Diablo 3 Season 12 Starter GR20 Builds and Tips - All classes Find out what are the best starter builds for Season 12, and how to complete the Chapter IV of the journey with ease

Diablo 3 Season 12 Starter Builds

How to complete Chapter IV of the Seasonal Journey?

Season 12 is launching on Thursday, November 9. The newest patch brought back to life plenty of exciting builds, and we believe this is a great time to start your new Diablo 3 adventure. Like always, the crucial part is completing Chapters II, III and IV of the Seasonal journey to obtain all the pieces of your starter set. Clearing a level 20 Greater Rift solo is the most challenging task, and we have decided to put up this guide to help you out with completing it.

To check the full list of our Best Diablo 3 builds visit: The Best Diablo 3 builds by Odealo

Table of contents

General tips & tricks Suggested items and skills for:

Barbarian class

Crusader class

Demon Hunter class

Monk class

Necromancer class

Witch doctor class

Wizard class



Bounties and Horadric Caches are one of the most commonly traded assets in Diablo 3. Boosters usually complete all quests in Adventure mode games without collecting rewards from Tyrael. This allows them to invite other players solely to get valuable loot. You can find this type of services on Odealo market.

General tips & tricks

This is not going to be a leveling guide (even though some of the tips will apply to this part of the game). If you would like to find out how Power Leveling is done, you can read our other article about Diablo 3 Power Leveling.

You do not have to complete the campaign when playing season mode. You can play in Adventure mode as soon as you create your first character. Keep in mind that after the season ends, you will be unable to start adventure mode games until you kill Malthael in the campaign mode with at least one of your characters. After Season 12 starts, you can complete a Challenge Rift for the extra rewards When you start the game on your fresh Season 12's character you should get the weapon from the Templar follower. It has higher damage than the default starting weapon. After you grab the weapon, kill Zoltan Kull or Maghda on Hard (possibly Master) difficulty level. Choose the one that has an active Bounty as it will grant better rewards. If you want, you can kill them both as well. This step will grant you a few rare items, that will give you a significant boost during your first levels. The fastest way to level up your character is through Nephalem Rifts. Players can share, and exchange completed Bounties. If you finish all five bounties in any of the Acts, just go to the next one straight away instead of collecting the rewards. After you have all 5 Acts completed, you can invite your friends. This way all of you will receive the prizes.

Your friends or community members should eventually return the favor. Always keep legendary items that amplify skill damage or boost them in any way. You can extract legendary powers in Kanai Cube from low-level items as well. And even though they will carry nearly no attribute bonuses, the legendary powers are the same as when on level 70. Collect all crafting materials you find when leveling. Do not craft rare items at Blacksmith and Jeweler until level 70. You will need both the gold and materials later on. Seek out for Puzzle rings. After you reach level 70 you can start a game way above your current difficulty level and invite people from the Game Chat and Communities to join it and clear the Greed's Domain for you. Spend only excess Blood shards until you reach level 70. And when you do, buy only belts and bracers - this two give the highest chance of getting skill supporting item for your class If you did not find any of the damage amplification items that are listed under your class in the following part of this guide, craft the suggested items after you reach level 70 Craft rare rings and amulet at level 70. This is incredibly cheap and easy damage boost. You should aim for the following:

1) Base stat

2) Vitality (enchant a socket here after you get your Legendary gems)

3) Critical Hit Chance

4) Critical Hit Damage

(optional) Attack speed, Added av. damage, %Elemental damage on the amulet Quality (rolls, stats) of legendary and set items do not depend on game difficulty or the level of Greater Rifts. It's better to farm in low-level Greater Rifts and finish them in a couple of minutes, instead of struggling in higher Greater Rifts and barely making it in time to upgrade the gems



Odealo is a secure trading platform for MMO gamers. Diablo 3 is one of our main markets, on which you can buy Item Farming, Power Leveling and Boosting services.

Suggested items and skills

Keep in mind our listed "Supporting Items" are not always fit for the following sets and builds. We made more or less complete listings of gear you might come across and which will help you clear GR20 solo.

BARBARIAN CLASS Starting set: Immortal King's Call Set Bonuses: Call of the Ancients last until they die (2/6)

Reduces the cooldown of Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients by 3 seconds for every 10 Fury spent (4/6)

While both Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients is active, deal 1500% increased damage (6/6) It is pretty much the best Barbarian set in 2.6.1. Considering how many "forgotten" builds will be viable right now, we expect it to be also trendy. It does not provide any bonuses from the four-piece bonuses, so completing the GR20 Solo will be heavily reliant on supporting legendary items. Supporting Items

Fury of the Vanished Peak

Reduces the Fury cost of Seismic Slam by 50% and increases its damage by 400-500%

The Gavel of Judgement

Hammer of the Ancients deals 600–800% increased damage and returns 25 Fury if it hits 3 or fewer enemies.

