Choosing your class is a dilemma that often comes up in games, mainly MMOs, and it’s also a dilemma in Diablo Immortal. This may not be a problem for players who always choose the same class across different titles in the license, but it is an important choice for many other players. There are many factors to consider, and some are not as obvious as you might think at first.
Choose your class well.
Before going into details, know that your preferences are the most important. There are no significant disparities between the classes in Diablo Immortal, as there aren’t any specific roles. And even if different classes are more or less efficient in particular areas, you’ll usually never get stuck or handicapped by class choice.
The information below is based on the latest beta version of the game, during which there was a lot of class balancing. Players also discovered new tricks and ways to play as they went along. Further adjustments will likely arrive over the months. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that anything that follows strictly represents game content and class performance when released.
Blizzard has hinted that a class change option should be offered. So it would help if you didn’t get stuck in a class you don’t like, forcing you to start from scratch with a new character. However, the details are unknown at the moment, so it is better to choose correctly.
Melee vs Ranged
The traditional roles of Tank, DPS, and Heal/Support are absent in Diablo Immortal. Each class is a DPS with more or less critical hybrid elements. Some classes have more buffs and group support techniques, while others have more control techniques, mobility, etc.
The most significant distinction is in the distance the character will fight. There are different builds possible for each class, but the variety is less than in some of the other Diablo games, and it’s clear that some classes are more suited to close combat than ranged. This is probably the essential thing to consider after which class you like best. Melee classes are closer to the action, so they are more open to attack, both in PvE and PvP. They are also more robust—Crusader, barbarian, and Monk.
Ranged classes can be safer in the back, and you will take minor damage and have more time to react. On the other hand, they are more fragile than melee classes. This includes mage, demon hunter, and Necromancer.
An additional distinction is in attack types. Melee classes are meant for area damage, while ranged ones are better at single target DPS. But then again, it’s not absolute, and all classes have decent AoE and single target attacks.
Demon Hunter is the best class for single target damage, but he’s also the most fragile, and on the other hand, Crusader has the best AoE. He’s robust, mobile, with group buffs, but his damage to single targets isn’t impressive.
Only against PvE
Before we go over classes, let’s also mention playstyle. Diablo Immortal will encourage you to do a bit of everything every day, from farming, events, quests, dungeons, and battlegrounds, to PvE, PvP activities, etc. You can do a lot solo, but some activities involve four or even more than eight players.
If you don’t have friends, that’s not too important, but Diablo Immortal rewards you if you start the adventure with acquaintances. The benefits offered by different classes stack (unlike duplicates), and there are even tiers that offer bonuses if the party composition includes other classes.
It’s hard to make predictions, but expect certain classes to play more than others. For example, Demon Hunter is going to be very popular. This can influence your choice. Selecting a less represented class can help you find a place in a group or clan more easily.
Barbarian
The furious and savage warrior is back with gameplay similar to previous titles. This big brute is probably the most robust class in the game, plus it has a good AoE, and you’re allowed to attack while moving. It also has several group bonuses with screams, and it proved to be formidable in both PvE and PvP in the beta. That makes him a solid option.
Pros:
The best survival game.
Good group upgrades
Good area damage
Fearsome in PvP
Cons:
Low single target damage
It depends on your cooldowns
Demon Hunter
With a hand crossbow in each hand, the Demon Hunter is considered the best single-target DPS in the game, making him an attractive choice for many players, as bosses are just as important as they are numerous. Devil Immortal.
Being able to deal a lot of damage while keeping your distance makes it a great solo class, but it comes at a price, the Demon Hunter’s mobility ability is perhaps the worst in the game, and it’s also the most fragile class. His group buffs are also pretty poor compared to the others, but the DPS makes up for it. In PvP, it’s also an excellent class to attack other players from afar while your friends take damage for you.
Pros:
He is the best single target DPS in the game with his basic attacks.
Tons of long-range attacks
Pretty simple
Cons:
Fragile
Less mobile than other classes
Crossed
This heavily armored knight is probably the closest thing to a tank in this game, but I don’t think that’s his only role. Thanks to its steed ability, it’s an incredibly mobile class that allows it to plow through hordes of enemies by triggering powerful zone attacks in all directions.
The Crusader has great group bonuses, making it the best pseudo-support. This is an excellent option for players who want to combine roles and features: mobility, survivability, AoE, and support. Of course, he doesn’t do everything right either, and his single target attacks are by far the worst in the game, relying heavily on his cooldown abilities. In short, this is the best class to play in a group.
Pros:
Excellent AOE
very mobile
Probably the best group bonuses
Long stamina
Good in both PvE and PvP
Cons:
Single weak target damage
It depends on your cooldowns
Wizard
The Arcane Master also returns in Diablo Immortal with his vast arsenal of elemental spells. It is a class with varied gameplay, which combines excellent area damage with a superb Damage to a single target with the laser. The core gameplay is if you like item combos and party controls, freezing a group of enemies, stunning them with lightning, and hitting them with a meteor to finish them off.
The problem is that a lot of his techniques are skill shots, which means you have to throw them right, at the right time, to create a combo. Therefore, the skill level required is higher than the other classes, making it challenging to play PvP. It also depends on their cooldowns, which can throw you off guard. Add to that good mobility with an instant range teleport…
Pros:
Satisfying gameplay
Excellent AOE
Good single target damage
Good crowd control
Teleports
Cons:
More challenging to play than other classes
Very reliant on cooldowns
Hard to play in PvP
Few improvements to the group
Monk
This fast and agile fighter is a master martial artist who uses his fists, feet, and holy abilities to decimate demons. It’s a melee class with quite a few control tools, like the ability to bunch up enemies before AoEing them, all with excellent mobility.
The other side of the coin is that this style of play requires combo attacks, which is not always easy or possible. His single target damage is also a bit low. As you would expect from the Monk, he also offers good group buffs with his shields.
Pros:
Good area damage
very mobile
Good group upgrades
Powerful crowd controls
Cons:
Single target damage is a bit low
Relatively fast and hard to master
Necromancer
Finally, the Necromancer and his undead summon are also present. Thanks to his pets that tank lightly and deal damage while unleashing his curses and various bone spells, he stands out from other classes. In addition to his exotic gameplay, he has good group buffs and effective control techniques in many situations.
As a bonus, it is played at a distance, making it a mighty class early in the game, even if that gap is lost later on. Although he is a ranged class, he often has to play relatively close to enemies, exposing you. Popular builds also tend to sacrifice mobility in favor of the ultimate.
Pros:
Pets that fight for you
Good group upgrades
good controls
Effective damage to a single target
Very powerful at first.
Cons:
Must remain relatively close to the scrum.
Mobility is often sacrificed.
Depends on pets for particular abilities.