Diablo 4 Season 11: Best build for each class (based on PTR)

We recently talked about Diablo 4 Season 11 leveling builds from the PTR, but what about the most powerful builds? At this time, we can go by what was top tier in the PTR, and while that might change, I doubt it will really change all that much. I still think players are going to feel pretty weak at the start of Season 11, judging by my own experiences leveling up in the Season 11 PTR, but I think once people start getting Uniques, and Paragon Points, it could really start shaping up.

Unfortunately, not all classes are equal in Diablo 4, and Season 11’s best builds are no different. We cannot guarantee all of these builds will be at the top of the leaderboards, but they are, right now, the best builds you can go with.

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What are the best build(s) for each class in Diablo 4 Season 11, as of the PTR?

1) Barbarian (HOTA, Lunging Strike)

HOTA Barbarian is going to be the play this season. Maybe I should give Barb another shout? (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Barbarians are probably going to be the strongest class in Diablo 4 Season 11, if the PTR is anything to go by. They’re the class that was climbing the highest in the Tower, as far as the leaderboard goes. The two best builds are probably going to be HOTA (Hammer of the Ancients) and Lunging Strike.

Of course, the downside to both of these builds is that they’re going to require a ton of Uniques, and at least one Mythic Unique, if you want to get the absolute most out of them. HOTA still uses Mantle of Mountain’s Fury to create seismic lines that we then Earthquake through, via Igni+Tec Runes. You’ll also need Harlequin Crest (in both builds), Tibault’s Will, Hooves of the Mountain God, Ramaladni’s Magnum Opus, and Sabre of Tsasagal.

Lunging Strike is a fun Bleed build that uses a similar Unique setup, but swaps Mantle for Rage of Harrogath, adds Paingorger’s Gauntlets, and Shard of Verathiel as the mainhand, and Ramaladni’s as off-hand. Paingorger’s is going to spread that Lunging Strike to all your enemies, after you first use a Non-Basic. Out of the many Diablo 4 Season 11 Barbarian builds, these two will no doubt come out on top.

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2) Druid (Cataclysm)

Make those demonic forces become engulfed in the Cataclysm (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

If you’re going to play a Druid, while I’d rather see Companions be on top, it looks like it’s going to be Cataclysm in Diablo 4 Season 11. Another very Unique heavy build, requiring Tempest Roar, Shroud of False Death, Melted Heart of Selig, Mjolnic Ryng and Tibault’s Will to make the most of it, at least the Mythic Uniques aren’t a must-have right out of the gate.

This is a Werebear build, where you Maul/Pulverize to stay in Werebear form, and once you are capped on Provocation, you use Earthen Bulwark, and Cataclysm to get the most out of your various passives and buffs. From there, you just keep Werebear form active with Pulverize, and smash through your foes. It’s a pretty fun build, and it’s pretty easy after you take some time to practice.

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3) Necromancer (Shadowblight, Golem)

I can't wait to have a little army of Golems (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

While I understand and respect that Shadowblight will probably be the best Diablo 4 Season 11 Necromancer build, I will not be running it. I don’t like builds that refuse to run minions, just to get some extra stats. That said, it is an incredibly powerful build that makes the most of Shadowblight to get tons of instances of damage at once. It also doesn’t require any Uniques to get going, though Ebonpiercer sure does help.

I am curious about the Golem build for D4 Season 11 though, which is of course, thanks to the new Unique, Gravebloom. A new 1H Mace, it makes you raise 3 smaller Golems instead of just one.

They hit fast, respawn faster, and deal respectable damage. You’ll also want Blood Moon Breeches for bonus curses, though the build does sacrifice Skeleton Warriors. It runs Shadow Mages, at least. It’s a Blood Golem build too, so they’ll heal themselves, and you, to keep you alive longer. As for your damage, it’s all about Blight and Soulrift.

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4) Rogue (Dance of Knives)

What do Garen and Rogue players have in common? Spin to win! (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Sadly, this is another season where Rogues aren’t going to get anywhere near the top spots, it seems like. I think they’ll do okay, but if you’re trying to really push Tower or The Pit, I think you could do better than the Rogue. That said, Dance of Knives is still a fun build, and if nothing else, I think it’ll be a decent farm build.

It’s all about setting up the right situation for yourself, and then holding down Dance of Knives until it runs down, or you run out of targets/Energy. However, it does have a new Unique to use this season, Death’s Pavane, to help players survive, while dealing more damage.

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5) Sorcerer (Esadora Crackling Energy)

It sounds like Esadora Crack is still going to be a potent way to play (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Sorcerer has a couple of options, but I still don’t think it will do quite as well in Diablo 4 Season 11 as the other classes. Certainly better than Rogue, but for Sorcerers right now, it looks like Esadora Crackling Energy builds are going to be the way to go.

I don’t know if it’s going to be as good as it was in Season 10, thanks to the Chaos Perks, but it does require Esadora’s Overflowing Cameot still. You’ll also want Tal Rasha’s Iridescent Loop, and Galvanic Azurite. You’ll still be using Esadora’s to increase your damage wor all your Shock SKills, and each level in them you have. I think the changes to gearing might make this harder to get the most out of, but if people are clearing with it, there has to be something that makes it go.

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6) Spiritborn (Evade)

While I prefer poison builds, I think Evade is going to stand on top of the Spiritborn builds in Season 11 (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

I think Spiritborn are going to be one of the best classes in Diablo 4 Season 11, if Evade is anything to go by. A Double Eagle build with Loyalty’s Mantle to double your bonuses, alongside Wushe Nak Pa, Flickerstep, Temerity, and Shroud of False Death if you want it to be as powerful as possible. I’d love to try Path of the Emissary, but Flickerstep’s bonus for Evade is too good to resist.

It does take some practice, and while I don’t know if it’s going to have Infinite Evade-type gameplay like Season 10 had, filling the screen with feathers, and Evading pretty much everything is satisfying. I think this is another “probably a great farming” build, but I don’t know how it will be in the long-term for bossing, et cetera.

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Check out our other Diablo 4 guides and features

• Diablo 4 Season 11: Release date, and all known features
• Diablo 4 Season 11: All Divine Gifts and how to get them
• Diablo 4 Season 11: All New Uniques
• Diablo 4: How Damage Resistance is being reworked in Season 11?

Edited by Jason Parker