Diablo 2: The Phoenix Strike Assassin - Hardest Build To Play?

[@HappyHubris]

This is an insanely fun untwinked build that can solo the game. It's one of the best builds available for its pure kinetic nature and massive toolbox.

[@Djuntas]

yea, assasin melee builds at lower gear levels sure uses all it tools. Once you get geared its easier rotation.

[@momchilandonov]

It's is extremelly fun early but mid to lategame it's very annoying how hard the game becomes... Lots of immunities and not having enough armor/ar to kill enemies and be sustainable at the same time.

[@alexanderthegreat3424]

Another option for MA assassin is the pure damage "Tiger Strike - Dragon Tail" combo. Even at hell, this combo is still powerful because you can inflict your TS-amplified physical damage portion of the DT onto fire immunes (albeit only targeted). Another advantage is you can right-left click easily without necessarily counting particular charges with TS, which renders farming more streamlined. Damage and clearing wise, the TS-DT build could compete or possibly superior to Phoenix Strike Build.

[@Djuntas]

Hm, interesting. Maybe I should take a look at other martial arts builds :) This one can play more simple at least.

[@imrekalman9044]

At sLVL 30 Tiger Strike gives just over 2,000 % physical damage bonus, then Dragon Tail ads 340 % fire to that. That's how you get kicks with 50-60k dmg, using only 42 skill points and myrmidon greaves, leaving plenty for everything else. Phoenix Strike 3rd charge for crowd control, traps, venom, minion. However I did not have the skill as a player at the time to make her a Matriarch when I tried in single player. Should be much easier with Infinity Mercenary of course.

[@kwjan]

When I still had a Diablo II in my pc, I played MA Assassin. I maxed out the Tiger Strike, and Phoenix Strike. It was so good and fun. Though I struggled on the monster in Act V that has berserk especially when it forms a mob, and had an amplified damage, ugh.

[@Frejborg]

Very nice man, but that's the part of using DS. Once you spec DS, the MA build becomes more of a DS build. It takes over every build, because of course, it's very strong, even with just one point, but with 20, the aoe is huge. Obviously Assassin, and MA in particular is for fun, and the cool tactical gameplay and awesome looks of assassin, with great run speed too. It's very fun and why Assassin is my favorite class in D2. I have built Claws of Thunder with Infinity Merc, and facets and such, it's nice imo, and worth giving it a try. I certainly have wished for many years that Phoenix Strike would release all 3 at once. It would be SO good! :) Currently on live I have a Venom assassin, and it's pretty nice and varied. Great job man, nice build.

[@Djuntas]

Thanks :)

[@Frejborg]

@@Djuntas I'm curious man, I really can't tell where your accent is from.

[@JJ-iz5ql]

Your wish on all 3 releasing at once is coming true on PD2

[@joakimb7851]

i tried all phoenix/light/frost claw spells on my singleplayer assa, its actually underrated as hell but you will not be able to solo the game early without decent items though, DS helps alot with the corpse explosion aswell

[@Djuntas]

Which one did you find to be the best? I heard Claws of Thunder is good?

[@joakimb7851]

claws of thunder is probably the best non phoenix strike, but the fire orb (i think 1 hit ps, is my favourite phoenix striker).

[@Norrieification]

I've found very little so far in D2 Ress, but somehow found two bartucs, so I'm gonna go double bartucs phoenix strike based on this guide and am really looking forward to that.

[@Djuntas]

Yeah, bartucs are pretty common drop. I found the weapon to also be rather cheap to buy already in week 1, if you were to trade and play online. But look into fleshripper, stormlash or lacerator, other good kicker weapons :)

[@3rdGenGuy]

good video. i found that 1 point in blades of ice and 20 in shadow master helps a ton with durability. shadow master tanks a fuck ton of damage.

[@Djuntas]

yea, its good for below end-game gear levels :)

[@MyYTwatcher]

I played Phoenix strike assassin back in 1.09 (or maybe even earlier?). I have to say that from all builds I ever played this build requires the highest skill.

[@Djuntas]

It feels like that as well !

[@Frejborg]

Yes, Full Nat's Phoenix Strike was my favorite hero in 1.09 I loved it.

[@christopherlunstedmier5566]

Weapon block doesn't stop building charges or lowers your damage per second. It works just like holy shield but for your claws. Pretty much turns your claws into a shield. You could try hitting the increase attack speed breakpoint to fix damage per second issues. The only reason nobody uses zons evade is because some times she gets evade locked and you have to exit and restart when that happens.