Bracers of Destruction

Seismic Slam deals 400-500% increased damage to the first five enemies it hits.

Bracers of the First Men

Hammer of the Ancients attacks 50% faster and deals 375-500% increased damage.

Dread Iron

Ground Stomp causes an Avalanche.

Increases Avalanche Damage by +150-200%

Girdle of Giants

Seismic Slam increases Earthquake damage by 200–250% for 3 seconds.

Fury of the Ancients

Call of the Ancients gains the effect of the Ancients' Fury rune.

Band of Might

After casting Furious Charge, Ground Stomp, or Leap, take 60–80% reduced damage for 8 seconds.

Blade of the Tribes

War Cry and Threatening Shout cause an Avalanche and Earthquake.

Increases Earthquake Damage by 150–200% Crafting When you reach level 70, you should craft a Two-Handed Mighty Weapon. There is a total of 6 available weapons of this type, and 3 of them grant fantastic damage bonuses, that will help you clear GR20 solo with ease. Fury of the Vanished Peak (Seismic Slam) The Gavel of Judgement (Hammer of the Ancients) Blade of the Tribes (Earthquake) Suggested Skills Hammer of the Ancients - Smash (optional) Seismic Slam - Shattered Ground Furious Charge - Merciless Assault War Cry - Impunity Battle Rage - Bloodshed Call of the Ancients - Together as One Wrath of the Berserker - Insanity



Blade of the Tribes version: Threatening Shout - Falter (instead of Battle Rage) Earthquake - Molten Fury (in place of WotB or FC) Passive skills: Ruthless Nerves of Steel Rampage Bloodthirst

CRUSADER CLASS Starting set: Seeker of the Light Set Bonus: Every cast of Blessed Hammer that hits an enemy reduces the remaining cooldown of Falling Sword and Provoke by 1 second (2/6)

The Crusader takes 50% less damage for 8 seconds after landing with Falling Sword (4/6)

Increases the damage of Blessed Hammer by 2000% and Falling Sword by 1000% (6/6) One of the most powerful Crusader sets, however extremely reliant on supporting items. If you choose to play Crusader, you should expect to complete GR20 solo with an entirely different skill set than as in the original Hammerdin build. It will directly depend on which supporting item you get, and most likely go for this skill. Supporting Items

Johanna's Argument

Increases the attack speed and damage of Blessed Hammer by 100%

Guard of Johanna

Blessed Hammer damage is increased by 200–250% for the first three enemies it hits.

Gabriel's Vambraces

When your Blessed Hammer hits 3 or fewer enemies, 75–100% of its Wrath cost is refunded.

Drakon's Lesson

When Shield Bash hits 3 or fewer enemies, its damage is increased by 300–400% and 25% of its Wrath Cost is refunded.

Faithful Memory

Each enemy hit by Falling Sword increases the damage of Blessed Hammer by 60-80% for 10 seconds. This effect stacks up to 10 times.

Gyrfalcon's Foote

Removes the resource cost of Blessed Shield and increases its damage by 275-350%.

Akkhan's Leniency

Each enemy hit by Blessed Shield increases the damage of Blessed Shield by 15–20% for 3 seconds.

Jekangbord

Blessed Shield deals 225-300% increased damage and ricochets to 6 additional enemies.

Fate of the Fell

Gain two additional rays of Heaven's Fury and increases its damage by 375-500%.

Golden Flense

Sweep Attack deals 225-300% increased damage and restores 6 Wrath for each enemy hit

Frydehr's Wrath

Condemn has no cooldown and deals 600-800% increased damage, but costs 40 Wrath

Unrelenting Phalanx

Phalanx now casts twice

Increases Phalanx Damage by 45–60%

Denial

Each enemy hit by your Sweep Attack increases the damage of your next Sweep Attack by 100-125%, stacking up to 5 times

