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Savior
Savior
Game Diablo II
Class Paladin
Primary Attack None
PvM/PvP PvM
Can Solo Hell? No
Creator PhrozenDragon
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(This article is a mock build and serves as a example of how a build page could be structured using the templates and functions of this wiki.)

The Savior is the most defensively oriented build out there. He is not a singleplayer character. He sacrifices damage and offensive capabilities and instead focus on the defensive skills. Heavy emphasis is laid on the defensive skill tree, with no points at all in the offensive.

That being said, the Savior can probably beat normal. It will be slow and arduous without any real focus on combat skills, but with the correct gear I'm guessing it would be more than enough to whittle down Baal, and Diablo, slow but steadily. I doubt he would have much chance in later nightmare however, and certainly none in Hell.

Stat Points[]

Stat Starting Amount Final Amount
Strength 25 174-232
Dexterity 20 192-216
Vitality 25 200+
Energy 15 15

Strength[]

This value depends on which armor you're going to go with. The minimum is 174, which is the required strength for a Leviathan. I provides a lot of defense and a solid 15-25% damage reduction.

Another alternative is to go for Chains of Honor. It provides less defense and damage resist compared Leviathan, but instead gives +2 skills and 65 Resist all. Both armors are viable depending on what other gear you have.

Either way, Strength should be somewhere in that span to allow you to equip some heavy armors.

Dexterity[]

No self-respecting Savior is going to step out in the wilderness without 75% chance to block; hence, we need 192-216 in Dexterity. Spirit Ward and Stormshield both require Dexterity values between there to offer max block at lvl 99.

Vitality[]

Everything else goes here. This Should add up to a minimum of 100 points, but depending on what gear you choose to go with it could be higher.

Skill Points[]

Defensive Auras Points Combat Skills Points
Resist Fire 20 Smite 1
Resist Cold 20 Holy Bolt 1
Resist Lightning 20 Charge 1
Defiance 20 Blessed Hammer 1
Salvation 1 Holy Shield 20
 
Total Points 105
Character Level 94

Defensive Auras[]

Resist Fire/Cold/Lightning are maxed for the passive 10% bonus they offer to max resist. Since there are offensive skills to worry about in this build, we can afford ourselves this luxury, which consumes an astounding 60 skill points.

After that Defiance is maxed for the synergy bonus it provides to Holy Shield.

Salvation is probably going to be your main active aura. If the need arises to counter a specific element(such as lightning from Gloams), you can switch to a more specific aurato boost your resist up to 95% temporarily.

There are still five unused skill points in this build, if you ever make it to a level high enough. You might wish to put extra in Salvation to protect yourself against all elements at once, or perhaps Redemption to get rid of dead enemies (that your teammates killed of course).

Combat Skills[]

Nothing to note here, only prerequisites for Holy Shield are taken, and Holy Shield is maxed. That's it.

Gear[]

Overview[]

Useful mods[]

In outfitting a Savior, it is important to notice that he is often times prioritizing item mods much differently from other classes. As you already know, all offensive abilities such as Deadly Strike, Enhanced Damage, Crushing Blow, % on Hit and similar are completely useless.

There are a few key abilities to look out for.

+ All Skills

While not all that important, it's always nice to get a few extra skill points in Holy Shield, and even to buff Salvation should you pick it.

Damage Resist

Very important attribute to get. This is the most reliable way to consistently lower the physical damage you receive. Max is capped at 50%, so that's what we're shooting for.

+ to Block

In order to reach max block, 75%, as much of this attribute is needed.

Faster Block Rate

Only one attack can be blocked at a time, so if too many enemeis are hitting you, you won't block all of their attacks unless you have a lot of FBR. Since we're using Holy Shield, we'll need 86% FBR to reach 1 frame/block.

Resists

All of our resists need to be maxed at all times. Salvation is probably going to provide the bulk of these resists though.

Absorb

This further reduces the damage you sustain. Absorb is capped at 40%, but effectively works as 80% resist. With maxed resist and absorb, you'll only be receiving 1% elemental damage, as opposed to 5% with only max resists. As much absorb as possible should be gotten.

+ to Life and Vitality

This speaks for itself. More life means harder, or rather longer, to kill.

Useless mods[]

However, there are certain defensive mods that are also useless because of the Saviour's playing style. While they don't exactly hurt your character, they are of no use to you either.

Faster Hit Recovery

This allows you to recover faster from hits, making it possible for you to strike back. Since you never attack, this is not needed.

Magic Find

Magif Find only kicks in if the character who has the MF actually lands the killing blow. Since the Savior never even attacks, this is useless to have.

+ to Mana and Energy

You do not use any skills other than Holy shield, and the mana cost for that is set to 35. You will get sufficient mana from level ups.

