A new season in Diablo 4 is upon us, and it’s the last one before the DLC arrives in October. If you’re wondering which class to choose this season, we’ve got you covered.
Diablo 4 offers five different classes, but they don’t all compare. Some are much better than others, and this list changes every season with nerfs, buffs, and new content. We’ve broken down everything you need to know when choosing your class for season five.
Diablo 4 season 5 class tier list
| Tier | Class |
|---|---|
| S-Tier | Rogue, Sorcerer |
| A-Tier | Necromancer |
| B-Tier | Barbarian |
| C-Tier | Druid |
Based on how the classes currently stack up for season five, Rogue and Sorcerer are the best choices. Both are great picks for any content, and they excel while levelling, speed farming, or pushing through The Pit or Nightmare Dungeons.
They have several viable builds to get you through all the content you’re targeting, making them easy choices if you want a smooth ride.
What is the best class in Diablo 4 season 5?
In the following section, we’ll discuss each class’s strengths and weaknesses. We’ve also highlighted some of the best builds for each, giving you options no matter your choice.
1) Rogue
- Strengths: Mobility, build variations, great for levelling, high damage output.
- Weaknesses: Can be squishy, particularly before finalizing your build.
- Best builds: Penetrating Shot, Barrage, Twisting Blades.
The Rogue class had a bumpy ride throughout the lifespan of Diablo 4, standing as one of the best classes for season two but falling to the bottom last season. For season five, expect another bounceback.
There are several viable builds for the Rogue class, so you have plenty of options to choose a playstyle that’s right for you. My personal favorite is the Twisting Blades build that I used at the very start of Diablo 4.
Players who choose Rogue on the back of playing Druid or a Barbarian last season may find it difficult to adjust to, however, as Rogues have significantly less survivability. Once you’ve progressed far into your preferred build, though, survivability shouldn’t be a problem.
2) Sorcerer
- Strengths: Strong early game, good crowd control, build variety.
- Weaknesses: Can be squishy before build is finalized.
- Best builds: Chain Lightning, Firewall.
The Sorcerer class is another that benefitted from a big boost for season five, making it one of the best choices. After being severely nerfed in prior seasons, several buffs have brought the Sorcerer back to the top.
There are two strong options for Sorcerer builds in season five, both of which are great for dealing AoE damage. The Firewall build has been strong for a while and is worth trying if you haven’t already, and the Chain Lightning build is a good alternative.
Like Rogues, survivability can be a problem for Sorcerers, so don’t shy away from defensive skills when you’re planning your build.
3) Necromancer
- Strengths: Powerful minions, high crowd control, strong in early game.
- Weaknesses: Low mobility, limited viable builds.
- Best builds: Minion Summoner
Any player who likes summons will instantly be drawn to the Necromancer, which sits in middle of the pile for season five. The Necromancer’s biggest strengths have been nerfed, but the class still remains viable despite the changes.
Build viability may be an issue for players in season five, however, as only the Minion Summoner stands out from the pack. Using this build brings out the best of the Necromancer, though it will feel tiresome for those who’ve played lots of Necromancer in previous seasons.
Mobility is also an issue for Necromancers, and you can easily be overrun by mobs if you’re not careful.
4) Barbarian
- Strengths: High damage, tanky, good for endgame.
- Weaknesses: Slow in early game, limited viable builds.
- Best builds: Hammer of the Ancients.
Previously among the best classes in Diablo 4, the Barbarian has dropped off significantly with the improvements given to other classes. Buffs applied to other classes, alongside nerfs to the Barbarian, push the class further down our tier list.
Build viability has been an issue for the Barbarian class for a while and continues in season five, with the Hammer of the Ancients remaining the best option. Like the Necromancer, those who’ve played Barbarian before may not enjoy revisiting this build.
The upside, however, is that Barbarians have high survivability and can tank in almost any situation, and the class truly begins to shine in the endgame when you’ve fully fleshed out your build.
5) Druid
- Strengths: Powerful in end game, good survivability.
- Weaknesses: Slow in early game, limited viable builds.
- Best builds: Companion.
Sitting bottom of the pile in season five, the Druid suffers from much of the same problems as the Barbarian. It’s outshone by other classes, slow in the early game, and has a limited number of viable builds to choose from.
While there’s some versatility when creating a build, those who want to breeze through the hardest content in Diablo 4 are likely be restricted to a Companion build. It’s a familiar tune for those who’ve played Druid previously.
With the addition of the Spiritborn class in the Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred DLC, the signs don’t look promising for a Druid revival.
