Top 5 Hardcore Demon Hunter Guide

Demon Hunter Top 5 Hardcore Guide

1. Natalya's Vengeance with Aughild's and Captain Crimson's (Spike Trap) Level 112+

Natalya's Vengeance was reworked into a Spike Trap build for Season 28 and is now the top Hardcore Demon Hunter build for this season.

Diablo 3 Natalya's Spike Trap Demon Hunter_edited.jpg

Legendary Gems

Simplicity's Strength

Increase the damage of your primary skills and cause them to heal you for 4% of your maximum health.

Taeguk

Gain increased damage for 1.5 seconds when using a channeling skill and 2% armor stacking up to 10 times.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

Equipment

Set: Gears of Dreadlands

(2) Set Bonus:

Gain 4 seconds of Momentum when attacking with a primary skill with a max duration of 20 seconds. Your primary skills deal 10% increased damage per second of Momentum you currently have.

(4) Set Bonus:

Strafing will automatically use your last used primary skill and also gives a 60% damage taken reduction. While Strafing gain 8% movement speed for every second of Momentum you currently have.

(6) Set Bonus:

Your primary skills deal 27,500% increased damage.

Weapon: Dawn

Reduces the cooldown of Vengeance by 65%.

Weapon: Valla's Bequest

Strafe projectiles pierce which increases the number of Hungering Arrows shot while strafing.

Belt: Hunter's Wrath

Primary skills attack 30% faster and deal 200% increased damage.

Bracers: Wraps of Clarity

Hatred generators provide 50% damage reduction for 5 seconds.

Ring: Unity

Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.

Ring 2: The Compass Rose

Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.

Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge

Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.

Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Leech

With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.

Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

A Flawless Royal Diamond is offensive and defensive and will give you a higher uptime on Vengeance.

Powers

Weapon: The Ninth Cirri Satchel

Hungering Arrow gains a 100% chance to pierce and deals 600% increased damage.

Armor: Depth Diggers

100% increased damage to primary skills.

Ring/Amulet: Convention of Elements

Rotates through damage types and gives a 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.

Seasonal: Elusive Ring

Gives 60% damage reduction for 8 seconds after using Shadow Power.

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance

Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > Life Percent

Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage

Shoulders: Dexterity > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > Life Percent

Legs: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > % Damage to Hungering Arrow

Waist: Dexterity > Vitality > % Damage to Hungering Arrow > Life Percent

Bracers: Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Cold Damage Percent

Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > Movement Speed > All Resistance

Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance

Rings: Socket > Dexterity > Cooldown Reduction > Vitality

Gears of Dreadlands Tips

1. Use your defensive skill Shadow Power when you are fighting on cooldown.

2. The Thrill of the Hunt passive will improve slow based damage from the Bane of the Trapped legendary gem and the Cull the Weak passive the second of which provides 20% damage against slowed enemies.

3. Build up to 20 stacks of Momentum which gives increased damage and movement speed from the Gears of Dreadlands set bonus by hard casting a primary skill and then use Strafe to kill enemies while refreshing Momentum by hard casting a primary skill whenever needed.

4. Hungering Arrow is considered a projectile skill and some enemies such as Malthael, Sand Dwellers, and Dune Dervishes can reflect projectiles back at you so be very cautious around these enemies on Hardcore or your character could die in a few short casts of a projectile skill.

5. The defensive Awareness and Perfectionist passives can be changed to the offensive Ambush and Archery passives for the final push for rankings.

Note: The Gears of Dreadlands Set Demon Hunter is capable of 109+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

4. Embodiment of the Marauder Set (Multishot) Level 109+

The number four spot goes to the Embodiment of the Marauder Multishot Demon Hunter which was nerfed in Season 30 but it's still capable of clearing well above 100 Greater Rifts on Hardcore.

Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped

Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.

Gogok of Swiftness

Increase attack speed and cooldown reduction by 15% and gain dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

Equipment

Set: Shadow's Mantle

(2) Set Bonus:

While equipped with a melee weapon, the damage of your Bolas, Chakram, Fan of Knives, and Impale is increased by 6000%.

(4) Set Bonus:

Shadow Power gains the effect of every rune and lasts forever.

(6) Set Bonus:

Impale deals an additional 120,000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit and 40,000% to subsequent enemies.

Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings

(2) Set Bonus:

Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces cooldowns and resource costs by 20%.

(3) Set Bonus:

Damage dealt is increased by your percentage of cooldown reduction and damage taken is reduced by your percentage of resource cost reduction.

Weapon: Karlei's Point

Impale gains cost reduction and deals 375% increased damage.

Quiver: Holy Point Shot

Impale throws two additional knives and does 100% increased damage.