Hammer Jammers

Enemies take 300–400% increased damage from Blessed Hammers for 10 seconds after being hit with a Blind, Immobilize, or Stun Crafting The best option for crusaders is crafting either a Crusader Shield (4/11 chances to get the "right" one) or Two-Handed Flail (3/7 chances) Frydehr's Wrath (Condemn) Jekangbord (Blessed Shield) Guard of Johanna (Blessed Hammer) Unrelenting Phalanx (Phalanx) Golden Flense (Sweep Attack) Fate of the Fell (Heaven's Fury) Akkhan's Leniency (Blessed Shield) Suggested Skills Blessed Hammer - Limitless Falling Sword - Rapid Descent Akarat's Champion - Prophet Shield Glare - Divine Verdict Laws of Valor - Unstoppable Force Main damage skill (depending on equipped supporting items) Blessed Shield - Shattering Throw Condemn - Unleashed Heaven's Fury - Ascendancy Shield Bash - Crumble Sweep Attack - Gathering Sweep Phalanx - Bowmen Passive Skills: Heavenly Strength (Two-handed weapons only) Fervor (One-handed weapons only) Finery Indestructible Long Arm of the Law

DEMON HUNTER CLASS Starting set: Natalya's Vengeance Set Bonus: Reduces cooldown of Rain of Vengeance by 4 seconds on any successful attack with a Hatred generator or spender (2/6)

Rain of Vengeance deals 100% increased damage (4/6)

After casting Rain of Vengeance, deal 3500% increased damage and take 60% reduced damage for 10 seconds (6/6) We believe Demon Hunter is the best class in terms of getting to GR20 solo fast. Both two and four-piece set bonuses grant significant damage boost, and completing Chapter IV can be done without any supporting items. Supporting Items

K'mar Tenclip

Strafe gains the effect of the Drifting Shadow rune

Increases Strafe Damage by 75–100%

Valla's Bequest

Strafe projectiles pierce

Increases Strafe Damage by 75–100%

Dawn

Reduce the cooldown of Vengeance by 50–65%.

Crashing Rain

Rain of Vengeance also summons a crashing beast that deals 3000–4000% damage Crafting The only viable crafting option for Demon Hunters are Hand Crossbows. Not only you can craft several Legendary crossbows for the regular Natalya's build, but also you can craft the Natalya's Slayer. This might help you complete Natalya's Set before even completing Chapter IV K'mar Tenclip (Strafe) Valla's Bequest (Strafe) Dawn (Vengeance) Natalya's Slayer (Set) Suggested Skills Strafe - Rocket Storm Rain of Vengeance - Anathema Smoke Screen - Displacement Vengeance - Seethe/Dark Heart Companion - Wolf companion Preparation - Punishment Passive Skills: Awareness Ballistics Blood Vengeance Cull of the Weak

MONK CLASS Starting set: Uliana's Strategem Set Bonus: Every third hit of Spirit Generators applies Exploding Palm (2/6)

Seven-Sided Strike deals 777% of its total damage with each hit (4/6)

Increases damage of Exploding Palm by 2100% and Seven-Sided Strike detonates Exploding Palm on Hit (6/6) Uliana Strategem is the monk set that got the highest boost in patch 2.6.1. Uliana's Exploding Palm will be extremely powerful build, but still hard to master. The good part is that it provides incredible damage boost when wearing just four pieces, so completing Chapter IV of season journey as a monk is extremely easy. Supporting Items

Lion's Claw

Seven-Sided Strike performs an additional seven strikes

The Fist of Az'Turrasq

Exploding Palm's on-death explosion damage is increased by 400–500%

Spirit Guards

Spirit Generators reduce all damage taken by 45-60% for 3 seconds

Gungdo Gear

Exploding Palm's on-death explosion applies Exploding Palm

Flow of Eternity

Increases the damage of Seven-Sided Strike by 100% and reduces its cooldown by 45–60%

Binding of the Lost

Each hit with Seven-Sided Strike grants 4.0–5.0% damage reduction for 7 seconds Crafting There aren't too items you could easily craft for Monk. If you have excess Death Breaths, you might try your luck to get one of the Fist weapons or remaining set parts. No items will need to complete level 20 GR solo when wearing four parts of Uliana set. Lion's Claw (Seven-sided Strike) The Fist of Az'Turrasq (Exploding Palm) Suggested Skills Way of the Hundred Fists - Assimilation Dashing Strike - Blinding Dash Exploding Palm - Impending Doom Seven-sided Strike - Sudden Assault Epiphany - Desert Shroud Mantra of Salvation - Agility Passive skills: Beacon of Ytar Exalted Soul Harmony Mythic Rhythm



Shutting down the Auction House and implementation of Loot 2.0 system killed nearly all player-to-player trading in Diablo 3. However, you may still obtain Legendary and Set gear through Item Farming, Boosting and Greater Rift carry services which offered on Odealo market.

