Phoenix Strike Assassin

Here's a guide for creating a Phoenix Strike Assassin build in Diablo II: Resurrected (D2R).

Phoenix Strike Assassin Build Guide

Overview:

The Phoenix Strike build focuses on the Martial Arts skill tree, particularly using Phoenix Strike for its elemental damage and mobility. This build excels in dealing high single-target damage and can also clear groups effectively with the right setup.

Skill Allocation

Primary Skills:

  1. Phoenix Strike (Max this first)
    • Allows you to unleash powerful fire, lightning, and cold damage.
    • It has three charges that need to be built up.
  2. Claw Mastery (Max this)
    • Increases your damage with claws.
  3. Weapon Block (1 point)
    • Useful for blocking attacks with your weapon if using claws.
  4. Burst of Speed (1 point)
    • Improves your mobility, allowing for quicker hits and escape.
  5. Shadow Master (1-10 points)
    • The Shadow Master can provide helpful crowd control and additional damage.
  6. Fade (1 point)
    • Boosts your resistances and damage reduction.
  7. Death Sentry (1-20 points)
    • An excellent skill for dealing with groups of enemies via corpse explosions.

Example Skill Distribution:

  • Phoenix Strike: 20
  • Claw Mastery: 20
  • Death Sentry: 20
  • Weapon Block: 1
  • Burst of Speed: 1
  • Fade: 1
  • Shadow Master: 10

Stat Allocation

  1. Strength: Enough for your gear (usually 75-100).
  2. Dexterity: Enough to maximize your chance to block (around 200-250, depending on gear).
  3. Vitality: Invest the remainder into vitality for more health and survivability.
  4. Energy: Usually, do not invest any points here, as it can be managed with gear.

Gear Suggestions

Weapons:

  • Runeword Claws: "Chaos" or "Fury" for added damage and skills.
  • Unique Claws: "Bartuc's Cut-Throat" or "Shadow Killer" can be good.

Armor:

  • Enigma (for teleportation) or Fortitude (for damage).
  • Chains of Honor: Great for resistances and skills.

Helm:

  • Crown of Ages (for skills and defense).
  • Nightwing's Veil (for cold damage and skills).

Belts:

  • Verdungo's Hearty Cord (for vitality and damage reduction).
  • String of Ears (for damage reduction and lifesteal).

Gloves:

  • Magefist (for faster cast rate) or Bloodfist (for life and faster hit recovery).

Boots:

  • Shadow Dancer (for stealth and skills).
  • Gore Rider (for damage and chance to cast).

Rings/Amulet:

  • Look for +Assassin skills, +Stats, FCR, and resistances on rings and amulets.

Playstyle Tips

  1. Charge Up: Use Phoenix Strike’s charges to build up before unleashing the final attack.
  2. Mobility: Utilize Burst of Speed effectively to navigate the battlefield quickly.
  3. Crowd Control: Use Death Sentry for crowd control and to clear groups efficiently.
  4. Positioning: Stay mobile to avoid damage, and try to strike from a distance when necessary.