1. Strength - All you want, in terms of Strength, is enough of it to equip everything you will want to use on your character. 
2. Dexterity - Two options here: If you can achieve max block by spending some points on Dexterity - do it. If not, don't invest any points in it. 
3. Vitality - You should put all your remaining points here - main stat. 
4. Energy - Adding points to Energy is an extreme waste - don't do it. 

This is the core Skill Tree of this Build. It provides us with our main offensive ability - the powerful Smite. Moreover, it gives us some additional mobility (charge) and greatly improves our overall defenses (Holy Shield). 

Skills:

1. Smite [20/20] - This skill can be used to knockback and stun enemies. As the only attack in the game, it uses the shield as a weapon. Because of this, it has some unique traits; it cannot trigger a Deadly Strike, it doesn't work with Life or Mana Steal, and bonus Elemental Damage won't work on it, but it can trigger Crushing Blow and Open Wounds, and steal life through Life Tap. Moreover, it is not affected by Attack Rating and won't ever miss its target, regardless of said target's defense. This is our main offensive skill, thus we max it out. 
2. Holy Bolt [1/20] - Prerequisite. A bolt of energy that damages undead, or heals friendly units. This is a versatile but annoying to use Skill that will both heal you and damage your enemies. 
3. Charge [1/20] - Closes the distance with an enemy, delivering a bash on contact. In this build, Charge is primarily a mobility skill (you can escape from monsters by charging to isolated enemies or speed up your movement by charging monsters you meet on your path). 
4. Blessed Hammer [1/20] - Prerequisite. One of the most iconic Skills in Diablo 2. It summons a magic hammer that spirals outward, damaging enemies. It deals extra damage to the undead. 
5. Holy Shield [20/20] - Magically enhances shield to give defense bonuses. This is one of the most powerful defensive skills in the game. It allows the Paladin to achieve maximum block very easily; Maxing out Holy Shield increases your Defense by 310% and the Chance of Blocking by 35%. Moreover, each level of Holy Shield increases the Damage of Smite (57-60 extra Damage at level 20). 

OFFENSIVE AURAS

This skill Tree gives us a solid passive Damage boost and makes the build much more reliable offensively. Also, it makes it welcome in most groups. 

Skills:

1. Might [1/20] - Prerequisite. Increases damage dealt by party members. 
2. Blessed Aim [1/20] - Prerequisite. An Aura that increases your Attack Rating. Very nice to have as there is nothing more annoying than missing attacks. 
3. Concentration [1/20] - Prerequisite. Reduces the chance that your attacks will be interrupted and increases your Damage. In this build, we go for Fanaticism so 1 point here is enough. 
4. Fanaticism [20/20] - A powerful aura that increases your Attack Rating and Attack Rate. Moreover, it increases the damage for all party members (including yourself - in fact, you get double the bonus your party members would get). At level 20, Fanaticism gives 186% Party Damage, 373% Player Damage, 35% extra Attack Speed, and 135% extra Attack Rating. 

This Skill Tree contains some great utility and resistance-boosting abilities - we'll take full advantage of them. 

Skills:

1. Prayer [1/20] - Prerequisite. Heals all party members. 
2. Defiance [1/20] - Prerequisite. Boosts the Defense of all party members. 
3. Cleansing [1/20] - Prerequisite. Reduces Poison and Curse duration for all party members. 
4. Vigor [1/20] - Increases Speed, Stamina, and Stamina recovery for all party members. A great utility ability that makes you move much faster and ensures that you never run out of stamina. 

You should spread the rest of your skill points between the three resistance auras. The exact way of doing it should depend on the resistances you have from gear. Also, remember that all three of them work passively and do not have to be activated. 

5. Resist Fire [X/20] - Increases Fire Resistance and the Maximum Fire Resistance of all party members.
6. Resist Cold [X/20] - Increases Cold Resistance and the Maximum Cold Resistance of all party members. 
7. Resist Lightning [X/20] - Increases Lightning Resistance and the Maximum Lightning Resistance of all party members. 

First of all, +Skills are extremely important as they will greatly increase your Damage output. Secondly, you should try to get a 75% Faster Cast Rate as it will make Enigma's Teleport much better. Thirdly, Defensive stats, like Resistances, Faster Hit Recovery, and Faster Block Rate are also welcome. Moreover, Extra Health and Vitality will come in handy as well. Faster Run/Walk and extra Stamina/Stamina Regen are also very useful to have as they will boost your mobility outside of the Teleport. 