NECROMANCER CLASS Starting set: Trag'Oul's Avatar Set Bonus: Blood Rush gains the effect of every rune (2/6)

While at full Life, overhealing from skills is added to maximum Life for 45 seconds, up to 100% more (4/6)

All Life-spending abilities deal 3300% increased damage. Healing from skills is increased by 100% (6/6) Trag'Oul's Avatar is one of the most powerful sets in the entire Diablo 3. Sadly it's completely unreliable when it comes to starting off a new Season; its general performance is highly reliant on various supporting items synergy and high paragon level. The only good part of playing a Necromancer is a high chance of creating powerful legendary items in Kanai Cube. Supporting Items

Reilena's Shadowhook

Every point of Maximum Essence increases all damage done by 0.5%, and Bone Spikes generate 2–5 additional Essence for each enemy hit

Maltorius' Petrified Spike

Bone Spear now costs 40 Essence and deals 550–700% increased damage.

Bloodtide Blade

Death Nova deals 80–100% increased damage for every enemy within 25 yards

Nayr's Black Death

Each different poison skill cast increases the damage of all poison skills by 75–100% for 15 seconds

Trag'oul's Corroded Fang

The Cursed Scythe rune for Grim Scythe now has a 100% chance to apply a curse and the Necromancer deals 150–200% increased damage to cursed enemies

Scythe of the Cycle

Secondary skills deal 350–400% additional damage while Bone Armor is active but reduce the remaining duration of Bone Armor by 4 seconds

The Johnstone

Land of the Dead grants 50 stacks of Macabre Knowledge when it expires. Macabre Knowledge increases the damage of Corpse Lance and Corpse Explosion by 150–200%

Krysbin's Sentence

Deal 75–100% increased damage against slowed enemies or triple this bonus against enemies afflicted by any other type of control-impairing effect

Dayntee's Binding

Grants a 40–50% reduction in all damage taken as long as there is an enemy afflicted by one or more of the Necromancer's Curses

Corpsewhisper Pauldrons

Corpse Lance damage is increased by 25–30% for 3 seconds when the Necromancer consumes a corpse, stacking up to 20 times. Crafting We recommend crafting either One-handed or Two-handed Scythes (up to your personal preferences). While ALL (just what the hell?) of the Two-handed Scythes will greatly boost your damage, you will have a 66% chance of crafting the "right" one-handed scythe. Reilena's Shadowhook (All damage) Maltorius' Petrified Spike (Bone Spear) Bloodtide Blade (Death Nova) Nayr's Black Death (Poison Skills) Trag'Oul's Corroded Fang (All damage) Scythe of the Cycle (All Secondary skills) Suggested Skills Grim Scythe - Cursed Scythe Blood Rush - any rune Devour - Cannibalize Land of the Dead - Frozen Land (Optional - Corpse Lance)Command Golem - Flesh Golem (Optional - any skill)Simulacrum - Blood Debt Main DPS skill (depending on preference or supporting items equipped) Bone Spear - Blood Spear Death Nova - Blood Nova Corpse Lance - Blood Lance Passive skills: Blood for Blood Blood is Power Final Service Overwhelming Essence

WITCH DOCTOR CLASS Starting set: Spirit of Arachyr Set Bonus: Summons a permanent Spider Queen who leaves behind webs that deal 4000% damage over 5 seconds and Slow enemies by 60%. The Spider Queen is commanded to move where Corpse Spiders are cast (2/6)

Hex gains the effect of Toad of Hugeness rune. After Toad of Hugeness is summoned, the Witch Doctor is healed for 10% of maximum Life per second and takes 50% less damage for 15 seconds (4/6)

The damage of creature skills is increased by 4500%. Creature skills are Corpse Spiders, Plague of Toads, Firebats, Locust Swarm, Hex, and Piranhas(6/6) Spirit of the Arachyr will be the best, and most powerful Witch Doctor set in 2.6.1 (Season 12). Firebats, which is the main damage dealing skill for the Arachyr builds has been significantly boosted in the recent update, rendering the build viable for high gr pushing. The set also grants a quite nice DPS boost while wearing two parts of it, making it rather a good pick for a GR20 solo rush. Supporting Items

Staff of Chiroptera

Firebats attack 100% faster, cost 75% less Mana and deal 125-150% more damage

Bakuli Jungle Wraps

Firebats deal 250-300% increased damage to enemies affected by Locust Swarm or Piranhas

Ring of Emptiness

Deal 250–300% increased damage to enemies affected by both Haunt and Locust Swarm

Coils of the First Spider

While channeling Firebats, take 30% reduced damage and gain 60000–80000 Life per Hit

The Short Man's Finger

Gargantuan instead summons three smaller Gargantuan more powerful than before, dealing 500-650% more damage each

