Diablo II: Resurrected

Complete Warlock class guide for Diablo II: Resurrected Patch 3.0. All 30 skills across the Demon, Eldritch, and Chaos trees. Covers Levitate, Grimoires, breakpoints, builds (Fire, Abyss, Echoing Strike, Blood Boil, Summoner), gear progression, and RotW runewords.

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Warlock Class Guide — Reign of the Warlock

By the DiabloBytes team · Updated March 2026

Class Overview

The Warlock is the eighth playable class in Diablo II: Resurrected, introduced with the Reign of the Warlock expansion (Patch 3.0). It is a hybrid caster-summoner-melee class that wields daggers and Grimoires, commands demons, and deals fire and magic damage through curses, sigils, and direct-damage spells. The class starts with Miasma Bolt as its default skill and a dagger equipped.

What sets the Warlock apart from every other class is the Levitate passive ability. Levitate allows the Warlock to wield two-handed weapons alongside an off-hand item (Shield or Grimoire). This creates weapon and runeword combinations that no other class can access — for example, equipping a two-handed polearm with Spirit runeword while still carrying a Grimoire in the off-hand.

The Warlock's three skill trees are Demon (summoning and blood magic), Eldritch (melee combat, hex debuffs, and movement), and Chaos (fire damage, sigil curses, and miasma spells). Each tree supports distinct endgame builds, and the class has enough cross-tree synergy to enable several hybrid configurations.

Starting Attributes

Strength 15

Dexterity 20

Vitality 25

Energy 20

Life per Vitality 3 (12/4)

Mana per Energy 2 (8/4)

Life per Level 2 (8/4)

Mana per Level 1.5 (6/4)

Stamina per Vitality 1 (4/4)

Starting Stamina 86

Mana Regen Rate 120

Potion Mana Recovery 200%

Levitate — Signature Passive

Levitate is a level 1 passive in the Eldritch tree that is available from character creation. Its defining mechanic is allowing the Warlock to equip a two-handed weapon in the main hand while simultaneously using an off-hand item (Grimoire or Shield). This is unique among all D2R classes — no other character can wield a two-handed weapon and a shield at the same time.

This opens up powerful gear combinations: you can use two-handed runewords like Insight, Infinity, or Breath of the Dying while still carrying a Spirit Monarch or a Grimoire with +skills staff mods in the off-hand. Investing points in Levitate provides additional passive bonuses to weapon handling. Every Warlock build should put at least one point into Levitate.

Video Guides

Learn the Warlock from top D2R content creators:

Warlock Leveling & Progression Guide by MrLlamaSC

Warlock Build Tier List & Overviews

Skill Tree 1 — Demon

The Demon tree focuses on summoning demonic minions and empowering them through blood magic. It contains three summon skills (Goatman, Tainted, Defiler), two passives (Demonic Mastery, Blood Oath), and several active skills that interact with your summons. The tree peaks with Bind Demon at level 30, which allows you to capture Super Unique monsters as permanent allies — retaining their native auras and affixes like Conviction or Fanaticism. Consume lets you sacrifice minions for personal buffs to damage, life, and movement speed.

Summon Goatman

Lvl 1 Active — Summon

Summons a Goatman demon that fights in melee. Gains Stun, Berserk, Frenzy, and Cleave sub-skills as the base skill levels. Max summon count scales with Demonic Mastery (1 at base, 2 at level 10, 3 at level 20). HP scales per level and with Blood Oath synergy. Crushing Blow via Death Mark synergy.

Demonic Mastery

Lvl 1 Passive

Passive aura that increases summon velocity, attack rating, damage, and attack speed for all Warlock demons. Unlocks additional Goatman summon slots at levels 10 and 20. Prerequisite: Summon Goatman.

Death Mark

Lvl 6 Active — Curse

Marks a target, reducing its defense and resistances. Each point invested grants Crushing Blow synergy to Summon Goatman. Prerequisite: Summon Goatman.