Weapon[]

Fortitude
4 Socket Weapons
War Scepter (Diablo II)

El •  Sol •  Dol •  Lo
Level Requirement: 59

20% Chance To Cast Level 15 Chilling Armor when Struck
+25% Faster Cast Rate
+300% Enhanced Damage
+9 To Minimum Damage
+50 To Attack Rating
20% Deadly Strike
Hit Causes Monster To Flee 25%
+200% Enhanced Defense
+X To Life (Based on Character Level)
All Resistances +25-30 (varies)
12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+1 To Light Radius

Heart of the Oak
4 Socket Staves/Maces
War Scepter (Diablo II)

Ko •  Vex •  Pul •  Thul
Level Requirement: 55

+3 To All Skills
+40% Faster Cast Rate
+75% Damage To Demons
+100 To Attack Rating Against Demons
Adds 3-14 Cold Damage - 3 Second Duration
7% Mana Stolen Per Hit
+10 To Dexterity
Replenish Life +20
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
All Resistances +30-40 (varies)
Level 4 Oak Sage (25 Charges)
Level 14 Raven (60 Charges)

Lightsabre
Phase Blade
Lightsabre (Diablo II)

1H Damage: (87-103) to (117-135)
Range: 2
Attack Speed: [-30]
Minimum Strength: 25
Minimum Dexterity: 136
Durability: Indestructible
Level Requirement: 58

+150-200% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 10-30 Damage
Adds 60 to 120 Magic Damage
Adds 1-200 Lightning Damage
5-7% Mana Stolen per Hit (varies)
5% Chance to Cast Level 14-20 Chain Lightning on Attack (varies)
20% Increased Attack Speed
Ignore Target's Defense
Lightning Absorb 25%
+7 to Light Radius

(Only Spawns In Patch 1.10 or later)

Fotitude socketed into a Caduceus with some nice +skills is the best alternative. The chance to cast chilling armor, as well as the extra life and resists are as good a defensive weapon as we'll find for the Savior.

Heart of the Oak, also socketed into a Caduceus, is also a good choice however, with the resists and Oak Sage to give you a considerable life boost.

Lightsabre is an alternative if you lack the other two. It has nothing spectacular, but 25% Lightning Absorb makes decent use of the weapon slot.

Shield[]

Exile
4 Socket Paladin Shields
Heraldic Shield (Diablo II)

Vex •  Ohm •  Ist •  Dol
Level Requirement: 57

15% Chance To Cast Level 5 Life Tap On Striking
Level 13-16 Defiance Aura When Equipped (varies)
+2 To Offensive Auras (Paladin Only)
+30% Faster Block Rate
Freezes Target
+220-260% Enhanced Defense (varies)
Replenish Life +7
+5% To Maximum Cold Resist
+5% To Maximum Fire Resist
25% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items
Repairs 1 Durability Every 4 Seconds

Spirit Ward
Ward
The Ward (Diablo II)

Defense: 393-478
Armor Type: Medium
% to Block: P: 74-84% Am/As/B: 69-79% D/N/S: 64-74%
Smite Damage: 11-35
Minimum Strength: 185
Durability: 100
Level Requirement: 68

+130-180% Enhanced Defense (varies)
25% Faster Block Rate
20-30% Increased Chance of Blocking (varies)
All Resistances +30-40 (varies)
+6-11 Cold Absorb (varies)
5% Chance to Cast Level 8 Fade When Struck

(Only Spawns In Patch 1.10 or Later)

Stormshield
Monarch
Steelclash (Diablo II)

Defense: 136-519
Armor Type: Light
% to Block: P: 77% Am/As/B: 72% D/N/S: 67%
Smite Damage: 12-34
Minimum Strength: 156
Durability: Indestructible
Level Requirement: 73

+3-371 Defense (+3.75 per Character Level)
25% Increased Chance of Blocking
35% Faster Block Rate
Damage Reduced by 35%
Cold Resist +60%
Lightning Resist +25%
+30 to Strength
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 10
Indestructible

(Only Spawns In Patch 1.09 or Later)

This comes down to a decision between the Spirit Ward and Exile socketed into a Chromatic Kurast Shield. Spirit Ward provides excellent block and some cold absorb, but Exile gives you a 220% defense boost by giving you a permanent Defiance. The choice depends on what you need the most.

However if you are lacking Damage Resist, the Stormshield is perhaps better to use until you can get more damage resist from other gear.