HELMETS

Harlequin Crest (Shako) - This Helmet is, most likely, the most universal gear piece in Diablo 2 Resurrected -  You can't go wrong with Shako in the late game. As for this build, it might not be the best but it will get the job done. 

• Defense: 98 to 141 
• Required Level: 62
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 20
  • +2 to All Skills 
  • +1-148 to Life (+1.5 per Character Level) 
  • +1-148 to Mana (+1.5 per Character Level) 
  • Damage Reduced By 10% 
  • 50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 
  • +2 to All Attributes 

Guillaume's Face (Winged Helm) - This powerful Helmet deserves a mention solely because of its 35% Chance of Crushing Blow. 

• Defense: 85 to 98
• Required Level: 24
• Required Strength: 115
• Durability: 40
  • +120% Enhanced Defense 
  • +30% Faster Hit Recovery 
  • 15% Chance of Deadly Strike 
  • 35% Chance of Crushing Blow 
  • +15 to Strength 

[Optimal] Crown of Ages (Corona) - This helmet provides solid defenses, a high bonus to all resistances, an extra skill level, and up to two sockets. It is a great choice if you have a couple of good Jewels to go with it (or a Cham rune for Cannot be Frozen). 

• Defense: 349 to 399
• Required Level: 82
• Required Strength: 174
• Durability: 60
  • 50% Enhanced Defense 
  • +100-150 Defense (varies) 
  • +1 to All Skills 
  • Damage Reduced By 10-15% (varies) 
  • All Resistances +20-30 (varies) 
  • +30% Faster Hit Recovery 
  • Socketed (1-2) (varies) 
  • Indestructible 

WEAPONS

Spirit Weapon (Runeword) - If you're looking for a powerful budget weapon, Spirit Weapon is the first thing that comes to mind, and for a good reason. While it's not perfect for a Smiter Paladin, it still gives quite a few useful bonuses - Skill Levels, Bonus Mana, Extra Life, Faster Hit Recovery, and Faster Cast Rate. 

• Damage:  Depends on base Weapon
• Required Level: 25
• Required Dexterity: Depends on base Weapon
• Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon
• Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
• Tal + Thul + Ort + Amn  
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • +25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies) 
  • +55% Faster Hit Recovery 
  • Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage 
  • Adds 3-14 Cold Damage 3 Second Duration (Normal) 
  • +75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds 
  • 7% Life Stolen Per Hit 
  • +250 Defense Vs. Missile 
  • +22 To Vitality 
  • +89-112 To Mana (varies) 
  • +3-8 Magic Absorb (varies)

[Optimal] Last Wish (Runeword) - This extremely powerful Runeword is perfect for Uber runs as it provides up to 70% chance of crushing blow and 10% chance of casting level 18 Life Tap (as mentioned above, you can trigger Life Tap with Smite). On top of that, it also boosts Magic Find quite nicely. Its main downside is its extortionate price. 

• Damage:  Depends on base Weapon
• Required Level: 65
• Required Dexterity: Depends on base Weapon
• Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon
• Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
• Jah + Mal + Jah + Sur + Jah + Ber 
  • 10% Chance To Cast Level 18 Life Tap On Striking 
  • 20% Chance To Cast Level 20 Charged Bolt On Attack 
  • 6% Chance To Cast Level 11 Fade When Struck 
  • Level 17 Might Aura When Equipped 
  • +[330-375]% Enhanced Damage (varies) 
  • Ignore Target's Defense 
  • [60-70]% Chance Of Crushing Blow (varies) 
  • Prevent Monster Heal 
  • Hit Blinds Target 
  • +[0-49]% Chance Of Getting Magic Items (Based On Character Level, +0.5% per Level) 

Spirit Shield (Runeword) - As a Paladin, you can easily get a class-specific shield with 4 sockets which makes this Runeword an excellent choice. Spirit Shield is not only amazing in your weapon, but it is also amazing in your shields! Spirit Shield gives you a lot of Resistances, +1 to All Skills, a lot of mana, some extra vitality, and a lot of Faster Cast Rate (you need 75 in total, so this helps immensely). 

