Greetings,

To help improve Demon Hunter class balance, I am proposing a list of updates to our sets and legendary items. Some suggestions are simple number adjustments, while others infuse mechanical features based on functionality that already exists on other class items.

I took a top-down approach for number recommendations, accounting for the percent change of DIBS versus legendary effects, I ran multiple tests and pushed junk builds to figure out the expected maximum clears and what kind of values are needed to bring these underused builds to match the power of mainstream builds.

Furthermore, this list has undergone several edits. It has been shared with my clan, TPA, debated over Twitch streams and revised numerous times.

It’s now time for the community to have a crack at it. If you’d like to see these changes in-game – give this post some love – and maybe the developers will bring these ideas into an upcoming PTR.

Feedback and questions are welcome, share your likes and concerns below.

Top Performing / Functional Skills

Rapid Fire

Impale

Multishot

Cluster Arrow

Current Builds @ ~5k Paragon Top-End Clears

N6 Rapid Fire GR131 @ 4606p

LoD Rapid Fire GR132 @ 3847p

UE6 Multishot GR128 @ 4799p

M6 Cluster Bombs GR128 @5009p

S6 Impale GR128 @ 5365p

N6M4 Cluster Arrow GR125 @ 6033p <-- can go higher with less paragon

Target GR for these same clears is GR136

N6 Rapid Fire +2 (+3 CoE adjustment for high paragon players)

LoD Rapid Fire +4

UE6 Multishot +8

M6 Cluster Bombs +8

S6 Impale +8

N6M4 Cluster Arrow +9 (adjusted for balance)

Expect 4-6 additional GRs for 10k+ paragon players. These clears typically require 300+ keys.

Class Issues

Most builds are item locked because 3+ defensive items are required to survive. Skip an offensive legendary item for survival and the power gap widens.

DH defensive items are bland and offer little to no utility.

The class lacks interesting offensive legendary effects, many are plain flat damage.

Many builds need better survival, especially when the player is under 5000 paragon.

Repair Approach

Boost some set modifiers without making the numbers too obscene. Edit DH class items so they serve multiple purposes. These item edits will cumulatively increase the defense and power of most DH builds.

Set Analysis

Unhallowed Essence this set is simple, supports many skills, but is only effective for Multishot. This set did work wonderfully with grenades in the past, and it’s a shame they didn’t get supported. Overly reliant on Captain Crimson, but the synergy is welcomed.

this set is simple, supports many skills, but is only effective for Multishot. This set did work wonderfully with grenades in the past, and it’s a shame they didn’t get supported. Overly reliant on Captain Crimson, but the synergy is welcomed. Embodiment of the Marauder is in poor shape. Zoey’s Secret + Cloak of the Garwulf is outdone by Captain Crimson. Gearing an M6 build is too similar to UE6. Companions serve little purpose and sentries damage only matters in the hybrid N6M4.

is in poor shape. Zoey’s Secret + Cloak of the Garwulf is outdone by Captain Crimson. Gearing an M6 build is too similar to UE6. Companions serve little purpose and sentries damage only matters in the hybrid N6M4. Natalya’s Vengeance This set is centered around Rain of Vengeance, but Rain of Vengeance damage is insignificant. Rapid Fire damage is fine, but these other skills need tuning: Strafe and Fan of Knives.

This set is centered around Rain of Vengeance, but Rain of Vengeance damage is insignificant. Rapid Fire damage is fine, but these other skills need tuning: Strafe and Fan of Knives. Shadow’s Mantle Only competitive for one skill: Impale. It should work with Chakram and Fan of Knives as their supporting legendaries are melee weapons. The S2 6000% set bonus is too low for Chakram and Fan of Knives.

The Solutions

Set Upgrades

Unhallowed Essence

(6) Set:

Your generators, Multishot, and Vengeance deal 350% 575% increased damage for every point of Discipline you have.

Embodiment of the Marauder

(2) Set:

Companion calls all companions to your side. Your damage is increased by 50% while Companion - Wolf is active.

Natalya’s Vengeance

(4) Set:

Rain of Vengeance deals 100% 1000% increased damage.