[@razvancoltz7241]

When I started to play Assassin when I was just 11 years old, there was a local internet caffee and the old guys from there told me that this is the easiest build to play ...so I played it without knowing what's next to come and in the end I become so fucking strong that they had to make me play wizz and make Mf runs for them hahaha. Today I tried it again in D2 Ress and my fingers cannot spam at the same speed the mouse buttons lmao....this is indeed a hard build not just by the fact that you indeed need to be focus all the time as a little mistake and you're kinda dead or in a rough position but you also need some fucking fast fingers.

[@expseeker]

can you explain your assa build :)

[@sticktoyourdrums8177]

Warrior Monk is very similar to this build, but much easier to use. A lot of corpse explosion on top of the Phoenix strike.

[@Djuntas]

Edit 2022: Now that this build got fixed, also in the way I hoped for back then, this build is now much better - Still consider Dragon tail build too! I streamed my thoughts on all the 5ish major builds for the assassin here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKOaenZvapVoebs ---- First of all, GREAT written guide in description. Some future thoughts; Enigma would be a good choice. Then use mara's amulet or Jade Talon etc, try to cap resist without COH. And since you then don't get IAS from maybe either gloves, belt or amulet, go with Burst of speed for 60 IAS in total hard-points, or at least what makes sense in terms of diminishing returns (If you use Runic Talon / Greater Talon bases) Else I wish phoenix strike would just do all 3 elements at the same time on 3 charges, kinda how the tooltip says "Finishing move that deals fire, lightning and cold damage all at once" :D Merry Christmas!

[@LaddRusso91]

Djuntas doesn't the infinity help with the AR? do you really need 10k?

[@Djuntas]

Hm I guess you can always haft to consider infinity yes, but when its out of range, then its not helping too much. Anyway yes, you are right.

[@fkujakedmyname]

the only thing complicated about it is iron maiden and the fact it makes you commit suicide other than that its the best

[@Djuntas]

@@fkujakedmyname Aint iron maiden gone now?

[@SignOfTheTimes008]

@Djuntas, I gambled on a diadem and it has +2 assassin skills, 6% dual leach, +112 attack rating, +23 strength, cold resist 22% and 1 socket. Would that do the trick for this build?

[@Somaris]

Going to try this when Resurrected comes out

[@Djuntas]

Good luck my dude. You will likely be the only one you see in co-op games. Its a OK build, but the rotation and some gear requirements can be annoying.

[@SkylinePoint5oh]

Mange tak for video Djuntas! Glædelig Jul!

[@Djuntas]

Tak !

[@chrisjones8585]

Great video. Thank you for this information.

[@Djuntas]

Glad it helps :)

[@ErickMarcelloni]

instead of putting points into dexterety, you can use 2x angelic halo rings for massive attack rating and then spend the remaining points into vitality

[@Djuntas]

I cant, I need my 2 current rings. Also you dont need more life really.

[@nolascojhamany.9692]

Wow my favorite build.

[@TyQueezy]

Rare circlets can have up to 30% enhanced damage mod on them. I found a godly one last season with two sockets, +2 paladin skills. I used it on my zealer.

[@Djuntas]

Sick find ;) A good option yes.

[@MauricioSanchez-ee5kw]

Hi Djuntas, I have a question: How about skill progression? What should I maximize first, second, last...? Thanks for the video. :D

[@Djuntas]

Id try aim for trap and dragon talon first. Make such a build work while lvling maybe...Idk. Anyway you can re-spec all you want in D2, so its not a problem, have fun while lvling.

[@seanleastria4478]

I don't understand this. I just started playing the older version. Not the new one releasing in a few days. I don't understand what to do. I prefer a more fast paced playstyle. I usually go melee rogue in most games. But I don't really like the claw thing. Because it's more of a monk style. So can Assassin be used with like a weapon/shield? Such as a sword or something. I'd go Paladin, but I like the sort of faster paced benefits that the Assassin gets. Should I go for this Phoenix thing? I rather not do traps. Thanks.

[@Djuntas]

We'll tbh all assa builds kinda relies on traps to be really good, but see my fire trap kicker, my rift assasin and my ww assasin videos also. You can also download them and try the builds yourself, link in description of my videos for that :)

[@seanleastria4478]

@@Djuntas OK I have looked at your videos, and I have seen an Assassin melee build that looks very nice. But I might need help. I do not understand anything. I only did the first mission in the den.