Blood Oath

Lvl 6 Passive

Passive that grants life, damage, and damage resistance bonuses to summoned demons. Also provides synergy HP bonus to all summon skills. Prerequisite: Demonic Mastery.

Summon Tainted

Lvl 12 Active — Summon

Summons a Tainted demon. Stronger than the Goatman with higher base damage. HP scales per level and with Blood Oath synergy. Prerequisite: Summon Goatman.

Blood Boil

Lvl 18 Active — Fire

Deals fire damage in an area. Damage values scale across multiple tiers as skill level increases. Prerequisite: Death Mark.

Summon Defiler

Lvl 18 Active — Summon

Summons a Defiler demon — the most powerful standard summon. Higher base damage and defense than Tainted. HP scales per level and with Blood Oath synergy. Prerequisite: Summon Tainted.

Engorge

Lvl 24 Active

Buffs a summoned demon, increasing its size, life, damage, and run speed. Makes a single demon significantly more powerful for a duration. Prerequisite: Blood Boil.

Consume

Lvl 30 Active

Sacrifices a minion or Super Unique to grant the Warlock bonuses to physical, fire, or magic damage, maximum life, and faster run/walk. Works on your own summons and on captured Super Uniques. Prerequisite: Blood Oath.

Bind Demon

Lvl 30 Active

Captures a Super Unique monster as a permanent ally, retaining its native affixes (Conviction, Fanaticism, etc.). Gains additional abilities at skill levels 5, 10, 15, and 20. Provides damage reduction when paired with Blood Oath. Prerequisites: Engorge + Summon Defiler.

Skill Tree 2 — Eldritch

The Eldritch tree provides the Warlock's melee combat skills, hex debuffs, defensive abilities, and movement. Levitate (the signature passive) anchors the left column, leading into Cleave, Echoing Strike, Blade Warp, and Mirrored Blades for melee/movement. The right column contains the Hex line (Hex Bane, Hex Purge, Hex Siphon) for ranged magic damage and sustain. Psychic Ward and Eldritch Blast sit in the center, connecting the two columns. Blade Warp at level 18 is the Warlock's teleport — it passes through walls and barriers, providing the class's primary map traversal.

Levitate

Lvl 1 Passive

Warlock's signature passive. Allows wielding two-handed weapons alongside an offhand (Shield or Grimoire), creating unique weapon + runeword combinations unavailable to any other class. Also grants passive bonuses to weapon handling.

Hex Bane

Lvl 1 Active — Magic

Ranged magic-damage attack with a long duration debuff component. Damage boosted by Eldritch Blast synergy. One of the Warlock's two starting skills.

Cleave

Lvl 6 Active — Melee

Melee attack that hits in an arc. Damage synergizes with Mirrored Blades, Hex Purge, and Eldritch Blast. Gains additional target radius at higher levels. Prerequisite: Levitate.

Echoing Strike

Lvl 12 Active — Melee

Melee strike that echoes additional hits. Mirrored Blades synergy adds echo count. Strong area clear skill for the Eldritch tree. Prerequisite: Levitate.

Hex Purge

Lvl 12 Active — Magic

Magic damage attack that scales in number of projectiles with level (up to 3). Synergy with Eldritch Blast for damage and Sigil Death for secondary effects. Prerequisite: Hex Bane.

Blade Warp

Lvl 18 Active — Magic / Movement

The Warlock's movement skill. Teleports through walls and barriers while dealing magic damage. Functions as the class's primary mobility tool, similar to Teleport. Prerequisite: Echoing Strike.

Psychic Ward

Lvl 18 Active — Defensive

Creates a protective ward that absorbs incoming damage. Provides a defensive buffer for the Warlock during combat. Prerequisite: Cleave.

Eldritch Blast

Lvl 24 Active — Magic

Powerful magic damage skill that serves as the Eldritch tree's primary ranged damage dealer. Provides synergy bonuses to Hex Bane, Hex Purge, and Hex Siphon. Prerequisite: Psychic Ward.

