Hardcore & Softcore Builds
Witch Doctor Top 5 Hardcore Guide
1. Helltooth Harness Set (Zombie Bears) Level 109+
The Helltooth Harness Set received a major buff in Season 30 which moved it up to the first place spot on the Hardcore Witch Doctor rankings.
​
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 Stricken
Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage against bosses increased by 25%.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
Equipment
Set: Helltooth Harness
(2) Set Bonus:
Enemies hit by your primary skills, Zombie Charger, Piranhas, Zombie Dogs, and various other skills are afflicted by Necrosis becoming slowed and taking 3000% weapon damage every second for 10 seconds.
(4) Set Bonus:
After applying Necrosis to an enemy, you take 60% reduced damage for 10 seconds.
(6) Set Bonus:
After casting Wall of Death, gain 37,500% increased damage for 15 seconds to your primary skills, Zombie Charger, Piranhas, Zombie Dogs, and various other skills.
​
Weapon: Sacred Harvester
Soul Harvest now stacks up to 10 times.
Mojo: Ursua's Trodden Effigy
Zombie Charger deals 150% increased damage and the Zombie Bears rune now summons 8 bears that travel farther.
Bracers: Lakumba's Ornament
Reduce all damage taken by 60% if your Soul Harvest stack is 1-3 and adds an additional 2% for each stack.
Belt (Non-Seasonal): String of Ears
Gain 30% reduced melee damage taken. In Season 33 use Captain Crimson's Belt with a Ring of Royal Grandeur as your fourth Kanai's Cube power which lowers the number of items to complete a set by one.
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.
​
Season 33
Note: For Season 33, also use this set with the addition of a fourth 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.
​
Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Tower
Intelligence increases All Resistance 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.
​
Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for increased life percent and toughness.
​
Powers
Weapon: Scrimshaw
Reduces the mana cost of Zombie Charger by 75% and makes it deal 7 times more damage.
Armor: Strongarm Bracers
Enemies suffer 30% increased damage for 6 seconds after being knocked back.
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
One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Intellect > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > Armor
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Intellect > Vitality > Area Damage > Armor
Legs: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > Armor
Waist: Intellect > Vitality > Armor > Life %
Bracers: Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Poison Damage %
Feet: Intellect > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Zombie Charger
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Helltooth Harness Tips
1. Make sure to maintain 10 stacks of Soul Harvest at all times for survival.
2. The Piranhado rune for Piranhas groups enemies together, gives a 15% damage increase, and counts as a knockback for the 30% multiplicative damage increase from Strongarm Bracers.
3. The Spirit Walk Honored Guest rune ability replenishes 20% of your mana which is all that should be needed for mana generation when using the Creeping Death passive which makes Locus Swarm permanent.
4. The String of Ears belt is a strong defensive item but you can also use The Witching Hour which has increased attack speed and critical strike damage to push higher Greater Rifts.
5. The Unity ring which provides 50% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Helltooth Harness Set Witch Doctor is capable of 109+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
​​​​
2. Mundunugu's Regalia Set (Spirit Barrage) Level 106+
The second place spot goes to the Mundunugu's Regalia Set which is only outclassed by the Helltooth Harness Set for use in Hardcore.
​
_pn.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 1% 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: Mundunugu's Regalia
(2) Set Bonus:
Big Bad Voodoo now lasts twice as long and follows you.
(4) Set Bonus:
Gain 60% damage reduction for 30 seconds after you enter the spirit realm.
(6) Set Bonus:
Spirit Barrage deals 17,500% increased damage plus a percentage equal to 5 times your mana regeneration per second.
​
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 rate of Manitou spectres is increased.
Belt (Non-Seasonal): String of Ears
Gain 30% reduced melee damage taken. In Season 33 use Captain Crimson's Belt with a Ring of Royal Grandeur as your fourth Kanai's Cube power which lowers the number of items to complete a set by one.
Bracers: Lakumba's Ornament
Reduce all damage taken by 60% if your Soul Harvest stack is 1-3 and adds an additional 2% for each stack.
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.
​
Season 33
Note: For Season 33, also use this set with the addition of a fourth 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.
​
Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Tower
Intelligence increases All Resistance 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.
​
Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for a higher life percent and additional toughness.
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 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
One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Intellect > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > Armor
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Intellect > Vitality > Area Damage > Armor
Legs: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > Armor
Waist: Intellect > Vitality > Armor > Life %
Bracers: Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Cold Damage %
Feet: Intellect > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Spirit Barrage
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Mundunugu's Regalia Tips​
1. Make sure to maintain 10 stacks of Soul Harvest at all times for survival.
2. The String of Ears belt is a strong defensive item but you can also use The Witching Hour which has increased attack speed and critical hit damage to push higher Greater Rifts.
3. The Unity ring which provides 50% damage reduction can be switched to a Convention of Elements which provides an occasional 200% damage increase on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Mundunugu's Regalia Set Witch Doctor is capable of 106+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
​
3. Jade Harvester Set (Haunt / Locus Swarm) Level 104+
The Jade Harvester Set is a strong contender and takes the third place spot in the rankings.​​​​
​​​
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: 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 Haunt damage.