Bracers: Wraps of Clarity

Hatred generators provide 50% damage reduction for 5 seconds.

Ring: Elusive Ring

Gives 60% damage reduction for 8 seconds after using Shadow Power.

Ring 2: The Compass Rose

Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.

Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge

Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.

Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Leech

With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.

Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

A Flawless Royal Diamond is offensive and defensive and will give you a higher uptime on Vengeance.

Powers

Weapon: Dawn

Reduces the cooldown of Vengeance by 65%.

Armor: Aquila Cuirass

Gain 50% damage reduction above 90% primary resource.

Ring/Amulet: Ring of Royal Grandeur

One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).

Seasonal: Unity

Reduces damage taken by 50% when a follower has a Unity equipped with a "follower cannot die" relic.

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance

Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > Life Percent

Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage

Shoulders: Dexterity > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > Resource Cost Reduction

Legs: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance

Waist: Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance > Life Percent

Bracers: Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Lightning Damage Percent

Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Impale

Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Dexterity > Cooldown Reduction

Shadow Mantle Tips

1. Shadow Power will always be active on this build once it's used in a new combat area.

2. The Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set makes Cooldown Reduction and Resource Cost Reduction increase your damage dealt and reduce your damage taken.

3. The Thrill of the Hunt passive will improve slow based damage from the Bane of the Trapped legendary gem and the Cull the Weak passive the second of which provides 20% increased damage to slowed enemies.

4. Impale is considered a projectile skill and some enemies such as Malthael, Sand Dwellers, and Dune Dervishes can reflect projectiles back at you so be very cautious around these enemies on Hardcore.

5. The Perfectionist passive which provides resistances can be changed to the Ambush passive which provides 40% increased damage to enemies above 75% health for the final push for rankings.

Note: The Shadow's Mantle Set Demon Hunter is capable of 111+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

3. Gears of Dreadlands Set (Hungering Arrow) Level 109+

This build received a buff in Season 28 and is ranked third on the list for the top Hardcore Demon Hunter builds for the current season.

Diablo 3 Gears of Dreadlands Demon Hunte

Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped

Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.

Bane of the Powerful

Gain a 20% damage buff after killing an elite and 15% increased damage/reduced damage taken against elites.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

Equipment

Set: Natalya's Vengeance

(2) Set Bonus:

Spike Trap deals 100% increased damage to enemies affected by Caltrops. Spike Traps now instantly refreshes charges, no longer costs resources, and each detonation restores 2 Discipline.

(4) Set Bonus:

Spike Traps now blasts enemies to the nearest set of Caltrops. Laying a Spike Trap grants 75% damage reduction.

(6) Set Bonus:

Spike Trap deals 10,000% increased damage and each explosion will deal 25% more damage than the previous blast.

Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings

(2) Set Bonus:

Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces cooldowns and resource costs by 20%.

(3) Set Bonus:

Damage dealt is increased by your percentage of cooldown reduction and damage taken is reduced by your percentage of resource cost reduction.

Set: Aughild's Authority

(2) Set Bonus:

Reduces damage taken by 15% and increases damage dealt by 30%.

(3) Set Bonus:

Reduces damage taken from elites and increases damage dealt to elites by 30%.

Weapon: Dawn

Reduces the cooldown of Vengeance by 65%.

Weapon: The Demon's Demise

Spike Trap damages all enemies again after 1 second and deals 200% increased damage.

Ring: Natalya's Reflection

Gain the Natalya's Vengeance set bonus.

Ring 2: Elusive Ring

Gives 60% damage reduction for 8 seconds after using Shadow Power.

Amulet: Hellfire Amulet

Gain a free random passive from the character class that creates the amulet.

Season 33

Note: These items should be used for Season 33 with the addition of a fourth Kanai's Cube power.

Ring 2 Season 33: The Compass Rose

Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.

Amulet Season 33: The Traveler's Pledge

Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.

Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Leech

This life on hit potion helps you survive.

Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

A Flawless Royal Diamond is offensive and defensive and will give you a higher uptime on Vengeance.

Powers

Weapon: Chanon Bolter

Your Spike Traps lure enemies to them and deal 200% increased damage.

Armor: Trag'Oul Coils

Spike Traps gain the Scatter rune, are deployed twice as fast, and deal 200% increased damage.

Ring/Amulet: Ring of Royal Grandeur

One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).

Seasonal: Elusive Ring

Gives 60% damage reduction for 8 seconds after using Shadow Power.

