Diablo 4 Season 1 Tier List: Best Class & Builds (Solo & Group) in D4 1.0.3

7/3/2023 12:29:38 PM

As the Diablo IV Season 1 approaching, with many players still working through the main campaign and side quests, it's essential to prepare for the competitive mode. If you're aiming for fast and efficient gameplay during the ladder reset, now is the time to select your class and build. In this Diablo 4 Season 1 Tier List, we have analyzed the classes' strengths after the 1.0.3 patch and identified the top contenders. Moreover, we will provide insights into the builds that excel in solo play and those best suited for group scenarios. Get ready to make informed choices and embark on an exhilarating journey in the world of Diablo IV Season 1!

Diablo 4 Season 1 Tier List - Best Class & Builds

Diablo 4 Best Class & Build To Start Season 1 Tier List for Solo & Group (10.0.3)

Seasons in Diablo IV operate similarly to Seasons in Diablo III and are akin to the Ladders in Diablo II. Each season brings new questlines featuring both new and returning characters, adjustments to class and item balances, the introduction of new legendary items, and the incorporation of fresh gameplay elements. These factors contribute to the allure of competitive mode, enticing players with exciting challenges and rewarding experiences.

To participate in a season, players create a new seasonal build starting from level 1. Seasonal play enhances the gaming experience by accelerating progression, providing achievable goals, hastening your ascent to the top, and offering a plethora of engaging activities. Moreover, each season often introduces a unique mechanic that adds an element of time-limited fun, setting it apart from non-seasonal characters.

Given the myriad possibilities, players often wonder which class is best to choose for Season 1. Generally, all five classes in Diablo 4 are relatively balanced, differing mainly in play style. They excel both in solo endgame progression and group play. However, classes and builds with high DPS and tank capabilities are likely to dominate the season's challenges.

If you find it challenging to decide on a class, worry not! We have compiled a ranking of all the classes and their most popular builds to assist you in making an informed choice for Season 1.

The following D4 Season 1 Class & Build Tier List is based on the strength of classes throughout leveling and endgame progression. It considers all activities and speed farms, not solely focusing on the increasingly challenging Nightmare Dungeons. This comprehensive approach ensures you have the best overview to guide your selection and maximize your Season 1 adventure.

1. Rogues (S Tiers)

On the whole, Rogue builds can occupy a place in the leveling process, speed farming, and even endgame content. Especially in the 1- 70 leveling process, Rogue is obviously the best one by far, though it would be lagging behind Barbarian at the endgame. And both solo play and group play are very efficient, so we think Rogue is your first choice to start season 1.

Best Rogues Builds for Season 1

Twisting Blades Rogue (S Tier): One of the best builds currently. You ensure that your Twisting Blades are heavily buffed, stab the daggers into an enemy, and then move away to kill many enemies simultaneously on your return. Plays like an agile assassin. Suitable for both solo and group play.
Death Trap Rogue (S Tier): The evolution of the famous "Trapsin" from Diablo 2. You fight with strong crowd control, binding enemies in one spot to "nuke" them - meaning to annihilate them with high damage. Ideal as a CC-build for groups or solo play.
Penetrating Shot Rogue (A Tier): Generally, the melee builds of the Rogue are stronger, but with Penetrating Shot, you can also make good use of your bow. You primarily fire the shot into a line of enemies, hitting everything behind the target. Easy to understand, high damage, and the safety of distance. More suitable for groups with melee fighters or tanks.

2. Barbarian (S Tier)

Armed with a wide array of area-of-effect ground-shaking attacks, the Barbarian possesses overwhelming might that leaves hordes of adversaries utterly defenseless. Their formidable arsenal is further bolstered by potent war cries and buffs, enabling them to lead the charge against the formidable Lilith and her forces on the front lines of battle. Barbarian may not be as effective as Rogue in the early upgrade phase, but he can catch up, and some of his builds are very powerful in speed farming and the endgame process!