(4) Set Bonus:
Soul Harvest gains the effect of every rune and has its cooldown reduced by 1 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.
​​
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 fourth Kanai's Cube power which lowers the number of items to complete a set by one.
Bracers: Lakumba's Ornament
Reduce all damage taken by 60% if your Soul Harvest stack is 1-3 and adds an additional 2% for each stack.
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.
​
Season 33
Note: For Season 33, also use this set with the addition of a fourth 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.
​
Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Tower
Intelligence increases All Resistance 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.
​
Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for increased life percent and toughness.
​
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 the 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
One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
​
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Intellect > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > % Damage to Haunt
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Intellect > Vitality > Cooldown Reduction > Area Damage
Legs: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > Armor
Waist: Intellect > Vitality > Life % > Armor
Bracers: Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Poison Damage %
Feet: Intellect > Vitality > Armor > Movement Speed
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance​
Jade Harvester Tips​​
1. Make sure to maintain 10 stacks of Soul Harvest at all times 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 over time to consume with Soul Harvest.
3. Use Spirit Walk frequently to make use of the damage increase 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 Unity ring which provides 50% 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 Jade Harvester Set Witch Doctor is capable of 104+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
​​​​​​​
4. Zunimassa's Haunt Set (Poison Dart) Level 101+
The Zunimassa's Haunt Poison Dart Witch Doctor received a nerf in Season 30 which dropped it to fourth place for Hardcore Witch Doctors.
​
​​​
Legendary Gems
Simplicity's Strength
Increase the damage of your primary skills and cause them to heal you for 4% of your maximum health.
Enforcer
Increases damage for your pets and decreases their damage taken by 90%.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
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 you have alive.
(6) Set Bonus:
Enemies hit by your mana spenders take 13,000% increased damage from your pets for 8 seconds.
​​​​
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, 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 fourth cube power to lower the number of items to complete a set by one (minimum of two set items) and switch a passive to the Fetish Sycophants passive to spawn fetishes.
Bracers: Lakumba's Ornament
Reduce all damage taken by 60% if your Soul Harvest stack is 1-3 and adds 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.
​
Season 33
Note: For Season 33, use this set with the addition of a fourth 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.
​
Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Tower
Intelligence increases All Resistance 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.
​
Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for a higher life percent and increased toughness.
​
Powers
Weapon: The Dagger of Darts
Your Poison Darts and your fetishes Poison Darts now pierce and deal 500% increased damage.
Armor: Mask of Jeram
Pet damage is increased by 200%.
Ring/Amulet: Unity
Splits damage taken with a follower when they are equipped with a Unity and a "follower cannot die" relic.
Seasonal: Ring of Royal Grandeur
One less set item to complete sets (minimum of two set items).
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Intellect > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > % Damage to Fetish Army
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Intellect > Vitality > % Damage to Fetish Army > Area Damage
Legs: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > % Damage to Poison Dart
Waist: Intellect > Vitality > % Damage to Poison Dart > Armor
Bracers: Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Poison Damage %
Feet: Intellect > Vitality > Movement Speed > Armor
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance​
Zunimassa's Haunt Tips​​
1. Make sure to maintain 10 stacks of Soul Harvest at all times for survival and damage.
2. With the Carnevil helmet every Poison Dart you shoot makes your fetish minions also shoot a poison dart.
2. The String of Ears is a strong defensive belt but for an offensive option you can also use The Witching Hour which has increased attack speed and critical strike damage to push higher Greater Rifts.
3. The Unity ring which provides 50% 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 Zunimassa's Haunt Set Witch Doctor is capable of 101+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
​​​​​
5. Spirit of Arachyr Set (Corpse Spiders) Level 100+
The Spirit of Arachyr Corpse Spider Witch Doctor was heavily nerfed in Season 30 which dropped it to fifth place but it's still capable of clearing above level 100 Greater Rifts in Hardcore.​
​​​
​​
Legendary Gems
Simplicity's Strength
Increase the damage of your primary skills and cause them to heal you for 4% of your maximum health.
Enforcer
Increases damage for your pets and decreases their damage taken by 90%.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
Equipment
Set: Spirit of Arachyr
(2) Set Bonus:
Summon a Spider Queen that deals 5000% weapon damage over 5 seconds and slows enemies.
(4) Set Bonus:
The Spider Queen now leaves behind a web that lasts for 15 seconds and 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. 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
Reduce all damage taken by 60% if your Soul Harvest stack is 1-3 and adds an additional 2% for each stack.
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 Tower
Intelligence increases All Resistance 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.
​
Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for a higher life percent and additional toughness.
​
Powers
Weapon: Echoing Fury
Slaying enemies engulfs the wielder into a Frenzy.
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 against elites by 50%.
