Avenger Paladin Build for Diablo 2 Resurrected

Last updated on Sep 30, 2021 at 06:00 by MrLlamaSC 3 comments

The Avenger Paladin is a somewhat gear-dependent build that uses Vengeance and Conviction to deal Physical, Fire, Cold, and Lightning damage. This makes the build remarkably versatile, as any Immunity can be dealt with easily. The Avenger lacks any area of effect damage however, making it generally slow.

1.

Introduction

The Avenger uses Vengeance Vengeance to defeat his enemies through four different types of damage: Physical, Fire, Cold, and Lightning. Thanks to Conviction Conviction, the Avenger should never run into a monster he cannot fight, though he is much better against isolated foes than large groups.

You can check the viability of this build in PvM by consulting our PvM Tier List.

2.

Avenger Paladin Skill Build

The following section shows the default skill build for the Avenger. For a detailed breakdown of all core and optional skills as well as the recommended order for allocating skill points, refer to the Skills page of this guide.

  1. 1 point to all prerequisites
  2. 20 points to Vengeance Vengeance — Main damage skill, required
  3. 1 points to Holy Shield Holy Shield — Great to maximise chance to block and faster block frames, required
  4. 20 points to Conviction Conviction — Main damage support aura, required
  5. Max out the following synergies in whatever order you prefer. Resist Lightning Resist Lightning would be a solid first choice.
  6. 20 points to Resist Fire Resist Fire — Synergy for Vengeance Vengeance and increases Maximum Fire Resistance, required
  7. 20 points to Resist Cold Resist Cold — Synergy for Vengeance Vengeance and increases Maximum Cold Resistance, required
  8. 20 points to Resist Lightning Resist Lightning — Synergy for Vengeance Vengeance and increases Maximum Lightning Resistance, required
  9. 1+ points to Salvation Salvation — Synergy to max out last as it does not give as much damage as the 3 other synergies

Note that since Vengeance Vengeance is only available from level 18 onward, playing as an Avenger from the start of the game is not possible. For a smoother leveling experience, we recommend using a generic melee Paladin build with Holy Fire Holy Fire and Zeal Zeal. Upon reaching level 18, you can simply start adding points into Vengeance and respect into using Conviction Conviction. For more information, refer to the Early Leveling section of this guide.

3.

Avenger Paladin Stat Points and Attributes

Strength Dexterity Vitality Energy
Enough for gear; around 150 total Enough for max Block; around 150 total Everything else None

You can read more details about the Stats and Attribute requirements for this build on our Skills page.

4.

Avenger Paladin Gear

The following section shows some of the most important items for the Avenger. For a detailed per-slot breakdown of all Avenger items and alternative builds, refer to the Gear page of this guide.

5.

MrLlamaSC's Avenger Paladin Video Guide

We also have a video guide that goes over the build, if you prefer that instead of or in addition to our written guide.

6.

Avenger Paladin Breakpoints

In Diablo 2, stats that affect action speed (known as frames) for attacking, casting, blocking, and recovering from a hit can almost never be taken literally. For example, gaining 10% Increased Attack Speed from an item will not necessarily translate into 10% faster attacks. To achieve faster actions, certain breakpoints must be reached, which vary for every class. The tables below list how much of a given stat is required to actually improve the action speed of the class for the stated action.

6.1.

Faster Hit Recovery Breakpoints

Faster Hit Recovery Breakpoints (1-Handed Weapons)
Frames to perform action 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
Faster Hit Recovery required to reach frame 0% 7% 15% 27% 48% 86% 200%
6.2.

Faster Cast Rate Breakpoints

Faster Cast Rate Breakpoints
Frames to perform action 15 14 13 12 11 10 9
Faster Cast Rate required to reach frame 0% 9% 18% 30% 48% 75% 125%
6.3.

Faster Block Rate Breakpoints

Faster Block Rate Breakpoints (No Holy Shield)
Frames to perform action 5 4 3 2
Faster Block Rate required to reach frame 0% 13% 32% 86%
6.4.

Faster Block Rate Breakpoints (With Holy Shield)

Faster Block Rate Breakpoints (With Holy Shield)
Frames to perform action 2 1
Faster Block Rate required to reach frame 0% 86%
7.

Avenger Paladin Mercenary

You can either hire a Defensive (Holy Freeze) or Offensive (Might) Desert Guard Mercenary in Act 2, Nightmare difficulty, depending on whether you want to slow monsters for added safety or improve your overall damage as well as that of your Mercenary. You also hire an Act 1 Cold Rogue Mercenary with Faith (to provide you with Fanaticism Fanaticism) as its weapon.

8.

Avenger Paladin Early Leveling

The following section features a generic melee Paladin skill point progression meant to make leveling towards becoming an Avenger smoother.

  1. 1 point to Might Might
  2. 1 point to Sacrifice Sacrifice
  3. All points to Resist Fire Resist Fire until level 6
  4. All points to Holy Fire Holy Fire until level 12
  5. 1 point to Zeal at level 12
  6. All points to Holy Fire Holy Fire until level 18, where you can start playing with Vengeance Vengeance

For more comprehensive leveling advice, please refer to our Paladin Fastest Leveling Build.

9.

Changelog

  • 30 Sep. 2021 (this page): Added video guide embed.
  • 27 Sep. 2021 (gear page): Page added.
  • 27 Sep. 2021 (skills page): Page added.
  • 27 Sep. 2021 (this page): Build added.
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