[S4] Phoenix Strike Assassin PD2 Build for Season 4 - Odealo (2024)

Phoenix Strike's Damage scales with its Skill Levels, so you want to get as many Skill levels (Assassin/Martial Arts) as possible to increase the build's overall power level.Resistances are also important, but they should never come before the offensive power. Defensive stats, like faster hit recovery, are a nice addition but you should not choose gearfor them specifically.

HELMETS

Harlequin Crest(Shako) - You can't ever go wrong with Shako, especially if your buildrequires you to stack additional Skill levels. This Helmet gives you everything you might want - +2 to all skills, damage reduction, magic find, and some attributes.

• Defense: 98 to 141
• Required Level: 62
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 20
  • +2 to All Skills
  • +1-99 to Life(1 per character level)
  • +1-99 to Mana(1 per character level)
  • Damage Reduced By 3-5% (varies)
  • 50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
  • +2 to All Attributes

Delirium(Rune Word) - This Runeword will give you a solid boost to Magic Find and +2 to Skill Levels, which makes it very comparable to the first recommended option. It is a good alternative if you don't like the Harlequin Crest.

• Defense:Depends on base Helmet
• Required Level: 51
• Required Strength:Depends on base Helmet
• Durability:Depends on base Helmet
• Lem + Ist + Io
  • +261 Defense
  • +10 Vitality
  • +2 to All Skills
  • Level 17 Attract (60 Charges)
  • 11% Chance to Cast Level 18 Confuse on Striking
  • 6% Chance to Cast Level 14 Mind Blast When Struck
  • 14% Chance to Cast Level 13 Terror When Struck
  • +50% Extra Gold from Monsters
  • 25% Better Chance of Finding Magic Items

Kira's Guardian (Tiara) - A very interesting Helmet that supplements the build's Damage by lowering enemy resistances (Phoenix Strike will benefit A LOT from this). It also increases your own resists by quite a lot. Moreover, it gives the most important stat of them all - Cannot Be Frozen

• Defense: 90 to 170
• Required Level: 77
• Required Strength: -
• Durability: 25
  • +50-120 Defense (varies)
  • 20% Faster Hit Recovery
  • Cannot Be Frozen
  • All Resistances +25-45 (varies)
  • -(5-10)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance (varies)
  • -(5-10)% to Enemy Cold Resistance (varies)
  • (5-10)% to Enemy Fire Resistance (varies)

WEAPONS

Bartuc's Cut-Throat (Greater Talons) - These Claws can give you up to +4 to Martial Arts Skills, which is massive. Moreover, they give a lot of bonus stats and have a solid 20% bonus to Attack Rating. You should go out of your way to obtain a pair of these.

• Damage: (97-121) To (182-226) (139.5-173.5 Avg)(Base Damage: 24-44)
• Required Level: 42
• Required Dexterity: 79
• Required Strength: 79
• Durability: 69
  • +200%-300% Enhanced Damage (varies)
  • Adds 25-50 Damage
  • 30% Faster Hit Recovery
  • 20% Bonus to Attack Rating
  • 5-9% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
  • +20 To Strength
  • +20 To Dexterity
  • +2 To Assassin Skill Levels
  • +1-2 To Martial Arts Skills (Assassin Only) (varies)

[Alternative/Budget]Magic Claws with +3 to Martial Arts. These can be purchased in Act V from Anya. Claws like this are enough for the early ladder and provide a nice early power boost.

• Damage: Depends on the Weapon
• Required Level: Varies
• Required Dexterity: Depends on the Weapon
• Required Strength: Depends on the Weapon
• Durability: Depends on the Weapon
  • +3 To Martial Arts (Assassin Only)

Stormshield(Monarch) - A BiS defensive option that will allow you to achieve Max Block. Pick it if you prefer a defensive playstyle.

• Defense: 136-519 (Depends on your level)
• Required Level: 73
• Required Strength: 156
• Durability: Indestructible
  • +3-371 Defense (+3.75/level)
  • 25% Increased Chance of Blocking
  • 35% Faster Block Rate
  • 20-30% Physical Damage Taken Reduction
  • +40-50% Cold Resist
  • +25% Lightning Resist
  • +20-30 Strength
  • Indestructible
  • Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 150-250 (varies)

Call to Arms(Rune Word) - This powerful Runeword will allow you to pre-buff yourself up with Warcries (buffs persist through weapon swap).

• Defense:Depends on base Weapon
• Required Level: 57
• Required Strength:Depends on base Weapon​​​​​
• Durability:Depends on base Weapon
• Amn • Ral • Mal • Ist
  • +1 to All Skills
  • +40% Increased Attack Speed
  • +250-290% Enhanced Damage
  • Adds 5-30 Fire Damage
  • 7% Life Stolen Per Hit
  • +2-6 To Battle Command
  • +1-6 To Battle Orders
  • +1-4 To Battle Cry
  • Prevent Monster Heal
  • Replenish Life +12
  • 30% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items

Lidless Wall(Grim Shield) - A very powerful Shield that grants up to +2 Skills and high FCR. Good to have on swap for that additional Skill Levels.

