[2.4] Holy Fire Paladin Build for Diablo 2 Resurrected - Odealo (2024)

This build relies on some specific (and very expensive) Runewords. Mainly, the ones that give you high-level Paladin Auras when equipped - Holy Fire, in this case. These Auras stack with each other, so the more of these items you have the more Damage you passively deal. As for the "regular" stats, Youmainly want to boost the level of all your Skills and socket some Fire Facets if possible. Other than that,Attack Speed, Crushing Blow, and Deadly Strike are welcome as they will improve your Smite/Zeal DPS. Defensively, you'll want to focus on stats like Faster Hit Recovery and Resistances.

HELMETS

Flickering Flame(Runeword) - One of the new Runewords introduced in patch v2.4. It works exceptionally well on this build thanks to its Fire Resistance Penetration (You should try to get one with -15% Enemy Fire Res). Moreover, it boosts your defenses quite nicely. Sadly, the bonus to Fire Skills does not work with auras provided by other items.

• Defense:Depends on base Helmet
• Required Level: 64
• Required Strength:Depends on base Helmet
• Durability:Depends on base Helmet
• Nef + Pul + Vex
  • Level 4-8 Resist Fire Aura When Equipped (varies)
  • +3 To Fire Skills
  • -10-15% to Enemy Fire Resistance (varies)
  • +30% Enhanced Defense
  • +30 Defense Vs. Missile
  • +50-75 To Mana (varies)
  • Half Freeze Duration
  • +5% To Maximum Fire Resist
  • Poison Length Reduced by 50%

Dream(Runeword) -Choosing this Helmet over the Flickering Flame will let you diversify the damage you deal - you'll deal Fire and Lightning Damage with your Auras. For the most part, we'd recommend you stick to the Flickering Flame, unless you don't have all of the build's gear components.

Note: If you decide to use this Helm, you might want to max out the Resist Lightning Aura as well.

• Defense:Depends on base Helmet
• Required Level: 65
• Required Strength:Depends on base Helmet
• Durability:Depends on base Helmet
• Io + Jah + Pul
  • 10% Chance To Cast Level 15 Confuse When Struck
  • Level 15 Holy Shock Aura When Equipped
  • +20-30% Faster Hit Recovery
  • +30% Enhanced Defense
  • +150-220 Defense
  • +10 To Vitality
  • Increase Maximum Life 5% (Helms Only)
  • +50 To Life (Shields Only)
  • +0.625-61.875 To Mana (Based On Character Level)
  • All Resistances +5-20
  • 12-25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

WEAPONS

Hand of Justice(Runeword) - This is the most powerful weapon you can have on the Holy Fire Paladin as it not only gives you a Level 16 Holy Fire Aura but also reduces enemy fire resistance by 20%. Moreover, it boosts your Melee Damage by quite a bit, so it works well with Zeal.

• Damage: Depends on base Weapon
• Required Level: 67
• Required Dexterity:Depends on base Weapon
• Required Strength:Depends on base Weapon
• Durability:Depends on base Weapon
• Sur + Cham + Amn + Lo
  • 100% Chance to Cast Level 36 Blaze when you Level-Up
  • 100% Chance to Cast Level 48 Meteor when you Die
  • Level 16 Holy Fire Aura when Equipped
  • +33% Increased Attack Speed
  • +[280-330]% Enhanced Damage (varies)
  • Ignore Target's Defense
  • 7% Life Stolen per Hit
  • -20% to Enemy Fire Resistance
  • 20% Deadly Strike
  • Hit Blinds Target
  • Freezes Target +3

Last Wish(Runeword) -If you want to maximize your melee Damage with this build, you might want to consider this one over the Hand of Justice (doing so will lower your Aura Damage significantly, mind you). Thanks to the high Enhanced Damage, the Level 17 Might Aura, and up to 70% Chance of Crushing Blow, this Runeword will make you much stronger against Bosses.

• Damage: Depends on base Weapon
• Required Level: 65
• Required Dexterity:Depends on base Weapon
• Required Strength:Depends on base Weapon
• Durability:Depends on base Weapon
• Jah + Mal + Jah + Sur + Jah + Ber
  • 6% Chance To Cast Level 11 Fade When Struck
  • 10% Chance To Cast Level 18 Life Tap On Striking
  • 20% Chance To Cast Level
  • 20 Charged Bolt On Attack
  • Level 17 Might Aura When Equipped
  • +330-375% Enhanced Damage
  • Ignore Target's Defense
  • 60-70% Chance of Crushing Blow
  • Prevent Monster Heal
  • Hit Blinds Target
  • +(0.5 per character level) 0.5-49.5% Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based on Character Level)

SHIELDS

Dragon(Runeword) - This is the staple of this build. From it, you'll get a Level 14 Holy Fire Aura and a solid boost to defenses. Also, 12% Chance to Cast Hydra on Striking works extremely well with Zeal.

