Can the Paladin Beat Diablo 2 Without Gear?

I tried beating Diablo 2 without using ANY gear on my character. And to really push this challenge, I didn't stop after normal difficulty, but tried taking on all 3 difficulties.
This challenge was really tough and took a long time, but it was also fun to see how far it could be pushed.
It turns out that the Paladin is a really powerful character.
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#diablo2 #d2r #diablo2resurrected

[@Zechques]

I wish you had hovered over each gear slot so I could see the details of the items during the gear check

[@zarfen]

Haha! Sorry, that was an oversight on my part. Here’s a summary from memory: Weapon: Shield: Helm: Body armor: Gloves: Belt: Boots: Amulet Ring 1: Ring 2:

[@drachenklnd]

@@zarfen Thank you. I will try this build out.

[@playlists987]

I can't believe you got the rng needed to complete your build so early

[@_Tomon]

@@zarfenAre you sure about the Ring 1? There was cursor so we didn't see properly. You may have cheated :(

[@dark_luls]

@@zarfentoo rich for my blood! Maybe if I find an hr early next season!

[@ZolidarPwns]

Alternative Title: Holy Naked man and hired friend defeat the Devil and his Nefarious minions with nothing but their fists, and their imaginations.

[@Cloud185]

not once but three times

[@freedomfreedomhoi]

Naked man and friend fisting? Nah, I dunno 😂

[@residentgrey]

And gifts from faith

[@blacklight1104]

They also have the power of God and friendship on their side.

[@residentgrey]

@@blacklight1104 Any DM would willfully and passionately disagree. The hate for paladins is real! I KNOW BECAUSE I (jokingly) DO TOO!!

[@mininovaq]

It's been 25 years, and Paladin is still op.

[@Creech138]

“Not for damage… but for humiliation” 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Coooley]

Incredible video, man. Pleasure to watch all the way through. Love the original idea and story telling. Keep 'em coming!

[@zarfen]

Thank you so much, man! Really appreciate it.

[@feranks3211]

after all these years I didn't think I'd learn something new about this game. handy crafting recipe, kudos

[@razetw]

Reminds me of another challenge video where the character was not allowed to attack. Gear was allowed so it was all thorns and aura damage all the way. Thanks for the video!

[@Duckbombz]

yes, the pacifist built.

[@nrby9401]

Yes the Backlogs. He makes incredible Videos. By far my favorite youtuber.

[@joshburg7622]

Really enjoying all of your videos. super entertaining and you give so much background information when it comes to runewords and loot ingenerell. keep up the good work :)

[@zarfen]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@criticaltoast1]

I’ve played since ‘06 LoD, and it was nice to see such a fun/unique twist on a playthrough. Enjoyed watching all the way through to the end, good job homie.

[@thegutterpunk00]

You got me with the “well.” instantly subbed

[@JasonPegis]

Loving this challenge series, this was fun to watch!

[@dim953]

Hahaha amazing timing on that zoom out at 0:52 right as you said "well". Got an audible chuckle out of me.

[@Natasreficul6666]

Creative concept and a big challenge. I enjoyed watching this completely, and I commend you on great content! THANK YOU! Very well done!

[@zarfen]

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it.

[@Natasreficul6666]

@zarfen Also, loved the cube recipe you shared for polearms! I used that this ladder season!

[@zarfen]

That’s awesome! @natasreficul6666

[@lordtony8276]

Meanwhile I can't beat hell ancients in 30 minutes with a power leveled sorc wearing the best gear I could find up to that point.

[@popkapocahontas]

Hah, I don't remember that i'm defeat a game on hell difficulty even once...

[@alvajohnson8822]

Static is your friend 😉

[@gl000be]

Its impossible with 60-70 percent of affix combinations

[@gamer_aka_modern4975]

Nice job . Seriously thanks for the video. I never would have thought holy bolt would have been able to carry you so well. Bravo man

[@zarfen]

Thank you for your kind comment!

[@owningkoning]

In the old diablo2 it wouldnt have cuz it was undead only

[@Mongraincobhc666]

Always looking forward your next videos. They are very good. Keep it up :)

[@Agon1stt]

What a great watch this was, you structure your videos in a way thats glueing me to what you are presenting

[@zarfen]

Thanks!

