A second Shadow DoT can use Shadow Power and add damage-dependent recovery.
Before you use it
Shadowy Apparitions changes the opening to Shadow Word: Pain at permanent point 21. Shadowform spreading and death bursts arrive at point 31; neither is assumed for a fresh character.
Trade-off to watch
Kill healing and death spread have less fuel against a durable target with no adds.
Its hit-generated absorb offers a defensive option for a route that still needs melee range.
Before you use it
Shadow Dance changes the opener to Backstab only at permanent point 31. Earlier prefixes use the available starter and treat offered Backstab cards as optional.
Trade-off to watch
Cheat Death is a limited recovery trigger, not permission to remain in contact; both main finishers still require melee range.
The early Affliction investment improves its damage and gives a recovery option while DoTs work.
Before you use it
Seed of Corruption gives the Corruption opening at point 31. Before then, Corruption and Curse of Agony are draft priorities rather than guaranteed opening spells.
Trade-off to watch
Spread and death bursts depend on kills; the plan has no measured superiority over direct-damage or demon routes.
It has explicit Destruction support and Doomguard inheritance in this allocation.
Before you use it
Demonic Familiar supplies an Imp from the first allocated rank. Soul Devourer is completed by point 13, Legion Gate appears at point 21 and the Pit Lord capstone at point 31.
Trade-off to watch
Demonic Echoes is the stated echo source for demons. Owner critical or repeat-hit talents must not be assumed to apply identically to summons.
Its nearby root supports controlled-target damage and complements the capstone's periodic free cast.
Before you use it
Summon Water Elemental changes the opening to Frostbolt at permanent point 31. Before that, Frostbolt must actually be available; the route does not assume a capstone pet at low budgets.
Trade-off to watch
Blizzard remains where it is placed, and a front-facing Cone of Cold does not cover enemies behind you.
Its slow creates space and both the early damage talent and later cooldown talent name it.
Before you use it
Pyroclasm changes the opening to Pyroblast only at permanent point 31. Before that, Hot Streak is a conditional free cast after the required Fire criticals, not a guaranteed starter.
Trade-off to watch
Pyroclasm is kill-dependent and rate-limited; its wave explosions do not demonstrate boss performance.
The single Healing Light rank supports a recovery option if gradual chip damage is ending attempts.
Before you use it
Divine Favor grants the Holy Shock opening at permanent point 11, not on a fresh zero-point character. The selected secondary talents do not add a competing starting-spell milestone.
Trade-off to watch
Light's Grace adds a periodic Holy Wrath; it does not remove the need to reach enemies safely with the surrounding burst.
Its below-30%-health hit supplies a finisher when kills slow down; this plan does not include Sweeping Strikes.
Before you use it
Bladestorm is selected at permanent point 31. Before then, Whirlwind is not a promised starting spell; Rampage first supplies kill-triggered free spins at point 11.
Trade-off to watch
Whirlwind and Bloodthirst need nearby targets. Recurring casts do not make standing inside a pack safe.
Its DoT and weakening effect offer a Nature option when incoming damage from affected enemies is the obstacle.
Before you use it
Force of Nature supplies Moonfire as the opening spell and two treants at point 31. Earlier prefixes support the ordinary Wrath opening and offered Balance spells; they do not assume treants.
Trade-off to watch
Moonfire needs time to tick; Starfall is a separate recurring Starfire, not an effect that makes every Moonfire tick cast it.
Open talent plan
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Point budgets refer to permanent talents, not character levels. Skill priorities depend on the choices offered during a run. These mechanics-based routes have not been ranked by combat testing. Compare your own attempts →
The complete class spellbooks
103 skills across 9 classes, including the skills outside these recommended routes.