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance

Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > % Spike Trap Damage

Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage

Shoulders: Dexterity > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > % Spike Trap Damage

Legs: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance

Waist: Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance > Life Percent

Bracers: Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Cold Damage Percent

Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > Movement Speed > All Resistance

Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Dexterity > Cooldown Reduction

Natalya's Vengeance Tips

1. Use your defensive skill Shadow Power when you are fighting on cooldown.

2. The Perfectionist defensive passive can be changed to The Thrill of the Hunt offensive passive which improves the slow based damage from your Spike Traps and the Bane of the Trapped legendary gem.

3. The Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set makes Cooldown Reduction and Resource Cost Reduction increase your damage dealt and reduce your damage taken.

4. The Elusive Ring power which provides 60% reduced damage taken can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds on the final push for rankings.

Note: The Natalya's Vengeance Set Demon Hunter is capable of 112+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

2. Shadow's Mantle Set with Captain Crimson's Set (Impale) Level 111+

The damage of this build was majorly buffed in Season 30 but the build is also somewhat weak defensively. Shadow's Mantle takes the second place spot on the rankings for Hardcore.

Diablo 3 Shadow's Mantle Demon Hunter (3

Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped

Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.

Zei's Stone of Vengeance

Damage increased for every 10 yards between you and the enemy hit and gain a 20% chance to stun enemies.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

Equipment

Set: Unhallowed Essence

(2) Set Bonus:

Your generators generate 2 additional Hatred and 1 Discipline.

(4) Set Bonus:

Gain a 60% damage taken reduction and deal 60% additional damage for 8 seconds if no enemy is within 10 yards.

(6) Set Bonus:

Your generators, Multishot, and Vengeance deal 1700% increased damage for every point of Discipline you have.

Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings

(2) Set Bonus:

Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces cooldowns and resource costs by 20%.

(3) Set Bonus:

Damage dealt is increased by your percentage of cooldown reduction and damage taken is reduced by your percentage of resource cost reduction.

Weapon: Yang's Recurve

Multishot attacks 50% faster and deals 200% increased damage.

Quiver: Dead Man's Legacy

Multishot hits enemies below 60% health twice and its damage is increased by 200%.

Bracer: Wraps of Clarity

Primary skills grant 50% damage reduction for 5 seconds.

Ring: Unity

Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.

Ring 2: The Compass Rose

Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.

Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge

Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.

Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Leech

With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.

Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

A Flawless Royal Diamond is offensive and defensive and will give you more uptime on Vengeance.

Powers

Weapon: Dawn

Reduces the cooldown of Vengeance by 65%.

Armor: Visage of Gunes

Vengeance gains the Dark Heart rune which will provide 50% damage reduction during Vengeance.

Ring/Amulet: Ring of Royal Grandeur

One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).

Seasonal: Elusive Ring

Gives 60% damage reduction for 8 seconds after using Shadow Power.

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance

Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance

Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage

Shoulders: Dexterity > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > Resource Cost Reduction

Legs: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance

Waist: Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance > Life Percent

Bracers: Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Fire Damage Percent

Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Multishot

Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance

Rings: Socket > Dexterity > Cooldown Reduction > Vitality

Unhallowed Essence Tips

1. Use your defensive skill Shadow Power when you are fighting on cooldown.

2. The Thrill of the Hunt passive will improve slow based damage from the Bane of the Trapped legendary gem and the Cull the Weak passive which both provide increased damage against slowed enemies.

3. Try and get maximum Discipline on your Bow, Quiver, and Cloak and use Preparation with the Invigoration rune for the set bonus damage increase from maximum Discipline.

4. The Unity ring which provides 50% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase for four seconds on the final push for rankings.

Note: The Unhallowed Essence Set Demon Hunter is capable of 104+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

Honorable Mention: Demon Hunter Legacy of Dreams (Rapid Fire) Level 101+

The Legacy of Dreams Rapid Fire Demon Hunter comes in as the honorable mention.

Diablo 3 LoD Demon Hunter Rapid Fire.png

Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped

Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.

Gogok of Swiftness

Increase attack speed and cooldown reduction by 15% and gain dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.

Enforcer

Increases damage for your pets and decreases their damage taken by 90%.

Equipment

Set: Embodiment of the Marauder

(2) Set Bonus:

Companion calls all companions to your side.

(4) Set Bonus:

Sentries attack with your Hatred Spenders including Multishot.

(6) Set Bonus:

Your primary skills, Multishot, and Sentries deal 9,500 increased damage for every active Sentry.

Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings

(2) Set Bonus:

Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces cooldowns and resource costs by 20%.

(3) Set Bonus:

Damage dealt is increased by your percentage of cooldown reduction and damage taken is reduced by your percentage of resource cost reduction.

Weapon: Yang's Recurve

Multishot attacks 50% faster and deals 200% increased damage.

Quiver: Bombadier's Rucksack

You may have two additional sentries. Cluster Arrow deals 200% increased damage.

