5 most build-defining items in Diablo 4 that are worth the grind

There are numerous build-defining items in Diablo 4, but they aren’t always worth having in your collection. Well, what do we mean by build-defining? Either they’re items that make one specific build function, or they’re items that can assist a large assortment of builds to work better than ever before. Of course, it goes without saying that this is the opinion of one writer, and your thoughts may vary.

It would have been entirely too easy to just put a list of 5 mythic uniques down as the most build-defining items in Diablo 4, and it probably would’ve made perfect sense. Moreover, now that it’s easier to farm Uniques and Mythic Uniques, some of these builds have become way more popular and viable.

With that in mind, this article will list five of the most build-defining items in Diablo 4.

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What are the most build-defining items in Diablo 4?

1) Andariel's Visage

Andariel's makes Rogues go brrrrrrrr (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Andariel’s Visage is hands-down, one of the most build-defining items in Diablo 4. It’s one of the best helmets in the game, thanks to its incredible stats, including its attack speed, life on hit, and a chance to drop a mighty Poison Nova on hit.

This helmet is even more important since it is required for Andariel’s Rogue to work in the first place. Take it from me - without the Andariel’s helmet, my Barrage Rogue is decent, but with it, suddenly the world is my oyster. It’s easily one of the best items you can possibly have in the game.

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2) Tal'rasha's Iridescent Loop

Tal'rasha's is such a potent ring for any Sorcerer build (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

I can’t think of a single Sorcerer build in Diablo 4 right now that doesn’t take advantage of Tal’rasha’s Iridescent Loop as a build-defining item. Its ability to increase your damage based on how many Elemental types you use is pretty incredible, and cannot be underestimated.

Even if you’re running a Lightning Spear build, you probably have access to at least one or two other elemental damage types, thanks to your items/loadout. Even if you don’t, the 6-8% Cooldown Reduction, 6-8% Lucky Hit Chance, Extra Ranks of Potent Warding, and elemental resistances make this a must-have. There’s no way you cannot benefit from having this in your arsenal.

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3) Blood Moon Breeches

Blood Moon Breeches turn your undead army into killing machines (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Speaking of build-defining items for a singular class, let’s look at Blood Moon Breeches. These are a remarkable pair of pants that served me well last season. If your Necromancer build uses Skeletons at all, you want to have this on tap at all times. Alongside the +Curse Ranks, it also gives your minions a chance to randomly Decrepify or Iron Maiden their targets.

On top of it, the Blood Moon Breeches also deal 100-150% increased Overpower damage to enemies affected by your Curses. Combine this with at least one Curse on your hotbar, and enemy groups get wiped out in the blink of an eye.

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4) Harlequin Crest

Who doesn't want Shako? Only a few builds, honestly (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Harlequin Crest, also known as Shako, is a throwback to Diablo 2. It was one of the best items back then, and it remains in the top tier in Diablo 4 as a build-defining item. Who is it a build-defining item for? Virtually everyone. The only builds that can’t use the Harlequin Crest already have an important item in the head slot that makes it function.

Who doesn’t want a baseline 20% Damage Reduction, on top of 2,500 Armor, and 1,850 Maximum Life? It also has a 20% Cooldown Reduction, making your spells cast so much faster. However, the real winner here is the +4 Ranks to all Skills. What a titanic ability! I’ve seen builds go to +15 in a skill, thanks to careful planning and the Harlequin Crest.

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5) Shard of Verathiel

Shard of Verathiel might be new, but it's making a real impact (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

The Shard of Verathiel is for players who want to use Basic Skills a little bit more. They’ll cost 25 resources instead of being generators, but you also gain +All Stats, +Ranks in Basic Skills, more resources, and 50-200% increased damage from all Basic Skills. This is another pretty generic “can be used in many builds” item, but that’s far from a bad thing.

Barbarians use it in Bash/Flay, I’ve seen it on Heartseeker Rogues, Earth Spike Druids, and Arc Lash Sorcerers. There are so many builds that take a plain, basic Skill ability, and turn it into a terrifying, bossing/grinding machine. Although its relatively new (Season 5), I think the Shard of Verathiel is definitely a build-defining item in Diablo 4.

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• Diablo 4 Season 6 release date and features
• Diablo 4 Season 5 review
• All Diablo 4 Runewords added in patch 2.0