FoH Smiter

One of the best and cheapest Boss killers in the game, it takes very little gear to make a Smiter effective. Smite, the skill around which the build revolves, never misses its target and hits very quickly, allowing the Smiter to take advantage of on-hit effects such as Chance of Crushing Blow. Now, with Fist of the Heavens becoming super strong, you can actually combine the two Skills to supercharge your Smiter and give him some great Area of Effect clear speed on top of his superb single-target style.

• 1 point to all prerequisites

• 20 points to Smite — Main skill of the build

• 20 points to Holy Shield — Synergy for Smite and powerful defensive buff

• 20 points to Fanaticism — Main Aura, providing both attack speed and damage

• 20 points to Fist of the Heavens — Second Main Damage skill

• 20 points to Holy Bolt — Synergy for Fist of the Heavens

• 1 points to Salvation — Very useful for Resistances, optional

• Any number of points to Resist Lightning, Resist Fire, and/or Resist Cold — For every 2 points in Resist skills, you passively gain +1% Maximum Resist to the relevant element, optional

The following section discusses how many attribute points should be allocated to each of the primary stats.

How much Strength Does a FOH Smiter Need?

Enough Strength for gear — 103 Strength for an Archon Plate is most likely necessary but if choosing a lower Strength armor, then lower is probably needed. This number always changes based on the gear you are using though so make sure to always double check the Strength requirements of each piece of gear you have as well as how much Strength each piece will provide once equipped.

How much Dexterity Does a FOH Smiter Need?

Enough for max block — Between 130 and 170 Dexterity total is usually enough to reach the 75% maximum chance to block. For a typical Paladin wearing the Herald of Zakarum and using a fairly high level Holy Shield, 130 Dexterity should be enough. Always check your Character Sheet however, where you can track your current chance to block as you allocate Dexterity.

How much Vitality Does a FOH Smiter Need?

Everything else into Vitality — 250+ Vitality. Every excess attribute point should be allocated to Vitality, as long as you can meet the Strength and Dexterity requirements of your items by the time you wish to equip them, as well as the 75% maximum chance to block.

How much Energy Does a FOH Smiter Need?

Nothing — allocating stat points to Energy in a final build is universally considered sub-par for almost every character due to the widespread availability of Mana Potions.

Since Mercenaries rarely make it out of Uber Tristram alive, dedicated Smiters rarely opt to even hire a Mercenary. For the FOH Smiter however, you will probably spend a decent amount of time killing stuff outside of Uber Tristram so you can either hire a Defensive (Holy Freeze) or Offensive (Might) Desert Guard Mercenary in Act 2 depending on whether you want to slow monsters for added safety or improve your overall damage as well as that of your Mercenary.

• Weapon: Ethereal Pride, Breath of the Dying, or The Reaper's Toll

• Body Armor: Ethereal Fortitude

• Helm: Andariel's Visage socketed with a Ral Rune