• Defense: 271 - 347
• Required Level: 41
• Required Strength: 58
• Durability: 70
  • +80-130% Enhanced Defense (varies)
  • +1-2 to All Skills (varies)
  • Increase Maximum Mana 10%
  • 20% Faster Cast Rate
  • +4-6 to Mana After Each Kill (varies)
  • +10 to Energy
  • +1 to Light Radius

AMULETS

Mara's Kaleidoscope- A great combination of offensive (+2 to all skills) and defensive (+20-30 to all resistances) properties. This is one of the best Amulets in PD2 overall and it fits most of the builds, which makes it a good investment.

• Required Level: 67
  • +2 To All Skills
  • All Resistances +20-30 (varies)
  • +5 To All Attributes

[Alternative]Rare/Magic Amulets with + Assassin/Martial Arts Skills are great budget choices and solid fillers before you are able to get Mara's Kaleidoscope.

• Required Level: varies.
• In Magic Amulets,look for:
  • +3 to Martial Arts
• In Rare Amulets, look for:
  • +2 Assassin Skills
  • Magic Find
  • Resistances
  • Attributes

ARMORS

Enigma(Runeword) - This powerful Chest Runeword provides everything you might want from an item, including +2 to All Skills, 3 charges of Blink, and a very nice boost to Magic Find

• Defense: Depends on base Armor
• Required Level: 65
• Required Strength: Depends on base Armor
• Durability: Depends on base Armor
• Jah + Ith + Ber
  • +2 To All Skills
  • +25% Faster Run/Walk
  • Level 1 Blink* (5/5 Charges)
    Replenish 1 Charge in 3 Seconds
  • +500-775 Defense (varies)
  • +[0-74] to Strength (+[0.5-0.75] per Character Level) (varies)
  • Increase Maximum Life 5%
  • Damage Reduced By 4%
  • 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
  • [0-74]% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items ([0.5-0.75]% per Character Level) (varies)

Chains of Honor(Runeword) - Very strong runeword that mixes solid defenses (resistances, leech, and enhanced def) with a nice +2 bonus to all Skills.

• Defense: Depends on base Armor
• Required Level: 65
• Required Strength: Depends on base Armor
• Durability: Depends on base Armor
• Dol + Um + Ber + Ist
  • +2 To All Skills
  • +200% Damage to Demons
  • +100% Damage to Undead
  • 8% Life stolen per hit
  • +70% Enhanced Defense
  • +20 Strength
  • Replenish Life +10
  • All Resistances +50-60 (varies)
  • Physical Damage reduced by 4%
  • 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Ormus' Robes(Dusk Shroud) - This Armor works verywell with Phoenix Strike, as it boosts Fire, Cold, and Lightning Damage. It also synergizes with Kira's Guardian quite nicely.

• Defense:361-467
• Required Strength:77
• Required Level:75
  • +20% Faster Cast Rate
  • +[10-15]% to Fire Skill Damage (varies)
  • +[10-15]% to Lightning Skill Damage (varies)
  • +[10-15]% to Cold Skill Damage (varies)
  • +3 to [Random Sorceress Skill*] (Sorceress Only)
  • +[10-20] Defense (varies)
  • Regenerate Mana [10-15]% (varies)

RINGS

Raven Frost- This ring provides Freeze immunity which is extremely important to have. If you have freeze immunity from another item (like the Kira's Guardian), you can choose a different ring.

• Required Level: 76
  • +150-250 Attack Rating (varies)
  • 15-45 Cold Damage
  • +15-20 Dexterity (varies)
  • +40 Mana
  • Cold Absorb 5-10% (varies)
  • Cannot be Frozen

Bul-Kathos Wedding Band- A great ring that adds +1 to Skills. It also increases stamina and gives some nice life steal.

• Required Level: 58
  • +1 To All Skills
  • + (0.5 Per Character Level) 0-49 To Life)
  • 3-5% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
  • +50 Maximum Stamina

The Stone of Jordan- One of the most iconic items in Diablo 2. It increases the level of all your Skills and your max Mana. A solid offensive choice.

• Required Level: 29
  • +1 to All Skills
  • Maximum Mana to 15-20%
  • Adds 1-120 Lightning Damage
  • +20-40 to Mana (varies)

GLOVES

Dracul's Grasp(Vampirebone Gloves) - These Gloves are great if you want extra attack speed and Life Leech. They also give a high strength bonus which is very convenient for choosing equipment for other gear slots.