The Tall's Man Finger

Zombie Dogs instead summons a single Gargantuan dog with more damage and health than all other dogs combined Crafting There aren't many powerful Witch Doctor's class-specific items. Most of the items you should be looking for are from the common types. It means you will need a bit of luck to get anything from the list above craft. The most effective solution is to spend Blood Shards on belts for the Bakuli Jungle Wraps, and when finally getting to level 70 craft a legendary Staff. If you are lucky you might find the Staff of Chiroptera (SuWong Diviner is not bad either), or simply a high DPS two-handed weapon. Staff of Chiroptera (Firebats) SuWong Diviner (Acid Cloud) Suggested Skills Corpse Spiders - Widowmakers Spirit Walk - Jaunt Firebats - Cloud of Bats Piranhas - Piranhado Gargantuan - Humongoid Summon Zombie Dogs - Leeching Beasts Ring of Emptiness version: Haunt - Poisoned Spirit (for Piranhas) Locust Swarm - Cloud of Insects (for Zombie Dogs) Passive skills: Confidence Ritual Grave Injustice Midnight Feast Spirit Vessel

WIZARD CLASS Starting set: Vyr's Amazing Arcana Set Bonus: Archon gains effects of all Runes (2/6)

Archon kill stacks also increase Attack Speed, Armor and Resistances by 1% per stack (4/6)

Gain one Archon stack per hit or tick of damage of any Archon ability. Archon stacks also reduce damage taken by 0.15% each and their damage bonus increases to 50% per stack (6/6) Vyr's Amazing Arcana is the least popular and the worst Wizard set. It does not carry any end-game potential on its own. It is usually used in combination with Tal'Rasha's set (the previously best Wizard build - Vyr'Rasha's Paralysis Archon). Vyr's set is not the worst starter set in Season 12, but after completing Chapter IV and getting it, the only thing you will grinding for are parts of any other Wizard set. Supporting Items

Fazula's Improbable Chain

Automatically start with 40–50 Archon kill stacks when entering Archon form

The Swami

All bonuses from kill stacks acquired in Archon form now last for 15–20 seconds after Archon expires

Chantodo's Will (set)

Every second while in Archon form expels a Wave of Destruction, dealing 1000% damage to enemies within 30 yards

Every time the Wizard hits with an attack while not in Archon form, 600% damage is added to the Wave of Destruction, stacking up to 20 times

Chantodo's Force (set)

Every second while in Archon form expels a Wave of Destruction, dealing 1000% damage to enemies within 30 yards

Every time the Wizard hits with an attack while not in Archon form, 600% damage is added to the Wave of Destruction, stacking up to 20 times

Unstable Scepter

Arcane Orb's explosion triggers an additional time, and Arcane Orb deals 350-450% increased damage

Triumvirate

Your Signature Spells increase the damage of Arcane Orb by 300-400% for 6 seconds, stacking up to 3 times

Wand of Woh

Three additional Explosive Blasts are triggered after casting Explosive Blast, and the damage of Explosive Blast is increased by 300-400%

Nilfur's Boast

Increase the damage of Meteor by 600%. When your Meteor hits 3 or fewer enemies, the damage is increased by 675-900%

The Grand Vizier

Reduces the Arcane Power cost of Meteor by 50% and increases its damage by 300-400%

Etched Sigil

Arcane Torrent, Disintegrate, and Ray of Frost also cast one of other damaging Arcane Power Spenders every second and increase damage of Arcane Power spenders by 125-150% Crafting The best crafting options for Wizards are either Wands or Sources. They both carry around 20% chance of getting something useful though (in terms of helping you in the GR20 solo task). If you have enough Death Breaths feel free to go for it. Unstable Scepter (Arcane Orb) Wand of Woh (Explosive Blast) Triumvirate (Arcane Orb) Etched Sigil (Arcane spenders) Suggested Skills Spectral Blades - Barrier Blades Teleport - Safe Passage Archon - any rune Black Hole - Absolut Zero/Spellsteal Energy Armor - Force Armor DPS Skills depending on equipped supporting items: Arcane Orb - Frozen Orb Meteor - Meteor Shower Explosive Blast - Chain Reaction Passive skills: Audacity Arcane Dynamo Unstable Anomaly Unwavering Will Diablo 3 Marketplace



Cosmic Wings and Wings of Mastery are the coolest cosmetic items in Diablo 3. Their rarity, however, makes them nearly impossible to obtain for casual players. The easiest and safest way would be to buy them on the Odealo market from professional boosters.

If you have any tips on how to get a good start in Season 12, feel free to share them in the comments below.

Pictures used in this article are the intellectual property of Blizzard Entertainment.