Armor[]

Leviathan
Kraken Shell
Leviathan (Diablo II)

Defense: 1514-1722
Armor Type: Medium
Minimum Strength: 174
Durability: Indestructible
Level Requirement: 65

+170-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+100-150 Defense (varies)
+40-50 To Strength (varies)
Damage Reduced By 15-25% (varies)
Indestructible

(Ladder Only)
(Only Spawns In Patch 1.10 or later)

Chains of Honor
4 Socket Body Armor
Ancient Armor (Diablo II)

Dol •  Um •  Ber •  Ist
Level Requirement: 63

+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

These two both have their pro's and con's, but the Leviathan is probably a better choice. Chains of Honor gives more resist and skills, but resists can be acquired through auras as well, while damage resist is hard to come by. Seeing as the Leviathan is much easier to come by, it's probably the best option.

Helm[]

Crown of Ages
Corona
Crown of Ages (Diablo II)

Defense: 349-399
Minimum Strength: 174
Durability: Indestructible
Level Requirement: 82

+50% Enhanced Defense
+100-150 Defense (varies)
+1 To All Skills
Damage Reduced By 10-15% (varies)
All Resistances +20-30 (varies)
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
Socketed (1-2) (varies)
Indestructible

(Only Spawns In Patch 1.10 or later)

Damage Resist, regular resists and skills, as well as potential sockets for runes. A great helm for the Savior.

Gloves[]

Venom Grip
Demonhide Gloves
Leather Gloves (Diablo II)

+130-160% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+15-25 Defense (varies)
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+60 Poison Damage Over 4 Seconds
5% Life Stolen per Hit
+5% to Maximum Poison Resist
Poison Resist +30%

(Only Spawns In Patch 1.09 or Later)

It's not optimal, but the amount of gloves with needed stats for the Savior are limited. With some poison resist and max posion resist, these are the best Unique Gloves you can get.

Belt[]

Verdungo's Hearty Cord
Mithril Coil
Verdungo's Hearty Cord (Diablo II)

Defense: 125-158
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 106
Durability: 16
Level Requirement: 63

+90-140% Enhanced Defense (varies)
10% Faster Hit Recovery
+30-40 to Vitality (varies)
Replenish Life +10-13 (varies)
+100-120 to Maximum Stamina (varies)
Damage Reduced by 10-15% (varies)

(Only Spawns In Patch 1.10 or Later)

With 10 to 15 damage resist and a massive 40 vitality, this belt is a given.

Boots[]

Sandstorm Trek
Scarabshell Boots
Heavy Boots (Diablo II)

+140-170% Enhanced Defense (varies)
20% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Faster Run/Walk
+1-99 to Maximum Stamina (+1 per Character Level)
+10-15 To Strength (varies)
+10-15 To Vitality (varies)
50% Slower Stamina Drain
Poison Resist +40-70% (varies)
Repairs 1 Durability Every 20 Seconds

(Only Spawns In Patch 1.10 or Later)

With some decent defense, vitality and strength (which allows you to allocate more hard points into Vitality), and some much-needed Poison Resist (which none of the Paladin auras provide) it's a good choice.

Amulet[]

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Amulet 1 (Diablo II)

+2 to All Skills
All Resistances +20-30 (varies)
+5 to All Attributes

(Only Spawns in Patch 1.09 or Later)

There's really no alternative here. With Skill bonus and resist to all, as well as stat boosts for more life, there's no amulet that could be better suited for the Savior.

Rings[]

Dwarf Star
Ring
Ring 4 (Diablo II)

Fire Absorb 15%
Heal Stamina +15%
+40 to Maximum Stamina
+40 to Life
100% Extra Gold From Monsters
Magic Damage Reduced by 12-15 (varies)

(Only Spawns in Patch 1.09 or Later)

Raven Frost
Ring
Ring 5 (Diablo II)

+150-250 to Attack Rating (varies)
Adds 15-45 Cold Damage - 4 Second Duration
Cannot be Frozen
+15-20 to Dexterity (varies)
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%

(Only Spawns in Patch 1.09 or Later)

Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band
Ring
Ring 2 (Diablo II)

+1 to All Skills
+0-49 to Life (+0.5 per Character Level)
3-5% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
+50 to Maximum Stamina

(Only Spawns in Patch 1.09 or Later)

These three all give tangible bonuses. Dwarf Star for Fire Absorb, Life and some Magic Damage Reduction, Raven Frost for Cold Absorb and Dexterity bonus, and Bul-Kathos for skills and life. Any combination of these works, it depends more on your current gear than anything else.

Mercenary[]

None. The Savior can't provide them with any sort of backup, and the hirelings can't kill anything on their own fast enough to merit it.

Playing Tips[]

Well, there's not a whole lot to it. Run into a big enemy pack, stand still, and wait. Either you die or someone else comes along and kills the monsters for you.

Oh, and make sure you aren't running. Defense becomes 0 while you run, so that would be bad for your survivability.


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