Build notes: |
February 07, 2022 -Build created |
Build Overview
Patch 2.4 has brought some very important changes to Paladin's Holy Fire Aura: Among others, its Damage level scaling was significantly increased and its Salvation Synergy was boosted. Moreover, the new Runeword, Flickering Flame, has given it an indirect buff by providing another source of the "-X% to Enemy Fire Resistance" modifier. As a result, Holy Fire Auradin has become one of the most powerful melee-focused builds in Diablo 2 Resurrected (at some point on the PTR, Holy Fire was simply ridiculous and the build was flat-out OP).
Below, we present you with our take on the new Holy Fire Paladin build that takes full advantage of the changes introduced in patch 2.4 of Diablo 2 Resurrected. It's capable of eliminating packs of regular monsters by simply running circles around them and can quickly eliminate any stronger enemies with Zeal or Smite (the latter has much better single-target damage if you are aiming at Ubers, for example). All in all, this is one of the most powerful but also the most expensive builds in the game.
You can also check our other Diablo 2 Resurrected Builds
Pros | Cons |
Very High Survivability with Max Block | Requires some specific and very expensive items to work properly |
Very high DPS that mixes Fire Damage from Holy Fire Aura with physical Damage from Zeal and Smite | Not viable as a starter/early ladder build |
There are multiple variants of the Auradin build available, so you can experiment and tweak the build to your liking |
Skills
ATTRIBUTES |
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COMBAT SKILLS |
While this build is mainly based on Auras, Combat Skills make it much more versatile and even more powerful than it already is. From this tree, you'll get some extra mobility in the form of Charge, increased defenses given by the Holy Shield, and a significant boost to your melee damage provided by Zeal and Smite. Skills:
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DEFENSIVE AURAS |
From this tree, you'll get two Holy Fire synergy skills that will make it much more powerful. Skills:
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OFFENSIVE AURAS |
You're going to use Offensive Auras to pierce through enemies' elemental resistances so that your Holy Fire ticks for as much fire damage as possible. Skills:
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Items
This build relies on some specific (and very expensive) Runewords. Mainly, the ones that give you high-level Paladin Auras when equipped - Holy Fire, in this case. These Auras stack with each other, so the more of these items you have the more Damage you passively deal. As for the "regular" stats, You mainly want to boost the level of all your Skills and socket some Fire Facets if possible. Other than that, Attack Speed, Crushing Blow, and Deadly Strike are welcome as they will improve your Smite/Zeal DPS. Defensively, you'll want to focus on stats like Faster Hit Recovery and Resistances. | |
HELMETS |
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Flickering Flame (Runeword) - One of the new Runewords introduced in patch v2.4. It works exceptionally well on this build thanks to its Fire Resistance Penetration (You should try to get one with -15% Enemy Fire Res). Moreover, it boosts your defenses quite nicely. Sadly, the bonus to Fire Skills does not work with auras provided by other items. |
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Dream (Runeword) - Choosing this Helmet over the Flickering Flame will let you diversify the damage you deal - you'll deal Fire and Lightning Damage with your Auras. For the most part, we'd recommend you stick to the Flickering Flame, unless you don't have all of the build's gear components. Note: If you decide to use this Helm, you might want to max out the Resist Lightning Aura as well. |
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WEAPONS |
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Hand of Justice (Runeword) - This is the most powerful weapon you can have on the Holy Fire Paladin as it not only gives you a Level 16 Holy Fire Aura but also reduces enemy fire resistance by 20%. Moreover, it boosts your Melee Damage by quite a bit, so it works well with Zeal. |
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Last Wish (Runeword) - If you want to maximize your melee Damage with this build, you might want to consider this one over the Hand of Justice (doing so will lower your Aura Damage significantly, mind you). Thanks to the high Enhanced Damage, the Level 17 Might Aura, and up to 70% Chance of Crushing Blow, this Runeword will make you much stronger against Bosses. |
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SHIELDS | |
Dragon (Runeword) - This is the staple of this build. From it, you'll get a Level 14 Holy Fire Aura and a solid boost to defenses. Also, 12% Chance to Cast Hydra on Striking works extremely well with Zeal. |
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Dream (Runeword) - Same Deal as with the Dream Helm - Choosing this Shield over the Dragon Shield will let you diversify the damage you deal - you'll deal Fire and Lightning Damage with your Auras. Pick this only if you're using Dream in your Helm slot as well, and don't forget to max out the Resist Lightning Aura while you're at it. |
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WEAPON SWAP | |
Call to Arms (Runeword) - This powerful Runeword will allow you to pre-buff yourself up with Warcries (buffs persist through weapon swap). Battle Comand from this will boost your Skills by +1 - it's important to remember this when spending skill points on Conviction* and attribute points on dexterity**. *Conviction is capped at 150% which is achieved at skill level 25; remember about 1 point from Battle Orders when calculating that. **Battle Command will affect your Holy Shield as well, making it easier to active Max Block and allowing you to save some Dexterity points. |
