With the launch of Diablo 4 right around the corner, many players are preparing by planning out their builds based on the game's class system. The betas for Diablo 4 gave players a chance to test out some build options prior to its release, with the latest open beta giving the closest look at how the game will actually play at launch. Taking the information gleaned from these betas, it's clear that each class in Diablo 4 plays very differently from one another, and players will need to carefully evaluate which class is the right one for them.
There are a total of five classes that will be available at Diablo 4's launch: Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Necromancer, and Druid. While having only five classes doesn't seem like it would give the game a lot of diversity, each one has its own unique skill tree whose branches allow for completely unique play styles even within the same class. Throw in all the equipment options for Diablo 4, and players will have a lot on their plate to consider when trying to determine which class to choose when the game launches.
Barbarian
The Barbarian class is a staple of Diablo games and has been present since Diablo 2, fulfilling the archetype of the powerful physical bruiser who can take hits and dish out damage at close range. Diablo 4 introduces the Arsenal system for Barbarians which gives the class flexibility in being able to swap between a total of four weapons on the fly. This system makes Barbarians great for players who want to try out a variety of weapon types without being limited by other classes' equipment restrictions.
As a physically oriented class, Diablo 4's Barbarian is well suited for either heavy melee offensive or defensive support gameplay depending on which specialization the player chooses. The Berserker specialization makes the Barbarian ideal for maximizing damage output while the Warlord specialization makes the Barbarian a defensive tank that can protect the rest of the party. Additionally, the Barbarian will generate Fury with each basic attack, allowing players to unleash powerful skills once they've stored enough, making the Barbarian the perfect choice for players who want to be the anchor of their party.
Rogue
Diablo 4's Rogue class combines elements of several classes from previous entries such as Diablo 2's Amazon and Assassin, as well as Diablo 3's Demon Hunter to fulfill the agile, dexterity-oriented archetype. Similarly to the Barbarian's Arsenal system, the Rogue can swap between melee and ranged weapons at will to take advantage of skills for both. They also have the ability to Imbue skills with elemental effects like Cold, Poison, or Shadow, opening the door for even more build combinations than their base skill tree allows.
The Rogue is ideal for Diablo 4 players who want to throw a variety of tricks and traps at enemies in order to take them down. Aside from being very mobile, Rogues can follow one of three specializations to further customize their build variety. The Combo Points specialization lets players build up to three combo points that can be spent to power up certain skills, the Exploit Weakness specialization allows players to deal all hits as critical with a 60% damage increase, and the Shadow Realm specialization lets players briefly pull enemies into the Shadow Realm where the player gains Stealthed, Unstoppable, and deals 50% more damage.
Sorcerer
Sorcerers in Diablo 4 fulfill the classic magic-wielder archetype and act as glass cannons for players who want to go all out on offense with limited defense. Each of the elemental spells the Sorcerer can cast comes with its own side effects such as multiple casts of Cold spells leaving the enemy Frozen and unable to move for a period of time, or inflicting Burning on enemies via Fire spells that inflict damage over time. Additionally, the Sorcerer is great for players who want to experiment with deeper build types due to its unique Enchantment mechanic, which allows players to place certain skills into one of three bonus slots, removing the active use of the skill but granting a passive bonus instead.
Necromancer
Necromancers are iconic to the Diablo series for their ability to raise undead armies to fight alongside them, with a variety of different play styles depending on which minions are summoned. There are three types of minions Diablo 4 Necromancers can summon: Skeletal Warriors, Skeletal Mages, and Golems, each with their own set of variants that can be customized using the Necromancer's Book of the Dead Mechanic. This class not only offers a diverse range of play styles but can be perfect for solo players looking to bolster their ranks with minions.
In addition to accessing the class-specific Scythe weapons, Necromancers in Diablo 4 can fall into one of four different play styles, such as Bone which utilizes skills of this type to create spacing on the battlefield, Darkness to inflict enemies with damage over time, Blood which allows players to restore their own health by draining enemies, and The Army which manages the Necromancer's minions and can be integrated with any of the other play styles.
Druid
The Druid class in Diablo 4 is a master of nature, utilizing both Earth and Storm magic, as well as the ability to shapeshift into different animal forms, giving players a mix of magic and melee combat options. This flexibility makes Druids well suited for a variety of party roles including tank and damage dealer.
Additionally, Druids fight alongside two wolf companions and can take on animal spirits in order to gain boons from them. Druids are also capable of casting Vulnerable on enemies, causing them to take an additional 30% damage from attacks and making the Druid a fantastic option for general party support.
Diablo 4 releases on June 6 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.