Paladin Hammerdin Guide

The Hammerdin Paladin (Hammerdin) is the quintessential Paladin build that uses Blessed Hammer to create spinning hammers of magic damage while Concentration aura amplifies damage output. Blessed Hammer provides excellent area coverage and magic damage while Vigor aura enhances mobility for positioning. This versatile build excels at all content including magic find runs, boss killing, and general farming, offering the classic "holy warrior" playstyle with devastating spinning hammers and exceptional survivability through defensive auras.

First thing to do is allocate 1 point in the following Skills: Salvation, Resist Fire, Resist Cold, Resist Lightning, Meditation, Redemption, Cleansing, Vigor, Might, Prayer, Defiance, Holy Bolt, Blessed Aim, Smite, Holy Shield, Sacrifice, Zeal, Vengeance, Conversion, Holy Wrath, Sanctuary, Fist of the Heavens, and Blessed Recovery. After this max out the following Skills: Blessed Hammer, Concentration, Vigor, Holy Shield. With your extra points, max out Blessed Aim for attack rating and then put remaining points into Magic prerequisites or Salvation for resistances.

When it comes to your Attributes, start with acquiring a Hellfire Torch and an Annihilus Charm. Put those in your inventory and then add Strength, enough to wear your gear. Add Dexterity to reach Max Block with Holy Shield active (75% block chance). Energy is not necessary with proper gear and Insight mercenary, the rest of your points should go into Vitality for maximum life and survivability.

Best Weapon choices include Heart of the Oak Runeword in a Flail for +3 All Skills, 40% Faster Cast Rate, and resistances for maximum hammer damage, or Wizardspike for 50% Faster Cast Rate and resistances. Suicide Branch is a budget option with +1 All Skills and Faster Cast Rate. Shield wise, Herald of Zakarum is Best in Slot for +2 Paladin Skills and +2 Combat Skills specifically, or Spirit Sacred Targe for +2 Skills and 35% Faster Cast Rate. When it comes to your Armor, Enigma Runeword in a Mage Plate base is Best in Slot for +2 Skills and Teleport utility for positioning hammers. Skin of the Vipermagi is excellent for +1 Skills and 30% Faster Cast Rate. Que-Hegan's Wisdom provides +1 Skills and magic damage reduction. Helmet, Harlequin Crest is ideal for +2 Skills, Life, and Mana for maximum hammer effectiveness, or Lore Runeword as a budget +1 Skills option. For Gloves, Magefist provides +1 Fire Skills and 20% Faster Cast Rate for hammer casting, or Trang-Oul's Claws for 20% Faster Cast Rate and cold resist. For the Belt, Arachnid Mesh is perfect for +1 Skills and 20% Faster Cast Rate to enhance hammer damage, or Goldwrap for 30% Extra Gold and 10% Faster Cast Rate. When it comes to Boots, War Traveler for Magic Find and strength/vitality bonuses, or Sandstorm Trek for Faster Hit Recovery and poison resist. Rings, Stone of Jordan provides +1 Skills and mana for hammer spam, pair with Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band for +1 Skills and Life Leech. Amulet you can opt for Mara's Kaleidoscope for +2 Skills and resistances, Tal Rasha's Adjudication for +2 Skills and magic find, or a rare amulet with +2 Paladin Skills, Faster Cast Rate, and resistances.

For your inventory, focus on Paladin Skill Charms with +Combat Skills and life bonuses to maximize hammer damage. Small Charms with 7% Magic Find and resistances or life and resistances for efficient farming. Faster Cast Rate Small Charms help reach the 125% FCR breakpoint for optimal hammer casting speed. Mana Small Charms support hammer spam. Gheeds Fortune for Magic Find, Gold Find, and reduced vendor prices.

Mercenary wise, an Act 2 Nightmare Offensive mercenary with Might Aura amplifies your hammer damage significantly, or Act 2 Nightmare Prayer mercenary for Prayer Aura life regeneration. For Weapon, Insight Runeword in a Thresher base is essential for Meditation Aura to support hammer spam, or Infinity Runeword for Conviction Aura magic penetration. Helmet options include Vampire Gaze for Damage Reduction and Life Leech, or Andariel's Visage for Attack Speed and Strength. Armor you want Fortitude Runeword in an Ethereal Sacred Armor base for mercenary survivability and damage, or Treachery Runeword for Attack Speed and Fade proc to keep your mercenary alive during hammer casting.