[@Djuntas]

@@seanleastria4478 Oh, you will learn Diablo 2 quit fast if you just play it. Actually if you wanna learn the game, you can just look at speedrunners, mrlama or Indrek are 2 I like :) They show to to play the game well and what they do etc.

[@ToddySilverhand]

can you tell me where all that fire is coming from?? im doing a similar build. I'm not talking about the meteor but the fire that spreads around. that would help me alot

[@Djuntas]

Torch :) you can google ubber tristram.

[@jurgens2638]

Nice:) I‘m currently building one for single player 1.13 Wondering: how about claw + shield? I felt like 2 claws turn out too weak ot enough defense etc.

[@Djuntas]

Could be an option yes, but with good gear survival should be OK. Maybe stormshield or spirit then? not sure. 156 str sucks through.

[@OliverMichael7]

Stormshield is really good with fade

[@kwjan]

Agree.

[@rickipontague324]

your crafted gloves are missing life steal % btw :) great build

[@Djuntas]

yes, them crafted gloves and even belts can be a bit hard to get right xD

[@vincenthammons6705]

should i be attacking with charge up skill then using finishing move depending on the charge i want to use?

[@Djuntas]

Yep, thats pretty much the build. Maybe start with meteor, then frozen orb or some.

[@J4Y84]

So you have become powerfu enough to have constructed yourself a new "Light saber" (Venom skill activates) Maybe build a Venom Assassin!?

[@expseeker]

sadly i still do not have infinity in the new season and i still want to try this build without the mighty gamechanger-runeword

[@Djuntas]

Yeah for now infinity is out of reach for most, but I hope it will be a year from now, where prices will be better.

[@expseeker]

@@Djuntas i am planning to try whirlwind assa with traps. you think whirlwind can kill fast ?

[@Djuntas]

@@expseeker It for sure can yes, but is it better than say a frenzy barb or tesladin? Sometimes you also just haft to play what you like over whats good, anyway I also did a guide on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIXdmoOqrt2ZrMk

[@momchilandonov]

One major issue with Phoenix strike is the almost useless 3rd charge. You need to do dmg and not just slow/freeze the enemies! 3rd charge should've been a lightning one and the second one freezing! I don't understand why are they not reversed?!

[@Djuntas]

To make the rotation more annoying and clunky :P

[@yewmun5858]

Yes, especially when you're in higher lvl and using all those Increases Attk Speed gears, your finishing move are mostly based on instinct, not by seeing how many little orbs flying around you.

[@LucaTurilli89]

@@yewmun5858 I hate it that some champs/builds just suck and look so much unbalanced lategame. Especially when compared to the Paladin. The melee Assassin looks so epic with her "soul shots" (Lineage 2 power ups lol) but just fail to perform.

[@yewmun5858]

@@LucaTurilli89 Melee assy need a lot of micro management, starting from lvl 1 until you are confident to pvp. If your very 1st character is melee assy, it shouldn't be any problem when switching to other class.

[@kudohlol9379]

you should probably use treatury, u get 45 ias free, 2 skills, fade and venom.

[@Djuntas]

yea, its a good option.

[@3blindwhales]

YoU're suppose to use charge up like Phoenix strike with left click hot key dragon claw on same click, u hold mouse down with Phoenix strike and use on by pressing the dragon law finisher hot key, great items with no play knowledge. Not to mention every guide I've seen tells u to use ur keyboard for hot keys. You did what they tell u to avoid doing. Using left and right mouse buttons for charging and finishing, pick left click OR right click for charge/finish not both.

[@Djuntas]

Ehh, playstyle choices dosent take away anything from the guide. Its still about building charges correctly in rotation, no matter what binds you use.

[@iordankavrykov6868]

Dual wielding just because of dragon claw?

[@Djuntas]

yep, requires dual wield iirc.

[@oscarhogstrom9855]

you missed a white monarch :(

[@piotrstepien462]

With this gear I doubt that he wanted it anyway

[@fumetamax]

Gonna try it mine is real bad I just use it for the lols

[@Djuntas]

Good luck on it :)

[@KR-jn2yc]

pick up the monarc

[@SignOfTheTimes008]

He probably has a dozen lol

[@expseeker]

when you have hell viable killspeed- monacrhs drop that often- nobody cares. i recently found out in d2r that noobs are in a crazy demand and hunt about monarch

[@lunabird89]

Where do you get 40 15 jewels

[@Djuntas]

You dont. You trade them :) Insanely rare.