[@francisbeaurivage6867]

You are one heck of a player doing this. Massive respect man.Might be one of the best Diablo 2 player out there.

[@LumenPsycho]

You got great humor (lol'ed at the start when you went the wrong way & when you decided to update the viewers with your gear setup which was just an empty page; this is the time in the video where I wrote the comment). Your speechcraft is quite impressive & somewhat interesting to listen to. My instincts tell me you'll find success. Keep it up.

[@Jonny-ru7ky]

I havent played d2 since the early 2010's but its very enjoyable to watch you. Nicely edited and great naration! Emilio definatly diserves a raise

[@zarfen]

Thanks! Haha yeah, I hope he gets a cut on all the gold I paid to resurrect him.

[@user-hj5cn8pp2l]

this video perfectly shows how op the pal is

[@edk1098]

Really nice to Watch! Thx for the video

[@greggen63]

Great challenge vid. I'm very surprised you managed to beat Hell this way. GG!

[@TickleFFA]

Great video! Dedication at its finest. Watched the whole thing! ❤❤

[@zarfen]

Thank you!

[@SebastianGraves]

Insane lol. Well done man. That must have been very painful at times.

[@zarfen]

It was a grind for sure, but holy bolt + sanctuary helped A LOT.

[@ozalishar9300]

Just got this video recommended and blitzed the channel I think ill go try D2R with mods this time Thank you for this amazing content ❤

[@Y0sh1no5am]

U should try this challenge with all the characters. Ur dialogues and documentary are awesome to listen to.

[@zarfen]

Thanks a lot! I would have never considered making this a series… but maybe, I’ll consider it!

[@Reaper_One]

Excellent job with this challenge. It was fun to watch :)

[@zarfen]

Thanks! Glad you liked it

[@earthling1984]

DIablo 2 is a great game. Played it like 2 decades ago all the time. I only played in Hardcore mode once it was introduced (if you die, you lose your character, items, everything). Had level 99's of all characters, including expansion characters. Still pick it up ever few years to play though, of course still on Hardcore mode. No way you can make it through that without gear.

[@Northbreeze]

This as well as the challenge where you beat the game by only buying gear from vendors are some of the most interesting Diablo 2 videos I have watched in a very, very long time! Thanks for your content!

[@zarfen]

Thank you! I’m glad you liked them

[@Omairi86]

Man i really enjoyed the journey, good job

[@mroberts7117]

Look up Mr.Llamasc. Before D2R came out he took a Punch Barb to Hell, using gear, but no merc or weapon. And he did a Pacifist Paladin a few times.

[@NurseTony]

That was really really fun lol. Great challenge and great video.

[@zarfen]

Thank you!

[@DarkKyugara]

I would love to see this challenge with other classes, it's a great video, and nicely done.

[@zarfen]

Thanks! I’ll definitely consider it, the response to this video has been great.

[@pauliusgecas472]

great video! enjoyed every second of it.

[@zarfen]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@user-vy2qr8ce5n]

Good video sir. In a world where I find myself sticking to my comfort zone, it felt good to hear a new voice having fun with the game. Subscribed.

[@tamasczuczor1164]

Congratulations! it was very enjoyable.

[@davidjeffery3532]

Man this was a great video. Really enjoyed it. Subbed

[@zarfen]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@rcarson15]

That is straight up insane.. good for you!

[@zarfen]

😁

[@akirasakoda4154]

Love your challenge runs ❤

[@zarfen]

Thank you! I have a lot of fun making them so there will definitely be more in the future

[@polykaya6073]

Your channel is awesome, binging it all :)

[@zarfen]

Thanks! Glad you like it

[@Devilish69420]

Always a banger when you upload bro ❤

[@zarfen]

Thanks man!

[@NecroBanana]

You humble me, bro. Your devotion to this is admirable, well done.

[@gseries2567]

wow you read my mind. I was thinking if you can beat this game without items.. and today i see this video.!

[@michakawala6757]

It does show how D2 is balanced extremely towards skills. Items are important for melee but for casters using abilities its optional (of course it makes game easier and progress much faster but items are still only optional). I think naked cold sorc is another great example

[@Sacrum_Profanum]

Good job, mate 👍

[@peterniemeier2957]

Great video! I streamed a clear of normal on Hardcore with Barbarian (leap attack/leap) and Amazon (passive tree only T_T). Your choice of Holy Bolt was pretty brilliant. Good job!