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Spirit (Runeword) - One of the best Shields thanks to its high Skill bonus and high Faster Cast Rate. It will not only boost the effectiveness of Warcries but if you are using Enigma/Teleport, make sure to switch to your alternative weapon set to boost your mobility when Teleporting. |
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AMULETS |
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Mara's Kaleidoscope - In a build that wants +All Skills, this amulet is a BiS offensive choice for the end game. It provides a great combination of offensive (+2 to all skills) and defensive (+20-30 to all resistances) properties. |
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Highlord's Wrath - This powerful Amulet offers us a great combination of offensive stats that make your Zeal and Smite much stronger (at the cost of your Auras, however). |
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ARMORS |
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Dragon (Runeword) - Just like the Dragon Shield, Dragon Armor is a staple of the Holi Fire Paladin Build because it provides you with another level 14 Holy Fire Aura that stacks with your other Auras of the same type, boosts your defenses, and allows you to proc Hydras with your Melee Attacks. |
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Enigma (Runeword) - Usually, we recommend Enigma as the mobility/damage/MF/defense option for any Build but in this case, it's rather hard. While it will still greatly boost your mobility, your damage will suffer significantly in the process. Pick this over Dragon Armor only if you plan on farming specific monsters and you want to minimize your travel time. |
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Chains of Honor (Runeword) - This is an extremely powerful, but rather niche Armor for the Holy Fire Paladin. It grants a massive DPS bonus against Undead and Demons (and most Bosses in D2R are Demons), so it's better than Dragon in zones that mostly feature these two enemy types. Also, CoH provides a bonus to all Skills and tons of defensive utility. |
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RINGS |
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Raven Frost - This ring provides Freeze immunity which is extremely important to have. If you have freeze immunity from another item, you can choose a different ring. |
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Bul-Kathos Wedding Band - The +1 to All Skills make it one of the best options. The extra Life and Life Steal is also great to have. Can be replaced with Stone of Jordan for its Skill bonus, but the other stats it offers are less relevant for a Holy Fire Paladin. |
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A "Dual Leech" Rare Ring - if you don't have it elsewhere make sure to get a double Leech Ring with extra Life/Resistances/Attributes or possibly FCR for Teleporting faster. |
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GLOVES |
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Laying of Hands (Bramble Mitts) - These gloves are absolutely amazing for fighting Bosses thanks to their 350% Damage bonus to demons (as most bosses are demons). 20% Increased Attack Speed is also nice as it helps your Zeal. |
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Dracul's Grasp (Vampirebone Gloves) - These amazing gloves grant a 25% Chance of Open Wounds and a 5% Chance to Cast Level 10 Life Tap, which makes them ideal for farming Ubers. |
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BOOTS |
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Gore Rider (War Boots) - A great offensively-oriented pair of boots. They offer a good chance for a Crushing Blow and Open Wounds, both of which can be triggered with Smite/Zeal. |
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War Traveler (Battle Boots) - If you want some Magic Find, this pair of boots has got you covered. It also offers reasonable DPS and extra defensive utility. |
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Waterwalk (Sharkskin Boots) - These solid boots will give you a healthy boost to Defense, which is great for keeping yourself alive. Also, they provide a nice Health boost and an increase to max Fire Resist. |
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BELTS |
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Arachnid Mesh (Spiderweb Sash) - This offensively-oriented belt will boost your damage and Faster Cast Rate. The latter is relevant only if you plan on using Enigma, however. |
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String of Ears (Demonhide Dash) - A great defensive option that will help you stay alive by providing high damage absorbs and solid life leech. |
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CHARMS |
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MERCENARY |
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We recommend picking up Act 2 Might Mercenary for extra DPS. He should be equipped with:
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END NOTE This is the initial version of our Diablo 2 Resurrected Holy Fire Auradin Paladin Build, where we tried to include all of the important information on how to set up this character while keeping the guide as compact as possible. If we've missed something of importance, please let us know! If you have any Build requests, please post them in the Comments section below. We will be happy to cover your most requested builds in the future! Also, we hope that you have found this guide useful and informative. Also, we will be happy to receive constructive criticism that will help us improve our future work, so don't hesitate to give us your feedback. |
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