Hex Siphon

Lvl 24 Active

Drains life/mana from targets. Damage scales with Eldritch Blast synergy. The Hex line's sustain skill. Prerequisite: Hex Purge.

Mirrored Blades

Lvl 30 Active

Creates mirrored blade projectiles (up to 5 at high level). Provides synergy echo count to Echoing Strike. Strong AoE damage skill. Prerequisites: Blade Warp + Eldritch Blast.

Skill Tree 3 — Chaos

The Chaos tree splits into three columns: fire damage (Ring of Fire → Flame Wave → Apocalypse), sigil curses (Sigil Lethargy → Sigil Rancor → Sigil Death), and miasma/entropy magic (Miasma Bolt → Miasma Chains → Enhanced Entropy → Abyss). Fire builds use the left column to deal massive area fire damage culminating in Apocalypse. Magic-damage builds focus on the right column, using Miasma Chains and Abyss for magic damage that bypasses fire immunities. The Sigil line in the center provides crowd control and damage amplification that benefits both paths.

Miasma Bolt

Lvl 1 Active — Magic

The Warlock's starting skill (assigned by default). Fires a bolt of magic damage at a single target. The baseline ranged attack for leveling.

Ring of Fire

Lvl 6 Active — Fire

Creates a ring of fire around the Warlock dealing fire damage to nearby enemies. Radius increases at level 10. Prerequisite for Flame Wave.

Sigil Lethargy

Lvl 6 Active — Curse

Places a sigil that slows enemy movement and attack speed. Reduces enemy damage output. The Warlock's primary crowd control skill.

Sigil Rancor

Lvl 12 Active — Curse

Upgraded sigil that amplifies damage taken by affected enemies, building on Lethargy's slow. Prerequisite: Sigil Lethargy.

Miasma Chains

Lvl 12 Active — Magic

Chains of magic damage that link between nearby enemies. Bounces to multiple targets for area clear. Prerequisite: Miasma Bolt.

Flame Wave

Lvl 18 Active — Fire

Sends a wave of fire across the ground. Strong AoE fire damage skill. Prerequisite: Ring of Fire.

Sigil Death

Lvl 24 Active — Curse

The most powerful sigil. Deals direct damage and triggers an explosion on enemy death. The capstone of the Sigil line. Prerequisite: Sigil Rancor.

Enhanced Entropy

Lvl 24 Passive

Passive that increases all magic and elemental skill damage. Boosts fire, magic, and physical damage percentages. The Chaos tree's damage multiplier. Prerequisite: Miasma Chains.

Apocalypse

Lvl 30 Active — Fire

Rains fire damage across a large area. The Chaos tree's ultimate fire skill. High damage output over a wide radius. Prerequisites: Flame Wave + Sigil Death.

Abyss

Lvl 30 Active — Magic

Creates a zone of magic damage that persists on the ground. The Chaos tree's ultimate magic skill. Prerequisite: Enhanced Entropy.

Key Skills Explained

Levitate (Eldritch, Lvl 1) The passive that defines the class. Allows two-handed weapons + off-hand simultaneously. Always take at least 1 point.
Blade Warp (Eldritch, Lvl 18) The Warlock's teleport. Passes through walls and barriers. Essential for map traversal in every build. Available at level 18, removing the need for Enigma for basic mobility.
Bind Demon (Demon, Lvl 30) Captures a Super Unique as a permanent ally that keeps its native affixes. A Conviction-aura Super Unique becomes your personal Infinity. Gains abilities at skill levels 5, 10, 15, and 20.
Consume (Demon, Lvl 30) Sacrifice a minion or captured Super Unique for bonuses to physical/fire/magic damage, max life, and FRW. Enables a "sacrifice loop" playstyle: summon demons, consume them for buffs, resummon.
Echoing Strike (Eldritch, Lvl 12) Melee attack with echo hits. Number of echoes scales with Mirrored Blades synergy. Core skill for the Echoing Strike build archetype.
Apocalypse (Chaos, Lvl 30) The Chaos tree's ultimate fire skill. Massive AoE fire damage. Requires both Flame Wave and Sigil Death as prerequisites.
Abyss (Chaos, Lvl 30) Persistent ground zone dealing magic damage. The Chaos tree's magic-damage capstone. Scales with Enhanced Entropy passive. Abyss Warlock is a top-tier endgame build.
Blood Boil (Demon, Lvl 18) Area fire damage skill in the Demon tree. Core of the Blood Boil build archetype. Damage tiers scale across multiple breakpoints as skill level increases.