Bracer: Wraps of Clarity

Primary skills grant 50% damage reduction for 5 seconds.

Ring: Unity

Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.

Ring 2: The Compass Rose

Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.

Amulet: The Traveler's Pledge

Set: While standing still gain up to 100% increased damage and while moving gain up to 50% damage reduction.

Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Leech

With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.

Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

A Flawless Royal Diamond is offensive and defensive and will give you more uptime on Vengeance.

Powers

Weapon: Dead Man's Legacy

Multishot hits enemies below 60% health twice and its damage is increased by 200%.

Armor: Zoey's Secret

You take 9% less damage for every companion you have active.

Ring/Amulet: Ring of Royal Grandeur

One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).

Seasonal: Elusive Ring

Gives 60% damage reduction for 8 seconds after using Shadow Power.

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance

Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance

Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage

Shoulders: Dexterity > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > Resource Cost Reduction

Legs: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance

Waist: Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance > Life Percent

Bracers: Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Fire Damage Percent

Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Multishot

Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance

Rings: Socket > Dexterity > Cooldown Reduction > Vitality

Embodiment of the Marauders Tips

1. Use your defensive skill Shadow Power when you are fighting on cooldown.

2. The Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set makes Cooldown Reduction and Resource Cost Reduction increase your damage dealt and reduce your damage taken.

3. The Unity ring which provides 50% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase for four seconds on the final push for rankings.

Note: The Unhallowed Essence Set Demon Hunter is capable of 109+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

5. Unhallowed Essence Set with Captain Crimson's Set (Multishot) Level 104+

The Unhallowed Essence Set Multishot Demon Hunter is a solid build that had its damage increased in a previous season but it still ranks at the number five spot.

Legendary Gems

Legacy of Dreams

Legendaries increase damage and reduce damage taken without sets equipped. Double this effect for Ancients.

Bane of the Trapped

Increase damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gain a 30% slow aura.

Esoteric Alteration

Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.

Equipment

Weapon: Dawn

Reduces the cooldown of Vengeance by 65%.

Quiver: Sin Seeker

Rapid Fire no longer has a channeling cost and deals 300% increased damage.

Helm: Visage of Gune

Vengeance gains the effect of the Dark Heart rune.

Chest: Aquila Cuirass

While above 90% primary resources your damage taken is reduce by 50%.

Belt: Hunter's Wrath

Primary skills attack 30% faster and deal 200% increased damage.

Shoulders: Mantle of Channeling

While channeling you deal 25% increased damage and take 25% reduced damage.

Legs: Blackthorne Jousting Mail

Elemental 20% damage increase.

Bracers: Lacuni Prowlers

Guaranteed attack speed and movement speed modifiers.

Hands: Stone Gauntlets

Getting hit increases your armor by 50% stacking up to 5 times. Negative effects are negated by Ice Climbers.

Belt: Hellcat Waistguard

Grenades deal 50% more damage per bounce and 800% increased damage on the final bounce.

Boots: Ice Climbers

Immune to Freeze and Immobilize effects.

Ring: Unity

Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.

Ring 2: Convention of Elements

Occasional 200% elemental damage increase.

Amulet: Hellfire Amulet

Gain a free random passive from the character class that creates the amulet.

Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Leech

With a very fast attack speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.

Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

A Flawless Royal Diamond is offensive and defensive and will give you a higher uptime on Vengeance.

Powers

Weapon: Wojahnni Assaulter

Rapid Fire increasingly deals 100% increased damage stacking up to 30 times.

Armor: Magefist

Gain 20% fire elemental damage.

Ring/Amulet: Obsidian Ring of the Zodiac

Reduces the cooldown of one of your skills by 1 second when hitting with a resource spending attack.

Seasonal: Elusive Ring

Gives 60% damage reduction for 8 seconds after using Shadow Power.

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance

Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance

Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage

Shoulders: Dexterity > Vitality > Area Damage > All Resistance

Legs: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance

Waist: Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance > Life Percent

Bracers: Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Fire Damage Percent

Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Rapid Fire

Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance

Rings: Socket > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance

Legacy of Dreams Rapid Fire Tips

1. Use your defensive skill Shadow Power when you are fighting on cooldown.

2. The Ice Climbers boots negate all of the negative effects on the Stone Gauntlets.

3. The Hellfire Amulet can be switched for the Eye of Etlich amulet which provides a strong effect similar to a defensive passive if you need better defenses.

4. The Awareness passive which provides a cheat death can be changed to the Ambush passive which provides 40% additional damage to enemies above 75% health on the final push for rankings.

Note: The Legacy of Dreams Demon Hunter is capable of 101+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.