• Defense:Depends on base Shield
• Required Level: 61
• Required Strength:Depends on base Shield​​​​​
• Durability:Depends on base Shield
• Sur + Lo + Sol
  • 12% Chance to Cast Level 15 Hydra on Striking
  • 20% Chance to Cast Level 18 Venom when Struck
  • Level 14 Holy Fire Aura when Equipped
  • +360 Defense
  • +230 Defense vs. Missile
  • +[3-5] to All Attributes (varies)
  • +[0-37] to Strength (+0.375 per Character Level)
  • +50 to Mana
  • +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
  • Physical Damage Taken Reduced by 7

Dream(Runeword) - Same Deal as with the Dream Helm -Choosing this Shield over the Dragon Shield will let you diversify the damage you deal - you'll deal Fire and Lightning Damage with your Auras. Pick this only if you're using Dream in your Helm slot as well, and don't forget to max out the Resist Lightning Aura while you're at it.

• Defense:Depends on base Shield
• Required Level: 65
• Required Strength:Depends on base Shield​​​​​
• Durability:Depends on base Shield
• Io + Jah + Pul
  • 10% Chance To Cast Level 15 Confuse When Struck
  • Level 15 Holy Shock Aura When Equipped
  • +20-30% Faster Hit Recovery
  • +30% Enhanced Defense
  • +150-220 Defense
  • +10 To Vitality
  • Increase Maximum Life 5% (Helms Only)
  • +50 To Life (Shields Only)
  • +0.625-61.875 To Mana (Based On Character Level)
  • All Resistances +5-20
  • 12-25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

WEAPON SWAP

Call to Arms(Runeword) - This powerful Runeword will allow you to pre-buff yourself up with Warcries (buffs persist through weapon swap). Battle Comand from this will boost your Skills by +1 - it's important to remember this when spending skill points on Conviction* and attribute points on dexterity**.

*Conviction is capped at 150% which is achieved at skill level 25; remember about 1 point from Battle Orders when calculating that.

**Battle Command will affect your Holy Shield as well, making it easier to active Max Block and allowing you to save some Dexterity points.

• Defense:Depends on base Weapon
• Required Level: 57
• Required Strength:Depends on base Weapon​​​​​
• Durability:Depends on base Weapon
• Amn • Ral • Mal • Ist
  • +1 to All Skills
  • +40% Increased Attack Speed
  • +250-290% Enhanced Damage
  • Adds 5-30 Fire Damage
  • 7% Life Stolen Per Hit
  • +2-6 To Battle Command
  • +1-6 To Battle Orders
  • +1-4 To Battle Cry
  • Prevent Monster Heal
  • Replenish Life +12
  • 30% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items

Spirit(Runeword) - One of the best Shields thanks to its high Skill bonus and high Faster Cast Rate. It will not only boost the effectiveness of Warcries but if you are using Enigma/Teleport, make sure to switch to your alternative weapon set to boost your mobility when Teleporting.

• Defense:Depends on base Shield
• Required Level: 25
• Required Strength:Depends on base Shield​​​​​
• Durability:Depends on base Shield
• Tal + Thul + Ort + Amn
  • +2 To All Skills
  • +25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies)
  • +55% Faster Hit Recovery
  • +250 Defense vs. Missiles
  • +22 To Vitality
  • +89-112 To Mana (varies)
  • Cold Resist +35%
  • Lightning Resist +35%
  • Poison Resist +35%
  • +3-8 Magic Absorb (varies)
  • Attacker Takes Damage of 14

AMULETS

Mara's Kaleidoscope- In a build that wants +All Skills, this amulet is a BiS offensive choice for the end game. It provides a great combination of offensive (+2 to all skills) and defensive (+20-30 to all resistances) properties.

• Required Level: 67
  • +2 To All Skills
  • All Resistances +20-30 (varies)
  • +5 To All Attributes

Highlord's Wrath-This powerful Amulet offers us a great combination of offensive stats that make your Zeal and Smite much stronger (at the cost of your Auras, however).

