5 Off-meta builds to try in Diablo 4 Season 9

Sure, Diablo 4 Season 9’s meta builds are overpowered, but what about some off-meta picks? There’s nothing wrong with playing something weird or different than usual. Off-meta builds are often further down the various tier lists on the internet, typically around B/C-Tier. They’re still strong, but don’t quite have the same power as an S-Tier build would have. These types of builds can be successful, but in some cases may require tons of Uniques or pretty strict gameplay.

While yes, I primarily play the mega-powerful Hand of Naz Mendeln Necromancer and Hydra Sorcerer, I want to roll something different now that I have all the Horadric Spell pieces unlocked and maxed out. Here are some fun and interesting Off-meta builds you can play in Diablo 4 Season 9.

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Off-meta builds that are still fun and powerful in Diablo 4 Season 9

• Walking Arsenal (Iron Maelstrom) Barbarian
• Lightning Storm Druid
• Dance of Knives Rogue
• Razor Wings Spiritborn
• Incinerate Sorcerer

This isn't a complete list of great Off-meta picks for Diablo 4 Season 9, just a few of my personal favorites. I didn't get to Necromancer in this list because almost everything Necromancer does is great right now. If I had to pick one, though, it would be Blood Lance. It's still solid, but I've just never thought it had the same oomph other builds have.

1) Walking Arsenal/Iron Maelstrom Barbarian

This one's a bit niche, but I love Iron Maelstrom (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

I was torn between a few Off-meta builds for Diablo 4 Season 9’s Barbarian: Earthquake, Frenzy, Mighty Throw, builds like that. But I was talking about Barbarians with a colleague yesterday, and it reminded me of a build I miss: Iron Maelstrom/Walking Arsenal builds! Sometimes, I just want to feel like Kratos and swing violent chains around the screen, slaughtering tons of enemies at once.

However, it does need a lot of Uniques: Unbroken Chain, Ancients’ Oath, 100,000 Steps, and Tibault’s Will. Then it needs the Aspect of Elements and the Bold Chieftain’s Aspect. This isn’t a mindless build, either; your rotation is crucial and makes the most of the Walking Arsenal Key Passive.

You can’t just slap buttons and win. If you want something to put a little more effort into, this is my preferred build; it’s still incredibly powerful when it comes to clearing, it’s just harder than mashing one or two buttons.

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2) Lightning Storm Druid

Shapeshifting plus huge lightning strikes make for one fun build (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Lightning isn’t the exclusive domain of Sorcerers in Diablo 4; a fantastic Off-meta pick for Druids has to be the Lightning Storm. Using the power of Tempest Roar, Unsung Ascetic’s Wraps, and Dire Wolf’s Aspect, you can shapeshift and still flood the screen in devastating lightning blasts. It’s a bit reckless, and doesn’t always go where you want it to, but that’s okay.

This is still a build that, despite being Off-meta, can obliterate bosses with the greatest of ease. Being able to stay in Dire Werewolf form and cast Lightning Blast is such a delight. A few seasons ago, I’d say this was a top build, and definitely meta, but it’s long since slid down the tier list. That said, it’s still incredibly fun and not especially difficult to get going.

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3) Dance of Knives Rogue

Dance of Knives isn't as great as it was, but it's still fun and satisfying (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Dance of Knives Rogues got nerfed between Season 8 and Season 9, removing some of the powerful combos it has access to (Qx Rune, Danse Macabre, Subverting Concealment + Dance of Knives). That said, you can still spin-to-win and decimate enemies with this Diablo 4 Season 9 Off-meta build.

It’s a build that takes effort, getting used to Snapshot mechanics (DOT skills that only use buffs/debuffs that are present when it was cast), and requires a significant amount of Movement, but once you’ve mastered it? It becomes simple, devastating, and satisfying to auto-target and destroy enemies.

You do need a few Uniques to get the most out of it, naturally. Asheara’s Khanjar, Fists of Fate, and Cowl of the Nameless are great, but having Shroud of False Death and Heir of Perdition can also go a long way.

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4) Razor Wings Spiritborn

Razor Wings builds have always been pretty fun to play since the inception of Spiritborn (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

There are certainly better Spiritborn builds here in Diablo 4 Season 9, but I like builds that can make you hit harder, the tankier you are, and this Off-meta pick does just that. You use Sustained War-Crozier, Aspect of Endless Talons, and a variety of other abilities to make Razor Wings shred.

Why does it need Armor, though? You use talents and Legendary Aspects that increase Armor, and then use Aspect of Unyielding Hits to increase Weapon Damage when casting a Gorilla Skill by x% of your Armor. You get something similar with the Aspect of Plains Power. The tankier you are, the harder you hit, and the easier you clear maps.

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5) Incinerate Sorcerer

Incinerate can be dangerous, but it's also incredibly strong (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Fire builds in general are pretty hot right now in Diablo 4 Season 9, but there are still some Off-meta picks, like Incinerate. It can do absolutely monstrous single-target damage, it’s easy to set up, and has plenty of defensive tools, since you only really need one or two combat buttons.

However, it is still built around a channeling spell, so you have to stand still while using it. It doesn’t immediately shred; it takes a little time to warm up. Having to stand still to kill enemies also means that if you run out of cooldowns, you’re in serious danger.

This build doesn’t require any Uniques, but there are several that help. That includes Ring of Starless Skies, Tal Rasha’s Iridescent Loop, Raiment of the Infinite, and, of course, Heir of Perdition. Incinerate builds are still quite powerful and easy to use, so if you aren’t trying to get too complicated, this is for you.

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Check out our other Diablo 4 guides and features

• Diablo 4 Season 9: All changes since the 2.3.0 PTR
• Diablo 4 Season 9: Escalating Nightmares mechanic, explained
• Diablo 4 Season 9 Endgame tier list: Best builds for Pit push and bossing
• Diablo 4 Season 9: All Horadric Jewels (known so far)

Edited by Jason Parker