​
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Intellect > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > Armor
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Intellect > Vitality > Area Damage > Armor
Legs: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > % Damage to Corpse Spiders
Waist: Intellect > Vitality > % Damage to Corpse Spider > Armor
Bracers: Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Poison Damage %
Feet: Intellect > Vitality > Armor > All Resistance
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Spirit of Arachyr Tips
1. Make sure to maintain 5 stacks of Soul Harvest at all times for survival.
2. Use Spirit Walk frequently to make use of the damage increase and mobility granted by Shukrani's Triumph.
3. The Unity ring which provides 50% 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 Spirit of Arachyr Set Witch Doctor is capable of 100+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
​​​
Honorable Mention: Witch Doctor Legacy of Dreams (Spirit Barrage) Level 98+
The Legacy of Dreams Spirit Barrage Witch Doctor is a solid LoD build and is the honorable mention.
​​
Legendary Gems
Legacy of Dreams
Legendaries increase damage and reduce damage taken without sets equipped. Double this effect for Ancients.
Bane of the Stricken
Enemies hit by your attacks suffer a stacking damage taken increase. Damage against bosses increases by 25%.
Esoteric Alteration
Gain non-physical damage resistance and while below 50% health increase elemental resistances by 75%.
​
Equipment
Weapon: Sacred Harvestor
Soul Harvest now stacks up to 10 times.
Mojo: Gazing Demise
The damage of Spirit Barrage is increased by 150% and gains the Phantasm rune which will last twice as long, and the attack rate of Manitou spectres is increased.
Helm: Leoric's Crown
Doubles the effect of gems 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 restored to life with 25% health and cause nearby enemies to run in fear.
Legs: Blackthorne Jousting Mail
Elemental 20% damage increase.
Bracers: Lakumba's Ornament
Reduce all damage taken by 60% if your Soul Harvest stack is 1-3 and adds an additional 2% for each stack.
Hands: Stone Gauntlets
Getting hit increases your armor by 50% stacking up to 5 times. Negative effects are negated by Ice Climbers.
Belt: Belt of Transcendence
Summon a fetish sycophant each time you hit with a mana spender.
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
Rotates through damage types and gives a 200% damage increase for 4 seconds.
Amulet: Hellfire Amulet
Gain a free random passive skill from the character class that creates the amulet.
​
Potion
Bottomless Potion of the Tower
Intelligence increases All Resistance 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.
​
Helm Socket
Flawless Royal Amethyst
A Flawless Royal Amethyst is recommended for a higher life percent and additional toughness.
​
Powers
Weapon: The Barber
Spirit Barrage now deals 500% increased damage on explosion to all enemies within 15 yards.
Armor: Frostburn
Cold skills deal 20% increased damage and have a 50% chance to freeze the enemy.
Ring/Amulet: Ring of Emptiness
You deal 300% increased damage against enemies affected by your Locust Swarm.
Seasonal: The Furnace
Gives 50% increased damage against elites.
​
Item Stat Priority
Helm: Intellect > Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
Body: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > Armor
Hands: Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage
Shoulders: Intellect > Vitality > Area Damage > Armor
Legs: Sockets > Intellect > Vitality > Armor
Waist: Intellect > Vitality > Armor > Life %
Bracers: Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance > Cold Damage %
Feet: Intellect > Vitality > Movement Speed > % Damage to Spirit Barrage
Amulet: Socket > Vitality > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance
Rings: Socket > Intellect > Vitality > Critical Strike Chance
​
Legacy of Dreams Spirit Barrage Tips
1. Make sure to always have 10 stacks of Soul Harvest for survival.
2. The Ice Climbers boots negate all of the negative effects on the Stone Gauntlets.
3. The Hellfire Amulet can be switched with an Eye of Etlich amulet for an effect similar to a defensive passive.
4. You can switch the Swampland Attunement passive which provides all resistances to the Pierce the Veil passive which provides increased damage on the final push for rankings.
Note: The Legacy of Dreams Spirit Barrage Witch Doctor is capable of 98+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.
​
Recommended Mercenary
Templar
Weapon: Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker
Slows enemies attacks and movement speed.
Templar Relic: Enchanting Favor
Follower cannot die.
Shield: Freeze of Deflection
Blocks have a chance of a 1.5 second Freeze.
Helm: Blind Faith
Chance of Blinding enemies on hit.
Shoulders: Homing Pads (Emanates)
Town portal is uninterruptable and while casting town portal you gain a protective shield.
Gloves: Gloves of Worship (Emanates)
Shrine effects last 10 minutes.
Bracers: Nemesis Bracers (Emanates)
Pylons spawn an enemy champion.
Waist: Cord of the Sherma
Chance to blind and slow enemies for 4 seconds.
Boots: Ice Climbers
Immune to freeze and Immobilize effects.
Ring 1: Unity
Splits damage taken with the wearer of 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.
​
Feel free to check out the other sections of the site for more on Diablo III Hardcore:
Diablo III Advanced Tips and Tricks
And that's all for the Witch Doctor Top 5 Hardcore Guide. Better items await you in Greater Rifts!
​