Breakpoints

The Warlock shares the same cast, hit recovery, and block animation frames as the Necromancer. The key FCR targets are 75% (10 frames) for comfortable casting and 125% (9 frames) for maximum speed.

Faster Cast Rate (FCR)

FCR %	Frames
0%	15
9%	14
18%	13
30%	12
48%	11
75%	10
125%	9

Faster Hit Recovery (FHR)

FHR %	Frames
0%	13
5%	12
10%	11
16%	10
26%	9
39%	8
56%	7
86%	6
152%	5
377%	4

Faster Block Rate (FBR)

FBR %	Frames
0%	11
6%	10
13%	9
20%	8
32%	7
52%	6
86%	5
174%	4

Recommended Builds

Five endgame archetypes are established for the Warlock. Fire Warlock and Abyss Warlock are also the recommended leveling paths.

Fire Warlock Chaos Tree
Focuses on Ring of Fire → Flame Wave → Apocalypse. Max Apocalypse and Flame Wave for damage, invest in Sigil Rancor and Sigil Death for the damage amplification and Apocalypse prereqs. Enhanced Entropy passive boosts all damage. Strong leveling build. Weakness: fire immunities in Hell. Pair with Infinity mercenary or hybridize with Abyss.
Abyss Warlock Chaos Tree
Built around Abyss (magic damage ground zone) and Enhanced Entropy passive. Uses Miasma Bolt → Miasma Chains → Enhanced Entropy → Abyss. Magic damage bypasses most immunities, making this the safer Hell build. Supplement with Sigil Lethargy/Rancor for crowd control. Good leveling path through the Chaos tree.
Echoing Strike Warlock Eldritch Tree
Melee build using Echoing Strike and Mirrored Blades for echo-based AoE clear. Requires Levitate → Echoing Strike → Blade Warp → Mirrored Blades path, plus Cleave → Psychic Ward → Eldritch Blast for the Mirrored Blades prereqs. Blade Warp provides built-in teleport. High gear dependency (needs strong weapon + FCR for casting speed).
Blood Boil Warlock Demon Tree
Uses Death Mark → Blood Boil → Engorge as the core damage loop. Blood Boil deals fire AoE while Death Mark reduces enemy defenses. Engorge can buff summons for a hybrid approach. More defensive than pure Fire Warlock thanks to demon meat shields. Works well with Consume for additional damage buffs.
Summoner Warlock Demon Tree
Full summoner build. Max Summon Goatman, Summon Tainted, Summon Defiler, Demonic Mastery, Blood Oath. Use Death Mark to debuff targets. Endgame capstone is Bind Demon to capture a Super Unique with a powerful aura. Consume lets you sacrifice summons for temporary self-buffs when needed. Safest playstyle but slowest clear speed.

Stat Allocation

The Warlock gains 5 stat points per level. The allocation follows the standard caster pattern, with Vitality receiving the bulk of points.

Strength Enough for gear

Invest only enough to equip your final gear. Spirit Monarch requires 156 Strength. Grimoire-based builds need much less (Blasphemous Grimoire requires 106). Horazon's set reduces requirements further.