• Required Level: 65
  • +1 To All Skills
  • +20% Increased Attack Speed
    + (0.375 Per Character Level) 0-37 % Deadly Strike (BasedOn Character Level)
  • Lightning Resist +35%
  • Adds 1-30 Lightning Damage
  • Attacker Takes Lightning Damage Of 15

ARMORS

Dragon(Runeword) - Just like the Dragon Shield, Dragon Armor is a staple of the Holi Fire Paladin Build because it provides you with another level 14 Holy Fire Aura that stacks with your other Auras of the same type, boosts your defenses, and allows you to proc Hydras with your Melee Attacks.

• Defense:Depends on base Shield
• Required Level: 61
• Required Strength:Depends on base Shield​​​​​
• Durability:Depends on base Shield
• Sur + Lo + Sol
  • 12% Chance to Cast Level 15 Hydra on Striking
  • 20% Chance to Cast Level 18 Venom when Struck
  • Level 14 Holy Fire Aura when Equipped
  • +360 Defense
  • +230 Defense vs. Missile
  • +[3-5] to All Attributes (varies)
  • +[0-37] to Strength (+0.375 per Character Level)
  • +50 to Mana
  • +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist
  • Physical Damage Taken Reduced by 7

Enigma (Runeword) - Usually, we recommend Enigma as the mobility/damage/MF/defense option for any Buildbut in this case, it's rather hard. While it will still greatly boost your mobility, your damage will suffer significantly in the process. Pick this over Dragon Armor only if you plan on farming specific monsters and you want to minimize your travel time.

• Defense:Depends on base Armor
• Required Level: 65
• Required Strength:Depends on base Armor
• Durability:Depends on base Armor
• Jah + Ith + Ber
  • +2 To All Skills
  • +45% Faster Run/Walk
  • +1 To Teleport
  • +750-775 Defense (varies)
  • +(0.75*Clvl) To Strength (Based On Character Level)
  • Increase Maximum Life 5%
  • Damage Reduced By 8%
  • +14 Life After Each Kill
  • 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
  • (1*Clvl)% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based On Character Level)

Chains of Honor(Runeword) - This is an extremely powerful, but rather niche Armor for the Holy Fire Paladin. It grants a massive DPS bonus against Undead and Demons (and most Bosses in D2R are Demons), so it's better than Dragon in zones that mostly feature these two enemy types. Also, CoH providesa bonus to all Skills and tons of defensive utility.

• Defense:Depends on base Armor
• Required Level: 63
• Required Strength:Depends on base Armor
• Durability:Depends on base Armor
• Dol + Um + Ber + Ist
  • +2 To All Skills
  • +200% Damage To Demons
  • +100% Damage To Undead
  • 8% Life Stolen Per Hit
  • +70% Enhanced Defense
  • +20 To Strength
  • Replenish Life +7
  • All Resistances +65
  • Damage Reduced By 8%
  • 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

RINGS

Raven Frost- This ring provides Freeze immunity which is extremely important to have. If you have freeze immunity from another item, you can choose a different ring.

• Required Level: 76
  • +150-250 Attack Rating (varies)
  • 15-45 Cold Damage
  • +15-20 Dexterity (varies)
  • +40 Mana
  • Cold Absorb 5-10% (varies)
  • Cannot be Frozen

Bul-Kathos Wedding Band- The +1 to All Skills make it one of the best options. The extra Life and Life Steal is also great to have. Can be replaced with Stone of Jordan for its Skill bonus, but the other stats it offers are less relevant for a Holy Fire Paladin.

• Required Level: 58
  • +1 To All Skills
  • + (0.5 Per Character Level) 0-49 To Life)
  • 3-5% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
  • +50 Maximum Stamina

A "Dual Leech" Rare Ring -if you don't have it elsewhere make sure to get a double Leech Ring with extra Life/Resistances/Attributes or possibly FCR for Teleporting faster.

• Required Level:varies.
• InRare Rings,look for:
  • Life/Mana Stolen on Hit
  • Life
  • Resistances
  • Attributes
  • FCR(optionally - if using Teleport)

GLOVES

Laying of Hands(Bramble Mitts) - These gloves are absolutely amazing for fighting Bosses thanks to their 350% Damage bonus to demons (as most bosses are demons). 20% Increased Attack Speed is also nice as it helps your Zeal.

