A death sentry build focused on using Death Sentry exclusively, with detailed gear, stats, and playstyle advice for Project Diablo 2.
Death Sentry Assassin Guide (S7)
Intro
Hi there,
I’d like to share the build I’m playing right now (S7). Maybe you’ll like it too (and also keep the claws I need, plz). Also, more builds for the wiki is always a good thing :)
TL;DR: this is a death sentry build that uses Death Sentry exclusively. Nothing else. Ever. (In fact, I reposition with Dragon Flight sometimes, but that’s our little dirty secret, right?)
Wait, how do you make corpses?
I’ll answer this question. When I’m ready. To tell you. About Gut Siphon strafe A1 mercs. Oh shit. Said it.
Project Diablo 2 Changes
Ability Changes
Basically, less % corpse damage, more flat damage, and +% fire damage works. More here.
Viability
Can I level as this build?: Yes, I tried, it worked, but it was pretty slow compared to WoF.
Early Ladder Viable: Yes, pretty cheap gear honestly.
End Game Solo Viable: Yes. Clears high density maps / T3 maps with very average gear.
End Game Group Viable: Not tested.
Hardcore Viable: Not tested.
Uber Trist Viable: Probably not.
Uber Diablo Clone Viable: Probably not.
If I had to use DarkHumility’s ratings, I’d probably say this is an A- build. It is very good in high-density contexts, and its dual element (physical + fire) damage is very comfortable, but you rely on the merc to create corpses, so there’s a small delay to moving forward in maps. You will appreciate the very cheap itemization though - probably one of the best bang for your bucks you can have.
Early Ladder Gear
Make sure your merc can kill stuff. Explode it.
End Game Gear
My armory if you want to see it (pretty cheap and T3 capable)
I’m not rich, but I run T3 maps. The build just works, mates. Armory Link
Weapons
2 claws with high +assa or +traps and +3 DS, ideally Runic Talons.
If they have high IAS, you can even trade Treachery for something else, which might be nice, maybe.
Honestly, there’s no real alternative here imo. Even Plague is worse. So keep those claws!
Helm
High +skills helm, ideally with FRW
Andy face maybe?
Armor
Treachery
Alternatives: Skin of the Vipermagi / Skullder’s Ire / Enigma
Amulet
High +traps and/or +assa amulet
Mara’s Kaleidoscope
Rings
Stone of Jordan (SoJ)
Anything really
Gloves
I run Chance Guards :p
Just pick anything really. Rare ones are probably BiS.
Belt
Arachnid Mesh is probably BiS
Goldwrap
Verdungo’s Hearty Cord
Rare ones are also great
Boots
Waterwalk
Shadow Dancer
Rares maybe?
Corruptions and Charms
Corruptions: FBR, CBF, and FHR are nice and cheap
Charms: skillers!!!
Mercenary
Act 1 with Strafe (and nothing else, we really need Strafe)
Gut Siphon (needs 8 more IAS somewhere and you’re at max IAS)
Add whatever damage reduction and leech/damage you can put so the thing survives and heals
Whaaaat whaaat whaaat? 12% isn’t enough! Not gonna work
Well, Strafe is fast. Real fast. So, yeah, it works. It just does.
Stats and Skills
20 Death Sentry
40 in synergies
20 Shadow Master (you need a tank so the A1 merc can reposition and shoot)
2 points in Weapon Block (for those 2% FBR we need to reach 32)
Then Fade
I suppose BoS could be an option too, but I ran Fade. Don’t judge me.
Breakpoints
FBR: 32 (30 + 2 from Weapon Block)
IAS: 42
FHR: 27/48/86
Farming Locations
Maps (you have fire + physical damage so most maps work great).
Before that, the Pit, and Chaos Sanctuary are fine, but you really need high density for this build to start shining.
Playstyle
Jump in with Dragon Flight.
Cast Death Sentries.
Wait for A1 merc to proc Desecrate and/or kill something with bolts.
Profit.
Repeat.
Note: you have Wake of Inferno for bosses, even though you can very well use DS alone since your merc procs corpses.
Feedback
Great game, mates. Thanks. I like that I can come up with stupid builds and run T3 maps with those.
Having stuff proc Desecrate is cool and honestly, it could also be other items and/or A4 mercs because it opens up interesting stuff. That said, for this build to work, no change is needed really.