds that you think should be mentioned, tell us in the comments below!

Be sure to check out our Diablo 2 Homepage for all the latest news, guides, and information about this classic game!