The Shadow’s Mantle

(2) Set:

While equipped with a melee weapon, your damage is increased by 6000% 17500%.

Defensive Legendary Upgrades

Zoey’s Secret

You take 9.0% less damage You take 10.0% less damage and deal 10.0% more damage for every Companion you have active.

Wraps of Clarity

Your Hatred Generators reduce your damage taken by 50% 75% for 5 seconds. Each enemy hit by your generators increases your damage by 10% for 5 seconds up a maximum of 50%.

Elusive Ring

After casting Shadow Power, Smoke Screen, or Vault, take 60% 80% reduced damage and gain 50% attack speed for 8 seconds. Attack speed is reduced by 5% each second for the duration of the buff.

Fortress Ballista

Attacks grant you an absorb shield and armor bonus for 3.0% of your maximum Life. Stacks up to 10 times.

Elemental Arrow

Augustine’s Panacea

Elemental Arrow gains an effect based on the rune: Ball Lightning damage increased by 600% and now travels at 30% speed.

now travels at 30% speed. Frost Arrow damage increased by 1200% and Chilled duration increased by 200%.

and Chilled duration increased by 200%. Immolation Arrow ground damage over time increased by 200% 1800% .

. Lightning Bolts damage increased by 1500% and Stun duration increased by 200%.

and Stun duration increased by 200%. Nether Tentacles damage increased by 1800% and healing amount increased by 200%.

Kridershot

Elemental arrow now generates 4 Hatred. Increases the damage of Elemental Arrow by 600% to enemies that are Chilled, Frozen, Immobilized, or Stunned.

Chakram

Spines of Seething Hatred

Chakram now generates 4 Hatred. Each enemy hit by your Chakram increases your maximum Hatred by 5% for 5 seconds.

Sword of Ill Will

Chakram deals 1.4% 5.0% increased damage for every point of Hatred you have.

Fan of Knives

Lord Greenstone’s Fan

Every second, gain 400% 1600% increased damage for your next Fan of Knives. Stacks up to 30 15 times.

Strafe

Valla’s Bequest

Strafe projectiles pierce and deals 450% more damage.

K’mar Tenclip

Strafe gains the effect of the Drifting Shadow rune and deals 450% more damage.

Rain of Vengeance

Crashing Rain

Rain of Vengeance also summons a crashing beast that deals 4000% 12000% weapon damage to enemies within 15 yards.

Primary Skills / Generators

Hunter’s Wrath

Your primary skills attack 30% faster and deal 60% 600% increased damage.

Leonine Bow of Hashir

Bolas have a 20% chance on explosion to pull in all enemies within 24 yards and deal 400% more damage**.

The Ninth Cirri Satchel

Hungering Arrow has 25% additional chance to pierce, each pierce increases its damage by 200%.

Odyssey’s End

Enemies snared by your Entangling Shot take 25% increased damage from all sources. Entangling Shot deals 25% more damage for each enemy snared within 50 yards.

Rapid Fire

Wojhanni Assaulter

Rapid Fire increasingly deals multiplicative 100% increased damage while channeling. Stacks up to 30 times.

Misc.

Blackfeather

Dodging or getting hit by a ranged attack automatically shoots a homing rocket back at the attacker for 800% weapon damage as Physical. Increases rocket damage by 100%. Reduces damage from ranged attacks by 30%.

The Cloak of the Garwulf

Companion - Wolf Companion now summons 3 wolves and doubles the effectiveness of Wolf and Boar companions.

Calamity

Automatically cast Marked for Death when you damage an enemy. Automatically apply Marked for Death - Contagion when you hit an enemy. Doubles the effectiveness of Marked for Death.

Buriza-Do Kyanon

Allow re-roll to 12 Max Discipline on secondary affix

Passives Abilities

Custom Engineering

Increase the duration of your Caltrops, Marked for Death, Spike Trap, and Sentry by 100%. Increase the maximum number and charges of Sentries to 3 and number of Spike Traps to 5. Reduce the cooldown of Sentry and Spikes Trap by 50%.

