Diablo 3 Primer: Class Attributes

As a crusading hero in Sanctuary, it’s important that you’re aware of which stats benefit your class the most. Many of the various item modifiers can benefit all classes equally, but there are some stats which you’ll want to pile on – depending upon your character class.

The following guide lists the core character attributes in Diablo 3, along with how the various classes benefit from each stat.

Barbarian

Barbarians do their damage up close and personal, so they need to be able to dish out the melee pain, while also being able to soak up some blows. Thankfully…the Barbarian’s bread and butter stat – strength – handles both. For Barbarians, strength increases damage done. Strength also increases armor for all classes.

Barbarians should be on the lookout for magic gear containing the suffix, “…of the Lion”.

Demon Hunter

Demon Hunters are agile and crafty, ranged damage dealers. They’re not designed to slug it out like a Barbarian – instead, the cunning Demon Hunter relies on dexterity to vanquish her foes. For the Demon Hunter, dexterity increases damage done. Dexterity also increases dodge chance for all classes.

Demon Hunters will want magic gear containing the suffix, “…of the Hawk”.

Monk

Although Monks are fierce melee fighters, they depend more upon swift orchestrated attacks, rather than sheer brute force. For this reason, Monks prefer dexterity over a stat like strength. For the Monk, dexterity increases damage done – same as the Demon hunter.

Monks should also be after magic gear containing the suffix, “…of the Hawk”.

Witch Doctor

Witch Doctors are voodoo spell-casters who utilize all sorts of dark magic to lay waste to their enemies. As opposed to the physical damage-dealing classes like the Barbarian, Demon Hunter and Monk, the Witch Doctor mostly be using his mind to unleash bad Ju-Ju upon his adversaries. For the Witch Doctor, intelligence increases damage done. Intelligence also increases resistances – for all classes.

Witch Doctors will want magic gear containing the suffix, “…of Focus”.

Wizard

Wizards are masters of the arcane – casters and conjurers – relying principally on spells in order to dispatch the forces of evil. Same as with the Witch Doctor – Wizards don’t have much use for physical damage stats such as strength or dexterity. For the Wizard, intelligence increases damage done – same as the Witch Doctor.

Wizards should also be on the lookout for magic gear containing the suffix, “…of Focus”.

All Classes

Apart from strength, dexterity and intelligence, there is one other prime attribute that all classes can benefit from…this is vitality. Vitality directly increases the amount of health a player has. 1 point of vitality equals 10 health.