• Defense: Depends on base Shield 
• Required Level: 25 
• Required Strength: Depends on base Shield 
• Durability: Depends on base Shield 
• Tal + Thul + Ort + Amn 
  • +1 To All Skills 
  • +25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies) 
  • +55% Faster Hit Recovery 
  • +250 Defense Vs. Missile 
  • +22 To Vitality 
  • +89-112 To Mana (varies) 
  • Cold Resist +35% 
  • Lightning Resist +35% 
  • Poison Resist +35% 
  • +3-8 Magic Absorb (varies) 
  • Attacker Takes Damage of 14 

[Optimal] Herald of Zakarum (Gilded Shield) - One of the best shields in the game. The bonuses this shield provides are unbelievably strong (+4 to Smite in total, for example!). Herald of Zakarum not only increases your offensive power, but it is also a great defensive shield as well (high enhanced defense, high chance to block, very high all resistance bonus, and vitality). 

• Defense: 422 to 507 
• Required Level: 42 
• Required Strength: 89 ​​​​​ 
  • +2 To Paladin Skill Levels 
  • +2 To Combat Skills (Paladin Only) 
  • +150-200% Enhanced Defense 
  • 30% Increased Chance Of Block 
  • 30% Faster Block Rate 
  • 20% Bonus To Attack Rating 
  • +20 To Strength 
  • +20 To Vitality 
  • All Resistances +50 

AMULETS

[Budget] Rare/Magic Amulet with + Paladin/Combat Skills/Offensive Auras/Defensive Auras are quite powerful and relatively easy to get. If you plan on running a Smiter Paladin on a budget, such an amulet is a great choice. 

• Required Level: varies. 
• In Magic Amulets, look for:
  • + to Combat Skills. 
  • + to Offensive Auras. 
  • + to Defensive Auras. 
  • Magic Find. 
  • Resistances. 
• In Rare Amulets, look for:
  • + to Paladin Skills 
  • Magic Find 
  • Resistances 
  • Attributes 

[Optimal] Mara's Kaleidoscope - In a build that wants +All Skills, this amulet is a must for the end game. It provides a great combination of offensive (+2 to all skills) and defensive (+20-30 to all resistances) properties. 

• Required Level: 67
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • All Resistances +20-30 (varies) 
  • +5 To All Attributes 

ARMORS

[Budget] Skin of the Vipermagi (Serpentskin Armor) - A very solid Mid/Late game Armor. It increases All Skills and FCR making it a great offensive option. You should be able to get this one rather cheaply. 

• Defense: 279
• Required Strength: 43
• Durability: 24
• Required Level: 29
  • +120% Defense
  • +1 to All Skills
  • 30% Faster Cast Rate
  • Magic Damage Reduced By 9-13 (varies) 
  • All Resistances +20-35 (varies) 

[Optimal] Enigma (Runeword) - This powerful Chest Runeword provides everything you might want from an item, including +2 to All Skills, Teleport (!),  +14 to Life after each kill, and a very nice boost to Magic Find. Ideally, you will want to inscribe this Runeword into an Archon Plate. 

• Defense: Depends on base Armor 
• Required Level: 65 
• Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
• Durability: Depends on base Armor 
• Jah + Ith + Ber  
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • +45% Faster Run/Walk 
  • +1 To Teleport 
  • +750-775 Defense (varies) 
  • +(0.75*Clvl) To Strength (Based On Character Level) 
  • Increase Maximum Life 5% 
  • Damage Reduced By 8% 
  • +14 Life After Each Kill 
  • 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana 
  • (1*Clvl)% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based On Character Level)

RINGS

Raven Frost - This mighty Ring provides Freeze Immunity which is extremely important to have on every character. As a result, it is one of the best rings you can have on any Diablo 2 Resurrected Build. 

• Required Level: 45
  • +150-250 Attack Rating (varies) 
  • 15-45 Cold Damage 
  • +15-20 Dexterity (varies) 
  • +40 Mana 
  • Cold Absorb 20%
  • Cannot be Frozen 

The Stone of Jordan - If you're after some more offensive power, this Unique Ring will give you just that. Stone of Jordan increases the level of all your Skills and your max Mana. Also, it is one of the most iconic items in Diablo 2 - you can find references to it in other Blizzard games. 

• Required Level: 29
  • +1 to All Skills
  • Maximum Mana to 25% 
  • Adds 1-12 Lightning Damage 
  • +20 to Mana

Bul-Kathos Wedding Band - A solid alternative to the Stone of Jordan that will not only boost your skills but also increase your Life by a bit. Keep in mind that its Life Steal won't work with Smite, though. 

