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Diablo 4 comes with 5 class options at the start of the game to choose from. Each of them has their own pros and cons. What this means for you is making up your mind about which one you personally will find the most fun. There is also a much-desired focus on character customization this time around compared to past games.
Some players really like being close range while taking a beating, others like to be far away and let others get hit while making the tactical decisions of how they can best help others. No matter your preferred style of gameplay, this guide has you covered in understanding each class.
The Barbarian
This is the go-to choice if you are all about that melee lifestyle. Charging straight on ahead into the eye of the storm and just unleashing your rage. Their one passive sees them take 10% less damage from enemies, greatly increasing their survivability while staying up close and personal with their targets. Using different weapons will give different benefits, creating a lot of build opportunities for you to try out and explore. This keeps the Barbarian feeling fresh throughout the leveling process. If you like ranged or hybrid-rage classes, avoid this one for one of the others.
The Sorcerer
This is the go-to choice for long-range DPS fans. You will have access to a lot of different element types of spells. From unleashing an ice storm to wrapping up enemies in a giant snake of fire. Spells behave very differently from one another, giving you a ton of versatility when deciding what to do in combat. This will keep things very fun throughout the leveling-up process, and very in-depth when making a lot of end-game builds. In order to stay alive, you will need to make use of defensive spells such as teleporting away from incoming threats or creating a barrier. Avoid this class if you hate the feeling of being a glassy character.
The Necromancer
The Necromancer is the best solo class option. It has access to a lot of summons that can tank for you by drawing the attention of enemies. This lets you deal damage from a safe distance. You can use the corpses of your fallen foes in various ways to control the area through features like stunning, moving enemies around, summoning minions, or dealing more damage by making them explode. Like the sorcerer, this is a good choice if you prefer range, but with the added benefit of having the summons to fill the role of player allies keeping the aggro focused on themselves.
The Druid
The Druid offers a ton of versatility. They can harness the elements in many ways using magic, but what really makes them shine is their ability to shapeshift. The Druid is able to shapeshift into the Werewolf if you favor builds with many attacks and a lot of critical hits. Another option is the Werebear, which would be for players who really prefer being in the melee thick of it. You will be able to still use abilities while in these forms. If neither sounds like your thing, the druid can also have an animal companion that you can synergize with its elemental magic skills. Overall, if there are many different ways you like to play and want to change it up from time to time, then the Druid will be a good pick for you.
The Rogue
The Rogue has a slew of tricks up its sleeve, and you will be dishing out a ton of damage in bursts. They are not as versatile as a druid, but thanks to their fast movement, they are able to dodge, dip, duck, and dive their way between both melee and ranged damage. You will also have a lot of sneaky little options like dropping damaging caltrops or a smoke bomb to help get you out of danger. This is a great pick for players that want to alternate between both melee and ranged damage in the same build, while also wanting to avoid being hit to be their preferred method of surviving.
Which Class Is Best For You?
As stated before, each class comes with what makes them shine above the others. However, each class has a lot of unique mechanics, making them each feel very different from every other class you can play. Pick the one you feel resonates most with you as your first option, but it cannot be stressed enough to try out each of them. You may discover one you thought was not for you to become one of your favorite options. If you really enjoy melee, start with Barbarian, but also give Druid a chance. If you love fighting from a safe distance and are planning on playing with friends going with melee choices, then the Sorcerer may prove more fun than the Necromancer for you. Experiment and explore the options to find your preferred class.