Demon Hunter Top 5 Builds Guide

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

Natalya's Vengeance was reworked into a Spike Trap build for Season 28 and is now the top Demon Hunter build for Season 33.

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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.

Gogok of Swiftness

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

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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 will also give 60% damage reduction. While strafing gain 8% movement speed per second of Momentum you currently have.

(6) Set Bonus:

Your primary skills deal 27,500% 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: Focus

Set: 50% increased damage after using a primary skill and 50% increased damage after using a spending skill.

Ring 2: Restraint

Set: 50% increased damage after using a primary skill and 50% increased damage after using a spending skill.

Amulet: Squirt's Necklace

Gives up to 100% increased damage and 50% increased damage taken when you haven't taken damage recently.

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Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Leech

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

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Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

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

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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.

Season 33: Unity

Splits damage with your follower when they are equipped with a Unity and 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 > 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 > All Resistance > Armor

Amulet: Socket > Dexterity > 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. Cull the Weak provides 20% increased damage against slowed enemies.

3. Build up to 20 stacks of Momentum (gives increased damage and movement speed) from the Gears of Dreadlands set bonus by hard casting Hungering Arrow and then use Strafe to kill enemies while occasionally refreshing Momentum by hard casting Hungering Arrow whenever it's needed.​

4. The Unity Season 33 Power can be switched to Echoing Fury which gives up to 5 stacks of increased attack speed and movement speed on kill on the final push for rankings.

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4. Embodiment of the Marauder Set (Multishot)

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 level 100 Greater Rifts.​

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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.

Bane of the Powerful

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

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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.

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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 Season 33: Focus

Set: 50% increased damage after using a primary skill and 50% increased damage after using a spending skill.

Ring 2 Season 33: Restraint

Set: 50% increased damage after using a primary skill and 50% increased damage after using a spending skill.

Amulet Season 33: Squirt's Necklace

Gives up to 100% increased damage and 50% increased damage taken when you haven't taken damage recently.

Ring Non-Seasonal: Elusive Ring

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

Ring 2 Non-Seasonal: The Compass Rose

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

Amulet Non-Seasonal: The Traveler's Pledge

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

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Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Leech

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

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Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

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

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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 the Royal Grandeur

One less set item to complete sets.

Season 33: 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 > Critical Strike Damage > Vitality

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

Legs: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance

Waist: Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance > Life %

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

Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > % Damage to Impale > Armor

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

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

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Shadow Mantle Tips

1. Shadow Power will always be active on this build once it's used in a new combat area but you should still hard cast Shadow Power for the defensive bonus from the Elusive Ring. Elusive Ring is recommended over Unity on this build because Shadow Power has all runes which lowers its Discipline cost.

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

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. Cull the Weak provides 20% increased damage against slowed enemies.

4. The Elusive Ring Season 33 Power which provides 60% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds on the final push for rankings.

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3. Gears of Dreadlands Set (Hungering Arrow)

Gears of Dreadlands (Hungering Arrow) is the best speed farming build in the game due to its very fast movement speed and is ranked third on the list for the top builds for Demon Hunters.​

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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.

Bane of the Stricken

Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage against bosses increases by 25%.

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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%.

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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 Non-Seasonal: Elusive Ring

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

Amulet Non-Seasonal: Hellfire Amulet

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

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.

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Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Leech

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

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Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

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

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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 the Royal Grandeur

One less set item to complete sets.

Season 33: 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 > Critical Strike Damage > Vitality

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

Legs: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance

Waist: Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance > Life %

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

Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance > Armor

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

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

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Natalya's Vengeance Tips

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

2. The Elusive Ring gives more damage reduction than Unity and can be up at all times with the Natalya's set bonus.

3. The Elusive Ring Season 33 Power which provides 60% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds on the final push for rankings.

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

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 the best Demon Hunter builds.​

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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.

Bane of the Stricken

Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage increased by 25% against bosses.

 

Equipment

Set: Unhallowed Essence

(2) Set Bonus:

Your generators generate 2 additional Hatred and 1 Discipline.

(4) Set Bonus:

Gain 60% damage 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.

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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 it's damage is increased by 200%.

Bracer: Wraps of Clarity

Primary skills grant 50% damage reduction for 5 seconds.

Ring: Focus

Set: 50% increased damage after using a primary skill and 50% increased damage after using a spending skill.

Ring: Restraint

Set: 50% increased damage after using a primary skill and 50% increased damage after using a spending skill.

Amulet: Squirt's Necklace

Gives up to 100% increased damage and 50% increased damage taken when you haven't taken damage recently.​

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Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Leech

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

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Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

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

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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 the Royal Grandeur

One less set item to complete sets.

Season 33: Unity

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

 

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 > Dexterity > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance

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

 

Unhallowed Essence Tips

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

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

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. Cull the Weak provides 20% increased damage against slowed enemies.

4. 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 your maximum Discipline.

5. The Unity Season 33 Power which provides 50% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds on the final push for rankings.

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

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

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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: 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.

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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: Focus

Set: 50% increased damage after using a primary skill and 50% increased damage after using a spending skill.

Ring 2: Restraint

Set: 50% increased damage after using a primary skill and 50% increased damage after using a spending skill.

Amulet: Squirt's Necklace

Gives up to 100% increased damage and 50% increased damage taken when you haven't taken damage recently.

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Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Leech

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

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Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

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

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Powers

Weapon: Dead Man's Legacy

Multishot hits enemies below 60% health twice and it's damage is increased by 200%.

Armor: Zoey's Secret

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

Ring/Amulet: Ring of the Royal Grandeur

One less set item to complete sets.

Season 33: Unity

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

 

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 > % Damage to Multishot > Armor

Amulet: Socket > Dexterity > 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. Cooldown Reduction and Resource Cost Reduction increase your damage dealt and reduce your damage taken with the Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set.

3. The Unity Season 33 Power which provides 50% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds on the final push for rankings.

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

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

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