• Defense: 79-87
• Required Level: 63
  • +25 Defense
  • 20% Increased Attack Speed
  • +350% Damage To Demons
  • 10% Chance To Cast Level 3 Holy Bolt On Attack
  • +50% Fire Resist

Dracul's Grasp(Vampirebone Gloves) - These amazing gloves grant a 25% Chance of Open Wounds and a 5% Chance to Cast Level 10 Life Tap, which makes them ideal for farming Ubers.

• Defense: 125-145
• Required Level: 76
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 14
  • +90-120% Enhanced Defense (varies)
  • +10-15 to Strength (varies)
  • +5-10 Life After Each Kill (varies)
  • 25% Chance of Open Wounds
  • 7-10% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
  • 5% Chance to Cast Level 10 Life Tap on Striking

BOOTS

Gore Rider(War Boots) - A great offensively-oriented pair of boots. They offer a good chance for a Crushing Blow and Open Wounds, both of which can be triggered with Smite/Zeal.

• Defense: 140-162
• Required Level: 47
• Required Strength: 94
• Durability: 34
• Kick Damage: 39-80
  • +160-200% Enhanced Defense
  • 30% Faster Run/Walk
  • 10% Chance Of Open Wounds
  • 15% Chance Of Crushing Blow
  • 15% Deadly Strike
  • Requirements -25%
  • +20 Maximum Stamina

War Traveler (Battle Boots) - If you want some Magic Find, this pair of boots has got you covered. Italso offers reasonable DPS and extra defensive utility.

• Defense: 120-139
• Required Level: 42
• Required Strength: 95
• Kick Damage:37-64
• Durability: 48
  • +150-190% Enhanced Defense
  • 25% Faster Run/Walk
  • +10 to Vitality
  • +10 to Strength
  • Adds 15-25 Damage
  • +40% Slower Stamina Drain
  • Attacker Takes Damage Of 5-10
  • 30-50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Waterwalk(Sharkskin Boots) -These solid boots will give you a healthy boost to Defense, which is great for keeping yourself alive. Also, they provide a nice Health boost and an increase to max Fire Resist.

• Defense: 112-124
• Required Level: 32
• Required Strength: 47
• Durability: 14
• Assassin Kick Damage: 28-50
  • +180-210% Enhanced Defense
  • 20% Faster Run/Walk
  • +100 Defense vs. Missiles
  • +15 To Dexterity
  • +5% Maximum Fire Resist
  • Heal Stamina Plus 50%
  • +40 Max Stamina
  • +45-65 To Life

BELTS

Arachnid Mesh(Spiderweb Sash) - This offensively-oriented belt will boost your damage and Faster Cast Rate. The latter is relevant only if you plan on using Enigma, however.

• Defense: 119-138
• Required Level: 80
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 12
• 16 Potion Boxes
  • +90-120% Enhanced Defense
  • Slows Target By 10%
  • +1 To All Skills
  • +20% Faster Cast Rate
  • Increases Maximum Mana 5%
  • Level 3 Venom (11 Charges)

String of Ears (Demonhide Dash) - A great defensive option that will help you stay alive by providing high damage absorbs and solid life leech.

• Defense: 102-113
• Required Level: 29
• Required Strength: 20
• Durability: 22
• 16 Potion Boxes
  • +150-180% Enhanced Defense
  • +15 Defense
  • 6-8% Life Stolen Per Hit
  • Damage Reduced By 10-15%
  • Magic Damage Reduced 10-15

CHARMS

1. Gheed's Fortune- The secret to Gheed's wealth and prosperity. Pretty much a must-have if you're after the best available charms. It adds 80-160% extra gold from monsters, reduces vendor prices by up to 15%, and gives up to 40% better magic find.
2. Grand Charms -Getting some of these with +to any Paladin Skills is going to increase your damage output. Alternatively, you can get ones with +Max Damage and Attack Rating if you want to focus on melee damage more.
3. Large Charms - Using Large Charms in D2R is not recommended, with the exception of Hellfire Torch.
4. Small Charms- With these, you should cap out your Resistances and get some extra Life, Magic Find, or Faster Hit Recovery.

MERCENARY

We recommend picking up Act 2 Might Mercenary for extra DPS. He should be equipped with:

1. DoomRune Word- This provides a Holy Freeze Aura thatfreezes nearby enemies and adds cold damage to Merc's Attacks. With this, your merc will constantly slow nearby enemies, ensuring that they take more Damage from your Auras before actually getting to you.
2. FortitudeRune Word in Armor - This will ensure that your merc doesn't die (it will make him almost immortal).
3. Vampire Gaze-An extremely solid and versatile headgear that will make your merc better in all respects.