Dexterity Base or max block

Starting Dexterity is 20. Most builds skip additional Dexterity. If using a Grimoire or Shield with good block (Blasphemous Grimoire has 12%), consider investing for max block since Grimoires have inherent block chance.

Vitality Everything else

The Warlock gains 3 life per point of Vitality (12/4). Every remaining stat point goes here. Life sustain matters for Blood Boil and Consume builds that spend HP for power.

Energy Zero points

The Warlock has a 200% mana potion multiplier (double normal) and gains 2 mana per Energy point (8/4). Mana regeneration rate is 120. An Insight mercenary or mana-on-kill gear handles sustain.

Grimoire — Exclusive Off-Hand

Grimoires are the Warlock's class-exclusive off-hand item type. They function like shields (providing defense and block chance) but can also spawn with +1 to +3 staff mods to Warlock skills. There are 15 Grimoire bases across Normal, Exceptional, and Elite tiers. Grimoires can be socketed and used as runeword bases — the Vigilance runeword (Dol + Gul) is specifically designed for Grimoire bases.

Name	Tier	Defense	Str Req	Block	Req Lvl
Old Book	Normal	2-5	12	3%	3
Tome	Normal	4-8	14	5%	6
Codex	Normal	6-10	18	8%	12
Compendium	Normal	10-16	20	10%	15
Grimoire	Normal	15-20	25	12%	18
Burnt Text	Exceptional	38-48	38	3%	24
Dark Tome	Exceptional	41-52	41	5%	29
Dark Codex	Exceptional	44-55	47	8%	33
Possessed Compendium	Exceptional	50-64	50	10%	36
Possessed Grimoire	Exceptional	58-70	58	12%	40
Forgotten Volume	Elite	95-139	77	3%	44
Occult Tome	Elite	96-141	82	5%	49
Occult Codex	Elite	98-142	91	8%	50
Blasphemous Compendium	Elite	100-146	95	10%	60
Blasphemous Grimoire	Elite	103-148	106	12%	65

Gear Recommendations

Warlock gearing follows three phases: budget runewords for Normal/Nightmare, mid-tier RotW-specific gear, and endgame best-in-slot. Levitate's ability to pair 2H weapons with off-hands gives the Warlock more gearing flexibility than any other caster. The Runeword Guide covers crafting details.

Weapon

▸ Budget: Spirit Sword (Tal+Thul+Ort+Amn) ▸ Mid: Void Dagger (Thul+Zod+Ist) or Ritual Dagger (Amn+Shael+Ohm) ▸ Endgame: Heart of the Oak (Ko+Vex+Pul+Thul) or Void in elite dagger

Warlocks start with a dagger. Spirit Sword is the standard caster progression. Void provides +2 skills, 40% FCR, and a built-in Abyss proc. Ritual is the melee/physical option.

Off-hand

▸ Budget: Spirit Monarch or Rhyme (Shael+Eth) ▸ Mid: Vigilance Grimoire (Dol+Gul) ▸ Endgame: Horazon's Secrets (Set Occult Codex) or Spirit Monarch (35% FCR)

Grimoires are exclusive to Warlocks and can spawn with +1-3 to Warlock skill tabs (staff mods). Vigilance offers resists, life, mana, and FBR in a Grimoire base. Levitate allows pairing a 2H weapon with a Grimoire.

Armor

▸ Budget: Stealth (Tal+Eth) ▸ Mid: Authority (Hel+Shael+Ral) ▸ Endgame: Enigma (Jah+Ith+Ber) or Chains of Honor (Dol+Um+Ber+Ist)

Authority is a Warlock-focused body armor with +2 Warlock skills, FHR, and procs for Psychic Ward and Miasma Chain. Enigma provides Teleport (redundant if you use Blade Warp) but gives +2 skills and MF.

Helmet

▸ Budget: Lore (Ort+Sol) ▸ Mid: Coven (Ist+Ral+Io) ▸ Endgame: Harlequin Crest (Shako) or Coven for MF

Coven provides +1 all skills, 20% FCR, up to 40% MF, and a Sigil Lethargy proc. Shako gives +2 skills, life, mana, and DR.

