[Top 5] Diablo 3 Best Witch Doctor Builds Right Now

Updated:

30 Sep 2020

[Top 5] Diablo 3 Best Witch Doctor Builds Right Now

So many skills, so little time

Finding just the right formation of skills in Diablo can be a daunting task. You want your character to be at their most powerful without omitting the total use of some moves. Passives and actives should be rotated regularly for any Diablo class to flow seamlessly. Along with this, class builds mean nothing if the proper gear and gems are not paired with them.. For the Witch Doctor, they can be particularly challenging because their move set is varied with different types of attacks and boosts.

Here, I will digest the infinite combinations of skills to get you on the right track. Whether you are starting a new Witch Doctor, or have advanced to level 70 and beyond, your future build is right here.

For more information on Witch Doctor armor sets, check out my other write-up here: https://www.gamersdecide.com/articles/diablo-3-best-armor-sets-for-witch-doctor

5. Leveling Build

Let’s start with something that will help you get to level 70 in a quick, efficient manner. The Leveling Build focuses on the Witch Doctor’s most favorable traits: speed, distance attacks, and pets. The rotation of skill uses is quite simple, and it even leaves some room for experimentation, something I always find enjoyable about the Witch Doctor class.

This build is going to be effective throughout the game. You won’t find yourself being hounded by specific monster groupings. However, the set is also not any more useful against certain foes. It can be used at any point in the game and altered accordingly.

What's good about this Build:

Fast
Easy to use
It gets the job done

Leveling Full Build Details: https://www.icy-veins.com/d3/witch-doctor-leveling-build-guide

Acid Cloud is an addicting skill to use

4. Arachyr Firebats Build

I can’t talk about the Witch Doctor for long without bringing up the Hex skill and Toad of Hugeness rune. While this build asks the player to equip the Spirit of Arachyr armor set, it can still be useful with substitutions. Also, to summon the Toad in the middle of the map is ribbeting…

The armor set gives the Witch Doctor massive boosts, but the build itself is effective without them. You’ll be able to navigate the map with ease, and though you won’t have pets running around for you, other skills do enough intermittent damage to suffice. Piranhas, Haunt, and Soul Harvest form a killer combo that is deadly against hordes of enemies.

Without further talk, the most impressive part of this build comes from its namesake: Firebats. Equip the Cloud of Bats rune and pair it often with Soul Harvest and Spirit Walk to wade through enemies and strike where they least expect it. The rune will increase damage by upwards of 500%. Add 20% more to enemies affected by Haunt, and up to another 30% more to enemies affected by Soul Harvest.

All of this damage is mentioned before the Passive Skills. In short, the combos in this build are ruthless. That being said, getting a feel for the rotation and rhythm of the build can be troublesome. If you find it difficult to manage, try adjusting some of the runes. Here might be a good time to substitute the Toad of Hugeness in, and get rid of the Jinx rune.

What's good about this Build:

Great for combo-ing damage increases
With the Spirit of Arachyr full set, it does nearly uncountable damage
No pets running around
Slight versatility
Opportunity to use the Toad of Hugeness

Arachyr Firebats Full Build Details: https://www.icy-veins.com/d3/witch-doctor-arachyr-firebats-build

It's all about the Firebats, but don't forget about the Piranhas!

3. Carnevil Poison Dart Build

This is the first set mentioned that will require the Witch Doctor to obtain some gear. The Carnevil helm has a bonus that states, “The 10 fetishes closest to you will shoot a Poison Dart every time you do”. That is a lot of potential darts. There are variations of this build that have the player fully equipping an armor set, but the heart of the set is with the helm.

To maximize this unique helm’s potential, pair the Poison Dart skill with others. To start, equip Fetish Army with the Legion of Daggers rune. This will increase your total number of fetishes by 3. It’s smart to lock in this skill while having the Carnevil helm equipped. The more fetishes the better.

Soul Harvest, Spirit Walk, and Piranhas are matched with Poison Dart and Fetish Army to give the player a quick, deadly Witch Doctor. You’ll find you won’t need to do as much summoning, as your fetishes will mostly stay by you. All you need to do is start firing darts.

What’s good about this Build:

Easy to use
Versatile
Great for boss battles
Speedy and powerful

Carnevil Poison Dart Build Full Details:

Notice the variants of the builds. Note that the builds are staying the same, while the gear is slightly changing.

https://www.icy-veins.com/d3/witch-doctor-carnevil-build-with-legacy-of-nightmares-patch-2-4-1

https://www.icy-veins.com/d3/witch-doctor-zuni-carnevil-poison-dart-build

Summon those Fetishes and let them wreak havoc!

2. Spirit Barrage Build with Mundunugu’s Armor Set

The final two sets of this list both require the player to find some heavily powerful gear. The Spirit Barrage Build uses the effects of Mundunugu’s Regalia to maximize its damage output. As you’ve probably guessed, Spirit Barrage will be your main move with this build. With the fully equipped armor set, the Witch Doctor receives a damage boost of 20,000% for the main skill. The player should pair this force with compatible skills. Spamming Spirit Barrage can be fun for a moment, but add in some variance to give your character life.

It can feel nice to leisurely cruise through a higher Torment level. It can also be redundant. Challenge yourself and play the class to its fullest. Rotate between the Piranhas and Locust Storm to attack enemies with different elemental effects. Not only will this give your Witch Doctor even more power, but you’ll still feel engaged as you breeze by monsters and elites.

For the passive skills in this build, all but one of them is a requirement. Blood Ritual, Confidence Ritual, and Grave Injustice keep your damage dealt and Mana at a high. The fourth passive skill can be played with. Spirit Vessel should probably be used for hardcore players. As for softcore, don’t hesitate to use something to give you even more damage. Because why not?

What’s good about this Build:

Total annihilation
Mundunugu’s Regalia is a great set to have
Higher Torment levels become simple
Great for farming

Spirit Barrage Build Full Details: https://www.icy-veins.com/d3/witch-doctor-spirit-barrage-build-with-the-mundunugus-regalia-set

I find your lack of faith in Spirit Barrage disturbing

1. Helltooth Zombie Bears Build

At its core, I love the name of this build. It sounds obnoxious and terrifying simultaneously. Like the previous build, this requires the Witch Doctor to find and equip a different set. The Helltooth armor will give a 9,000% damage boost to primary skills. That, paired with the Zombie Charger - Zombie Bears skill and rune, leaves enemies demolished.

This build is number 1 on the list because it incorporates the very best parts of Diablo, and makes the game feel as it should. It is great for speed farming, Greater Rift progression, and even solo campaign playthroughs. No matter what your goal is with the Witch Doctor, this build will see you having a blast while playing.

Haunt, Soul Harvest, and Spirit Walk make their returns in this build. They are of the most used active skills in Diablo 3: https://diablo.somepage.com/popular/witch-doctor. They make for such a great pairing with multiple builds and play well with random gear as well. The Wall of Death - Firewall is an aesthetic pleasure to see after summoning a host of Zombie Bears to charge at monsters.

What’s good about this Build: