Hardcore & Softcore Builds
Witch Doctor Top 5 Builds Guide
1. Helltooth Harness Set (Zombie Bears)
The Helltooth Harness Set Witch Doctor received a huge buff in Season 30 which moved it up to first place on the Witch Doctor rankings.
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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.
Gogok of Swiftness
Increase attack speed and cooldown reduction by 1% and gives dodge for 4 seconds stacking up to 15 times.
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Equipment
Set: Mundunugu's Regalia
(2) Set Bonus:
Big Bad Voodoo now lasts twice as long and follows you around.
(4) Set Bonus:
Gain 60% reduced damage taken for 30 seconds after entering the spirit realm.
(6) Set Bonus:
Spirit Barrage deals 17,500% increased damage plus a percentage equal to 5 times your mana regeneration.
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Weapon: Sacred Harvester
Soul Harvest now stacks up to 10 times.
Mojo: Gazing Demise
The damage of Spirit Barrage is increased by 150%. You gain the Phantasm rune which lasts twice as long and the attack speed of Manitou spectres is increased.
Belt (Non-Seasonal): The Witching Hour
Gives increased critical hit damage and attack speed. In Season 33, use Captain Crimson's Belt with a Ring of Royal Grandeur as your seasonal Kanai's Cube power instead.
Bracers: Lakumba's Ornament
Reduces all damage taken by 60% if you have a Soul Harvest stack and gives an additional 2% for each stack.
Ring: Convention of Elements
Gives an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
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: For Season 33, use this set with Ring of Royal Grandeur as a seasonal Kanai's Cube power.
Season 33 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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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Tower
Intelligence increases all resistances which makes armor more valuable for intelligence characters. The Bottomless Potion of the Tower heals you and provides 20% additional armor for a large toughness increase.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond is recommended for cooldown reduction and gives increased damage with the Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set equipped.
Powers
Weapon: The Barber
The damage of your Spirit Barrage now accumulates on your target and explodes for 500% increased damage.
Armor: Frostburn
Gives cold skills 20% increased damage and gives cold skills a 50% chance to freeze enemies.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of Emptiness
You deal 300% increased damage against enemies affected by either your Locust Swarm or Haunt.
Seasonal: Ring of Royal Grandeur
You require one less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Intelligence > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance
Body: Sockets > Intelligence > Vitality > Armor
Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Intelligence > Vitality > Critical Hit Damage
Shoulders: Intelligence > Vitality > Area Damage > Armor
Legs: Sockets > Intelligence > Vitality > Armor
Waist: Intelligence > Vitality > Armor > Life Percent
Bracers: Intelligence > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance > Cold Damage Percent
Feet: Intelligence > Vitality > % Damage to Spirit Barrage > Armor
Amulet: Socket > Intelligence > Critical Hit Damage > Critical Hit Chance
Rings: Socket > Critical Hit Chance > Intelligence > Vitality
Mundunugu's Regalia Tips​
1. Make sure to always have 10 stacks of Soul Harvest up for survival and damage.
2. The Frostburn gloves freeze enemies which gives 300% increased damage with the Ring of Emptiness.
3. The Swampland Attunement passive which gives all resistances can be changed to the Confidence Ritual passive for increased damage on the final push for rankings.
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3. Jade Harvester Set (Haunt / Locus Swarm)
The Jade Harvester Set is a strong contender that was buffed in a previous patch and takes the third place spot in our rankings.​​​​
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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 increased by 25%.
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Equipment
Set: Raiment of the Jade Harvester
(2) Set Bonus:
When Haunt lands on an enemy already affected by Haunt it instantly deals 3,500 seconds worth of damage.
(4) Set Bonus:
Soul Harvest gains the effect of every rune and has its cooldown reduced by one second every time you cast Haunt or Locus Swarm.
(6) Set Bonus:
Soul Harvest reduces damage taken by 50% for 12 seconds and consumes your damage over time dealing 26,000 seconds worth of remaining damage.
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Ceremonial Knife: Sacred Harvester
Soul Harvest now stacks up to 10 times.
Mojo: Shukrani's Triumph
Spirit Walk continues until you have attacked 3 times or until you encounter an elite. Attacks while in the spirit realm deal 100% increased damage.
Belt (Non-Seasonal): Haunting Girdle
Haunt releases an extra spirit. In Season 33, use Captain Crimson's Belt with a Ring of Royal Grandeur as your seasonal Kanai's Cube power instead.
Bracers: Lakumba's Ornament
Reduces all damage taken by 60% if you have a Soul Harvest stack and gives an additional 2% for each stack.
Ring: Convention of Elements
Gives an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
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: For Season 33, use this set with Ring of Royal Grandeur as a seasonal Kanai's Cube power.
Season 33 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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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Tower
Intelligence increases all resistances which makes armor more valuable for intelligence characters. The Bottomless Potion of the Tower heals you and provides 20% additional armor for a large toughness increase.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond is recommended for cooldown reduction and gives increased damage with the Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set equipped.
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Powers
Weapon: Vile Hive
Locus Swarm gains the effect of the Pestilence rune and deals 60% increased damage.
Armor: Quetzalcoatl
Locus Swarm and Haunt now deal their damage in half of their normal duration.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of Emptiness
You deal 300% increased damage against enemies affected by either your Locust Swarm or Haunt.
Seasonal: Ring of Royal Grandeur
You require one less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
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Item Stat Priority
Helm: Intelligence > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance
Body: Sockets > Intelligence > Vitality > % Damage to Haunt
Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Intelligence > Vitality > Critical Hit Damage
Shoulders: Intelligence > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > Area Damage
Legs: Sockets > Intelligence > Vitality > Armor
Waist: Intelligence > Vitality > Life Percent > Armor
Bracers: Intelligence > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance > Poison Damage Percent
Feet: Intelligence > Vitality > Armor > All Resistance
Amulet: Socket > Intelligence > Critical Hit Damage > Critical Hit Chance
Rings: Socket > Critical Hit Chance > Intelligence > Vitality
Jade Harvester Tips​​
1. Make sure to always have 10 stacks of Soul Harvest up for survival and damage.
2. The Creeping Death passive is required for Haunt and Locus Swarm with the Jade Harvester Set because it gives more seconds of damage that can be consumed with Soul Harvest.
3. Use Spirit Walk frequently for the increased damage and mobility granted by Shukrani's Triumph.
4. A good rotation to start off with to familiarize yourself with the build is Locus Swarm, Haunt three times, and then Soul Harvest to consume the damage over time on enemies.
5. The Spirit Vessel passive which gives a cheat death can be changed to the Confidence Ritual passive for increased damage on the final push for rankings.
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4. Zunimassa's Haunt Set (Poison Dart)
The Zunimassa's Haunt Witch Doctor received a nerf in Season 30 which dropped it to fourth place in the Witch Doctor rankings.
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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.
Enforcer
Increases the damage for your pets and decreases their damage taken by 90%.
Bane of the Stricken
Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage against bosses increased by 25%.
Equipment
Set: Zunimassa's Haunt
(2) Set Bonus:
Your Fetish Army lasts until they die and the cooldown of your Fetish Army is reduced by 80%.
(4) Set Bonus:
You and your pets take 3% less damage for each Fetish minion you have alive.
(6) Set Bonus:
Enemies hit by your mana spenders take 13,000% increased damage from your pets for 8 seconds.
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Ceremonial Knife: Sacred Harvester
Soul Harvest now stacks up to 10 times.
Mojo: Zunimassa's String of Souls
Completes the Zunimassa's Haunt set.
Helmet: Carnevil
Your ten closest fetishes will shoot a powerful poison dart every time you do.
Helmet: Pauldrons of the Skeleton King
Provides a chance to cheat death and be revived, returns you to 25% life, and makes nearby enemies flee.
Belt (Non-Seasonal): Belt of Transcendence
Summons a Fetish Sycophant when you hit with a mana spender. In Season 33, use Captain Crimson's Belt with a Ring of Royal Grandeur as your seasonal Kanai's Cube power and switch the Swampland Attunement passive to the Fetish Sycophants passive to spawn fetishes without the Belt of Transcendence.
Bracers: Lakumba's Ornament
Reduces all damage taken by 60% if you have a Soul Harvest stack and gives an additional 2% for each stack.
Ring: Zunimassa's Pox
Completes the Zunimassa's Haunt set.
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: For Season 33, use this set with Ring of Royal Grandeur as a seasonal Kanai's Cube power.
Season 33 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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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Tower
Intelligence increases all resistances which makes armor more valuable for intelligence characters. The Bottomless Potion of the Tower heals you and provides 20% additional armor for a large toughness increase.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Diamond
A Flawless Royal Diamond is recommended for cooldown reduction and gives increased damage with the Captain Crimson's Trimmings Set equipped.
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Powers
Weapon: The Dagger of Darts
Your Poison Darts and Poison Darts from your fetish minions now pierce and deal 500% increased damage.
Armor: Mask of Jeram
The damage of your pets is increased by 200%.
Ring/Amulet: Convention of Elements
Gives an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
Seasonal: Ring of Royal Grandeur
You require one less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
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Item Stat Priority
Helm: Intelligence > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance
Body: Sockets > Intelligence > Vitality > % Damage to Fetish Army
Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Intelligence > Vitality > Critical Hit Damage
Shoulders: Intelligence > Vitality > % Damage to Fetish Army > Area Damage
Legs: Sockets > Intelligence > Vitality > % Damage to Poison Dart
Waist: Intelligence > Vitality > % Damage to Poison Dart > Armor
Bracers: Intelligence > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance > Poison Damage Percent
Feet: Intelligence > Vitality > Armor > All Resistance
Amulet: Socket > Intelligence > Critical Hit Damage > Critical Hit Chance
Rings: Socket > Critical Hit Chance > Intelligence > Vitality
Zunimassa's Haunt Tips​​
1. Make sure to always have 10 stacks of Soul Harvest up for survival and damage.
2. With the Carnevil helmet shooting a Poison Dart also makes your fetish minions shoot a poison dart.
3. The Swampland Attunement passive which gives all resistances can be changed to the Pierce the Veil passive for increased damage on the final push for rankings.
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5. Spirit of Arachyr Set (Corpse Spiders)
The Spirit of Arachyr Corpse Spider Witch Doctor was heavily nerfed in Season 30 which lowered it to fifth place but this build is still capable of easily clearing well above level 100 Greater Rifts.​
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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.
Enforcer
Increases the damage of your pets and decreases their damage taken by 90%.
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: Spirit of Arachyr
(2) Set Bonus:
Gives a Spider Queen minion that attacks with 5000% weapon damage over 5 seconds.
(4) Set Bonus:
The Spider Queen now leaves behind a web that lasts for 15 seconds that slows enemies. Infested enemies remain infested while on the web. You take 75% reduced damage while in the web and for four seconds after.
(6) Set Bonus:
The damage of your creature skills is increased by 11,500%. Creature skills are Corpse Spiders, Plague of Toads, Firebats, Locust Swarm, Hex, and Piranhas.
Weapon: Spider Queen's Grasp
Corpse Spiders deal an additional 800% increased damage and release a web that slows enemies by 80%.
Mojo: Shukrani's Triumph
Spirit Walk continues until you have attacked 3 times or until you encounter an elite enemy. Attacks while in the spirit realm deal 100% increased damage.
Belt: Brood of Araneae
Corpse Spiders deal 100% increased damage and each spider bite causes the target to take 1% increased damage for 5 seconds from your Corpse Spiders.
Bracers: Lakumba's Ornament
Reduces all damage taken by 60% if you have a Soul Harvest stack and gives an additional 2% for each stack.
Ring: Convention of Elements
Gives an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
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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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Tower
Intelligence increases all resistances which makes armor more valuable for intelligence characters. The Bottomless Potion of the Tower heals you and provides 20% additional armor for a large toughness increase.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for a life percent increase and additional toughness.
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Powers
Weapon: Echoing Fury
Gives a frenzy stack on kill that increases your attack speed and movement speed stacking up to 5 times.
Armor: Mask of Jeram
Pets deal 200% increased damage.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of Emptiness
You deal 300% increased damage against enemies affected by either your Locust Swarm or Haunt.
Seasonal: The Furnace
Increases damage dealt against elite enemies by 50%.
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Item Stat Priority
Helm: Intelligence > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance
Body: Sockets > Intelligence > Vitality > Armor
Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Intelligence > Vitality > Critical Hit Damage
Shoulders: Intelligence > Vitality > Area Damage > Armor
Legs: Sockets > Intelligence > Vitality > % Damage to Corpse Spiders
Waist: Intelligence > Vitality > % Damage to Corpse Spider > Armor
Bracers: Intelligence > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance > Poison Damage Percent
Feet: Intelligence > Vitality > Armor > All Resistance
Amulet: Socket > Intelligence > Critical Hit Damage > Critical Hit Chance
Rings: Socket > Critical Hit Chance > Intelligence > Vitality
Spirit of Arachyr Tips
1. Make sure to always have 5 stacks of Soul Harvest up for survival and damage.
2. Use Spirit Walk frequently for the increased damage and mobility granted by Shukrani's Triumph.
3. The Swampland Attunement which gives all resistances can be changed to the Confidence Ritual passive for increased damage on the final push for rankings.
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Honorable Mention: Witch Doctor Legacy of Dreams (Spirit Barrage)
The Legacy of Dreams Spirit Barrage Witch Doctor is a solid LoD build and is the honorable mention.
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Legendary Gems
Legacy of Dreams
Legendaries increase damage and reduce damage taken without sets equipped. Double this effect for ancients.
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
Weapon: Sacred Harvestor
Soul Harvest now stacks up to 10 times.
Mojo: Gazing Demise
The damage of Spirit Barrage is increased by 150%. Gain the Phantasm rune for Spirit Barrage which lasts twice as long and the attack speed of Manitou spectres is increased.
Helm: Leoric's Crown
Doubles the effect of the gem socketed in this item.
Chest: Aquila Cuirass
While above 90% primary resources your damage taken is reduced by 50%.
Shoulders: Pauldrons of the Skeleton King
Chance on death to be revived, restored to 25% life, and cause nearby enemies to run in fear.
Legs: Blackthorne Jousting Mail
Gives a 20% elemental damage increase.
Bracers: Lakumba's Ornament
Reduces all damage taken by 60% if you have a Soul Harvest stack and gives an additional 2% for each stack.
Hands: Stone Gauntlets
Getting hit increases your armor by 50% stacking up to 5 times.
Belt: Belt of Transcendence
Summon a Fetish Sycophant each time you hit with a mana spender.
Boots: Ice Climbers
Gives immunity to freeze and immobilize effects. Also negates the negative effects of Stone Gauntlets.
Ring: Unity
Splits damage with your follower when he is equipped with Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Ring 2: Convention of Elements
Rotates through damage types and gives an occasional 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
Amulet: Hellfire Amulet
Gain a free random passive skill from the character class that creates the amulet.
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Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Tower
Intelligence increases all resistances which makes armor more valuable for intelligence characters. The Bottomless Potion of the Tower heals you and provides 20% additional armor for a large toughness increase.
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Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for a life percent increase and additional toughness.
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Powers
Weapon: The Barber
Spirit Barrage now deals 500% increased damage when it explodes to all enemies within 15 yards.
Armor: Frostburn
Gives cold skills 20% increased damage and gives cold skills a 50% chance to freeze enemies.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of Emptiness
You deal 300% increased damage against enemies affected by your Locust Swarm or Haunt.
Seasonal: The Furnace
Gives 50% increased damage against elites.
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Item Stat Priority
Helm: Intelligence > Socket > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance
Body: Sockets > Intelligence > Vitality > Armor
Hands: Critical Hit Chance > Intelligence > Vitality > Critical Hit Damage
Shoulders: Intelligence > Vitality > Area Damage > Armor
Legs: Sockets > Intelligence > Vitality > Armor
Waist: Intelligence > Vitality > Armor > Life Percent
Bracers: Intelligence > Vitality > Critical Hit Chance > Cold Damage Percent
Feet: Intelligence > Vitality > % Damage to Spirit Barrage > Armor
Amulet: Socket > Intelligence > Critical Hit Damage > Critical Hit Chance
Rings: Socket > Critical Hit Chance > Intelligence > Vitality
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Legacy of Dreams Spirit Barrage Tips
1. Make sure to always have 10 stacks of Soul Harvest up for survival and damage.
2. The Ice Climbers boots negate all of the negative effects on the Stone Gauntlets.
3. You can switch the Swampland Attunement passive which gives all resistances to the Pierce the Veil passive which gives increased damage on the final push for rankings.
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Recommended Mercenary
Templar
Weapon: Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker
Slows enemies attacks and movement speed.
Templar Relic: Enchanting Favor
Your follower cannot die.
Shield: Freeze of Deflection
Blocks have a chance to freeze enemies for 1.5 second.
Helm: Blind Faith
Chance to blind enemies on hit.
Shoulders: Homing Pads (Emanates)
Town portal is uninterruptable and casting town portal gives a protective shield.
Gloves: Gloves of Worship (Emanates)
Shrine effects last 10 minutes.
Bracers: Nemesis Bracers (Emanates)
Pylons spawn an elite enemy.
Waist: Cord of the Sherma
Chance to create a chaos field that blinds and slows enemies for 4 seconds.
Boots: Ice Climbers
Immune to freeze and immobilize effects.
Ring 1: Unity
Splits damage taken with your follower when they are also wearing this ring.
Ring 2: Wyrmward
Lightning damage has a 35% chance to stun.
Amulet: The Flavor of Time (Emanates)
Pylon effects last twice as long.
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Feel free to check out the other sections of the site for more on Diablo III:
Diablo III Advanced Tips and Tricks
And that's all for the Witch Doctor Top 5 Builds Guide. Better items await you in Greater Rifts!
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