Ambush

You deal 40% additional damage to enemies above 75% 60% health.

Archery

Gain a bonus based on your weapon type: Bow: 8% 18% multiplicative damage

damage Crossbow: 50% 100% Critical Hit Damage

Critical Hit Damage Hand Crossbow: 5% Critical Hit Chance 2 Hatred and Discipline per Second

2nd Hand Crossbow: 1 Hatred per Second 10% Critical Hit Chance

Perfectionist

Gain an absorb shield equal to 30% of your maximum life when there are no enemies within 20 yards. This bonus is granted once every 4 seconds.

Brooding

Gain 3.0% 8.0% Life regeneration and Cooldown reduction per second for every second you remain stationary, stacking up to 3 times. This bonus is reset 5 seconds after you move.

Night Stalker

Your primary skills generate an additional 4 Hatred and attack 25% faster.

Sharpshooter

Gain 4% Critical Hit Chance every second. This bonus is reset 1 second after you successfully critically hit. Enemies more than 30 yards away take 12% more damage.

Set / Skill Goals

SET/SKILL UE6 M6 N6 S6 N6M4 S2M2 LOD/LON NEW Primary Skills X Impale X Rapid Fire X X Chakram X X X Elemental Arrow X X X Caltrops X Vault X Fan of Knives X X X Spike Trap X X Sentry X Vengeance X X Strafe X X Multishot X X X Cluster Arrow X X RoV X X

Estimated Power Creep

Build Current/Estimated High Power Gain GR Gain Estimated High UE6 MS (Fire) 127 4.13 9 136 M6 MS (Phys) 127 3.57 8 135 M6 CA (Bombs) 128 3.57 8 136 M6 CA (Cold) 119 5.53 10 129 N6M4 CA (Cold) 127 3.95 8 135 N6 Rapid Fire 132 1.45 2 134 LoD Rapid Fire 131 1.81 4 135 S6 Impale 128 3.61 8 136 S2M2 FoK 115 24.78 20 136 S2M2 Chakram/FoK 105 97.34 29 134 N6M4 Chakram 120 14.34 17 137 UE6 Chakram 107 44.28 24 131 M6 Chakram 107 38.57 23 130 N6M4 EA 120 15.14 17 137 UE6 EA 107 76.26 27 134 M6 EA 107 66.43 26 133 UE6 Grenades 120 10.75 14 134 UE6 Bolas (volatile) 105 64.50 24 129 UE6 E.Shot (shock) 100 118.25 30 130 UE6 H. Arrow (Dev) 102 75.25 27 129 N6 Strafe / RoV 112 24.58 20 132

Notes About Skills

Chakram

Works like Blessed Shield w/ Akkhan’s Leniency, 5 second duration on stack count. Synergizes with Blood Vengeance and increasing the max hatred pool.

Elemental Arrow

Works like Blessed Hammer/Heaven’s Fury – applying CC effects amplifies damage. Augustine’s bonus is lower for runes that have built in CC effects. Immolation Arrow, which interacts with Buriza, appears to be incompatible with N6M4, so it gets a stronger bonus.

Impale

Tankier and stronger, may become a slightly better RGK with Elusive Ring’s attack speed bonus.

Multishot

Rockets are now 1.68x stronger from Blackfeather. Single target should improve dramatically.

Devouring Arrow

Ninth Cirri Satchel now behaves like the Devouring Arrow rune on Hungering Arrow, pierces are additive 200% -> 400% -> 600% -> etc. With Buriza we start off at 400%. This skill is intended to be mixed with other generators.

Entangling Shot

Damage scales with density, also intended to be used with Buriza.

Fan of Knives

Speeds up the game play by reaching max power within 15 seconds. Essentially a 4x boost in total.

M2 Set Bonus

Using Companion will improve player damage (not Sentry) by 50%. This details stops N6M4 from becoming over powered. Supports M6 and S2M2 hybrid builds and favors the inclusion of CDR to guarantee the full 50% damage bonus, which will inadvertently make deploying sentries quicker.

Perfectionist Passive

This is for improving Squirts uptime.