Diablo 4 Season 8 Best Class Tier List (Patch 2.2.0 PTR)

Season 8 of Diablo IV brings exciting changes with Patch 2.2.0, here we provide a detailed tier list of the best classes in D4 Season 8 & 2.2.0 PTR, analyzing their performance and potential in the new patch. Whether you're testing the PTR or preparing for the Season 8 official release, experimenting with top classes will help you find the playstyle that suits you best.

Diablo 4 Patch 2.2.0 PTR Class Changes

The Diablo 4 Patch 2.2.0 Public Test Realm (PTR) offers players a chance to preview and test upcoming changes and features for Season 8, before its official release. Running from March 11 to March 18, 2025, the PTR introduces a variety of updates, including a rework of lair bosses with new boss powers, new unique items and legendary aspects in D4, and class balance changes across all character classes. Players can also experience seasonal events, such as the Apparition Incursion Events, where they battle Belial's illusory spawns. This PTR provides an excellent opportunity for players to explore new content and share feedback ahead of the season's launch.

1. Rogue 

Buffs

• Damage buffs for Poison Trap and Death Trap.

• New Unique Item: Ire Rogue Gloves which enhance poison traps and attack speed, allowing for significant damage output.

2. Sorceress 

Buffs:

• Skills like Crackling Energy and Meteor have received unspecified boosts.

• New Unique Item: Glass Helm which increases Ice Shard ranks and damage per hit, enhancing boss fight potential.

3. Spiritborn 

Buffs:

• Rushing Claw and Storm Feathers have been focused on improvements.

• New Unique Item: Amulet of the Firehawk which enhances resistance and movement speed, creating a firestorm effect with Storm Feathers.

4. Necromancer

Nerfs:

• Major nerf to Kyrsan's Legacy Trousers, impacting the effectiveness of Blood Wave.

Buffs:

• Blood Lance has been improved for single-target damage.

• New Unique Item: Sevengore, Blade of Zir, which boosts minion damage and allows Army of the Dead to deal double damage.

5. Barbarian

Buffs:

• Skills like Double Swing, Whirlwind, and Mighty Throw have received enhancements, focusing more on physical damage.

• New Unique Item: Steel Grasp Gloves which grants +Mighty Throw ranks, Critical Damage, Fury per second, and Cooldown Reduction (CDR). Every 12 seconds, the next Mighty Throw detonates, dealing significant damage.

6. Druid

Nerfs:

• Cataclysm snapshotting has been made harder, affecting its usability for new players.

Buffs:

• Stone Burst has received unspecified buffs.

• New Unique Item: Helm of Humanity's Wrath which enhances Spirit, armor, and movement speed, and provides a buff after critting 200 enemies.

Diablo 4 Season 8 Best Class Tier List (Patch 2.2.0 PTR)

The Rogue emerges as the strongest class, thanks to significant buffs and versatile builds. Sorcerers and Spiritborns remain competitive, with meaningful improvements and exciting new mechanics. Meanwhile, Necromancers and Barbarians hold their ground in the B Tier, and Druids continue to face challenges despite minor buffs.

1. Rogue - S Tier

The Rogue class is going to rise to the top in Diablo 4 Season 8 thanks to significant buffs to trap builds, especially the Poison Trap. Rogues become even more potent with the new boss power system. The ability to incorporate powerful boss abilities as either main powers or modifiers perfectly complements their already strong kit. This class provides an excellent starting point for new players and remains strong through the leveling, you can build your Rogue for different play styles, with consistent damage output, it may help you defeat the enemies in Apparition Incursions easily.

2. Sorcerer - A Tier

Sorcerer receives meaningful improvements to Ice Shard, Crackling Energy, and Meteor builds. While not getting dramatic multiplier increases, the focus on improving synergies and interactions between effects makes their gameplay more cohesive. The new boss power system particularly benefits their ranged playstyle, and the ability to channel powerful effects like the Wandering Death's cold beam adds significant tactical options to their arsenal.

3. Spiritborn - A Tier

Spiritborn maintains strong performance with targeted improvements to Rushing Claw and an exciting new Storm Feathers build that creates a scaling fire aura. While not overpowered, their balanced state from Season 7 serves as a solid foundation for the new season's mechanics. Spiritborns retain their signature speed and fun gameplay and will be effective in the new Apparition Incursions content.

4. Necromancer - B Tier

Compared to the previous season, Necromancer will drop to the B tier in D4 Season 8 PTR as it gets significant nerfs to the Kyrsan's Legacy Trousers item and Blood Wave build. However, they receive compensatory buffs to Blood Lance for better single-target damage and interesting new minion mechanics, including exploding skeletons and Vampiric Curse interactions. The new Army of the Dead build potential keeps them viable but no longer dominant.

5. Barbarian - B Tier

Barbarian receives focused improvements to their direct damage abilities, with buffs to Double Swing, Whirlwind, and Mighty Throw. The emphasis on making players feel the impact of their attacks directly, rather than through summoned effects, improves the class fantasy. The 200% ultimate damage cap affects them less than other classes, keeping them solidly competitive.

6. Druid - C Tier

Despite improvements to Stone Burst and the addition of a new human form casting option, Druids still face challenges. The removal of Cataclysm snapshotting, while healthy for gameplay, initially impacts their damage potential. However, the new boss power system might offer them interesting combinations, though they'll likely still struggle with mobility issues compared to other classes.