• Required Level: 58
  • +1 To All Skills 
  • + (0.5 Per Character Level) 0-49 To Life) 
  • 3-5% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies) 
  • +50 Maximum Stamina 

GLOVES

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 an Uber Smiter Build. 

• Defense: 125-145
• Required Level: 76
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 14
  • +90-120% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +10-15 to Strength (varies) 
  • +5-10 Life After Each Kill (varies) 
  • 25% Chance of Open Wounds 
  • 7-10% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies) 
  • 5% Chance to Cast Level 10 Life Tap on Striking 

Steelrend (Ogre Gauntlets) - A solid option if you're after even more Crushing Blow - these gloves give up to 15% of it. 

• Defense: 232-281
• Required Level: 70
• Required Strength: 185
• Durability: 24
  • +170-210 Defense (varies) 
  • +30-60% Enhanced Damage (varies) 
  • 10-15% Chance of Crushing Blow (varies) 
  • +15-20 to Strength (varies) 

BOOTS

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. 

• Defense: 140-162
• Required Level: 47
• Required Strength: 94
• Durability: 34
• Kick Damage: 39-80  
  • +160-200% Enhanced Defense
  • 30% Faster Run/Walk
  • 10% Chance Of Open Wounds
  • 15% Chance Of Crushing Blow
  • 15% Deadly Strike
  • Requirements -25%
  • +20 Maximum Stamina 

[Optimal] Goblin Toe (light Plated Boots) - A great alternative to Gore Raiders; the main difference between them is that this pair offers a 10% extra Chance of Crushing Blow at the cost of not giving you any Chance of Open Wounds. 

• Defense: 33-34 
• Required Level: 22
• Required Strength: 95
• Kick Damage: 8-16 
• Durability: 18
  • +50-60% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +15 Defense 
  • 25% Chance of Crushing Blow 
  • -1 to Light Radius 
  • Damage Reduced by 1 
  • Magic Damage Reduced by 1 

BELTS

Thundergod's Vigor (War Belt) - An interesting defensive choice that gives you +20 Lightning Absorb, some Strength, and Vitality. If you feel like you're too squishy, consider using this one instead of the Arachnid Mesh. 

• Defense: 137-159 
• Potion Slots: 16 
• Required Level: 47
• Required Strength: 110
• Durability: 24
  • +160-200% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage 
  • 5% Chance to Cast Level 7 Fist of the Heavens When Struck 
  • +20 Lightning Absorb 
  • +10% to Maximum Lightning Resist 
  • +20 to Strength 
  • +20 to Vitality 
  • +3 to Lightning Fury (Amazon Only) 
  • +3 to Lightning Strike (Amazon Only) 

[Optimal] Arachnid Mesh (Spiderweb Sash) - This amazing belt will increase your damage and boost your casting speed. it is a great offensive choice for this build, especially if you need to get to a +75% Faster Cast Rate. 

• Defense: 119-138 
• Potion Slots: 16 
• Required Level: 80
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 12
  • +90-120% Enhanced Defense  
  • Slows Target by 20% 
  • +1 To All Skills 
  • 20% Faster Cast Rate 
  • Maximum Mana 5% 
  • Level 3 Venom (11 Charges) 

CHARMS

1. Grand Charms -  you should try your best to get Grand Charms with a bonus to Combat Skills, but Offensive or Defensive auras are better than nothing. 
2. Large Charms -  Using Large Charms in D2R is not recommended, with the exception of Hellfire Torch. 
3. Small Charms - With these, you should cap all your Resistances, and possibly provide extra MF, FHR, or Life. 
4. As for Unique Charms, we recommend getting all three most popular ones: Hellfire Torch, Annihilus, and Gheed's Fortune (preferably with 40% MF), which is a standard setup for all Diablo 2 Resurrected builds. 

MERCENARY

We recommend hiring Act 2 Mercenary with the Might Aura that offers the highest DPS. He should be equipped with: 

1. Insight Rune Word in Ethereal Spear - This provides a Meditation Aura that increases your Mana Recovery Rate which is extremely helpful. 
2. Chains of Honor Rune Word in Armor - This is a great, but highly specialized choice for your Merc. It will give him a lot of extra damage against demons, life leech, and boost his elemental resistances. 
3. Guillaume's Face - This will give your Merc a high chance to strike a Crushing Blow on Uber Bosses. 

END NOTE

This is the initial version of our Diablo 2 Resurrected Smiter 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.