Diablo 4 is on the verge of release following an extensive testing phase that involved players participating in three separate beta versions, with the most recent one being the Server Slam weekend. This particular beta has solidified the fans' belief that the game is moving in the right direction. Unlike the issues encountered in Diablo Immortal, Diablo 4's adoption of a live-service model has garnered positive feedback, drawing inspiration from successful titles like Destiny 2. During the beta testing, one of the main concerns raised by players was the balance among the different character classes. However, Blizzard has recently made significant adjustments to all five classes, ensuring that none of them are considered weak.
While certain classes may possess advantages for various reasons, overall, the game's classes are in a favorable state. With some additional fine-tuning before the official launch or the start of Diablo 4's inaugural season, it is highly likely that the classes will achieve even greater balance. Blizzard has demonstrated a genuine commitment to taking player feedback seriously, as evidenced by their willingness to make character changes during the Server Slam beta in order to gauge fan reactions and improve the gameplay experience. Currently, the game appears to be in a promising state, with a wide range of viable builds, and this aspect is only expected to improve post-launch.
S Tier
Sorcerer
Despite undergoing numerous nerfs during Diablo 4's Server Slam beta, the Sorcerer remains an exceptionally dominant class in multiple aspects. It possesses remarkable damage potential, the ability to swiftly clear out hordes of enemies, exceptional mobility, and a versatility that outshines other classes. A prime example of this is Diablo 4's Fireball Enchantment, which players can unlock as early as level 15. This enchantment allows any skill to become tremendously effective in obliterating clusters of enemies with a single click or button press, thanks to its area-of-effect damage that comes at an incredibly low cost. Although Chain Lightning did receive nerfs after the initial beta rounds, it remains one of the game's finest Core Skills due to its substantial single-target damage and effectiveness against random enemies and elite foes.
Moreover, the Sorcerer boasts an array of top-tier utility tools in addition to its formidable damage-dealing abilities. Despite the nerfs, Hydra remains an exceptional skill in Diablo 4, offering potent single-target damage. Sorcerers can effortlessly cast Hydra repeatedly during combat or whenever it expires, making it a staple ability in most builds. Skills like Teleport, Ice Barrier, and the devastating Deep Freeze ultimate further enhance the Sorcerer's unstoppable nature, even if players choose to utilize the appropriately named Glass Cannon passive, which increases damage output at the expense of vulnerability. With an abundance of combinations available through the Enchantment system and minimal reliance on gear, the Sorcerer is poised to be lethal right from the beginning and all the way through the endgame.
Necromancer
Despite undergoing several nerfs that affected both the Necromancer and its minions, this class in Diablo 4 remains exceptionally formidable in any situation, whether playing solo or in groups. Bone Spear, in particular, continues to be one of the most devastating skills in the entire game, boasting incredibly high DPS. This skill enables Necromancers to effortlessly annihilate any and all enemies they encounter early on and throughout the entirety of the game. Interestingly, the early stages of the game are where summons, such as skeletons, truly shine, as they scale effectively with progression. Even if skeletons may perish relatively quickly, they still contribute significantly to the Necromancer's arsenal, considering the skill's free casting and lack of cooldown.
Recognizing players' concerns regarding the survivability of the Necromancer's minions, Blizzard took steps to address these issues in Diablo 4's Server Slam beta. A patch was implemented over the weekend to bolster the resilience of summons after the initial nerfs. Additionally, the Book of the Dead provides players with the opportunity to customize their minions or even forgo them entirely in exchange for powerful bonuses that directly benefit the Necromancer itself, amplifying its damage-dealing capabilities, among other advantages. The only drawbacks of playing as a Necromancer lie in the limited selection of skills and the absence of a mobility option for swift traversal through dungeons or Sanctuary itself.
