DeathSentryAssassinGuide

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.

Update July 2024

This guide was initially written by Zagdem on reddit and was moved here on July 2024.

Project Diablo 2 Changes

Ability Changes Basically, less % corpse damage, more flat damage, and +% fire damage works. More here.

Viability

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.

• 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.

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 This is where we start the guide. Use Gut Siphon and its 12% chance to cast Desecrate.

• 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.

Thanks. Simple as that.