[@zarfen]

Your choices seem difficult! Respect for doing it in HC. I really want to do some kind of passive zon challenge but I haven’t figure out what to do yet

[@kovaxcorner]

This is crazy bro, great job!

[@Amateur2CombaT]

Fun concept , gg !

[@paronzoda]

Great video. Good job!

[@linusericson7303]

Cool! Great play!

[@SleepyGraugans]

Thinking back to the early 2000s, I never managed to beat the game on hell difficulty. And you managed it without any gear! Holy shit, dude! 😄 Great video. 👏

[@zarfen]

Well to be fair I also played back then but never stopped so I’ve had a few practice runs 😅 Thanks a lot!

[@youcan9494]

Quite impressive feat :) gj there

[@Braincho]

Gratz!!! Very nice!!!

[@mikehawk8984]

*sees d2 challenge video* Subbed. Love you, and love your love of the game I've played the most over the last 20 or so years 😂💜✌️

[@zarfen]

Thanks man, D2 is something special

[@kevycargo206]

Nice video 🔥🔥I gotta make a holy fire paladin haha

[@Tubiega07]

Great job!

[@MrCheese1572]

Wow, amazing 👏👏👏 outstanding job

[@ethanisnotsleeping]

That was nothing short of amazing, wow. You should try pandemonium with no gear next

[@lanewolf6012]

"Let's do a gear check" absolutely dropped me 😂

[@ruanlinosalves]

man i'm new to d2 and this video showed me everything i'm doing wrong, i just crash when i get to hell and i can't clear "den of evil" thanks for the help!

[@zarfen]

There’s a lot of little “tricks” that make a big difference like certain runewords, but that the game doesn’t really tell you about! 😅

[@ruanlinosalves]

@@zarfen exactly, man i learned a lot from your video thx!

[@bartomiejczupaa230]

Hey, I stopped at 28:12 to tell you that Ogre Axe cannot have 4 sockets :P Either way, nice video and good job man!

[@zarfen]

Thanks! Yeah a few other comments also pointed that out. Still learning new things in this game!

[@joshuamahon260]

Top tier D2R content 10/10

[@zarfen]

Thanks! Glad you liked it

[@saltydog1488]

Resist fire is massive for holy fire. Gotta use it!

[@Hammerite]

You casting holy bolts to the merc honestly looks like your cheering him on and healing him through positive vibes :)

[@zarfen]

Haha now that you said it I totally see it with they way the Paladin pumps his fist in the air!

[@richardgrey3656]

You rock dude!

[@Auxius.]

How am I still learning new things about this game after 24 years ..

[@niklasfrisell5714]

Don't know if someone already told you but @28:12 you wanted it to have 4 sox but max sox is 3 which you got. Nice video! Looking forward to your next challenge :)

[@zarfen]

Yeah a few comments have pointed this out, but I had no idea while making the video! Thanks :)

[@asharedo]

This is a really cool video, i like how you explain your thought process throughout the adventure. :) Btw Ogre Axe max sockets is only 3. It can't get more. The Grim scythe being 5 sockets means you could make obedience though, which is even more powerful than Insight (although no mana regen..) But you need a Fal rune

[@zarfen]

Thanks! Yeah a few comments have pointed that out now. I didn’t know that when I made the video, still learning new things in this game! I actually saved the grim schyte in the stash for that exact reason! But unfortunately I didn’t find a single fal or hel rune, might also have missed the ko but I don’t exactly remember. If I had struggled more against the ancients an option could have been to go grind the countess for those.

[@BH-vh3iu]

Dude, what a miserable experience, lol. It reminded me of my first playthroughs in the early 2000s, no idea how to play or what to wear, progress came in a similar fashion, slowly and with a lot of fleeing and dying.

[@greggen63]

It's rough when a playthrough goes like that. Doesn't happen to me as often as it did back in the day, but sometimes the grind becomes all too real.

[@lallemuuh]

very nice work indeed!

[@krattsignup]

A lot of these challenges devolve into “how much heavy lifting can my minions do.”

[@CoffeeAndBusiness]

Damn dude that Diablo circlet wasn’t bad! Visionary and FRW! Almost good enough for LLD!!