• Defense: 125 - 145
• Required Level: 76
• Required Strength: -50
• Durability: 14
  • +90-120% Enhanced Defense (varies)
  • +10-15 to Strength (varies)
  • +5-10 Life After Each Kill (varies)
  • 25% Chance of Open Wounds
  • 7-10% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
  • 20% Increased Attack Speed

Bloodfist(Heavy Gloves) - A solid defensively focused choice that will give you +30% faster hit recovery, a solid boost to Life, and +10% Attack Speed.

• Defense: 17-18
• Required Level: 9
• Required Strength: -
• Durability: 14
  • +10-20% Enhanced Defense
  • +10 Defense
  • +10% Increased Attack Speed
  • +30% Faster Hit Recovery
  • +40 To Life
  • +5-10 to Maximum Damage
  • Melee Attacks Deal Splash Damage

BOOTS

Waterwalk(Sharkskin Boots) - These boots are a top pick if you're looking to boost your Run/Walk Speed and Stamina by a lot.

• Defense: 112-124
• Required Level: 32
• Required Strength: 47
• Kick Damage:28-50
• Durability: 14
  • +180-210% Enhanced Defense (varies)
  • 40% Faster Run/Walk
  • 20% Faster Block Rate
  • +15 to Dexterity
  • +5% to Maximum Fire Resist
  • Heal Stamina Plus 50%
  • +40 to Maximum Stamina
  • +45-65 to Life (varies)

War Traveler's(Battle Boots) - The best pair if you want to increases your Loot by boosting MF stat. They also provide decent Movement Speed and extra STR/VIT.

• Defense: 120-139
• Required Level: 42
• Required Strength: 95
• Kick Damage:37-64
• Durability: 48
  • +150-190% Enhanced Defense
  • 25% Faster Run/Walk
  • +10 to Vitality
  • +10 to Strength
  • Adds 15-25 Damage
  • +40% Slower Stamina Drain
  • Attacker Takes Damage Of 5-10
  • 30-50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

BELTS

Verdungo's Hearty Cord(Mithril Coil) - A very solid defensive option that offers a Faster Hit Recovery bonus,an insanely high boost to maximum stamina, and up to 40 (!) Vitality, but mostly, it gives up to 15% Reduced Damage.

• Defense: 125-158
• Potion Slots: 16
• Required Level: 63
• Required Strength: 106
• Durability: 16
  • +90-140% Enhanced Defense
  • 10% Faster Hit Recovery
  • +30-40 To Vitality
  • Replenish Life +10-13
  • +100-120 Maximum Stamina
  • Damage Reduced By 10-15%

Goldwrap(Heavy Belt) - An interesting choice for this build; it grants quite a lot of Attack Speed, some defense, and high Magic Find which is great for farming.

• Defense: 34-36
• Potion Slots: 12
• Required Level: 27
• Required Strength: 45
• Durability: 18
  • +40-60% Enhanced Defense (varies)
  • +25 Defense
  • 20% Increased Attack Speed
  • 20-40% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items (varies)
  • 50-80% Extra Gold From Monsters (varies)
  • +2 To Light Radius

Arachnid Mesh(Spiderweb Sash) - Top offensive choice for this build. +1 to All Skills will give you that extra bit of damage.

• Defense: 119-138
• Potion Slots: 16
• Required Level: 80
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 12
  • +90-120% Enhanced Defense
  • Slows Target by 20%
  • +1 To All Skills
  • +10-20% Faster Cast Rate
  • Maximum Mana 5-10%
  • Level 3 Venom (31 Charges)

CHARMS

1. Annihilus- This fabled Charm boosts yourSkills, Stats, and Resistances. It's the best Unique Small Charm, and it's limited to just 1 in your equipment.
2. Gheed's Fortune- The secret to Gheed's wealth and prosperity. Pretty much a must-have if you're after the best available charms. It adds 80-160% extra gold from monsters, reduces vendor prices by up to 15%, and gives up to 40% better magic find.
3. Hellfire Torch- The BiS Unique Large Charm that increases your Vitality, Skills, and more.
4. Grand Charms - These should have +Martial Arts.
5. Small Charms- With these, you should get your desired Resistances, bonuses to Life, or bonuses to Magic Find - whatever suits your needs, basically.

MERCENARY

We recommend picking up Act 2 Defiance Mercenary for extra damage mitigation bonuses. He should be equipped with:

1. InfinityRune Word in Ethereal Spear - This provides Conviction Aura, which reduces the defenses and resistances of nearby enemies and offers very high bonus damage. A top (and expensive) choice for any Act2 merc build. It will greatly increase your own Damage, as lowering enemy resistances has a strong synergy with Phoenix Strike.
2. FortitudeRune Word in Armor - This will ensure that your merc doesn't die (it will make him almost immortal).
3. Steelrend Gloves - For massive damage bonus and Crushing Blow.
4. Andariel's Visage - An extremely solid and versatile headgear that will make your merc better in all respects.
5. String of Ears- Very high damage reduction and excellent survivability boost.
6. Goblin Toe - For extra damage and the chance for a crushing blow.