What builds can perform well in Diablo 2 Resurrected Player versus Player? In this article, we are going to introduce a powerful PvP build for D2R - a Zealot Paladin with the best gear, skills, and stat distribution.

D2R Best PvP Build: Zealot Paladin

This Diablo 2 Resurrected Zealot Paladin build focuses on maximizing attack speed, deadly strike, and survivability through Holy Shield and defensive auras. The weapon choice is crucial and varies by match format; Death Cleaver is a great all-around weapon, while others like Breath of the Dying or Rune Master can also be used. The shield and armor choices balance defense and attack speed, with Stormshield and Fortitude being the most common. Headgear and gloves are tailored to hit important IAS breakpoints or boost aura levels, directly improving attack speed and damage. The skill tree prioritizes Sacrifice and Holy Shield for offense and defense, with a maxed Defiance aura to complement Holy Shield. Fanaticism is maxed for attack speed and damage, while Blessed Aim adds some attack rating. Stat allocation ensures you can wear your gear comfortably, block effectively, and maintain high life for PvP durability.

Zealot Paladin Gear

Weapons

• Death Cleaver (Berserker Axe): A highly popular and affordable weapon, especially in its ethereal form. It offers 40% Increased Attack Speed (IAS), 66% deadly strike chance, and -33% target defense, making it excellent for bypassing enemy defenses and delivering fast, lethal attacks.

• Death (Berserker Axe): Known for its extremely high damage and deadly strike chance that scales with character level. It also grants 20% bonus to attack rating but lacks IAS, so you must compensate with gear. Some PvP formats ban this weapon due to its power.

• Rune Master (Ettin Axe): A versatile ethereal axe with five sockets, ideal for customized rune and jewel setups. Typical socketing includes the Zot rune plus low runes and jewels, enhancing damage and attack rating flexibility.

• Doom Star (Legendary Mallet/Berserker Axe): Favored for its high minimum damage, suitable for players who want consistent damage output. It’s slower than axes but hits harder at the low end.

• Armageddon Crusher (Scourge/Ettin Axe): A powerful weapon option with good damage and potential for socketing, used by players seeking a balance between speed and damage.

• Chaos Cleaver (Mighty Scepter): An option particularly for scepters, offering decent damage and synergies for certain PvP builds.

• Breath of the Dying (Berserker Axe): A top-tier runeword with high damage, IAS, and +30 to all attributes, perfect for players facing low-defense classes like Druids or Amazons.

• Call to Arms (War Scepter): Used for its powerful skills and buffs, typically switched in for utility rather than main attack.

Shields

• Stormshield (Monarch): The standard Paladin shield offering high defense, 35% damage reduction, and excellent block rate. Often socketed with Cham runes, jewels granting IAS or increased damage.

• Phoenix (Sacred Targe): A runeword shield prized for its high elemental damage and life leech, great for aggressive playstyles, but banned in some PvP formats.

• Alma Negra (Sacred Rondache): Balanced between good blocking, skill bonuses, enhanced damage, and attack rating, making it a solid alternative to Stormshield.

• Exile (Vortex Shield): Offers high defense and activates the Defiance aura, hugely boosting defense stats, but usage depends on PvP rules.

Body Armor

• Fortitude (Sacred Armor): A go-to armor providing 300% enhanced damage and significant life bonuses. It’s affordable and very effective, but banned in some PvP formats.

• Shadow Shell (Sacred Armor): A high-defense ethereal armor with self-repair and sockets for flexibility. Often used when Fortitude is not allowed.

• Black Hades (Shadow Plate): Offers two free sockets and decent defense, giving room for customization with jewels or runes.

• Templar’s Might (Sacred Armor): Adds offensive aura skill levels, crucial for reaching higher Fanaticism levels (up to 27), improving attack speed breakpoints.

Headgear (Helm)

• Storm Casque (Shako): Popular for its high defense and life bonuses, two sockets allow for customization. Often socketed with Bear and Chum runes for resistances and IAS.

• Beast Circlet (Diadem/Corona): Adds +2 Paladin skills, boosting aura levels but with lower defense. Used mainly to reach higher aura breakpoints.

• Demon Cowl (Armet): Provides balanced defense and stats, a solid choice for survivability.

• Guillaume’s Face (Winged Helm): Good for fights against low-defense classes like Amazon or Druid, where high attack rating is less critical.

Gloves

• Steelrend (Ogre Gauntlets): The default choice offering Crushing Blow, deadly strike, and life leech—perfect for damage and sustain.

• Barb Breaker (Ogre Gauntlets): An alternative with high IAS for faster attacks, used when attack speed is a priority.

• Chaos Claw (Vampirebone Gloves): Adds life leech and attack speed, enhancing survivability and damage output.

Belt

• Verdungo’s Hearty Cord (Mithril Coil): The best belt choice due to its high life, damage reduction, and vitality bonuses, significantly improving survivability.

Boots

• Gore Rider (Myrmidon Greaves): Offers Crushing Blow, deadly strike, and open wounds, making it excellent for maximizing damage in PvP.

Amulets

• Angelic Wings: Great for boosting attack rating and survivability, often paired with dual Angelic Rings for maximum hit chance.

• Highlord’s Wrath: Provides IAS, deadly strike, and a significant boost to attack rating, key for maintaining high DPS.

Rings

• Angelic Halo: Commonly used for attack rating to hit high-defense targets, often paired in dual setups.

• Raven Frost: Indispensable for its Cannot Be Frozen mod, attack rating, and mana, improving both offense and defense.

• Havoc Band: Adds strength, dexterity, life, and attack rating, rounding out the offensive stats nicely.

Charms

These provide life boosts, essential for durability in PvP. Small charms offer a good balance between life and inventory space.

• Fine Small Charm of Vita

• Stalwart Small Charm of Vita

• Steel Small Charm of Vita

Zealot Paladin Skill Tree

Combat Skills

• Sacrifice (20 points): Maxed to increase damage output by sacrificing your own life per hit, boosting offensive power.

• Holy Shield (20 points): Maxed for increased block chance and defense, critical for survivability and consistent blocking.

Defensive Auras

• Defiance (20 points): Maxed to boost defense, synergizes with Holy Shield, helping maintain high defense values.

Offensive Auras

• Fanaticism (20 points): Maxed to raise attack speed and damage, pivotal for fast, powerful strikes.

• Blessed Aim (4 points): Provides a small passive boost to attack rating, helping to hit high-defense enemies.

Zealot Paladin Stats

• Strength: Enough to equip your gear, including high-strength weapons and armor.

• Dexterity: Maxed to maintain 75% block chance with Holy Shield.

• Vitality: All remaining points invested here to maximize life, essential for survival in PvP.