[@Rascall.legend]

That's impressive man, got my sub! Thanks for the entertaining video! How long did it take you total without editing?

[@zarfen]

Thanks, glad you liked it! I didn’t keep track and playing was spread out over a few weeks but I’m guessing around 40 hours total 😅

[@mathgag555]

Always a good thing to do a gear check before entering a boss fight, even when naked.

[@biervampir_aut]

Wow, congrats dude, thats quite an achievement

[@tyronelol]

Your videos are amazing makes me want to play again.

[@zarfen]

Thanks man!

[@bboydreem]

Just out of curiosity, how do you speed level your pallys? I have always done lvl 1 might, 2 to 5 res fire then 6 holy fire and its insane

[@P0P218]

very relaxing. i appreciate the lack of yelling or mercenary bullying. nice diablo 2 content

[@joshburg7622]

Does this emilio guy also have a youtube channel? you should put his channel in the discription you help you out big time, the real MVP.

[@zarfen]

Haha he could maybe have a vlog style channel where he rants about having to save me all the time

[@CoupeAudi1990]

You videos are really impressive!

[@zarfen]

Thanks!

[@tarheels100]

Great video as always! FYI, 3 sockets is the max for an ogre axe.

[@zarfen]

Damn, still learning new things in this game! 😅

[@pitecusH]

@@zarfen Don't know if you had the runes, but 5 a socket polearm (the grim scythe at 28:03) would have been a great base for obedience, which is a relatively affordable RW and packs a lot of punch for the price :) (Hel, Ko, Thul, Eth, Fal)

[@zarfen]

@pitecusH yeah I actually saved the polearm in the stash in case I found runes for obedience, but it wasn’t even close (no Fal, Ko or even Hel if I remember correctly) I could have gone at farmed the countess maybe for it if I had gotten stuck at ancients.

[@Rexiled]

14:26 "i've beaten the game, on normal difficulty, *Subtle laugh noises* without wearing any gear."

[@techterry5299]

thank you for answering all our childhood questions lol

[@miquelsubira3076]

Fishy summoner with revives probably also a good choice

[@Pasakoye]

Woestave is pretty interesting overall. Nice find. Sure there are better options, but your merc hinders whatever it touches. Great vid.

[@zarfen]

The healing from holy bolt made most fights winnable with enough time. Woestave could have been really interesting in the difficult fights if I didn’t have holy bolt I think. Thanks!

[@larakra]

This is the pinnacle of creating a build. No OP, no requirement for uber uniques, no rush for unholy amounts of damage, just plain skills. I bow my head

[@Dean-pc1ok]

That equipment check hahahaha

[@simeontodorov9353]

Ive never played with holy fire before either and am so surprised how good it is. Especially in the jungle against those pesky little flayers. They're the bane of my melee existence.

[@zarfen]

Yeah, I was thinking mainly about the flat fire damage added to my punches, so I was quite surprised when it started 1-shorting things with the aura damage

[@procow2274]

Its always been decent ( mostly ) but i believe it got buffed even more in D2R

[@jeffreybarker357]

Wow. Holy crap. Well done…

[@user-dv9cz6om8h]

This video proves experience is everything. He beating this game easier than some folks with twinked out toons

[@toobles3]

wtf, I haven't even beat act 1 hell mode, and here this dude just .. walks through everything naked

[@richardpagel6959]

Well he plays a caster character and thus equipment is in fact unimportant (as you can see).

[@KoOLe3pY]

This was amazing

[@zarfen]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@bradthebold8]

Before it started, I was wondering how you were even going to finish normal. I'm surprised you had enough damage to get through hell, nice job.

[@xSugknight]

Nice one! How far can you get with the other characters?

[@liyilongedison]

this is soooo cool!!!

[@ArturoPladeado]

I can't even do hell with a geared necromancer and this guy is over here doing it gearless.

[@z1v4]

Now you've started a series, we wanna see it get done in all different classes. Who's next?

[@zarfen]

I didn’t plan to do it but it is kind of intriguing… I guess maybe one of the summoner classes? Definitely not Barbarian or Amazon 😅

[@mindctrl69]

That circlet from diablo is a deadly LLD circlet

[@dark_luls]

LOL that circ was so amazing