Diablo 2 tier list: Best character classes & builds for Season 9

Here are the best character classes and builds tier lists you can use in the remaster of Blizzard’s classic Diablo sequel, Diablo 2: Resurrected.

While both Diablo 3 and Diablo 4 have arrived since the original Diablo 2, its remaster, Diablo 2: Resurrected remains one of the most popular games in the series. We even rated it very highly in our Best Diablo Games list.

The remaster is different from the original in many ways, but a lot of the classic builds from Diablo 2 still work. Below, we’ve ranked the best character classes for Season 9 of Diablo 2’s Ladder mode, as well as the best build for each class.

Best classes in Diablo 2 Resurrected

Here are the best classes ranked in Diablo 2 for Ladders Season 9:

Tier	Class
S	Sorceress
A	Barbarian, Paladin
B	Druid, Amazon
C	Necromancer, Assassin

The Sorceress is top of the tree in Ladder Season 9 with the Barbarian and Paladin not far behind. The Necromancer and Assassin have drawn the short straw this season, while the Druid and Amazon remain reliable choices.

Bear in mind that this tier list includes both PvP. Remember, all established classes and builds are effective in Diablo 2 Resurrected due to how long the game has been out, but some are still better than others.

Our tiers explained

Here’s a rundown of how each tier for Diablo 2 breaks down:

• S-tier: The best classes you can currently play as
• A-tier: Very good classes offering a good alternative if the S-tier classes aren’t your favorite
• B-tier: Situations where these characters can perform well are few and far between

Of course, all classes in the current Diablo 2 meta are worthwhile, so if you love playing as a class, don’t be deterred by the meta. Since Diablo 4 came out, Diablo 2 has been generally pretty balanced across all classes.

Best builds in Season 9

Here are the best builds for each class in Diablo 2 Season 9. Bear in mind that these builds factor in both PvE and PvP:

Class	Build
Sorceress	Blizzard
Barbarian	Whirlwind
Paladin	Fist of the Heavens
Druid	Tornado
Amazon	Bowazon
Necromancer	Summon
Assassin	Trassassin

While multiple builds are high in the meta for each class in Season 8 of Ladder, the above builds are the best in our experience.

Each one plays to the strengths of each class and represents them at their very best and most unique.

All class placements explained for Diablo 2 Season 9

Here’s what you need to know about each class in Season 9 of Diablo 2:

Sorceress

Diablo 2’s resident spell-slinger, the Sorceress class represents the traditional elemental caster role in the game with her Blizzard build being top of the pile.

This involves steering the class down the cold sorcery route with the Blizzard spell being the main offensive skill when it comes to laying waste to Diablo’s demonic minions.

Barbarian

Diablo 2 was the Barbarian’s first major outing in the Diablo series after appearing as a guest class in the original game’s unofficial Hellfire DLC. The class is a melee powerhouse and master of two-handed weapons.

His Whirlwind build is considered the best this season as it takes full advantage of the Barbarian’s speed and power, using that move as its main source of damage dealing.

Paladin

The Paladin is a holy warrior on a crusade to purge all demons from Sanctuary. The class is the traditional knight in shining armor and favors a longsword and a tower shield.

The class also makes use of spells with his Fist of the Heavens ability and build being the best one to craft in Season 8 of Ladder.

Druid

The first of Diablo 2 Resurrected’s Lord of Destruction characters, the Druid is a warrior who uses the forces of nature and the earth to do their damage.

Their Tornado skill and build come most recommended this season, allowing the class to utilize powerful spells to support their pets in battle.

Amazon

An evolution of the Rogue class in Diablo 2, the Amazon favors bows, javelins, and spears in battle, making them an excellent class for ranged combat.

This season, the classic Bowazon build is top of the meta this season and encourages players to go all in on using bows, ignoring melee combat entirely.

Necromancer

The Necromancer is the master of death, summoning undead minions to do his fighting while he casts spells into the fray.

The traditional Summoner Necro is by far their most popular build and remains top of the meta this season. This means commanding a squad of Skeleton Warriors, Mages, and a Gollum in battle.

Assassin

The second class to be added in the Lord of Destruction expansion, the Assassin is a master of traps and deceit, using trickery and guile to slay the forces of Hell.

The classic Trassassin build is top of the meta this season leaning into the Assassin’s love of baiting enemies into killboxes.

You can also check out our class tier list for Diablo 4 for the Vessel of Hatred expansion and accompanying season.