Whirlwind Assassin (Whirlwindsin) Build for Diablo 2 Resurrected

Last updated on Sep 30, 2021 at 10:00 by MrLlamaSC 1 comment

The Whirlwind Assassin is a unique build that revolves around the the Chaos Rune Word to unlock Whirlwind, which is usually a Barbarian skill. By nature, it is extremely gear dependent and limited in its overall playstyles, but can be fun due to its novelty factor. It has some use in PvP but generally is not used very often in PvE. By mixing in Traps, this build can become more viable overall and clear more areas and at a faster pace.

1.

Introduction

The Whirlwind Assassin does not exist until you obtain Chaos. Typically, once you are in the position to use this item, you have already completed the game, so the Whirlwind Assassin is an endgame build. That being said, being able to Whirlwind Whirlwind as an Assassin is something every player should try at least once in their life, as it is quite unique.

2.

Whirlwindsin Skill Build

The following section shows the default skill build for the Whirlwind Whirlwind Assassin. 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.

Note that since Chaos is not available for use until late game, playing as a Whirlwind Assassin from the start of the game is not possible. For a smoother leveling experience, we recommend using a generic Assassin Trap build. For more information, refer to the Early Leveling section of this guide.

3.

Whirldwind Assassin Stat Points and Attributes

Strength Dexterity Vitality Energy
Enough for gear; about 100 Enough for gear; about 100 Everything else None

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

4.

Whirlwind Assassin Gear

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

5.

MrLlamaSC's Whirlwind Assassin 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.

Whirldwind Assassin 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

Hit Recovery Breakpoints
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 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9
Faster Cast Rate required to reach frame 0% 8% 16% 27% 42% 65% 102% 174%
6.3.

Faster Block Rate Breakpoints

Faster Block Rate Breakpoints
Frames to perform action 5 4 3 2
Faster Block Rate required to reach frame 0% 13% 32% 86%
7.

MrLlamaSC's Whirlwind Assassin 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.

8.

Whirldwind Assassin 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 the overall damage of your Mercenary.

9.

Early Leveling

The following section features a generic Trap Skill Point progression meant to make leveling towards becoming a Whirlwind Assassin smoother.

  1. 4 points to Fire Blast Fire Blast
  2. 1 point to Claw Mastery Claw Mastery at level 5
  3. 5 points to Burst of Speed Burst of Speed from level 6 to 10
  4. 1 point to Fire Blast Fire Blast at level 11
  5. All points to Wake of Fire Wake of Fire until ready to switch to Lightninght Traps (recommended around level 37)

The following section shows the priority after a respec.

  1. 20 points to Lightning Sentry Lightning Sentry
  2. 20 points to Death Sentry Death Sentry
  3. 1 point to Cloak of Shadows Cloak of Shadows
  4. 1 point to Mind Blast Mind Blast
  5. 5 points to Burst of Speed Burst of Speed

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

10.

Changelog

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