Diablo 4 best class - Class Tier List
Excited to get into the Diablo 4? Here's our Diablo 4 class tier list, and the best class for different roles.
Update: We've updated our Diablo 4 tier list to reflect the new best classes following the release of the Vessel of Hatred expansion.
The world of Sanctuary is about to get even bigger, thanks to the release of the long-awaited Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred expansion. And just like with the full release of Diablo 4, millions of players are flooding in to try Blizzard's latest venture into the classic ARPG franchise. In this Diablo 4 class tier list we will pick the best Diablo 4 class, ranking them from best to worst, as well as helping you decide on the best class for specific roles.
This includes the best class for solo players, the best class for hardcore characters, as well as the best tank, ranged DPS, and melee DPS classes.
Just like the vast and varied realm of Sanctuary, the Diablo 4 meta is always changing. But these classes will likely stay as they are for the duration of Season 6 at least.
Diablo 4 best class
Following the release of the Vessel of Hatred expansion, the best class in Diablo 4 is the Spiritborn.
If you're playing the base game the best classes in Diablo 4 are the Sorcerer and Necromancer, thanks to their high damage and versitility.
Why is the Spiritborn the best class in Diablo 4?
The Spiritborn is now the best class in Diablo 4 because of its DPS potential, versatility and the sheer amount of viable archetypes you can build using it.
For example, even basic Spiritborn skills can be incredibly effective, such as the Quill Volley Lightning skill, which hurls a fan of charged feathers in an arc against enemies. This wave is not just great for crowd-control, but if used right up against an enemy the entire wave hits them, stacking to deal an unbelieveable amount of damage.
What Diablo 4 class do I choose if I want to play a certain way?
But while we reckon the Spiritborn is the new best Diablo 4 class, the others all have good reasons to choose them, especially if you want to play with a very specific style or want to compliment friends you are playing with.
Keep reading for our Diablo 4 class tier list, plus info on the best class for hardcore, tank play, ranged combat, and melee combat.
Diablo 4 classes tier list
Below, we've broken down each class into a simple Diablo 4 class tier list, so you can quickly see which class is the best for you regardless of what content you're getting into:
| Rank | Diablo 4 Class |
|---|---|
| S | Spiritborn |
| A | Sorcerer |
| B | Necromancer, Rogue |
| C | Druid, Barbarian |
What classes are in Diablo 4?
There are six classes in total in Diablo 4. Five were introduced in the base game, with the Spiritborn arriving with the Vessel of Hatred expansion. Each class has its own strengths and weaknesses. But with that being said, certain classes naturally play into certain archetypes. A Barbarian won't do much good as a ranged DPS, while a Sorcerer will get beaten to a pulp when surrounded by enemies.
It's also worth remembering that every class is viable for a 'vanilla' run of the base game campaign. If you've just picked up Diablo 4 on Game Pass and are struggling for which class to pick, don't worry too much about where your choice sits in the overarching meta. Once you fancy stepping into the higher levels or cooperative and competitive play, then you need to think about how your class relates to the others.
Spiritborn
Introduced with the Vessel of Hatred expansion, the Spiritborn is far-and-away the best class in Diablo 4, beating out every other class in variety of roles.
It's very common in games for the new DLC classes and characters to be massively OP compared to the rest of the roster, and the Spiritborn is no exception. However, there are a few different archetypes you can build to get the best out of it.
You have 4 Spiritborn builds to choose from, all based around jungle animals: the brute-force Gorilla, fiery Jaguar, lightning Eagle and poison Centipede.
At this early stage, the explosive DPS of the Eagle and massive damage-over-time of the Centipede seem to be the two best - but there may be more to discover for the tanky Gorilla and fleet-footed Jaguar.
Sorcerer
Pros - Massive ranged spell-based damage, good crowd control, great AOE.
If you fancy yourself a spell-slinger, and love pumping out loads of damage, then the Diablo 4 Sorcerer is a great pick for you. Thanks to their Enchantment system, you can pick and choose certain spells to buff for enhanced effects. As such, with a fine-tuned build, you'll be able to create a truly devastating magic character.
With the use of mana, you can make use of powerful abilities like Fireball and Chain Lightning to devastate hordes of enemies. There's also some brilliant defensive spells like the trusty Teleport that will keep you safe. As long as you don't mind managing mana and a small health pool, this is a damn good class.
In the upper-echelons of Diablo 4 meta, the Sorcerer is considered the most powerful class in the base game. However, it's a more advanced class and therefore less suitable for brand-new players looking for an easier ride - especially if you're playing alone (although don't let that discourage you since every class is viable in the campaign).
Necromancer
Pros - summons undead minions to draw aggro, good self-heal, good AOE.
The Diablo 4 Necromancer can be played as either a ranged or melee class depending on preference, and thanks to the Book of the Dead mechanic, has access to a huge number of strategies surrounding their undead minions. The versatility available here makes the Necromancer an incredibly strong choice for players of all skill levels and the best starting class for new and solo players looking for a powerful, accessible option for their first playthrough.