A Tier
Rogue
It can be argued that the Rogue in Diablo 4 possesses exceptional single-target damage, potentially ranking as the best in the entire game. This claim is substantiated by those who have successfully soloed formidable foes like Ashava the Pestilent or effortlessly dispatched The Butcher in a matter of strikes. One of the distinct advantages of playing as the Rogue is the option to fully embrace a ranged playstyle. Even in melee builds, the Rogue maintains a degree of range that other classes lack, which proves advantageous considering the game's heavy focus on melee combat. Additionally, the Rogue boasts unparalleled mobility tools, enabling players to swiftly navigate the game world with increased base Movement Speed or abilities like Dash. This attribute makes the Rogue an enticing choice for those seeking to complete content as quickly as possible.
An impressive example of the Rogue's power lies in the formidable combination of Diablo 4's Core Skill, Penetrating Shot, and the Rogue's Shadow Imbuement. This synergy allows each arrow to trigger chain reactions, swiftly decimating packs of enemies within seconds. While this feat is reminiscent of what the Sorcerer can accomplish by selecting the Fireball Enchantment at level 15, the Rogue's proficiency should not be overlooked. However, one significant drawback of the class is its limited survivability, even with Dark Shroud activated, and its lack of reliable area-of-effect tools without sacrificing certain skills or obtaining Legendary Aspects in Diablo 4. The Rogue exhibits substantial potential in the endgame, but its ability to thrive in Sanctuary hinges on how effectively it can endure challenging encounters, an area where other classes possess superior tools.
B Tier
Barbarian
Despite receiving an initial 10% damage reduction, the Barbarian is somewhat vulnerable compared to other classes due to its need for constant engagement in the heat of battle. The leveling experience may feel sluggish until the Barbarian unlocks all its Shouts, which were subject to nerfs in the recent Server Slam beta, likely aimed at promoting the viability of alternative options and reducing staleness in the meta. However, the Barbarian's build diversity is not particularly remarkable, primarily due to the overwhelming power and utility of Shouts and the reliability of Whirlwind, which often overshadow other choices unless Upheaval is involved. While the early game may present challenges, this class truly shines as players progress through Diablo 4's skill tree and acquire better gear.
One downside is that the Barbarian is heavily reliant on its weapons for every skill, making it the most gear-dependent class in Diablo 4. However, it can be argued that this class offers the greatest support value in the entire game, with its effectiveness varying significantly between solo play and party encounters. A notable issue is that Barbarian builds often rely on specific items to obtain Thorns, Legendary Aspects for synergies, or skills that deal damage over time through Bleed. These considerations pose challenges that other classes do not encounter to the same extent. On the flip side, the Barbarian gains access to the most offensive Aspects in the game by utilizing multiple weapons, which can make a substantial difference, especially when equipped with powerful two-handed arms that maximize the benefits of Legendary Aspects, such as amulets.
Druid
One of the major advantages of choosing the Druid in Diablo 4 is its exceptional combination of survivability and solid damage output. However, achieving these strengths may not be feasible during the early stages of a new playthrough. The initial levels can prove challenging, as the Druid lacks significant damage and encounters difficulties with resource costs in skills like Pulverize and Landslide. It takes time for players to unlock skills such as Poison Creeper or Wolves, which offer valuable assistance. The true potential of the Druid emerges as the game progresses, with the acquisition of additional skills, passive abilities, and more powerful gear or Legendary Aspects. However, the class heavily relies on these factors to stand out.
Arguably, the Druid possesses one of the finest sets of Basic Skills in the game, comparable to the Sorcerer's Arc Lash with Storm Strike. This skill not only grants a substantial resource boost and deals decent damage but also provides a 20% damage reduction for players and inflicts the Vulnerable status on enemies, all with a single click or button press. Skills like Earthen Bulwark and even the meme skill Hurricane hold considerable value as well. The Druid is perhaps best suited as a secondary character or for later stages of the game. However, it is important to note that the Druid's class specialization was not available for comprehensive testing during the betas, which could potentially introduce significant changes in the long run or even as early as levels 15 to 20.
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