[@expseeker]

@@Djuntas crafting could be an option in SP

[@MEDJAIVEGAN]

is interesting to see your gear always for pvp but you use it for pve, you never duel ?

[@Djuntas]

Can't say its my cup of tea. I find Diablo 2 pvp rather lacking. Its mostly just one-shot fest, but a few builds that relies on fast reaction in spell casting like mindblast.

[@justinTime077]

not taking shadow master is straight up boring of you

[@Djuntas]

I believe I talk about it at 5:20...IIRC its like amazons evade, dodge skills. But try it out and see for yourself, maybe it aint that much of a problem :)

[@justinTime077]

@@Djuntas I watched your video through. I forget what you said, but if you said that you skip those skills I can’t believe it. The Amazon is basically OP for those skills!

[@justinTime077]

I just watch you because I like your personality and videos more than the other two guys that are making guides. I’m definitely not trying to give you a hard time ;) just my opinion

[@Djuntas]

@@justinTime077 No thats fine, its just as I mention at 5:20 if I go down to the summon skils, I also take the block skil, granted that is also for claws if you use those weapon types :) Its up to what you like also. Edit: What I mean by that, is that the block animation, especially on an amazon, can be annoying to lock you into block animation, in a way stunning you.

[@valhalperformance2499]

Er du fra Danmark? 🇩🇰😉

[@zlatyan]

max claw mastery! get whirlwind claw! ur dmg for lvl 90 sin is SOOOO LOW. also max dual block het hit recovery and its all good

[@Djuntas]

Dunno, don't think WW assassin is much good for pvm, maybe i'm wrong, but I feel like its about the same, seems more of a pvp build. Claw mastery is not gonna help much on this build. We don't do much physical dmg, and spells cant crit.

[@zlatyan]

Djuntas You don't need to use the whirlwind unless you are stuck. But the raw DMG the runewords gives you is way more. Just make sure you sock it in to a high tier claws. Then claw mastery will kick in hard! I had a sin lvl 62 did more dmg than you at this point :D had both whir claws. Also you don't need to stack leech since sin has cobra strike. 21-36 for offhand is poor. Also I forgot to mention. Since neither you or the merc has the dim vision helm. You may want to use cloak of shadows.

[@Djuntas]

Oh, haven't tried the other power-up skills yet, heard they were rather lackluster, not like this one is much good either. But maybe they are worth it.

[@catnium]

@@Djuntas don't believe what you hear .. most noobs still playing this game know nothing about what the oldest generation already discovered ... al that knowledge is lost and now we have to watch shitty d2 builds on youtube almost 25 years later. there is a reason no one ever used that phoenix skill.. its because it sucks ..and it does elemental damage wich also sucks Screen damage doesn't matter at all in this game. Crushing blow + attack speed is so much better for a melee class. because that at least kills shit on 8player hell farms simply by crushing blows proc's which results in more damage than you can ever do via normal attacks.

[@Frejborg]

@@catnium Too bad crushing blow builds are boring. Phoenix Strike is very interesting!

[@nerogelimax]

Hey djuntas come and try PoE....

[@Kevin-uj4uu]

since d2 pvm has become all about efficiency this build sucks. your right its just death sentry doing all the work and pretty much pretending your melee is doing anything lol. however for pvp you can play some fun melee assassin builds with kicksin against low defense targets and ghost sin (ww, max mb, max fade, max venom, max claw mastery) can be really gg in pvp

[@Djuntas]

yep, WW sin is good for pvp. Could be a fun build to explore.

[@Kevin-uj4uu]

it doesnt do as much dmg as a barb would or have the life but mindblast pretty much makes the build. being able to mindblast someone for stun, have 1 point in fire trap purely for triggering the faster hit recovery animation on enemy from mind blasts effects and ww is super kewl. most fun char also duel claw skill allows you 60% chance to dodge a hammerdins hammer. super kewl

[@Djuntas]

Yes, using mind blast makes this a really skilfull build overall in pvp.

[@DeadlyDanDaMan]

If you play the game to always be the absolute most efficient, you're gonna get bored REAL quick, because that means you'll only be playing 1 character build per class. Or just playing Sorceress exclusively, because she kills the fastest out of all classes, which again will get REALLY boring fast.