Diablo 3 Season 24 is finally upon us and it's time to start deciding which class you want to play for the next few months. This new season introduced Ethereal Weapons and they've had a big say on the games new Season 24 Tier List. There's been a fair few ups and downs this season, that's for sure.
Of course, if you're planning to earn that Ethereal Weapon Transmog you're going to need to play as all classes anyway to earn all 21; so knowing how to farm ethereal weapons fast will also be handy.
But if there's one thing we know, fans are tribal. It's not enough to know the top 10 builds in Diablo 3 Season 24. Fans want to know who is the best class in Diablo 3 Season 24? Who is the strongest character? And what's the best class to play in Diablo 3's upcoming season?
That's why we've decided to rank all classes - Barbarian, Crusader, Demon Hunter, Monk, Necromancer, Witch Doctor and Wizard - so we can know once and for who is the best class in Season 24. Especially for those interested in Solo Greater Rift pushing.
So without further ado, here's how each of the seven classes fares in Season 24, ranked from least to most efficient.
7. Barbarian
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+ 7We have a feeling this is going to be an unpopular opinion, but the Barbarian is, in our eyes, the weakest class of Season 24. Yes, the Whirlwind Rend Build with the Wrath of the Wastes Set continues to sit among the top 10 builds of the season, but beyond this, the Barbarian doesn't make much of a splash in Season 24.
There's admittedly 3 A-Tier options for Barbarian fans to choose from, and considering A-Tier is typically only 5 GRS behind the S-Tier options, that's not the worst thing in the world. But at the end of the day, A-Tier options are not S-Tier options for a very good reason.
Considering the Waste Whirlwind Rend Barbarian has been around for a good few seasons now, it's time to consider something new. Namely, anything from one of the other 6 classes.
6. Witch Doctor
click to enlarge + 7The Witch Doctor has had a bit of a boost in Season 24. Both the Mundunugu Spirit Barrage Build and the Zunimassa Poison Dart Build are decent options and both make up the 10th and 9th best builds on our Season 24 Tier List.
Zunimassa could even push a little higher given enough practice from skilled players (time will tell on that), whilst the Mundungu is a little easier but still very effective.
Why is the Witch Doctor only 6th? A combination of not having enough options and not ranking high enough in our top 10. Still, a highly enjoyable class for Season 24.
5. Demon Hunter
click to enlarge + 7We've plumped for the Demon Hunter class over the Witch Doctor for no other reason than the incredible buff we've seen to the Gears of Dreadlands Hungering Arrow Build, which has gone up a whole two tiers since Season 23.
It is, admittedly, the only Demon Hunter option in the top 10, and even outside of S-Tier, there's no a lot of love for Demon Hunters - with only 1 A-Tier option.
However, what really gives the Demon Hunter the edge over the Witch Doctor class is the Ethereal weapon for Season 24. The Demon Hunter's Buriza-Do Kyanon Ballista is an absolute monster and easily the best Ethereal weapon in the game.
4. Necromancer
click to enlarge + 7The Necromancer finds itself in a strange middle ground for season 24. Sure, the Legacy of Dreams Corpse Explosion build is strong, ranking 4th on our top 10, but it's just not quite as powerful to edge out the three classes above it.
Plus with only one further S-Tier option, which ranks 13th best overal, there's just no reason to rank the Necromancer any higher in Season 24. It's good, but not quite good enough.
3. Crusader
click to enlarge + 7The Crusader has taken a slight hit to the rankings in Season 24. Though it's certainly not a shameful fall from grace, with the Crusader Aegis of Valor Heaven's Fury Build is now merely third-best in the new Season. Maybe if there was a two-handed Ethereal it might rank a little higher.
Likewise, the only other S-Tier build, the Legacy of Nightmares Bombardment Crusader, is tricky to gear and arguably only makes the S-Tier list based on how solid the Ethereal Redeemer weapon is. Without it, It might only be A-Tier.
As it stands, the Crusader comes in a respectable 3rd place for our Season 24 class rankings.
2. Wizard
click to enlarge + 7There's only two S-Tier Wizard builds in Season 24, but one of them, the Firebird Mirror Image, is easily the second strongest build of the new season.
It was already a solid pick in Season 23, but the Ethereal weapon, Wizardspike, has taken it up another notch.
Another reason we've opted for the Wizard in second place is the 11th placed build on the Tier list, the Legacy of Dreams Twister Wizard. It's worth noting, this build is hard to play with and requires top players to get the best out of it. However, it's not as much of a pain to gear like the Legacy of Nightmares Bombardment Crusader, nor is it as dependant on that Ethereal weapon.
So the Wizard earns its position within the top 2 in our eyes.
1. Monk
click to enlarge + 7Look no further, because the Monk is absolutely slaying it in Season 24.
This class has no fewer than 3 different options in the S-Tier rankings. The lowest of the bunch, Patterns of Justice Temple Rush, is a solid option and places 8th on our tier list. The Jade Talon ethereal weapon also goes some way to pushing it further up those rankings.
The second option, a brand new build for Season 24 is a rework of the Mystic Ally Inna Build and again, it's very strong, ranking 5th on our tier list.
But the best of the bunch, the granddaddy of the entire season, placing first on our tier list, is the Legacy of Dreams Wave of Light Monk. This devastatingly powerful build option has risen by a whopping two tiers since the last season and stands head and shoulders above anything else in the game this season.
With three excellent build options and two of the top 5, it's a no brainer that the Monk is the best class of Season 24.