Best Barbarians Builds for Season 1

Whirlwind Barbarian (S Tier): Whirlwind has been one of the most popular and best builds in Diablo for ages. You'll be mowing through enemies as a steel tornado while also healing yourself significantly. Perfect for any content and surprisingly still strong even after substantial nerfs. Suitable for both solo and group play.
HotA Barbarian (A Tier): Hammer of the Ancients (short: HotA) focuses on high area damage and battle cries. This build turns you into a formidable tank for your group.
Rend Barbarian (B Tier): With Rend, Barbarians have one of the highest single-target damage outputs, making them true boss killers. However, it requires good positioning and more experience compared to Whirlwind. Highly effective for experienced solo players.
Thorns Barbarian (C Tier): It is still being tested, but one player has already impressively shown its potential: the Barbarian can stand AFK and kill everything.

3. Necromancers (A Tier)

According to d4armory.io's survey statistics, Necromancer is the least played class since the release of Diablo 4, only 10% of players choose it, but this does not mean that Necro builds are weak. Necro allows you to create a variety of S Tier endgame builds to help you quickly rank to the top in Season 1! But we have to admit that Necromancer is not as efficient as other classes in early leveling and mid-term speed farming, that’s why we put it on A Tier for Season 1.

Best Necromancer Builds for Season 1

Bone Spear Necro (S Tier): This build relies on high critical hits and the "vulnerable" status, making you a popular member of any group. Use Bone Spear to make all enemies vulnerable and then annihilate them. The drawback is that you'll need good equipment, but it's also effective for leveling. We'll discuss this build in detail here:
Infinimist Necro (A Tier): With this build, you curse your enemies, pulling them all together and making them explode literally, repeatedly. With endless blood novas, you have one of the most significant AoE damage outputs in the game. Ideal for solo play with high defensive capabilities.
Bone Spirit Necro (B Tier): The most potent build for Necromancers. With Bone Golem and high critical chance, you can practically kill any enemy in the game with a single attack. Especially useful for solo play.

4. Sorcerers (B Tier)

We have to say that Sorcerers are always the best class in Diablo 4 in every quantifiable category, although other classes are more balanced and tend to be more fun. Thanks to their overpowered survivability and sheer damage output, Sorcerers are able to get you to endgame quickly. But because of its very little variety, it is harder to push later in the game. That’s why we can see Sorcerer is the most played class after the Diablo IV launch, while not the most powerful one for the endgame running.

Best Sorcerer Builds for Season 1

Ice Shards Sorcerer (A Tier): If you prefer ranged combat, this build allows you to fire masses of icicles at enemies from a distance. Especially ideal for single-target combat. Suitable for both solo and group play.
Arc Lash Sorcerer (A Tier): Uncommon for the sorceress, you play this build in pure melee combat, using one of the early skills in the game. You'll be constantly in the midst of your enemies, protecting yourself with defensive spells and destroying your foes with shocking attacks. A strong solo build.
Firewall Sorcerer (A Tier): Ideal for dealing with numerous enemies in dungeons or hellish floods. You ignite everything around you and watch it burn. Not as fast as other builds, but relatively easy to play. More suitable for solo gameplay since positioning is crucial.

5. Druids (B Tier)

Although Druids received some balancing in the 1.0.3 patch, unfortunately, they have consistently been the weakest class in the game. They are not unplayable, but they do require very specific Druid builds to make them as powerful as possible. This means that players are effectively tied to that build throughout the entire gameplay, which is not ideal, especially for the leveling and speed farming.

Best Druid Builds for Season 1

Werewolf Tornado Druid (A Tier): For this build, you'll mostly use one ability. As a summoner, you summon tornadoes that annihilate your enemies and provide buffs to make you and your allies stronger. Highly effective for both solo and group play.
Pulverize Druid (A Tier): With this build, you'll spend most of your time as a Werebear, crushing enemies with your claws. You are extremely mobile, almost unstoppable, and can withstand a tremendous amount of damage. Suitable for both solo and group play.
Stormclaw Druid (B Tier): A pure melee build that requires a unique staff, which is difficult to obtain. As a Werewolf, you deal storm damage and tear through enemies. Perfect for solo play.