Top 5 Hardcore Witch Doctor Guide

Witch Doctor Top 5 Hardcore Guide

1. Spirit of Arachyr Set (Corpse Spiders) Level 106+

The top spot goes to the Spirit of Arachyr Corpse Spider Witch Doctor with an excellent offense and defense capable of clearing well above 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 wile 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 25,000%. 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 Corpse Spider bites increase damage by 1% for 5 seconds.

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 with your follower when they are equipped with 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

Intellect increases All Resistance which makes Armor more valuable for Intellect 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.

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 > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Vitality

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 from Shukrani's Triumph.

3. If you would like additional toughness you can equip the Sacred Harvester weapon and the Spider Queen's Grasp weapon can be used as your weapon cube power in the place of Echoing Fury.

4. You can switch the Swampland Attunement passive which provides resistances to the Confidence Ritual passive which gives 25% increased damage to enemies within 20 yards on the final push for rankings.

Note: The Spirit of Arachyr Set Witch Doctor is capable of 106+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

2. Zunimassa's Haunt Set (Poison Dart) Level 104+

The second place spot goes to the Zunimassa's Haunt Poison Dart Witch Doctor which is only outclassed by the Spirit of Arachyr set for use 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: 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 15,000% 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.

Belt: String of Ears

Gain 30% melee damage reduction.

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.

Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Tower

Intellect increases All Resistance which makes Armor more valuable for Intellect 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 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 with your follower when they are equipped with a "follower cannot die" relic.

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 > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Vitality

Zunimassa's Haunt 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 also have the option of using The Witching Hour which has Attack Speed and Critical Strike Damage for more damage to push higher Greater Rifts.

3. You can switch the Swampland Attunement passive which provides resistances to the Confidence Ritual passive which provides 25% increased damage to enemies within 20 yards on the final push for rankings.

Note: The Zunimassa's Haunt Set Witch Doctor is capable of 104+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

3. Mundunugu's Regalia Set (Spirit Barrage) Level 102+

Mundunugu's Regalia was improved by a slight buff to Spirit Barrage in Season 28 and takes the number three spot for Hardcore Witch Doctors.

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 20,000% 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: String of Ears

Gain 30% melee damage reduction.

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 with your follower when they are equipped with 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

Intellect increases All Resistance which makes Armor more valuable for Intellect 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.

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 > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Vitality

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 also have the option of using The Witching Hour which has Attack Speed and Critical Strike Damage for more damage to push higher Greater Rifts.

3. You can switch the Swampland Attunement passive which provides resistances to the Confidence Ritual passive which provides 25% increased damage to enemies within 20 yards on the final push for rankings.

Note: The Mundunugu's Regalia Set Witch Doctor is capable of 102+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

4. Helltooth Harness Set (Zombie Bears) Level 100+

The Helltooth Harness Witch Doctor is a strong contender and takes the number four spot on the rankings for Hardcore.

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 increases 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 17,500% increased damage for 15 seconds to your primary skills, Zombie Charger, Pirahanas, 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: String of Ears

Gain 30% melee damage reduction.

Ring: Unity

Splits damage with your follower when they are equipped with 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

Intellect increases All Resistance which makes Armor more valuable for Intellect 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: 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.

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 Bears

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

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Vitality

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 String of Ears belt is a strong defensive item but you also have the option of using The Witching Hour which has Attack Speed and Critical Strike Damage for more damage to push higher Greater Rifts.

Note: The Helltooth Harness Set Witch Doctor is capable of 100+ without a full offensive setup and before augmenting ancient items.

5. Witch Doctor Legacy of Dreams (Spirit Barrage) Level 98+

The Legacy of Dreams Spirit Barrage Witch Doctor is solid and ranks fifth on the list for the best Witch Doctor builds in Hardcore.

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 stacks can now be stacked to 10 stacks.

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 with your follower when they are equipped with a "follower cannot die" relic.

Ring 2: Convention of Elements

Occasional 200% elemental damage increase.

Amulet: Hellfire Amulet

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

Potion

Bottomless Potion of the Tower

Intellect increases All Resistance which makes Armor more valuable for Intellect 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.

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 > Critical Strike Damage > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect

Rings: Socket > Critical Strike Chance > Intellect > Critical Strike Damage

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 changed to the Eye of Etlich amulet which is easier to obtain and provides an effect similar to a defensive passive.

4. You can switch the Swampland Attunement passive which provides resistances to the Confidence Ritual passive which provides 25% increased damage to enemies within 20 yards 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)