The Ladder reset of Diablo 2 Resurrected follows a rough pattern every year. If you are considering choosing a new character to start the next season, check out the best class to play for beginners in D2R on the tier list.

D2R Best Class Tier List 2025

A lot of factors should be considered when evaluating whether a character is suitable for beginners in Diablo 2 Resurrected. Paladin is probably the best class that ranked at the top one, because this character can deliver excellent damage output, especially in Hell; their clear speed benefits from mobility skills, while farming is efficient with solid magic find and survivability.

1. Paladin

The Paladin claims the top position by excelling across all phases of the game and roles. Early on, skills such as Holy Fire help offset weak gear, allowing smooth and effective progression through Normal difficulty. When reaching Hell, the Paladin continues to perform strongly, especially with the Blessed Hammer Paladin build that delivers magic damage capable of bypassing many immunities. Mobility benefits from skills like Shield Charge and Vigor, enhancing both survival chances and farming speed. Paladins also handle Uber bosses with ease since Smite provides easy access to Crushing Blow. While the class asks for a moderate level of player skill, it offers strong defense, reliable damage, and solid magic find capabilities that appeal to both beginners and experienced players.

• Movement Speed ★★★★

• DPS Potential ★★★★★

• Clear Speed ★★★★

• Magic Find ★★★★

• Ease of Play ★★★

• Ubers ★★★★★

• Survivability in Normal ★★★★

• Survivability in Hell ★★★★

2. Assassin

The Assassin class ranks second, with two main playstyles: Traps and Martial Arts. This evaluation focuses on the Trap build, which requires less gear and offers strong early-game power combined with excellent mobility. Burst of Speed increases run and attack speeds, allowing quick movement across maps. The Assassin’s damage and survivability remain solid in Hell, though not quite matching the Paladin’s level. Uber fights present a bigger challenge for new players, as trap placement and timing demand precision. Magic find potential is average; movement and kill speed are good but don’t reach the highest levels. This class demands somewhat more skill than the Paladin, rewarding players who enjoy tactical positioning and swift gameplay.

• Movement Speed ★★★★

• DPS Potential ★★★★

• Clear Speed ★★★★

• Magic Find ★★★

• Ease of Play ★★★★

• Ubers ★★

• Survivability in Normal ★★★★

• Survivability in Hell ★★★

3. Necromancer

Surprisingly, the Necromancer takes third place as an extremely beginner-friendly option, especially when played as a summoner. Early in the game, summons do much of the work, allowing players to rely less on high-quality gear. In Hell, the Necromancer’s strength grows, thanks to powerful summon numbers and corpse explosion synergy that clear groups and bosses efficiently. Movement speed is average since no special movement skills exist, and survivability is moderate, bolstered by minions that absorb damage. Magic find is decent but hampered by a slower pace. The complexity of managing summons and timing skills elevates the player skill requirement, and Uber battles can be tricky for novices but manageable with experience and gear.

• Movement Speed ★★★(★)

• DPS Potential ★★★★

• Clear Speed ★★★

• Magic Find Efficiency ★★★

• Ease of Play ★★★★★

• Ubers ★★

• Survivability in Normal ★★★

• Survivability in Hell ★★★

4. Sorceress

The Sorceress stands fourth, primarily because of her unmatched movement thanks to Teleport, the fastest travel skill available. Early game farming is a breeze with powerful elemental spells, and her mobility allows rapid gear acquisition through magic find runs. However, she remains fragile and takes hits poorly, especially in Hell. Elemental immunities reduce her power somewhat in later stages, but Teleport aids in kiting and maintaining distance from threats. Magic find performance ranks at the top, although Uber encounters prove difficult for beginners who struggle with precise spellcasting and positioning. She calls for a moderate level of skill to handle her glass-cannon nature effectively.

• Movement Speed ★★★★★

• DPS Potential ★★★★★

• Clear Speed ★★★★★

• Magic Find Efficiency ★★★★★

• Ease of Play ★★★

• Ubers ★

• Survivability in Normal ★★

• Survivability in Hell ★★

5. Druid

Placed in the middle tier, the Druid offers strong Normal difficulty performance, especially with elemental builds like Fissure and Poison Creeper. His effectiveness diminishes somewhat in Hell, where split elemental damage and awkward spell trajectories reduce overall impact. Survivability improves over many caster classes because of shapeshifting options and helpful summons. Gear needs fall in the moderate range. Magic find is less impressive since his movement and clear speed lag behind others. Playing the Druid requires average skill, complicated by the need to position spells carefully. Although capable of Uber fights, success demands both experience and some gear investment.

• Movement Speed ★★★

• DPS Potential ★★★★

• Clear Speed ★★★

• Magic Find ★★

• Ease of Play ★★★

• Ubers ★★

• Survivability in Normal ★★★★

• Survivability in Hell ★★★★

6. Barbarian

Near the bottom of the list, the Barbarian struggles early on because melee combat needs high attack rating and strong weapons, which beginners may find challenging. Despite this, his survivability shines in Hell with buffs like Battle Orders that significantly increase health and defenses. Movement is decent, supported by Frenzy and later Teleport from combat masteries. His Find Item skill is exceptional for magic find, effectively doubling drops and making him a fantastic farmer once well equipped. The Barbarian requires relatively low player skill but faces difficulty in Uber fights without proper gear. Overall, he offers toughness and farming efficiency but isn’t the easiest class for new players.

• Movement Speed ★★★★

• DPS Potential ★★★

• Clear Speed ★★★(★)

• Magic Find ★★★★★

• Ease of Play ★★

• Ubers ★

• Survivability in Normal ★★★★

• Survivability in Hell ★★★★★

7. Amazon

The Amazon ranks last largely because her movement speed and survivability lag behind the other classes. The Javelin build can perform acceptably without much gear, but bow builds demand more investment for effectiveness. Movement is slow, which restricts farming efficiency and magic find potential. Her power level remains steady but unremarkable in both Normal and Hell difficulties. Survivability is average, often relying on Valkyrie as a tank, which requires considerable skill point allocation. Moderate player skill is necessary for kiting and positioning. Uber fights present a steep learning curve, and magic find capabilities are among the weakest, making her less suitable for beginners.

• Movement Speed ★★

• DPS Potential ★★★(★)

• Clear Speed ★★

• Magic Find ★★

• Ease of Play ★★★

• Ubers ★

• Survivability in Normal ★★★

• Survivability in Hell ★★★