Abilities like Bone Prison and Blood Mist will help keep you alive, while your collection of big explosive spells like Corpse explosion and Bone Storm will go a long way in taking out big groups of enemies at once. A great pick for everyone.
There are essentially 3 archetypes to choose from: Bone, Corpse or Summoner. Bone Necromancers use sharp projectiles to deal damage from afar. Corpse Necromancers use the bloated bodies of their defeated enemies to cause gigantic explosions. While Summoner Necromancers wield occult magic to call of a variety of different familiars.
Of the three, a Bone Necromancer's ability to dish of devastating critical hit damage makes them a fitting choice for most players.
The bone skills available allow you to deal devastating crit damage to enemies and is excellent for single target builds and wiping out bosses. Leaning into a blood build is exceptional at slowly draining enemies and healing for a tanky build that'll outlast other ranged DPS classes.
It's also worth mentioning the Book of the Dead, the Necromancer's main class feature that allows them to summon a range of minions. These can be raised up as additional supports in fights, and pull off a surprising amount of damage when used correctly. Although, you can also sacrifice them for additional bonuses that will enhance your own character.
If you pick the Necromancer, you'll be set for whatever challenges await you in Diablo 4. Regardless of difficulty, playstyle, or otherwise.
Rogue
Pros - High damage at ranged or melee, high mobility, good crowd control, and a powerful boss killer.
If you like to move fast and hit hard, the Diablo 4 Rogue is a good choice for you. Their unique class specialization mechanic allows you to easily switch between three distinct resources, which lets you to alter your playstyle substantially.
Rogues are all about the balancing act between generating your specialization resource, and keeping track of your energy. If you can manage it, offensive skills like Rapid Fire and Flurry will mow down any demon you run into, while defensive options like Smoke Screen will keep you alive.
If you are confident in staying alive and keeping an eye on a few things at once, the Rogue is exceptional. It's a hard class to figure out, but once you do, it's a real killer.
Druid
Pros - Brilliant damage with Shapeshifting, good AOE, great buffs.
The Diablo 4 Druid is an interesting addition to Diablo, able to switch between distinct and uniquely powerful forms to deal damage to nearby enemies.
Their unique feature - Spirit Animals - provides additional passive buffs to improve their strength, although you'll have to unlock these boons before they take effect.
Druids generate Spirit as they play, which they can use to pull out powerful attacks like Pulverize and Tornado. As for defensives, you've got Cyclone Armour and Trample, which allow you to benefit from stuns or added protection where needed.
You can choose whether or not to play as a grizzly melee fighter, or use the power of nature to wipe out enemies from afar. A good option for those undecided on the playstyle they're into, or who were really into the Animorphs series as kids.
Barbarian
Pros - Massive melee damage, tanky, good crowd-control and single target damage, powerful self-buffs.
Since catching some early nerfs, the Diablo 4 Barbarian has lost the identity it forged in earlier editions of the game, but it remains a strong melee class for those of you who like hitting things and hitting them hard.
Thanks to their unique arsenal system, you can choose from a variety of passive buffs provided from distinct weapons. As such, you're rewarded for using different weapons as it improves your overall power.
The most important thing to a Barbarian is their fury, which is a discrete resource used for powerful abilities like Upheaval for offence, and brilliant defensive skills like Rallying Cry and Undying Rage. It's a cool class for those who want to get into the thick of it, just be sure to build towards the tanky side if you're playing on higher difficulties.
The key difference between playing a Barbarian this time around versus Diablos of old is that you can no longer simply "spin to win" - a true tragedy. In Diablo 4 the Barbarian is based around a more engaged mix of Shout skills to draw aggro and situational single-target and AoE attacks. They are then bolstered by equipment which pumps out bonus damage in a small area around them to help with crowd-control.
Diablo 4 best solo class
The Necromancer is the best solo class in Diablo 4 due to the sheer power of the Book of the Dead summons. With an army of skeleton warriors, mages, and a golem on your side, you will be more than able to take on the world of Sanctuary without much issue. Who needs real friends when you can resurrect some?
With the Necromancer you can build around the specific minions you like, or even go all-in on summoning as many types of minions as possible all-at-once. As such, you can bend the Necromancer to your playstyle, adding some much-needed versatility and variety if you're a solo player.
Diablo 4 best hardcore class
The Sorcerer is the best hardcore class in Diablo 4.
Being a powerful ranged DPS class, with plenty of crowd control, damage, and escape options that can help you burst through all manner of content and save yourself in a pinch when things get rough. More than the other classes, it's easier to take down elites at a safe distance as a Sorcerer, so you shouldn't have to worry too much about being overwhelmed.
If you're looking to read more about Diablo 4, check out our Diablo 4 review here! You can also check out our guides on how to get a horse in Diablo 4!