Boots

▸ Budget: Rare boots with FRW + resistances ▸ Mid: Horazon's Legacy (Set boots — 30% FRW, Cannot Be Frozen) ▸ Endgame: War Traveler or Sandstorm Trek

Horazon's Legacy grants FRW, stats, magic resist, and Cannot Be Frozen as part of the Warlock set.

Gloves

▸ Budget: Magefist (20% FCR + fire damage) ▸ Mid: Horazon's Hold (Set — Crushing Blow, fire damage) ▸ Endgame: Trang-Oul's Claws (25% FCR)

FCR from gloves helps reach the 75% or 125% FCR breakpoints.

Belt

▸ Budget: Tal Rasha's Fine-Spun Cloth ▸ Mid: Goldwrap or Rare belt ▸ Endgame: Arachnid Mesh (+1 skills, 20% FCR)

Arachnid Mesh is best-in-slot for any caster build reaching the 125% FCR breakpoint.

Rings

▸ Budget: Two rare FCR rings ▸ Mid: Nagel rings for MF farming ▸ Endgame: Stone of Jordan + Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band

SoJ provides +1 skills and mana. BK gives +1 skills and life. For farming, swap to Nagels.

Amulet

▸ Budget: Rare +skills amulet ▸ Mid: +2 Warlock skills amulet ▸ Endgame: Mara's Kaleidoscope (+2 all skills, +20-30 all res)

A +2 Warlock skills amulet with FCR is the ideal craft target.

Reign of the Warlock Runewords

Patch 3.0 introduced five new runewords that interact with Warlock skills. Authority and Coven are the most accessible (budget-to-mid rune cost). Void is the most expensive due to Zod but provides best-in-slot caster stats for dagger builds.

Authority 3os · Body Armor

Runes: Hel + Shael + Ral

2% Chance to Cast Level 10 Psychic Ward When Struck
10% Chance to Cast Level 15 Miasma Chain on Striking
+2 to Warlock Skill Levels
+40-60% Enhanced Damage
Requirements -15%
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
Fire Resist +30%

Coven 3os · Helms

Runes: Ist + Ral + Io

5% Chance to Cast Level 10 Sigil Lethargy When Struck
+1 To All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
+30-50% Enhanced Defense
26-40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+1-5 Life After Each Kill
Fire Resist +30%
+10 to Vitality

Ritual 3os · Daggers

Runes: Amn + Shael + Ohm

13% Chance to Cast Level 1 Sigil Death When Struck
+40% Increased Attack Speed
+250-320% Enhanced Damage
+150-250% Damage to Demons
+200-260% Bonus to Attack Rating
+3-5 Life After Each Kill
Slain Monsters Rest in Peace
7% Life Stolen Per Hit

Vigilance 2os · Grimoires / Shields / Shrunken Heads / Paladin Shields

Runes: Dol + Gul

5% Chance to Cast Level 10 Ring of Fire When Struck
+10% Faster Run/Walk
+30% Faster Block Rate
+20-40 To Life
+20-40 To Mana
All Resistances +25-35
+75-100% Enhanced Defense
Replenish Life +7
+5% To Maximum Poison Resist

Void 3os · Daggers

Runes: Thul + Zod + Ist

+2 To All Skills
+40% Faster Cast Rate
+10-15% to Magic Skill Damage
Level 1-3 Abyss
+8-12 to All Attributes
Level 35 Decrepify (charges)

Warlock Unique Items & Set

Several unique Grimoires exist for the Warlock class. Notable uniques from the game data include:

Measured Wrath Burnt Text (Exceptional Grimoire) +1 Warlock Skills, +25% FCR, +130-180% Enhanced Defense, +10-20 Vitality, +20-30 All Resistances, +1-3 to select skills, +3-5 Heal on Kill
Ars Dul'Mephistos Occult Codex (Elite Grimoire) +2 Warlock Skills, +20-30% FCR, +30% FHR, +70-115% ED, +50-70% AR, +140-170% Enhanced Defense, 10-20% Magic Pierce, 10-25% Magic Damage
Ars Tor'Baalos Blasphemous Compendium (Elite Grimoire) +2 Chaos tab, +2-3 to multiple skills, +120-150% Enhanced Defense, Life per Level, 5-10% Damage Reduction
Ars Al'Diablolos Blasphemous Grimoire (Elite Grimoire) +2 Chaos tab, +25% FCR, +170-200% Enhanced Defense, +15-25% Fire Skill Damage, +5-10 Light Radius, +5-10 Mana per Kill, +20-30% Fire Resist, +3-5 to a skill
Horazon's Splendor Elite Set (5 pieces) Full set: +3 Warlock Skills, +350% ED, +300 Defense, +20 Dex, +30 Energy, +50 All Res, +100% Magic Damage, Level 30 Enchant. Pieces: Helm (Horazon's Countenance), Armor (Horazon's Dominion), Gloves (Horazon's Hold), Boots (Horazon's Legacy), Grimoire (Horazon's Secrets).

Mercenary Recommendations

The mercenary choice depends on your build and what it lacks. Summoner builds want auras that buff minions, while caster builds want crowd control or immunity-breaking.

▸ Act 2 NM Offensive (Might) Best for Summoner and Echoing Strike builds. Might aura directly buffs your summoned demons' physical damage and your own melee strikes. Equip with Insight for mana sustain or Infinity to break immunities.
▸ Act 2 NM Defensive (Holy Freeze) Best all-around choice for caster builds (Fire, Abyss). Holy Freeze slows enemies, providing crowd control while you position Apocalypse, Abyss, or Flame Wave. Equip with Infinity to handle fire-immune monsters.
▸ Act 2 NM Combat (Prayer) Solid for Blood Boil builds or any build that trades HP for power. Prayer provides passive life regeneration. Pairs exceptionally well with Insight (Meditation + Prayer = double healing).
▸ Act 5 Barbarian Battle Cry reduces enemy defense and damage, providing strong survivability support. The Barbarian's natural tankiness keeps him alive longer than Act 2 mercenaries in dangerous content. Good for hardcore Warlock play.
▸ Act 1 Rogue (Fire Arrow) Budget option for early game. Provides ranged damage support. Equip with an Insight bow for mana. Outclassed by Act 2 mercenaries in endgame.

Leveling Tips

The Warlock starts with Miasma Bolt (magic damage) and a dagger. Early leveling is straightforward: use Miasma Bolt as your primary attack and pick up Summon Goatman at level 1 for a meat shield. At level 6, Ring of Fire or Sigil Lethargy add area damage or crowd control.

Levels 1-5 Use Miasma Bolt. One point in Summon Goatman for a companion. One point in Levitate (always). If going Eldritch, take Hex Bane as well.
Levels 6-11 Fire path: Ring of Fire for area damage. Chaos path: Sigil Lethargy for crowd control. Eldritch path: Cleave for melee. Demon path: Death Mark + Blood Oath.
Levels 12-17 Fire/Chaos: Miasma Chains or Sigil Rancor. Eldritch: Echoing Strike for melee clear. Demon: Summon Tainted for a stronger summon.
Levels 18-23 Blade Warp unlocks (Eldritch tree) providing teleport. Flame Wave (Chaos tree) or Blood Boil (Demon tree) for area damage. Psychic Ward for defense.
Levels 24-29 Enhanced Entropy passive (Chaos) for damage multiplier. Eldritch Blast, Sigil Death, or Engorge depending on build. Hex Siphon for sustain.
Levels 30+ Capstone skills unlock: Apocalypse, Abyss, Mirrored Blades, Consume, Bind Demon. Max your primary damage skill, then invest in synergies and passives.