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 back in Season 28 and is now the top Demon Hunter build for the current season.

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Legendary Gems

Simplicity's Strength

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

Taeguk

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

Gogok of Swiftness

Increases attack speed and cooldown reduction by 15% and gives 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 maximum duration of 20 seconds. Your primary skills deal 10% increased damage for each second of Momentum you currently have.

(4) Set Bonus:

Strafing will automatically use your last used primary skill and gives a 60% damage taken 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.

Belt: Hunter's Wrath

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

Bracers: Wraps of Clarity

Hatred generators give 50% reduced damage taken for 5 seconds.

Ring: Focus

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

Ring 2: Restraint

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

Amulet: Squirt's Necklace

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

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Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Leech

With a very fast attack speed 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

Gives 100% increased damage to primary skills.

Ring/Amulet: Convention of Elements

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

Season 33: Unity

Splits damage with your Templar when he is equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.

 

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance

Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > Life Percent

Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Hit 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 Hit Chance > Cold Damage Percent

Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance > Armor

Amulet: Socket > Dexterity > Critical Hit Damage > Critical Hit 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 improves the 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 with the Gears of Dreadlands set bonus by hard casting Hungering Arrow and then use Strafe which triggers Hungering Arrow to kill enemies. You should also occasionally refresh Momentum by hard casting Hungering Arrow whenever more stacks are needed.​

4. The Unity seaonsal Kanai's Cube 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 Demon Hunter which was nerfed back in Season 30 but it's still capable of clearing well above level 100 Greater Rifts in Softcore.​

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Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped

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

Gogok of Swiftness

Increases attack speed and cooldown reduction by 15% and gives 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 your 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 resource 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% reduced damage taken for 5 seconds.

Ring: Elusive Ring

Gives 60% reduced damage taken 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.

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Season 33

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

Season 33 Ring: Focus

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

Season 33 Ring 2: Restraint

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

Season 33 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 speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.

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Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

A Flawless Royal Diamond gives you a higher uptime on Vengeance and increases your damage with the Captain Crimson's Trimmings set.

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Powers

Weapon: Dawn

Reduces the cooldown of Vengeance by 65%.

Armor: Aquila Cuirass

Gain a 50% damage taken reduction when you are above 90% resources.

Ring/Amulet: Ring of Royal Grandeur

You require one less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).

Season 33: Elusive Ring

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

 

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance

Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > Life Percent

Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Dexterity > Critical Hit 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 Hit Chance > Lightning Damage %

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

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

Rings: Socket > Critical Hit 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 but you should still hard cast Shadow Power for the huge defensive bonus from the Elusive Ring. 

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

3. The Thrill of the Hunt passive improves the 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. An Elusive Ring is recommended over a Unity ring on this build because it can be up at all times with the Shadow's Mantle four set bonus which gives Shadow Power a lowered Discipline cost.

5. The Elusive Ring seasonal Kanai's Cube Power 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)

The Gears of Dreadlands set 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

Increases damage against enemies under the effect of crowd controlling effects and gives 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 deals 25% more damage than the previous blast.

Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings

(2) Set Bonus:

Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces your 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:

Increases your damage dealt by 30% and reduces your damage taken by 15%.

(3) Set Bonus:

Increases your damage dealt against elites by 30% and reduces your damage taken from 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: Elusive Ring

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

Amulet: Hellfire Amulet

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

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Season 33

Note: For Season 33, use these items instead with the addition of the fourth Kanai's Cube power.

Season 33 Ring 2: The Compass Rose

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

Season 33 Amulet: 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

This life on hit potion heals you and will help you survive.

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Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

A Flawless Royal Diamond gives you a higher uptime on Vengeance and increases your damage with the Captain Crimson's Trimmings set.

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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 Royal Grandeur

You require one less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).

Season 33: Elusive Ring

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

 

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance

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

Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Dexterity > Critical Hit 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 Hit Chance > Cold Damage %

Feet: Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance > Armor

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

Rings: Socket > Critical Hit 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. Cooldown Reduction and Resource Cost Reduction increase your damage dealt and reduce your damage taken when the Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set is equipped.

3. The Elusive Ring gives higher damage reduction than a Unity ring and can be up at all times with the Natalya's Vengeance set because the two set bonus makes each Spike Trap detonations restore 2 Discipline.

4. The Elusive Ring Kanai's Cube Power which provides 60% damage reduction should be switched to a Convention of Elements which gives 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 and takes the second place spot on the rankings for the top Demon Hunter builds.​

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Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped

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

Zei's Stone of Vengeance

Damage is increased for every 10 yards between you and the enemy and gives 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 Hatred 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 enemies are 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 your 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 fires 50% faster and deals 200% increased damage.

Quiver: Dead Man's Legacy

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

Bracer: Wraps of Clarity

Hatred generators provide 50% reduced damage taken for 5 seconds.

Ring: Focus

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

Ring: Restraint

Set: Gain 50% increased damage after using a primary 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 speed this life on hit potion will help you survive.

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Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

A Flawless Royal Diamond gives you a higher uptime on Vengeance and increases your damage with the Captain Crimson's Trimmings set.

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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 provides 50% reduced damage taken during Vengeance.

Ring/Amulet: Ring of Royal Grandeur

You require one less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).

Season 33: Unity

Splits damage with your Templar when he is equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.

 

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance

Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance

Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Hit 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 Hit Chance > Fire Damage Percent

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

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

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

 

Unhallowed Essence Tips

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

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

3. The Thrill of the Hunt passive improves the 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 increased Discipline on your Bow, Quiver, and Cloak and use Preparation with the Invigoration rune for more Discipline because the Unhallowed Essence set gives 1700% increased damage per Discipline you have.

5. The Unity seasonal Kanai's Cube power which gives 50% reduced damage taken can be switched to a Convention of Elements which gives 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 build is solid and comes in as the honorable mention.

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Legendary Gems

Bane of the Trapped

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

Gogok of Swiftness

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

Zei's Stone of Vengeance

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

 

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 Sentry you have out.

Set: Captain Crimson's Trimmings

(2) Set Bonus:

Regenerates 6000 life per second and reduces your 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

Hatred generators provide 50% reduced damage taken for 5 seconds.

Ring: Focus

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

Ring 2: Restraint

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

Amulet: Squirt's Necklace

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

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Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Leech

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

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Helm Socket

Flawless Royal Diamond

A Flawless Royal Diamond gives you a higher uptime on Vengeance and increases your damage with the Captain Crimson's Trimmings set.

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Powers

Weapon: Dead Man's Legacy

Multishot hits enemies below 60% life 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

You require one less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).

Season 33: Unity

Splits damage with your Templar when he is equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.

 

Item Stat Priority

Helm: Dexterity > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance

Body: Sockets > Dexterity > Vitality > All Resistance

Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Dexterity > Vitality > Critical Hit 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 Hit Chance > Fire Damage Percent

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

Amulet: Socket > Dexterity > Critical Hit Damage > Critical Hit 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 when the Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set is equipped.

3. The Unity seasonal Kanai's Cube power which gives 50% reduced damage taken can be switched to a Convention of Elements which gives 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 significantly increased in a previous season but it still comes in at the number five spot.​

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